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For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/18-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/07_Jdg_18_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 18:1 - The Danites Settle in Laish" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/18-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/18-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/17-13.htm" title="Judges 17:13">◄</a> Judges 18:1 <a href="/judges/18-2.htm" title="Judges 18:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/judges/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/judges/18.htm">New International Version</a> In those days Israel had no king. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/nlt/judges/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> Now in those days Israel had no king. And the tribe of Dan was trying to find a place where they could settle, for they had not yet moved into the land assigned to them when the land was divided among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/esv/judges/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the people of Dan was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in, for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them. <a href="/bsb/judges/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/kjv/judges/18.htm">King James Bible</a> In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/nkjv/judges/18.htm">New King James Version</a> In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for itself to dwell in; for until that day their inheritance among the tribes of Israel had not fallen to them. <a href="/nasb_/judges/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> In those days there was no king of Israel; and in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for themselves to live in, for until that day an inheritance had not been allotted to them as a possession among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/nasb/judges/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> In those days there was no king of Israel; and in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for themselves to live in, for until that day an inheritance had not been allotted to them as a possession among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/nasb77/judges/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> In those days there was no king of Israel; and in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for themselves to live in, for until that day an inheritance had not been allotted to them as a possession among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/lsb/judges/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> In those days there was no king of Israel; and in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for themselves to live in, for until that day the land among the tribes of Israel had not fallen to them as an inheritance. <a href="/amp/judges/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> In those days there was no king in Israel; and in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance [of land] for themselves to live in, for until then an inheritance had not been allotted to them as a possession among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/csb/judges/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> In those days, there was no king in Israel, and the Danite tribe was looking for territory to occupy. Up to that time no territory had been captured by them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/hcsb/judges/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In those days, there was no king in Israel, and the Danite tribe was looking for territory to occupy. Up to that time no territory had been captured by them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/asv/judges/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/cev/judges/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> These things happened before kings ruled Israel. About this time, the tribe of Dan was looking for a place to live. The other tribes had land, but the people of Dan did not really have any to call their own. <a href="/erv/judges/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/gwt/judges/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In those days Israel didn't have a king. And in those days the tribe of Dan was looking for a place to live. Up to that time they had not received land as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel as they should have. <a href="/gnt/judges/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> There was no king in Israel at that time. In those days the tribe of Dan was looking for territory to claim and settle in because they had not yet received any land of their own among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/isv/judges/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> Back in those days, Israel didn't have a king yet, and during that time the tribe of Dan had been seeking a territorial inheritance to live in, because up until that time no territory had been allotted to them as a possession among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/msb/judges/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/net/judges/18.htm">NET Bible</a> In those days Israel had no king. And in those days the Danite tribe was looking for a place to settle, because at that time they did not yet have a place to call their own among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/nheb/judges/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was looking for an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day, their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/wbt/judges/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought for themselves an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day all their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/web/judges/18.htm">World English Bible</a> In those days there was no king in Israel. In those days the tribe of the Danites sought an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day, their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> In those days there is no king in Israel, and in those days the tribe of the Danite is seeking an inheritance to inhabit for itself, for [that] has not fallen to it to that day in the midst of the tribes of Israel by inheritance. <a href="/ylt/judges/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> In those days there is no king in Israel, and in those days the tribe of the Danite is seeking for itself an inheritance to inhabit, for that hath not fallen to it unto that day in the midst of the tribes of Israel by inheritance. <a href="/slt/judges/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In those days no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites seeking for himself an inheritance to dwell in; for he fell not into an inheritance for himself in the midst of the tribes of Israel till that day.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of Dan sought them an inheritance to dwell in: for unto that day they had not received their lot among the other tribes. <a href="/cpdv/judges/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> In those days, there was no king in Israel. And the tribe of Dan sought a possession for themselves, so that they might live in it. For even to that day, they had not received their lot among the other tribes. <a href="/nabre/judges/18.htm">New American Bible</a> In those days there was no king in Israel. In those days the tribe of the Danites were in search of a heritage to dwell in, for up to that time no heritage had been allotted to them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking for itself a territory to live in; for until then no territory among the tribes of Israel had been allotted to them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> IN those days there was no king in Israel; and in those days the tribe of Dan sought for itself an inheritance to dwell in; for until that day no inheritance had fallen to them among the tribes of Israel. <a href="/hpbt/judges/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> In those days, there was no King in Israel, and in those days the tribe of Dan had sought for itself a division to inhabit, because it was not divided an inheritance until that day among the tribes of Israel<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> In those days there was no king in Israel; and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day there had nothing been allotted unto them among the tribes of Israel for an inheritance. <a href="/sep/judges/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> In those days there was no king in Israel; and in those days the tribe of Dan sought for itself an inheritance to inhabit, because no inheritance had fallen to it until that day in the midst of the tribes of the children of Israel. <a href="/parallel/judges/18-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=5239" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/18.htm">The Danites Settle in Laish</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hā·hêm (Art:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">In those</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yā·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">there was no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: bə·yiś·rā·’êl (Prep-b:: N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">in Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: ū·ḇay·yā·mîm (Conj-w, Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hā·hêm (Art:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: šê·ḇeṭ (N-msc) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">the tribe</a> <a href="/hebrew/1839.htm" title="1839: had·dā·nî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Dan. Patronymically from Dan; a Danite or descendants of Dan.">of the Danites</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: mə·ḇaq·qeš- (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">was looking for</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: na·ḥă·lāh (N-fs) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">territory</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: lā·še·ḇeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">to occupy.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">up to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">time</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they had not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: nā·p̄ə·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">come into</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: bə·na·ḥă·lāh (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">an inheritance</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·wḵ- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">among</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: šiḇ·ṭê (N-mpc) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">the tribes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel.</a> 2So the Danites sent out five men from their clans, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. “Go and explore the land,” they told them. The men entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joshua/19-47.htm">Joshua 19:47</a> (Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.) <a href="/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6</a> In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. <a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a> In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. <a href="/joshua/18-1.htm">Joshua 18:1</a> Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them, <a href="/joshua/13-1.htm">Joshua 13:1-7</a> Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed. / This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites, / from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites; ... <a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Joshua 21:1-3</a> Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribes of Israel / at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, together with pasturelands for our livestock.” / So by the command of the LORD, the Israelites gave the Levites these cities and their pasturelands out of their own inheritance: <a href="/1_samuel/4-1.htm">1 Samuel 4:1</a> Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now the Israelites went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped at Aphek. <a href="/1_kings/12-29.htm">1 Kings 12:29-30</a> One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. <a href="/2_kings/17-26.htm">2 Kings 17:26-28</a> So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” / Then the king of Assyria commanded: “Send back one of the priests you carried off from Samaria, and have him go back to live there and teach the requirements of the God of the land.” / Thus one of the priests they had carried away came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should worship the LORD. <a href="/1_chronicles/13-3.htm">1 Chronicles 13:3</a> Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” <a href="/1_chronicles/16-39.htm">1 Chronicles 16:39</a> And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon <a href="/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3</a> For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law. <a href="/psalms/78-60.htm">Psalm 78:60-61</a> He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men. / He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. <a href="/isaiah/10-10.htm">Isaiah 10:10-11</a> As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria, / and as I have done to Samaria and its idols, will I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols?” <a href="/hosea/3-4.htm">Hosea 3:4</a> For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or idol.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day all their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.no king.<a href="/deuteronomy/33-5.htm">Deuteronomy 33:5</a> And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.<a href="/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6</a> In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.<a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Judges 19:1</a> And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.the tribe<a href="/joshua/19-40.htm">Joshua 19:40-48</a> And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families… for unto<a href="/judges/1-34.htm">Judges 1:34</a> And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/13-2.htm">Danites</a> <a href="/joshua/21-10.htm">Distribution</a> <a href="/judges/17-11.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/judges/2-6.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/judges/11-2.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/judges/17-6.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/22-22.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/judges/9-41.htm">Live</a> <a href="/judges/14-4.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-1.htm">Settle</a> <a href="/judges/14-4.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/judges/15-9.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/judges/16-20.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/13-2.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Tribes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Danites</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-3.htm">Distribution</a> <a href="/judges/18-28.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/judges/18-9.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/judges/20-6.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/judges/18-19.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Live</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-2.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/ruth/3-18.htm">Settle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-21.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/judges/18-31.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/judges/20-2.htm">Tribes</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 18</div>1. <a href="/judges/18-1.htm">The Danites send five men to seek out an inheritance</a> 3. <a href="/judges/18-3.htm">At the house of Micah they consult with Jonathan, and are encouraged</a> 7. <a href="/judges/18-7.htm">They search Laish, and bring back news of good hope</a> 11. <a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Six hundred men are sent to surprise it</a> 16. <a href="/judges/18-16.htm">In their way they rob Micah of his priest and his consecrated things</a> 27. <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">They win Laish, and call it Dan</a> 30. <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">They set up idolatry, wherein Jonathan inherits the priesthood.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>In those days there was no king in Israel This phrase sets the historical context for the events in <a href="/judges/18.htm">Judges 18</a>. The absence of a king indicates a period of decentralized leadership, where Israel was governed by judges. This lack of centralized authority often led to moral and social chaos, as seen throughout the Book of Judges. The repeated mention of "no king" in Judges (17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25) underscores the need for righteous leadership, foreshadowing Israel's eventual demand for a monarchy. This period is marked by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, highlighting the Israelites' struggle to remain faithful to God without strong leadership.and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy The Danites' search for territory reflects their failure to fully conquer the land allotted to them in <a href="/joshua/19-40.htm">Joshua 19:40-48</a>. This failure is attributed to their inability to drive out the Amorites (<a href="/judges/1-34.htm">Judges 1:34-35</a>), demonstrating a lack of faith and obedience to God's command to possess the land. The Danites' quest for new territory illustrates the broader theme of incomplete conquest and disobedience among the tribes of Israel. This search also foreshadows their eventual migration northward, where they would establish a new settlement in Laish, later renamed Dan (<a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Judges 18:27-29</a>).For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel This phrase highlights the Danites' unique situation among the tribes. While each tribe was allotted a specific inheritance in the Promised Land, the Danites struggled to secure theirs. This lack of inheritance is both a literal and spiritual issue, as it reflects their failure to trust in God's promises and fulfill their covenant responsibilities. The concept of inheritance is significant in biblical theology, symbolizing God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham and his descendants (<a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7, 15</a>:18-21). The Danites' situation serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faith in God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_danites.htm">The Danites</a> A tribe of Israel, descendants of Dan, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. They were seeking a territory to settle in because they had not yet secured their inheritance in the Promised Land. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation chosen by God, consisting of twelve tribes. At this time, Israel was a confederation of tribes without a centralized monarchy. 3. <a href="/topical/i/inheritance.htm">Inheritance</a> Refers to the land allotted to each tribe of Israel as their permanent possession, as promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a> The absence of a king in Israel during this time led to moral and spiritual chaos. This highlights the need for godly leadership to guide and unify God's people. <a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_promises.htm">Trusting in God's Promises</a> The Danites' struggle to secure their inheritance reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's promises and timing, even when circumstances seem challenging. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> The Danites' failure to fully possess their land as initially allotted can be seen as a consequence of incomplete obedience to God's commands, serving as a warning to us today. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a> In times of uncertainty, like the Danites faced, it is crucial to seek God's guidance rather than relying solely on human wisdom and strength.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 18</a> <a href="/q/what_was_the_tribe_of_dan's_biblical_role.htm">What role did the Tribe of Dan play biblically?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_bible's_family_idols.htm">What are the family idols mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/dan's_inheritance_accurate_despite_migration.htm">Joshua 19:40–48: How can Dan’s inheritance be accurate if the tribe later migrated elsewhere (Judges 18)? </a> <a href="/q/why_didn't_tribes_fully_possess_land.htm">If the land division was divinely ordained, why do other biblical accounts (e.g., Judges 1) describe tribes failing to fully possess these assigned territories?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) In those days . . .--The repetition of the phrase does not necessarily prove the use of different documents. It may only emphasise the reason for the occurrence of such disorders and irregularities.The tribe.--Shebet sometimes means a whole tribe, and sometimes apparently the division of a tribe (<a href="/judges/20-12.htm" title="And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?">Judges 20:12</a>).The tribe of the Danites.--There seems to be a difference between "tribe of Dan" (Shebet Dan) and "tribesmen of the Danites" (Shebet had-Dani). In <a href="/judges/18-11.htm" title="And there went from there of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.">Judges 18:11</a> they are called Mishpecath had-Dani; but the distinctions between Mishpecath ("family") and Shebet ("tribe") do not seem to be accurately kept. (See Notes on <a href="/judges/18-19.htm" title="And they said to him, Hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or that you be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?">Judges 18:19</a> and <a href="/judges/20-12.htm" title="And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?">Judges 20:12</a>.)Sought them an inheritance.--See <a href="/judges/1-34.htm" title="And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:">Judges 1:34</a>; <a href="/context/joshua/19-47.htm" title="And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelled therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.">Joshua 19:47-48</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - In those days, etc. See <a href="/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6</a>. The tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance, etc. This does not mean that the whole tribe of Dan were still seeking their inheritance. The bulk of the tribe, as we read in <a href="/joshua/19-40.htm">Joshua 19:40-48</a>, did receive their inheritance by lot before the death of Joshua (ibid. ver. 49) and Eleazar (ibid. ver. 51). But as long as any part of the tribe was not settled, the tribe as such, in its unity, was still seeking a settlement. The land for their inheritance had not yet fallen to the tribe in its integrity. This is in part accounted for by what we read <a href="/judges/1-34.htm">Judges 1:34</a>, that the Amorites would not suffer the children of Dan to come down to the valley, so that those who could not get possession of their land there would be crowded into other parts of the tribal territory. These Danites, of whom we are here reading, were dwelling in Zorah and Eshtaol (<a href="/judges/13-1.htm">Judges 13:1, 25</a>), as we see by vers. 2, 11. Unto that day, etc. Translate this clause, For unto that day the land (meaning the whole land) had not fallen unto them in the midst of the tribes of Israel for an inheritance. The words the land must be supplied after the analogy of <a href="/numbers/34-2.htm">Numbers 34:2</a>. What follows in this chapter is a more detailed account of what was briefly mentioned in <a href="/joshua/19-47.htm">Joshua 19:47</a>, where, however, the A.V. went out too little for them is not a translation of the Hebrew text, which is very difficult to explain. Houbigant, by an ingenious conjecture, gives the sense was too narrow for them. Prom the mention of this migration in the Book of Joshua, it is probable that it took place not many years after Joshua's death. <a href="/commentaries/judges/18-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>In those הָהֵ֔ם (hā·hêm) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They days בַּיָּמִ֣ים (bay·yā·mîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day there was no אֵ֥ין (’ên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle king מֶ֖לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king in Israel, בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc [and] the tribe שֵׁ֣בֶט (šê·ḇeṭ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe of the Danites הַדָּנִ֞י (had·dā·nî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1839.htm">Strong's 1839: </a> Danites -- descendant of Dan was looking for מְבַקֶּשׁ־ (mə·ḇaq·qeš-) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after territory נַֽחֲלָה֙ (na·ḥă·lāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion to occupy. לָשֶׁ֔בֶת (lā·še·ḇeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry For כִּי֩ (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction up to עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while that הַה֛וּא (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are time וּבַיָּמִ֣ים (ū·ḇay·yā·mîm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day they had not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no come into נָ֨פְלָה (nā·p̄ə·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> To fall, lie an inheritance בְּנַחֲלָֽה׃ (bə·na·ḥă·lāh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion among בְּתוֹךְ־ (bə·ṯō·wḵ-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> A bisection, the centre the tribes שִׁבְטֵ֥י (šiḇ·ṭê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe of Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/18-1.htm">OT History: Judges 18:1 In those days there was no king (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/17-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 17:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 17:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/18-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 18:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 18:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>