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The men entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/18-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/07_Jdg_18_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 18:2 - The Danites Settle in Laish" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So 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." /><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/18-2.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/18-2.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 2</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="/ad2.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/18-1.htm" title="Judges 18:1">◄</a> Judges 18:2 <a href="/judges/18-3.htm" title="Judges 18:3">►</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> So the Danites sent five of their leading men from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out the land and explore it. These men represented all the Danites. They told them, &#8220Go, explore the land.&#8221 So they entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night. <a href="/nlt/judges/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> So the men of Dan chose from their clans five capable warriors from the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol to scout out a land for them to settle in. When these warriors arrived in the hill country of Ephraim, they came to Micah’s house and spent the night there. <a href="/esv/judges/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> So the people of Dan sent five able men from the whole number of their tribe, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. And they said to them, “Go and explore the land.” And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/bsb/judges/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So 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. <a href="/kjv/judges/18.htm">King James Bible</a> And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there. <a href="/nkjv/judges/18.htm">New King James Version</a> So the children of Dan sent five men of their family from their territory, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and search it. They said to them, “Go, search the land.” So they went to the mountains of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/nasb_/judges/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So the sons of Dan sent from their family five men out of their whole number, valiant men from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it; and they said to them, “Go, explore the land.” And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and stayed overnight there. <a href="/nasb/judges/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> So the sons of Dan sent from their family five men out of their whole number, valiant men from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it; and they said to them, &#8220Go, search the land.&#8221 And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/nasb77/judges/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So the sons of Dan sent from their family five men out of their whole number, valiant men from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it; and they said to them, “Go, search the land.” And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/lsb/judges/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So the sons of Dan sent from their family five men out of their whole number, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it; and they said to them, “Go, search the land.” And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/amp/judges/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So the sons of Dan sent from the total number of their [extended] family five brave men from Zorah and Eshtaol, to scout the land and to explore it; and they said to them, “Go, explore the land.” They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/csb/judges/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So the Danites sent out five brave men from all their clans, from Zorah and Eshtaol, to scout out the land and explore it. They told them, “Go and explore the land.” They came to the hill country of Ephraim as far as the home of Micah and spent the night there. <a href="/hcsb/judges/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So the Danites sent out five brave men from all their clans, from Zorah and Eshtaol, to scout out the land and explore it. They told them, &#8220Go and explore the land.&#8221 They came to the hill country of Ephraim as far as the home of Micah and spent the night there. <a href="/asv/judges/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land. And they came to the hill-country of Ephraim, unto the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/cev/judges/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The tribe chose five warriors to represent their clans and told them, "Go and find some land where we can live." The warriors left the area of Zorah and Eshtaol and went into the hill country of Ephraim. One night they stayed at Micah's house, <a href="/erv/judges/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: and they came to the hill country of Ephraim, unto the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/gwt/judges/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So all the families of Dan sent out five qualified men from Zorah and Eshtaol. They were sent to spy throughout the land and explore it. They were told, "Go and explore the land!" They came to Micah's house in the mountains of Ephraim. They spent the night there. <a href="/gnt/judges/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> So the people of Dan chose five qualified men out of all the families in the tribe and sent them from the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol with instructions to explore the land and spy on it. When they arrived in the hill country of Ephraim, they stayed at Micah's house. <a href="/isv/judges/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> So the tribe of Dan sent from their families five valiant men of their number from Zorah and Eshtaol to scout the land and search through it. Following their orders, which were "Go and scout the land," they came to the mountainous region of Ephraim, arrived at Micah's home, and stayed there. <a href="/msb/judges/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So 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. <a href="/net/judges/18.htm">NET Bible</a> The Danites sent out from their whole tribe five representatives, capable men from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. They said to them, "Go, explore the land." They came to the Ephraimite hill country and spent the night at Micah's house. <a href="/nheb/judges/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The people of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said to them, "Go, explore the land." They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and stayed there. <a href="/wbt/judges/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their borders, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to explore the land, and to search it; and they said to them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there. <a href="/web/judges/18.htm">World English Bible</a> The children of Dan sent five men of their family from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it. They said to them, “Go, explore the land!” They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the sons of Dan send, out of their family, five of their men—men, sons of valor—from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to traverse the land, and to search it, and they say to them, “Go, search the land”; and they come into the hill-country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodge there. <a href="/ylt/judges/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the sons of Dan send, out of their family, five men of them, men, sons of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to traverse the land, and to search it, and they say unto them, 'Go, search the land;' and they come into the hill-country of Ephraim, unto the house of Micah, and lodge there. <a href="/slt/judges/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the sons of Dan will send from their families five men from their extremities, men sons of power, from Zorah and Eshtaol, to search the land and to examine it; and they will say to them, Go and examine the land: and they will come to mount Ephraim, even to the house of Micah, and they will lodge there.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> So the children of Dan sent five most valiant men of their stock and family from Saraa and Esthaol, to spy out the land, and to view it diligently: and they said to them: Go, and view the land. They went on their way, and when they came to mount Ephraim, they went into the house of Michas, and rested there: <a href="/cpdv/judges/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, the sons of Dan sent five very strong men, of their stock and family, from Zorah and Eshtaol, so that they might explore the land and diligently inspect it. And they said to them, “Go, and consider the land.” And after traveling, they arrived at mount Ephraim, and they entered into the house of Micah. There they rested. <a href="/nabre/judges/18.htm">New American Bible</a> So the Danites sent from their clans five powerful men of Zorah and Eshtaol, to reconnoiter the land and scout it. “Go, scout the land,” they were told. They went into the mountain region of Ephraim, and they spent the night there. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So the Danites sent five valiant men from the whole number of their clan, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it; and they said to them, “Go, explore the land.” When they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they stayed there.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the Danites sent of their families five men from Zedah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to explore it; and they said to them, Go and explore the land. And they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and they lodged there. <a href="/hpbt/judges/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the children of Dan sent five men from their tribe, from Tsada and from Eshtwayel, to spy the land and to explore it, and they were saying to them: “Go explore the land.” And they came to the Mountain of Aphreim unto the house of Mikah and they lodged there<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them: 'Go, search the land'; and they came to the hill-country of Ephraim, unto the house of Micah, and lodged there. <a href="/sep/judges/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the sons of Dan sent from their families five men of valour, from Saraa and from Esthaol, to spy out the land and to search it; and they said to them, Go and search out the land. And they came as far as the mount of Ephraim to the house of Michaias and they lodged there, <a href="/parallel/judges/18-2.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=5253" 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> 1In 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. 2<a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">So the Danites</a> <a href="/hebrew/1835.htm" title="1835: ḏān (N-proper-ms) -- Judge, a son of Jacob, also his desc. and their territory, also a place in N. Isr. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·lə·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">sent out</a> <a href="/hebrew/2568.htm" title="2568: ḥă·miš·šāh (Number-ms) -- Five. Masculine chamishshah; a primitive numeral; five.">five</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ă·nā·šîm (N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/4940.htm" title="4940: mim·miš·paḥ·tām (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- From shaphah; a family, i.e. Circle of relatives; figuratively, a class, a species or sort; by extens. A tribe or people.">from their clans,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7098.htm" title="7098: miq·ṣō·w·ṯām (Prep-m:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- An end. Feminine of qatseh; a termination."></a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ă·nā·šîm (N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥa·yil (N-ms) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">valor</a> <a href="/hebrew/6881.htm" title="6881: miṣ·ṣā·rə·‘āh (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- A city exchanged by Judah and Dan. Apparently another form for tsir'ah; Tsorah, a place in Palestine.">from Zorah</a> <a href="/hebrew/847.htm" title="847: ū·mê·’eš·tā·’ōl (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- Eshtaol -- to found, establish. Or meshtafowl; probably from sha'al; intreaty; Eshtaol, a place in Palestine.">and Eshtaol,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7270.htm" title="7270: lə·rag·gêl (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- A primitive root; to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer; also to lead about.">to spy out</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/2713.htm" title="2713: ū·lə·ḥā·qə·rāh (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3fs) -- To search. A primitive root; properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately.">and explore it.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“Go</a> <a href="/hebrew/2713.htm" title="2713: ḥiq·rū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To search. A primitive root; properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately.">and explore</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they told them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">The men entered</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: har- (N-msc) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">the hill country</a> <a href="/hebrew/669.htm" title="669: ’ep̄·ra·yim (N-proper-ms) -- Dual of masculine form of 'Ephraath; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">of Ephraim</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.">and came to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/4318.htm" title="4318: mî·ḵāh (N-proper-ms) -- The name of several Isr. An abbrev. Of Miykayah; Micah, the name of seven Israelites.">of Micah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3885.htm" title="3885: way·yā·lî·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or liyn; a primitive root; to stop; by implication, to stay permanently; hence to be obstinate.">where they spent the night.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> 3And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”…<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/1-34.htm">Judges 1:34</a> The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain. <a href="/judges/17-1.htm">Judges 17:1-6</a> Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim / said to his mother, “The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have the silver here with me; I took it.” Then his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the LORD!” / And when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I wholly dedicate the silver to the LORD for my son’s benefit, to make a graven image and a molten idol. Therefore I will now return it to you.” ... <a href="/numbers/13-17.htm">Numbers 13:17-20</a> When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. / See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. / Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? ... <a href="/deuteronomy/1-22.htm">Deuteronomy 1:22-25</a> Then all of you approached me and said, “Let us send men ahead of us to search out the land and bring us word of what route to follow and which cities to enter.” / The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe. / They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and spied out the land. ... <a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Joshua 2:1-3</a> Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. / And it was reported to the king of Jericho: “Behold, some men of Israel have come here tonight to spy out the land.” / So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.” <a href="/1_samuel/9-3.htm">1 Samuel 9:3-4</a> One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.” / So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them. <a href="/1_samuel/13-2.htm">1 Samuel 13:2-3</a> He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home. / Then Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” <a href="/2_samuel/2-1.htm">2 Samuel 2:1</a> Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD. <a href="/2_kings/5-2.htm">2 Kings 5:2</a> At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. <a href="/1_chronicles/12-35.htm">1 Chronicles 12:35</a> From Dan: 28,600 prepared for battle. <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a> A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. <a href="/isaiah/7-2.htm">Isaiah 7:2</a> When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind. <a href="/jeremiah/49-1.htm">Jeremiah 49:1</a> Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: “Has Israel no sons? Is he without heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad? Why have his people settled in their cities? <a href="/matthew/10-5.htm">Matthew 10:5-6</a> These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. / Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said to them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.men.<a href="/judges/18-8.htm">Judges 18:8,11</a> And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye? … <a href="/judges/13-2.htm">Judges 13:2,25</a> And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not… <a href="/judges/16-31.htm">Judges 16:31</a> Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.to spy<a href="/numbers/13-17.htm">Numbers 13:17</a> And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:<a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Joshua 2:1</a> And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.<a href="/proverbs/20-18.htm">Proverbs 20:18</a> Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.mount<a href="/judges/17-1.htm">Judges 17:1</a> And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.<a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Judges 19:1,18</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… <a href="/joshua/17-15.htm">Joshua 17:15-18</a> And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/11-26.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/judges/14-17.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/11-26.htm">Coasts</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Country</a> <a href="/judges/13-25.htm">Dan</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/judges/16-31.htm">Eshtaol</a> <a href="/judges/1-23.htm">Explore</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/judges/17-12.htm">House</a> <a href="/joshua/6-11.htm">Lodged</a> <a href="/judges/17-13.htm">Micah</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Search</a> <a href="/judges/1-23.htm">Spy</a> <a href="/judges/11-1.htm">Valor</a> <a href="/judges/11-1.htm">Valour</a> <a href="/judges/14-17.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/judges/16-31.htm">Zorah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/judges/18-16.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Coasts</a> <a href="/judges/18-13.htm">Country</a> <a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Dan</a> <a href="/judges/18-13.htm">Ephraim</a> <a href="/judges/18-8.htm">Eshtaol</a> <a href="/judges/18-14.htm">Explore</a> <a href="/judges/18-13.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/judges/18-13.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/judges/18-3.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/19-7.htm">Lodged</a> <a href="/judges/18-3.htm">Micah</a> <a href="/judges/18-13.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-3.htm">Search</a> <a href="/judges/18-14.htm">Spy</a> <a href="/judges/20-44.htm">Valor</a> <a href="/judges/20-44.htm">Valour</a> <a href="/judges/19-2.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/judges/18-8.htm">Zorah</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>So the Danites sent out five men from their clans The tribe of Dan was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Dan, the son of Jacob and Bilhah. At this time, the Danites were struggling to secure their allotted inheritance in the Promised Land, as described in <a href="/joshua/19-40.htm">Joshua 19:40-48</a>. The sending of five men indicates a strategic reconnaissance mission, similar to the twelve spies sent by Moses in <a href="/numbers/13.htm">Numbers 13</a>. This reflects a common practice in ancient warfare and exploration.men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol Zorah and Eshtaol were towns located in the territory originally assigned to the tribe of Dan, near the border of the Philistine territory. These towns are also associated with Samson, another Danite, as seen in <a href="/judges/13-25.htm">Judges 13:25</a>. The term "men of valor" suggests that these were experienced warriors, capable of handling the challenges of scouting and potential conflict.to spy out the land and explore it The mission to "spy out the land" echoes the earlier biblical narrative of the Israelite spies sent into Canaan. This task was to assess the land's suitability for settlement and its inhabitants' strength. The Danites were seeking a new territory because they had not been able to fully conquer their original allotment, as noted in <a href="/judges/1-34.htm">Judges 1:34</a>.“Go and explore the land,” they told them This command reflects a proactive approach to finding a solution to their territorial challenges. The directive to "explore" suggests a thorough investigation, not just of military aspects but also of the land's resources and potential for settlement. This mirrors God's command to the Israelites to explore the Promised Land, emphasizing the importance of divine guidance in their endeavors.The men entered the hill country of Ephraim The hill country of Ephraim was a central region in Israel, known for its rugged terrain and strategic importance. It was part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Ephraim, descendants of Joseph. This area was significant in Israel's history, being the location of Shiloh, where the tabernacle was set up (<a href="/joshua/18.htm">Joshua 18:1</a>).and came to the house of Micah Micah's house is central to the narrative in <a href="/judges/17.htm">Judges 17-18</a>, where he had established a shrine with an idol and hired a Levite as a priest. This reflects the religious syncretism and idolatry prevalent in Israel during the time of the Judges, highlighting the spiritual decline and lack of centralized worship.where they spent the night Spending the night at Micah's house suggests hospitality, a valued cultural practice in ancient Israel. It also sets the stage for the subsequent events, where the Danites would learn about Micah's shrine and the Levite priest, leading to their decision to take both for themselves. This act foreshadows the moral and spiritual chaos that characterizes the period of the Judges.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/danites.htm">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 received their inheritance. 2. <a href="/topical/z/zorah_and_eshtaol.htm">Zorah and Eshtaol</a> Towns in the territory of Dan, from where the five men were sent. These locations are significant as they are part of the Danite's original allotment. 3. <a href="/topical/f/five_leading_men.htm">Five Leading Men</a> Representatives of the tribe of Dan tasked with exploring new territory. Their mission was to find a suitable place for the tribe to settle. 4. <a href="/topical/h/hill_country_of_ephraim.htm">Hill Country of Ephraim</a> A region in central Israel where the men traveled. It is significant as a place of transition and decision-making. 5. <a href="/topical/h/house_of_micah.htm">House of Micah</a> The dwelling of a man named Micah, who had set up a shrine with idols. This location becomes a pivotal point in the account of the Danites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a> The Danites' search for a new land underscores the importance of seeking God's direction in our decisions. We should prioritize prayer and discernment in our pursuits. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a> The Danites' actions later in the chapter reveal the dangers of straying from God's commands. This serves as a reminder to adhere to biblical principles. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_leadership.htm">Community and Leadership</a> The sending of leading men reflects the importance of wise and godly leadership in community decisions. We should seek leaders who are committed to God's will. <a href="/topical/i/influence_of_idolatry.htm">Influence of Idolatry</a> The encounter with Micah's house highlights the pervasive influence of idolatry. We must guard against allowing cultural or personal idols to take precedence over our faith. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_action.htm">Faith and Action</a> The Danites' journey illustrates the balance between faith and action. While trusting in God's provision, we must also be proactive in fulfilling our responsibilities.<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/how_do_danites'_move_align_with_history.htm">In Judges 18:2, how can the Danites' sudden relocation from the south to the distant north be reconciled with known settlement patterns or historical records?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_laish's_swift_conquest_align_biblically.htm">How does the swift, seemingly unopposed conquest of Laish in Judges 18:27-29 align with other biblical accounts or historical records of territorial conflicts?</a> <a href="/q/is_laish's_isolation_in_judges_18_7_accurate.htm">Does archaeological evidence confirm a city like Laish (Judges 18:7) existing so isolated and unfortified, or does the narrative conflict with external data?</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>(2) From their coasts.--Literally, their ends (<a href="/genesis/19-4.htm" title="But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:">Genesis 19:4</a>; <a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm" title="And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.">1Kings 12:31</a>). Some explain it to mean "from their whole number."Men of valour.--Literally, sons of force (<a href="/judges/21-10.htm" title="And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the most valiant, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.">Judges 21:10</a>).To spy out the land.--As in <a href="/joshua/2-1.htm" title="And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.">Joshua 2:1</a>.They came to mount Ephraim.--It would have been an easier journey to pass along the Shephelah, but that was mainly in the hands of the original inhabitants. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - They came to Mount Ephraim (<a href="/judges/17-1.htm">Judges 17:1, 8</a>). The hill country of Ephraim would be on their way to the north from Eshtaol. They would naturally avoid the plain where the Amorites and Philistines were strong. <a href="/commentaries/judges/18-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So the Danites בְנֵי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son sent out וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ (way·yiš·lə·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out five חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה (ḥă·miš·šāh) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2568.htm">Strong's 2568: </a> Five men אֲנָשִׁ֣ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person from their clans, מִֽמִּשְׁפַּחְתָּ֡ם (mim·miš·paḥ·tām) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4940.htm">Strong's 4940: </a> A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people valiant warriors בְּנֵי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son from Zorah מִצָּרְעָ֣ה (miṣ·ṣā·rə·‘āh) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6881.htm">Strong's 6881: </a> Zorah -- a city exchanged by Judah and Dan and Eshtaol, וּמֵֽאֶשְׁתָּאֹ֗ל (ū·mê·’eš·tā·’ōl) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_847.htm">Strong's 847: </a> Eshtaol -- to found, establish to spy out לְרַגֵּ֤ל (lə·rag·gêl) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7270.htm">Strong's 7270: </a> To walk along, to reconnoiter, to be a, tale-bearer, to lead about the land הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land and explore it. וּלְחָקְרָ֔הּ (ū·lə·ḥā·qə·rāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2713.htm">Strong's 2713: </a> To penetrate, to examine intimately “Go לְכ֖וּ (lə·ḵū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk and explore חִקְר֣וּ (ḥiq·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2713.htm">Strong's 2713: </a> To penetrate, to examine intimately the land,” הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land they told them. וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say [The men] entered וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go the hill country הַר־ (har-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country of Ephraim אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ (’ep̄·ra·yim) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_669.htm">Strong's 669: </a> Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory and came to עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while the house בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of Micah, מִיכָ֔ה (mî·ḵāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4318.htm">Strong's 4318: </a> Micah -- the name of several Israelites where they spent the night. וַיָּלִ֖ינוּ (way·yā·lî·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3885.htm">Strong's 3885: </a> To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/18-2.htm">Judges 18:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/18-2.htm">OT History: Judges 18:2 The children of Dan sent of their (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/18-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 18:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 18:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/18-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 18:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 18:3" /></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>