The Danites' Migration and the Theft of Micah's Idols
Judges 18:1-31
Jud.18.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- אין: PART,neg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובימים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדני: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מבקש: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- נחלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- נפלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- בתוך: PREP
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנחלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.17.6 (verbal): Uses the same refrain "In those days there was no king in Israel," framing the chaotic period and linking to the social/political context of Judges 18:1.
- Judg.21.25 (verbal): Repeats the identical refrain and theme of decentralized authority—"In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes"—bookending the era described in Judges.
- Joshua 19:40-47 (structural): Lists the territory originally allotted to the tribe of Dan, providing the background to the statement that Dan's inheritance "had not fallen to them" among the tribes.
- Judg.1:34 (thematic): Explains why Dan lacked secure possession: the Amorites confined the Danites to the hill country, preventing them from taking their allotted inheritance—directly relevant to Judges 18:1's concern with Dan's lack of territory.
Alternative generated candidates
- 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 they had not yet received an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
- In those days there was no king in Israel; in those days the tribe of Dan sought a possession to dwell in, for to that day their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.
Jud.18.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ממשפחתם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- חמשה: NUM,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מקצותם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מצרעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומאשתאל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרגל: PREP
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולחקרה: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,f,sg
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- חקרו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וילינו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Numbers 13:17-20 (thematic): Moses sends men to spy out the land of Canaan to report on its condition—parallel in purpose and method to the Danite reconnaissance sent to survey territory.
- Joshua 2:1 (thematic): Joshua sends two spies into Jericho who lodge in a house there; parallels the Danite spies who come and lodge at Micah's house, highlighting the motif of espionage and seeking shelter in a household.
- Judges 1:34-35 (structural): Earlier account of the Danites' failure to possess their allotted cities and their eventual move to other territory—provides background and motive for the Danites' later scouting expedition in chapter 18.
- Judges 17:4-6 (verbal): Describes Micah's household shrine and visitors who stay there; directly connects to the same site where the Danite spies lodge, tying the two narratives together (the Micah/house of idols motif).
- 1 Chronicles 12:38 (verbal): Uses the phrase 'men of valor' (Heb. בני־חיל) to describe warrior groups; parallels the designation of the Danite scouting party as 'men of valor,' linking social/military terminology across texts.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the sons of Dan sent from their families five men from their clan, men of valor, from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. And they said to them, “Go, explore the land.” So they went up and came to Mount Ephraim, to Micah’s house, and lodged there.
- And the sons of Dan from their families sent five men of their number, men of valour, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. They said to them, “Go, explore the land.”
Jud.18.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- הכירו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הלוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויסורו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- הביאך: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- הלם: DEM,m,sg
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בזה: PREP+DEM
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- פה: ADV
Parallels
- Judges 17:7-11 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same episode: earlier narrative describing the young Levite going to live with Micah and the transactions by which he becomes Micah’s priest—same characters and situation that lead into 18:3.
- Judges 18:19-26 (structural): Continues the same scene: after questioning the Levite (18:3), the Danites later persuade him to become their priest, showing the outcome of the encounter and the Levite’s shifting patronage.
- Numbers 18:20-24 (thematic): Regulations about the Levites’ service and lack of land inheritance—background for understanding why Levites might reside in household contexts and receive hospitality or patronage from households like Micah’s.
- Deuteronomy 18:6-7 (thematic): Describes the Levites’ dependence on the community and their entitlement to offerings; thematically related to a Levite living with and being retained by a private household for religious duties.
Alternative generated candidates
- They were in the house of Micah; and they knew the voice of the young Levite. So they stayed there and said to him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing, and what is your business here?”
- So they went and came to the hill country of Ephraim, to Micah’s house, and lodged there. They were with the house of Micah, and they recognized the voice of the young Levite; they stayed there.
Jud.18.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כזה: PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- וכזה: CONJ+DEM,m,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישכרני: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg,prsuf:1,sg
- ואהי: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לכהן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 17:10-13 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: earlier episode where Micah hires the Levite to be his priest, supplying the background for the Danites' remark in 18:4.
- Judges 18:30 (structural): Direct continuation of the story—here the Levite becomes the priest of the Danites' shrine, fulfilling the arrangement alluded to in 18:4.
- 1 Kings 12:31-33 (thematic): Later parallel where Jeroboam appoints non‑Levitical priests at Dan (and Bethel), reflecting the recurring Israelite practice of establishing priests outside the Torah's prescriptions.
- Deuteronomy 18:1-2 (thematic): Lawful provision and role of the Levites contrasted with the private hiring/appointment of a priest in Judges 18:4; highlights the irregularity of Micah/Dan's cultic arrangement.
- Ezekiel 44:9 (allusion): Prophetic condemnation of unauthorized persons performing priestly functions echoes the irregular, illicit priesthood established in the Micah/Dan narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, “Thus and thus did Micah to me: he hired me, and I became his priest.”
- They said to him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing here? What business have you in this place?”
Jud.18.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שאל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- באלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונדעה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,pl
- התצליח: VERB,hitp,perf,3,m,sg
- דרכנו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- הלכים: VERB,qal,ptc,m,pl
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 30:8 (verbal): David explicitly 'asks of the LORD' whether he should pursue and whether he will overtake the raiders—same verb and concern about the success of a proposed course of action.
- Judges 20:18 (verbal): Within Judges the Israelites 'inquire of God' before engaging Benjamin—close verbal and contextual parallel (seeking divine guidance about the success of their military course).
- 1 Samuel 14:36-37 (thematic): Saul calls for an inquiry of the LORD (by lot/priest) to determine whether to advance against the Philistines—same theme of consulting God to know if their enterprise will succeed.
- Numbers 27:21 (structural): Moses instructs that Joshua consult Eleazar the priest (by the Urim) to learn God’s decision—a structural parallel about seeking God’s direction through authorized channels for guidance on a course of action.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to him, “Ask counsel of God, that we may know whether our journey will prosper— the way on which we go.”
- And he said to them, “Thus and thus Micah has done to me; he hired me, and I have become his priest.”
Jud.18.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- לשלום: PREP
- נכח: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- דרככם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+SUFF,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תלכו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Judg.17.10 (verbal): Almost identical wording—same priestly formula: the priest tells the visitors 'Go in peace; before the LORD is your way' (the episode of the Levite serving as a household priest).
- Judg.17.7-13 (structural): Sets up the same narrative cluster: a Levite/household priest in Micah's shrine and the illicit local cultic arrangement that the Danites later exploit—structural parallel to the context of 18:6.
- 1 Kings 12:28-31 (thematic): Jeroboam establishes non‑Levitical cultic centers and creates a lay priesthood for the golden calves—thematic parallel of unauthorized worship and irregular priests instituted by lay actors.
- 1 Sam.2:12-17 (thematic): The sons of Eli as corrupt or improper priests who misuse priestly office—thematic resonance with misuse and degradation of priestly functions in Judges 17–18.
- Ezek.44:10-14 (thematic): Ezekiel's regulations distinguishing rightful priests from others and condemning improper priestly practices—contrastive thematic parallel highlighting the illegitimacy of the Levite/priest in Judges 17–18.
Alternative generated candidates
- The priest said to them, “Go in peace; before the LORD is the way on which you go.”
- They said to him, “Please inquire of God, that we may know whether the journey on which we go will succeed.”
Jud.18.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- חמשת: NUM,m,pl,cs
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לישה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בקרבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- יושבת: VERB,qal,ptc,3,f,sg
- לבטח: ADV
- כמשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צדנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שקט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובטח: CONJ+ADV
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- מכלים: VERB,qal,ptc,m,pl
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- יורש: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- עצר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ורחקים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- מצדנים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- אין: PART,neg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 17:6 (thematic): Same social observation about Israel's lack of central authority and moral disorder — the book’s recurring context 'no king/judges' explains the local autonomy and lawlessness reflected in 18:7.
- Judges 21:25 (thematic): The book’s closing refrain 'there was no king in Israel' and resulting anarchy parallels the political vacuum and unchecked local action implied in 18:7.
- Judges 18:27 (structural): Immediate narrative contrast: 18:7 depicts Laish living securely and isolated, while 18:27 records the Danites’ sudden attack and destruction of the city, highlighting the irony of their prior complacency.
- Amos 6:1 (thematic): Amos condemns those 'at ease' in Zion whose complacency precedes judgment; thematically parallels the depiction of Laish as dwelling securely and isolated in 18:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the five men went, and came to Laish; and they saw the people who lived there, quiet and secure—like the Sidonians— and there was no reckoning with any man in the land. They were remote and had no dealings with anyone.
- The priest said to them, “Go in peace. The LORD will be before you on the way you go.”
Jud.18.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- צרעה: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- ואשתאל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- מה: PRON,int
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 13:25–14:9 (thematic): Spies/scouts return to report to their brethren after exploring a territory — similar scouting language and the communal reporting motif (they came back from spying and told the assembly).
- Joshua 2:1, 6:22–23 (verbal): Narratives of spies sent into enemy territory who then return and report to their people; the concrete action of returning to one’s brethren and conveying information parallels Judges 18:8’s report-back scene.
- Joshua 19:40–48 (structural): The list of towns allotted to the tribe of Dan includes Zorah and Eshtaol (variants of the same place-names); this provides the geographical/tribal background for the brethren mentioned in Judges 18:8.
- Judges 1:34 (thematic): Record that the tribe of Dan failed to dispossess certain inhabitants of their territory — explains the later Danite movement and need to consult/return to kin (Zorah and Eshtaol) seen in Judges 18.
Alternative generated candidates
- They returned and came to their kinsmen at Zorah and Eshtaol, and they reported to them.
- So the five men went and came to Laish; they saw the people who were in it living securely, quiet and at ease, like the Sidonians—there was no one to make them afraid.
Jud.18.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- קומה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- ונעלה: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,pl
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- ראינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- טובה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- מחשים: VERB,qal,ptcp,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- תעצלו: VERB,qal,juss,2,m,pl
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- לבא: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- לרשת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 13:27 (verbal): Spies report 'the land is very good'—the same appraisal language used in Judges 18:9 when the Danite scouts urge action.
- Numbers 13:30 (thematic): Caleb's exhortation 'Let us go up at once and possess it' parallels the Danites' call to rise up and take possession of the land.
- Joshua 18:3 (verbal): Uses almost identical rebuke—'How long are ye slack to go to possess the land?'—mirroring the challenge in Judges 18:9 to cease delay and seize the territory.
- Deuteronomy 1:22-23 (thematic): The Israelite proposal to 'go up and possess the land' after reconnaissance echoes the same pattern of scouting and urging immediate seizure found in Judges 18:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to them, “Arise, and let us go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. You are slothful; do not delay to go and possess the land.”
- They returned to their kinsmen at Zorah and Eshtaol and told them, “Arise, and let us go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. Be not slack to go and to possess it.”
Jud.18.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כבאכם: CONJ
- תבאו: VERB,qal,impf,2,mp
- אל: NEG
- עם: PREP
- בטח: ADV
- והארץ: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רחבת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- ידים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- נתנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בידכם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- מקום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אין: PART,neg
- שם: ADV
- מחסור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 6:10-11 (verbal): Promises entry into a land 'in which you will lack nothing'—language and theme of a bountiful land given by God parallels Judges 18:10's 'a place where there is no lack of anything.'
- Deuteronomy 8:7-9 (thematic): Description of the Promised Land as rich and abundant ('a land of brooks of water… a land of wheat and barley'), thematically matching Judges 18:10's emphasis on abundance and divine gift of the land.
- Joshua 1:3 (allusion): God's promise 'Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon I have given you' echoes Judges 18:10's assurance that God has given the land into the people's hand.
- Joshua 21:43 (structural): Summary statement that the LORD gave Israel all the land He swore to give—parallels the structural motif in Judges 18:10 of God granting possession and security in the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- “When you go, you will come to a people at ease, and to a broad land; for God has given it into your hand—a place in which there is no lack of anything.”
- “When you come, you will find a people at ease, and the country is wide; for God has given it into your hand—there is no lack of anything in it.”
Jud.18.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- משם: PREP
- ממשפחת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,construct
- הדני: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מצרעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומאשתאל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חגור: ADJ,qal,ptc,m,sg
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.18.3 (verbal): Same episode—earlier verse names Zorah and Eshtaol and describes the five men sent out as scouts, linking the origin and movement of the Danite force.
- Judg.18.27 (structural): Reports the outcome of the expedition begun in 18:11: the Danites attack Laish, slay its inhabitants and settle there—showing what the 600 armed men accomplish.
- Judg.17.13 (allusion): Describes the encounter in which Danite men take Micah’s idols and priest; this precedes and supplies personnel/ritual elements for the later Dan migration described in 18:11–27.
- Judg.17.6 (thematic): The recurring statement ‘In those days there was no king in Israel’ frames both chapters and explains the lawless, self-directed behavior (raiding, migration, idolatry) exemplified by the 600 armed Danites.
- Josh.19.40-48 (thematic): Lists the territory originally allotted to the tribe of Dan in the south; contrasts their allotted inheritance with the later northern migration and conquest of Laish led by the armed group in Judges 18.
Alternative generated candidates
- So six hundred men of the sons of Dan, armed with weapons of war, departed from Zorah and Eshtaol.
- So six hundred men of the sons of Dan, armed for battle, set out from Zorah and from Eshtaol.
Jud.18.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בקרית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- יערים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ביהודה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- קראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- למקום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- מחנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- אחרי: PREP
- קרית: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יערים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Judg.18.29 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: the narrative records the Danites’ renaming of the captured city (they called the name of the city Dan), directly related to the naming of the camp in v.12.
- Josh.19.47 (verbal): Parallel account of the Danites’ capture and renaming of Leshem to Dan — another instance of Danite migration and place‑naming, echoing the naming in Judges 18:12.
- Josh.19.40-48 (thematic): Lists the original territorial allotment of the tribe of Dan in the southwest (near Judah and Benjamin), providing background for the later Danite movement and establishment of a new Dan described in Judges 18.
- 1 Sam.7.1-2 (thematic): Mentions Kiriath‑jearim as the place where the ark and certain people remained, highlighting the geographical and cultic significance of Kiriath‑jearim referenced in Judges 18:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- They went up and encamped at Kiriath‑jearim in Judah; therefore they called that place Mahaneh‑Dan to this day, which is near Kiriath‑jearim.
- They went up and encamped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah; therefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan to this day—on the other side of Kiriath-jearim.
Jud.18.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעברו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- משם: PREP
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judg.17:1-4 (structural): Narrative background: Micah's purchase and installation of a shrine and idol in his house — explains the origin of the household cult to which the Danites come.
- Judg.17:5-6 (thematic): Continuation of the Micah episode, including the hiring of a Levite as priest and the refrain about lawlessness ('every man did that which was right in his own eyes'), providing social context for the movement to Micah's house.
- Judg.18:2 (verbal): Immediate parallel: the Danite spies encounter 'Micah's house' while scouting Laish — directly connects to the Danites' coming to Micah's house in 18:13.
- Judg.18:30-31 (thematic): After the Danites take Micah's shrine and priest, they set up the idol in Dan — the subsequent fate of what was in Micah's house and the consequence of the Danites' visit.
Alternative generated candidates
- From there they passed on to Mount Ephraim and came to Micah’s house.
- Then they passed from there to the hill country of Ephraim and came to Micah’s house.
Jud.18.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- חמשת: NUM,m,pl,cs
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ההלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לרגל: PREP
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ליש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אל: NEG
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- הידעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- יש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בבתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- האלה: DEM,pl
- אפוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותרפים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ופסל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומסכה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועתה: CONJ
- דעו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- מה: PRON,int
- תעשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
Parallels
- Judg 17:5 (verbal): Same catalog of cultic objects (א̇פוד, תרפים, פסל/מסכה) in the earlier Micah episode; Judges 18:14 echoes the language and context of Micah’s household shrine.
- Gen 31:19 (verbal): Rachel’s theft of her father Laban’s teraphim (household gods) parallels the presence and private use of teraphim in domestic cults, and anticipates their role in household religion and conflict.
- Josh 2:24 (thematic): Spies sent into enemy territory who return and report to their people; Judges 18:14’s five men reporting the presence of cultic objects parallels the pattern of reconnaissance and report in Joshua’s spy narrative.
- 1 Sam 23:9-12 (thematic): Reference to consulting the ephod to inquire of God highlights the religious significance of an ephod mentioned in Judges 18:14 and contrasts legitimate priestly use with the domestic/rogue cult context in Dan’s report.
Alternative generated candidates
- The five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish returned and told their brethren, “Do you know that there are in these houses an ephod, teraphim, a carved image and a molded image? Now therefore consider what you will do.”
- The five men who had gone to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brethren, “Do you perceive that there are in these houses an ephod, teraphim, a carved image and a cast image? Now consider what you will do.”
Jud.18.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסורו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שמה: ADV
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הלוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישאלו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לשלום: PREP
Parallels
- Judges 17:7-10 (verbal): Earlier scene at Micah's house where the young Levite comes and is spoken to/asked about service — closely parallels the setting and the Levite’s presence in Micah’s house.
- Judges 18:19-20 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: the Danites ask the Levite to inquire of God and he agrees to go with them, showing the same interaction begun in 18:15.
- Judges 17:11-13 (thematic): Narrative theme of a community recruiting a Levite/priest for religious authority — these verses describe the hiring/takings of the Levite and idol that the Danites later replicate.
- Deuteronomy 17:8-13 (thematic): Prescribes consulting Levitical priests or judges for authoritative decision-making; thematically parallels the Danites’ seeking of the Levite’s guidance and legitimation.
Alternative generated candidates
- They turned aside there and came to the house of the young Levite, to Micah’s house, and inquired after his welfare.
- They turned aside and came to the house of the young Levite, to Micah’s house, and greeted him.
Jud.18.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ושש: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חגורים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- מלחמתם: NOUN,f,sg,cons+3mp
- נצבים: ADJ,masc,pl,abs
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 18:6 (verbal): Same episode and wording — explicitly identifies “six hundred men of Dan” armed for war; a near-duplicate reference to the group mentioned in 18:16.
- Judges 18:11 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: these same armed men carry out the attack on Laish, showing the military action for which the six hundred were mustered.
- Judges 17:4–5 (thematic): Background to the Micah episode — describes Micah’s household shrine and the Levite who serves there, providing context for why armed Danites confront/occupy the house and its gate.
- Judges 21:11 (thematic): Another instance of a group of six hundred men in a tribal conflict (the surviving Benjamites), offering a comparative example of a mid-sized war-band used in Israelite internal warfare.
Alternative generated candidates
- Meanwhile six hundred men, armed with their weapons of war, stood at the entrance of the gate, being of the sons of Dan.
- Meanwhile the six hundred men, armed for battle, who were of the sons of Dan, stood at the entrance of the gate.
Jud.18.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- חמשת: NUM,m,pl,cs
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ההלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לרגל: PREP
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שמה: ADV
- לקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הפסל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- האפוד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- התרפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המסכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והכהן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- נצב: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ושש: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- החגור: ADJ,ptcp,pas,m,sg,def
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 17:5 (structural): Immediate literary parallel: earlier in the Micah narrative a Levite is hired to be a priest for Micah’s household shrine, providing the background for the idols and priest mentioned in 18:17.
- Judges 18:30 (structural): Direct continuation of the same episode: reports the establishment of the stolen cult at Dan and the ongoing role of the Levite/priest, confirming the transfer described in 18:17.
- Exodus 32:1-6 (thematic): Parallel in theme of creating and worshiping a man-made idol and establishing unauthorized cultic practice and officiation (golden calf episode).
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (thematic): Jeroboam’s establishment of rival cultic images (the calves) and non‑Levitical officiants parallels the political/religious founding of an alternate shrine at Dan.
- 1 Samuel 23:9-12 (verbal): Uses the ephod as an instrument for inquiring of God; parallels the presence and cultic function of an ephod in Judges 18, indicating how such objects enable oracular/priestly activity.
Alternative generated candidates
- The five men who had gone to spy went up and entered and took the carved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molded image; and the priest stood in the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed.
- The five men who had gone to spy went up and came to take the carved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the cast image; the priest stood at the entrance of the gate, and the six hundred armed men were by the gate.
Jud.18.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- פסל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האפוד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- התרפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המסכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מה: PRON,int
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Judges 17:4-5 (structural): Immediate narrative antecedent: description of Micah’s household shrine—an ephod, teraphim and a priest—providing the context for the theft in 18:18.
- Judges 18:26-31 (structural): Narrative continuation: the Danites set up the stolen images and make the captured Levite their priest, showing the outcome of the action in 18:18.
- Genesis 31:19 (thematic): Similar motif of stealing household gods (teraphim): Rachel hides Laban’s teraphim, paralleling the taking of Micah’s teraphim.
- 1 Samuel 19:13 (verbal): Uses the same term teraphim (household idols); Michal places a teraphim in David’s bed to deceive, echoing the presence and function of such objects in domestic/ritual contexts.
- 1 Samuel 23:9-12 (thematic): Shows use of the ephod in seeking divine guidance (inquiry of the LORD); parallels the ephod’s cultic role in Micah’s house and its appropriation by non‑authorized persons.
Alternative generated candidates
- They came to Micah’s house and took the carved image and the ephod and the teraphim and the molded image. And the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
- They came to Micah’s house and took the carved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the cast image. The priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
Jud.18.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- החרש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שים: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- על: PREP
- פיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ולך: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- עמנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- לאב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולכהן: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- היותך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,f,sg
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- או: CONJ
- היותך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,f,sg
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- לשבט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולמשפחה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 17:10 (verbal): Almost identical language and action earlier in the narrative: the men recruit the Levite, telling him to be 'a father and a priest' for them (direct verbal parallel).
- Judges 17:11 (structural): Continues the same episode—this verse states the Levite agreed 'to be a father and priest' for Micah's household, paralleling the offer and acceptance motif repeated in 18:19–20.
- 1 Kings 12:31 (thematic): Jeroboam institutes alternative worship with non‑Aaronic priests ('made priests of the lowest of the people'), thematically parallel to offering a Levite priesthood to a particular tribe/clan rather than the centralized cult.
- 2 Chronicles 11:14–15 (thematic): Reports the establishment of priests for high places and the appointment of non‑Levitical ministers—parallels the phenomenon of localized/tribal priesthoods and the delegation of priestly roles outside the established Aaronic/central system.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to him, “Be quiet; put your hand upon your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a clan in Israel?”
- They said to him, “Be silent; put your hand over your mouth and come with us. Be to us a father and a priest—would it be better for you to be priest to one man’s house, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?”
Jud.18.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וייטב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האפוד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- התרפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הפסל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בקרב: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 17:1-13 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: the origin of the ephod, teraphim and carved image in Micah’s house and the Levite’s hire, setting up the scene that culminates in 18:20.
- Judges 18:26 (thematic): Close episode continuation: the Danites make the Levite their priest and adopt the stolen cultic objects as community worship, showing the consequence of the priest’s departure and the items’ transfer to the people.
- Genesis 31:19 (verbal): Verbal/thematic parallel in the presence of teraphim (household gods): Rachel’s theft of her father’s teraphim shows earlier Israelite practice of keeping household idols and the social-religious significance of such objects.
- 1 Samuel 23:9-12 (thematic): Contrastive parallel involving an ephod: here the ephod is a legitimate priestly instrument used to inquire of God, highlighting the misuse of ephod-like objects in Judges 18 for personal/folk cult rather than official cultic inquiry.
Alternative generated candidates
- The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod and the teraphim and the carved image and went among the people.
- The priest’s heart was glad; he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the carved image, and went among the people.
Jud.18.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- וישימו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הטף: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המקנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הכבודה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 11:11 (verbal): Lists spoil taken in conquest—including children and cattle—paralleling Judges 18:21’s inventory of ‘the little ones, the livestock, and the goods.’
- Numbers 31:9 (verbal): Describes taking captives and the spoil (including little ones and livestock) after battle, using similar terminology and sequence of persons and property.
- 1 Samuel 30:18-19 (thematic): David recovers and brings back families, flocks, and possessions after a raid, echoing the theme of moving people and goods as booty or returnees.
- Joshua 6:21 (thematic): Narrates the wholesale seizure/destruction in war—men, women, children, and animals—reflecting the same wartime practice of claiming persons and livestock as part of the spoils.
Alternative generated candidates
- They turned and departed; and they set the little ones, their cattle, and their goods before them.
- They turned and departed, and they placed the little ones, the cattle, and the goods before them.
Jud.18.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- הרחיקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והאנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בבתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עם: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נזעקו: VERB,nif,perf,3,m,pl
- וידביקו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.17.6 (structural): Same narrative frame—'in those days there was no king in Israel' and local loyalties/privatized religion set the scene for the Danites' seizure of Micah's house and followers.
- Judg.18.26–28 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel/continuation: describes the taking of Micah's household goods and his priest and the Danites' onward movement—directly linked to the people leaving Micah's house in v.22.
- 1 Sam.22.2 (thematic): Many distressed and discontented men join David and become his followers—parallel motif of household members and others abandoning prior ties to attach themselves to a rising local leader.
- 1 Kgs.12:16–20 (thematic): The northern tribes abandon the house of David and rally around Jeroboam—a larger-scale example of subjects/households shifting allegiance and forming a new political/religious center.
Alternative generated candidates
- As they were turning away, the men who lived in the houses in that town with Micah raised a cry and pursued the sons of Dan.
- The men of Micah’s household rose up and pursued the sons of Dan, and they overtook them.
Jud.18.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויסבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- למיכה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- נזעקת: VERB,niphal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.18:24–26 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation in the same episode: Micah and his household confront the Danite men after the theft of the idol; like v.23 this section records direct address and complaint between host and visitors.
- Judg.17:2–4 (structural): Background material about Micah’s shrine and his dealings with others (the hiring of a Levite and the household cult); provides the earlier context for the same pattern of strangers interacting with Micah and questioning one another.
- Exod.2:16–20 (thematic): A household/hospitality scene in which local women ask and address unexpected visitors after the strangers’ actions (watering the flocks). The episode shares the motif of newcomers being questioned on arrival and the ensuing household exchange.
Alternative generated candidates
- They called to the sons of Dan, who turned back and said to Micah, “What is the matter with you, that you cry out?”
- They called to the sons of Dan, who turned back and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you have cried out?”
Jud.18.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לקחתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותלכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,2,m,pl
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עוד: ADV
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- תאמרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.17:2-6 (structural): Background to the same episode: Micah’s theft of silver, his making of household gods (teraphim/engraved image) and his hiring of a Levite as private priest—explains the origins of the gods and priest mentioned in 18:24.
- Judg.18:19-21 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in the same chapter: Micah confronts the Danite raiders about their theft and the removal of his priest and idols; the verses record the exchange that culminates in 18:24.
- Exod.32:1-6 (thematic): The making and communal claiming of an idol (the golden calf) parallels Micah’s carved image and the social dynamics of idolatry—people creating and possessing ‘gods’ of their own making.
- 1 Sam.2:22-25 (thematic): Concern with illegitimate or corrupt exercise of priestly functions: sons of Eli abuse the priesthood and take what is not proper, paralleling the problem of a privately appointed/compromised priest in Micah’s house.
- Acts 7:42-43 (cf. Amos 5:26) (allusion): Stephen’s citation of Israel’s history of carrying other ‘gods’ and tabernacles (Amos’ denunciation) echoes the motif of Israelite idolatry and household images like Micah’s teraphim being carried about.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, “You have taken away the gods that I made and the priest, and you are gone; what more do I have? What do you say to me? What else have I?”
- He said, “You have taken away the gods that I made and the priest, and you go away. What have I left? What do you say to me?”
Jud.18.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תשמע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- קולך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- עמנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- פן: CONJ
- יפגעו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- בכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מרי: NOUN,m,sg,constr
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואספתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg+PRON,3,f,sg
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- ונפש: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביתך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Judg.18.26 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation in the same episode: the Danites set aside five men to go with the spies — shows the plot that follows the warning not to reveal their presence.
- Judg.18.27 (structural): Direct sequel describing the attack on Laish and seizure of the idols; it records the outcome of the Danites' secretive approach and concern for safety expressed in v.25.
- Judg.17:6 (thematic): “In those days there was no king in Israel…” — sums up the lawless, self-help context in which threats, intimidation, and protecting one's family by silence occur (frames the Danites’ behavior).
- Prov.29:25 (thematic): “The fear of man brings a snare…” — thematically related warning about how fear of violent or intimidating people can govern speech and action, echoing the motive behind the counsel in Judg.18:25.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to him, “Be silent; do not let your voice be heard among us, lest violent men fall upon you, and you bring down ruin upon yourself and the house of your father.”
- And the sons of Dan said to him, “Let not your voice be heard among us, lest angry men attack you and you bring trouble upon yourself and upon your household.”
Jud.18.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדרכם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons,3,m,pl
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- חזקים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויפן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 18:27 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the Danites conquer Laish and install Micah’s idols in their new city, completing the seizure alluded to in 18:26.
- Judges 17:11–13 (structural): Earlier scene in the same episode where Danite men remove Micah’s carved image, ephod/teraphim and his hired Levite—same plot of a stronger band seizing cult objects and a priest.
- Judges 17:6 (thematic): The bridge-statement “In those days there was no king…” provides the social context of lawlessness and private cults that enables the Danites to act independently and overpower Micah.
- Exodus 32:1–6 (thematic): The people’s creation and adoption of an unauthorized cultic image (the golden calf) parallels Micah’s private idol and the community’s willingness to accept/transfer such objects.
- 1 Samuel 4:10–11 (thematic): The capture/transfer of the Ark after Israel’s defeat echoes the motif of a sacred object being carried off when its human custodian or community is overmatched by a stronger force.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the sons of Dan went on their way. Micah saw that they were too strong for him, and he turned and returned to his house.
- So the sons of Dan went their way. Micah saw that they were strong, and he turned and went back to his house.
Jud.18.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והמה: CONJ+PRON,3,m,pl
- לקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ליש: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- על: PREP
- עם: PREP
- שקט: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ובטח: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ויכו: VERB,qal,yiqtol,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- שרפו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 18:7-11 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the spies report about Laish, the Danites muster and march against the peaceful city, and execute the attack that Judges 18:27 summarizes.
- Judges 18:30 (verbal): Direct follow-up/allusion within the same episode: the priest taken from Micah becomes the Danite cultic official (mention of the ephod/teraphim), tying the seizure in 18:27 to the establishment of idolatrous worship in Dan.
- Joshua 6:24 (thematic): Conquest language and fate of a captured city—Jericho is burned and its spoil dealt with—parallels the motif of Israelite destruction and burning of a conquered town in Judges 18:27.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (verbal): Similar wartime command/phraseology to slay and destroy an enemy—'smite them and utterly destroy them'—echoes the violent, sword‑edge destruction described in Judges 18:27.
- Numbers 31:7-8 (thematic): An earlier Israelite campaign narrative where fighters 'slew every male' and burned the cities/spoil; parallels Judges 18:27 in the combined actions of slaughter and burning of a captured community.
Alternative generated candidates
- They took what Micah had made and the priest who belonged to him and came to Laish, to a people quiet and secure; and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire.
- They took what Micah had made and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and secure; they struck them with the sword and burned the city with fire.
Jud.18.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- מציל: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- רחוקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- מצידון: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- אין: PART,neg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והיא: CONJ+PRON,3,f,sg
- בעמק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- רחוב: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ויבנו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 19:47 (verbal): Describes the Danites attacking and taking Leshem/Laish, possessing it and dwelling there — language and sequence (smote, possessed, dwelt, renaming) closely parallels Judges 18's account of Dan's settlement.
- Judges 18:29 (structural): Immediate continuation of v.28: the city is named Dan and becomes the tribe's seat. Shows the same event from the next verse (naming and habitation) as part of the same narrative unit.
- Judges 18:30 (thematic): Reports the establishment of idolatry by the Danites after settling in the city. Connects to v.28's motif of an isolated settlement whose course departs from covenantal norms.
- Judges 1:27-36 (thematic): Accounts of Israel's failure to drive out Canaanite inhabitants and of tribes dwelling among them. Parallels the motif of incomplete conquest, isolated enclaves, and Israelites coexisting with local populations.
- Judges 2:16 (thematic): States that the LORD raised up judges to deliver Israel — an expected pattern of divine deliverance that contrasts with v.28's observation that 'there was none to deliver them,' highlighting Dan's vulnerable isolation.
Alternative generated candidates
- There was no one to deliver them, for they were far from Sidon and had no dealings with anyone; they were in the valley that belongs to Beth‑rehob. They rebuilt the city and dwelt there.
- For there was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon and had no dealings with any other people; it was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. They rebuilt the city and dwelt there.
Jud.18.29 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יולד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואולם: CONJ
- ליש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לראשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 19:47 (verbal): Closely parallel wording: Joshua records the Danites’ capture of Leshem (Laish) and that they called it Dan, echoing the same renaming event and name-formation in Judges 18:29.
- Genesis 30:6 (thematic): Gives the original personal naming of Dan (Rachel names her son Dan); Judges links the tribal eponym to the city-name, drawing on the same name-origin tradition.
- Genesis 49:16-17 (allusion): Jacob’s blessing/prophecy about Dan (‘Dan shall judge his people’) is an inherited motif about the tribe; Judges’ naming of the city underscores the tribe’s identity and territorial establishment tied to that tradition.
- Judges 18:7 (structural): Immediate narrative context in the same chapter describing Laish’s quiet condition and the Danites’ reconnaissance/invasion—provides the situational background for the conquest and subsequent renaming recorded in 18:29.
Alternative generated candidates
- They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of their ancestor Dan; but formerly the name of the city was Laish.
- They named the city Dan after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel; formerly the name of the city had been Laish.
Jud.18.30 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקימו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הפסל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהונתן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גרשם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מ: PREP
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ובניו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כהנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לשבט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדני: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גלות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 17:5 (verbal): Micah sets up a carved image and a household shrine—same action of establishing an idol that the Danites adopt (background to Judges 18:30).
- Judges 17:13 (verbal): A local Levite becomes a private priest for Micah’s shrine—parallel to Jonathan (a Levite) and his sons serving as priests for the Danite idol.
- Judges 18:20 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the chapter: the Danites install the graven image and set up Jonathan’s sons as priests—directly echoes and expands 18:30.
- 2 Kings 17:30-32 (thematic): Describes peoples appointing their own priests and serving local idols in Israel—themewise parallel of non‑Levitical/irregular priesthoods and persistent idolatry until exile.
- Exodus 28:1 (allusion): Law establishing the Aaronic (Levitical) priesthood—serves as a legal/theological contrast to the unauthorized priesthood of Jonathan and his sons in Judges 18:30.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sons of Dan set up for themselves the carved image; and Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Manasseh—he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the land’s exile.
- And the sons of Dan set up for themselves the carved image. Jonathan son of Gershom son of Manasseh—he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the exile of the land.
Jud.18.31 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישימו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- פסל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- היות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בשלה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,loc
Parallels
- Judg 17:4-6 (verbal): Same narrative context — Micah’s carved image (פסל), ephod and teraphim are made and his household shrine is set up while the house of the LORD is at Shiloh; background to 18:31.
- Judg 18:30 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same episode: the Danites carry off Micah’s carved image and install his priest, linking the idol to the tribe of Dan and its worship.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (thematic): Jeroboam sets up golden calves and places one in Dan (and one in Bethel) — a later, analogous establishment of local cultic images to serve a tribal/territorial center.
- Exodus 32:1-6 (thematic): The formation and public worship of a graven image (the golden calf) provides a canonical precedent for illicit image-making and communal idolatry in Israel.
- 1 Samuel 4:3-11 (allusion): Reference to Shiloh as the site of the house of God, and its later downfall (capture of the ark), helps explain the temporal phrase “all the days that the house of God was in Shiloh” in Judges 18:31.
Alternative generated candidates
- They kept the carved image that Micah had made all the days that the house of God was at Shiloh.
- They placed for themselves the carved image that Micah had made, all the days that the house of God was at Shiloh.
In those days there was no king in Israel. In those days the tribe of Dan sought for themselves an inheritance to dwell in, for they had not yet received their portion among the tribes of Israel. So the sons of Dan sent from their families five men from their chief men, men of valor, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. They said to them, "Go, explore the land." They came to Mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there.
They were with the house of Micah, and they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they stayed there. They asked him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing? What is your business here?"
He said to them, "Thus and thus has Micah done to me; he hired me, and I became his priest."
They said to him, "Please inquire of God, that we may know whether the way on which we go will succeed."
The priest said to them, "Go in peace; the LORD goes before you in the way in which you are going." So the five went, and they came to Laish, and saw the people who were there, who dwelt secure—quiet and confident—without a defender; for it was far from Sidon and had no dealings with any other people.
They returned to their brethren at Zorah and Eshtaol. Their brethren said to them, "What do you report?"
They said, "Arise, and let us go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. Come now, be not slothful to go and possess the land."
When you come, you shall come to a people who are secure; and the land is broad before you; surely God has given it into your hand—a place where there is nothing lacking in all the earth." So from there the clan of the Danites—Zorah and Eshtaol—departed. The number of the men armed for war was six hundred, all fully equipped.
They went up and encamped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah; therefore they called that place Mahaneh Dan to this day. It lies opposite Kiriath-jearim.
From there they passed along to Mount Ephraim, and came to the house of Micah. Now the five who had gone to spy out the country of Laish returned and told their brethren, saying, "Do you know that in these houses there is an ephod and teraphim and a carved image and a cast idol? Now consider what you will do."
They turned aside there and came to the house of the young Levite, to the house of Micah, and greeted him.
Meanwhile the six hundred men, armed with their weapons of war, stood at the entrance of the gate, of the men of Dan.
The five who had gone to spy went up and entered there; they took the carved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the cast idol. The priest stood in the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed for war.
When they came into the house of Micah, they took the carved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the cast idol. And the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"
They said to him, "Be silent—put your hand over your mouth—and come with us; be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to one man's house, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?"
The priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the carved image, and went among the people. So they turned and departed; and they set the little ones, the cattle, and the household goods before them.
When they were a good way off from the house of Micah, those in the houses that belonged to Micah cried out and pursued the sons of Dan.
They called to the sons of Dan and turned them back. They said to Micah, "What ails you, that you cried out?"
He said, "You have taken away the gods that I made, and the priest, and you have gone away. What is left to me? Why do you say to me, 'What is your business?'" And the sons of Dan said to him, "Be silent; do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry men come upon you and you and the house of your father be destroyed." So the sons of Dan went their way. When Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and returned to his house.
Then they took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and came to Laish, to a people who dwelt secure and at ease; and they struck them with the sword and burned the city with fire.
There was no one to rescue them, for it was far from Sidon and had no dealings with anyone; it was in the valley that stretches to Beth-rehob. They rebuilt the city and dwelt in it.
They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor, who was born to Israel; at first the name of the city had been Laish.
The Danites set up for themselves the carved image; and Jonathan the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh—he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the exile of the land.
They set up for themselves the carved image that Micah had made, all the days that the house of God was at Shiloh.