King James Version

What Does Judges 18:12 Mean?

Judges 18:12 in the King James Version says “And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day: beh...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjathjearim.”

Judges 18:12 · KJV

Context

10

When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.

11

And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war. appointed: Heb. girded

12

And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjathjearim.

13

And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah.

14

Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.

Read Judges 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjath-jearim. The Danite warriors camped at Kirjath-jearim, a town in Judah's territory (Joshua 15:60), as they journeyed north. They named the site "Mahaneh-dan" (Machaneh-Dan, מַחֲנֵה־דָן), meaning "camp of Dan." The phrase "unto this day" (ad hayom hazeh, עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה) indicates the name persisted to the time of writing, preserving memory of Dan's migration. This naming created a memorial to their faithlessness—a permanent reminder of tribal disobedience.

The geographical note "behind Kirjath-jearim" (acharei Kiryat Ye'arim, אַחֲרֵי קִרְיַת יְעָרִים) orients readers to the location, showing the Danites passed through Judean territory en route to their unauthorized conquest. Kirjath-jearim would later become famous as the resting place of the ark of the covenant for 20 years (1 Samuel 7:1-2), creating ironic juxtaposition: Dan journeyed past what would become the ark's location while carrying stolen idols to establish false worship. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates how spiritual blindness prevents recognition of God's true presence and purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Kirjath-jearim was located approximately 9 miles west of Jerusalem on the border between Judah and Benjamin. Its strategic location on the road from the coastal plain to the hill country made it a natural stopping point for the Danites' northern migration. The site's later association with the ark (after its return from Philistia, 1 Samuel 6-7) adds theological significance to this reference—Dan passed near where God's presence would dwell while pursuing idolatry. The name Mahaneh-dan created a lasting geographical marker of tribal apostasy.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'memorials' might you be creating through your choices that will testify either to faithfulness or unfaithfulness?
  2. How does spiritual blindness prevent us from recognizing God's presence and purposes even when passing close by them?
  3. In what ways might your pursuit of personal goals be leading you away from where God's presence and blessing actually dwell?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַֽיַּעֲל֗וּ1 of 19

“And they went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ2 of 19

“and pitched”

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

בְּקִרְיַ֥ת3 of 19
H0
יְעָרִֽים׃4 of 19

“Kirjathjearim”

H7157

kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine

בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה5 of 19

“in Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עַל6 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֡ן7 of 19
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

קָֽרְאוּ֩8 of 19

“wherefore they called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לַמָּק֨וֹם9 of 19

“that place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַה֜וּא10 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מַֽחֲנֵה11 of 19
H0
דָ֗ן12 of 19

“Mahanehdan”

H4265

machaneh-dan, a place in palestine

עַ֚ד13 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֣וֹם14 of 19

“unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה15 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הִנֵּ֕ה16 of 19
H2009

lo!

אַֽחֲרֵ֖י17 of 19

“behold it is behind”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

קִרְיַ֥ת18 of 19
H0
יְעָרִֽים׃19 of 19

“Kirjathjearim”

H7157

kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 18:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 18:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 13:25Joshua 15:601 Samuel 7:11 Chronicles 13:5-62 Chronicles 1:4

Places in This Verse

Kiriath-jearimSettlement · Modern: Deir el Azar · 31.81°N, 35.10°E19 verses across 8 books
Mahaneh-dan 2Campsite · Modern: between Eshtaol and Zorah · 31.78°N, 35.00°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Judges 18 →

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