King James Version

What Does Judges 18:14 Mean?

Judges 18:14 in the King James Version says “Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that ther...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 18:14 · KJV

Context

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.

15

And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him. saluted: Heb. asked him of peace

16

And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate.

Read Judges 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The spies disclosed Micah's religious treasures: an ephod (ephod, אֵפוֹד), teraphim (terapim, תְּרָפִים), graven image (pesel, פֶּסֶל), and molten image (massekah, מַסֵּכָה). The ephod was a priestly garment (Exodus 28:6-14) but could also refer to an idolatrous object (Judges 8:27). Teraphim were household idols (Genesis 31:19, 1 Samuel 19:13). The graven and molten images directly violated the second commandment (Exodus 20:4-5). This collection represented comprehensive idolatry—objects that appeared religious but were unauthorized substitutes for true worship.

The phrase "consider what ye have to do" (u-atah de'u mah ta'asu, וְעַתָּה דְּעוּ מַה־תַּעֲשׂוּ) was a suggestive prompt to theft, not a moral question about whether they should steal. They assumed their fellow Danites would recognize the 'opportunity' these religious objects presented. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates how apostasy progresses: first abandoning God's assignments (seeking new territory), then seeking religious validation for disobedience (consulting unauthorized priest), then actively acquiring false worship objects (stealing Micah's shrine). Each step seems logical given the previous compromise, illustrating sin's progressive, enslaving nature.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ephods, teraphim, and carved images were common in ancient Near Eastern religion but strictly forbidden to Israel. The teraphim were likely small figurines representing household deities or ancestor spirits. The graven and molten images violated Exodus 20:4, Leviticus 19:4, and Deuteronomy 27:15. Micah's collection represented syncretism—mixing Yahweh worship with pagan practices, evidenced by his Levite priest serving alongside idolatrous objects. The Danites recognized these objects as valuable assets for establishing their own worship center, not as covenant violations requiring destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sin's progressive nature make each successive compromise seem reasonable based on previous ones?
  2. What does the Danites' eagerness to acquire idolatrous objects teach about the danger of valuing religious appearance over genuine faithfulness?
  3. In what areas of your life might you be accumulating 'religious objects' (practices, traditions, achievements) as substitutes for authentic relationship with God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַֽיַּעֲנ֞וּ1 of 24

“Then answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת2 of 24

“the five”

H2568

five

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים3 of 24

“men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הַהֹֽלְכִים֮4 of 24

“that went”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְרַגֵּל֮5 of 24

“to spy out”

H7270

to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e., slander); to lead about

אֶת6 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֣רֶץ7 of 24

“the country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לַיִשׁ֒8 of 24

“of Laish”

H3919

laish, the name of two places in palestine

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙9 of 24

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל10 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲחֵיהֶ֔ם11 of 24

“unto their brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

דְּע֥וּ12 of 24

“Do ye know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֠י13 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יֵ֣שׁ14 of 24

“that there is”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

בַּבָּתִּ֤ים15 of 24

“in these houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙16 of 24
H428

these or those

אֵפ֣וֹד17 of 24

“an ephod”

H646

a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image

וּתְרָפִ֔ים18 of 24

“and teraphim”

H8655

teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol

וּפֶ֖סֶל19 of 24

“and a graven image”

H6459

an idol

וּמַסֵּכָ֑ה20 of 24

“and a molten image”

H4541

properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour

וְעַתָּ֖ה21 of 24
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

דְּע֥וּ22 of 24

“Do ye know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מַֽה23 of 24
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תַּעֲשֽׂוּ׃24 of 24

“what ye have to do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

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 18:14 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 18:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 17:5Judges 18:3-4Isaiah 8:19-20Proverbs 19:271 Samuel 14:28

Places in This Verse

DanSettlement · Modern: Tel Dan · 33.25°N, 35.65°E25 verses across 12 books
View all places in Judges 18 →

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