King James Version

What Does Judges 18:2 Mean?

Judges 18:2 in the King James Version says “And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to... — study this verse from Judges chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. men of: Heb. sons of

Judges 18:2 · KJV


Context

1

In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

2

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. men of: Heb. sons of

3

When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?

4

And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The tribe of Dan faced a crisis: Amorite pressure prevented them from possessing their allotted territory (Judges 1:34-35). Rather than seeking God's help to defeat their enemies, they sent spies to find easier conquest elsewhere. The phrase "men of valour" (anashim benei chayil, אֲנָשִׁים בְּנֵי־חַיִל) typically commends military prowess, yet their mission reveals faithlessness—courage misdirected toward abandoning God's assignment.

The Hebrew verbs "spy out" (leragel, לְרַגֵּל) and "search" (lachkor, לַחְקֹר) echo the reconnaissance mission in Numbers 13-14 that ended in unbelief and judgment. Like their ancestors at Kadesh-barnea, Dan looked at circumstances rather than God's promises. The parallelism is deliberate: both involved sending spies, both faced strong enemies, both chose unbelief over faith. God had given Dan their inheritance; their responsibility was to trust Him for victory, not seek alternatives. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates the danger of pragmatism over obedience—choosing what seems achievable by human strength rather than what God has commanded.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zorah and Eshtaol were Danite towns in the Shephelah (lowlands) bordering Philistine territory (Joshua 19:41). This was prime agricultural land, but Philistine military superiority (iron weapons, chariots) and Amorite resistance made conquest difficult. Rather than persevere, Dan sought conquest elsewhere. The five-man reconnaissance mission mirrors the twelve spies Moses sent (Numbers 13:3-16), though with only five representing Dan's diminished faith. Archaeological evidence confirms Philistine expansion into the coastal plain during this period (c. 1200-1100 BC), creating pressure on Israelite settlement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we sometimes abandon God's clear assignments when they become difficult, seeking easier alternatives?
  2. What does Dan's response to opposition teach about the difference between faith-filled perseverance and pragmatic compromise?
  3. How can we discern whether obstacles indicate we should change course or persevere in faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ1 of 30

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בְּנֵי2 of 30

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

דָ֣ן׀3 of 30

of Dan

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

מִֽמִּשְׁפַּחְתָּ֡ם4 of 30

of their family

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה5 of 30

five

H2568

five

אֲנָשִׁ֣ים6 of 30
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִקְצוֹתָם֩7 of 30

from their coasts

H7098

a termination

אֲנָשִׁ֨ים8 of 30
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּנֵי9 of 30

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חַ֜יִל10 of 30

of valour

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

מִצָּרְעָ֣ה11 of 30

from Zorah

H6881

tsorah, a place in palestine

וּמֵֽאֶשְׁתָּאֹ֗ל12 of 30

and from Eshtaol

H847

eshtaol, a place in palestine

לְרַגֵּ֤ל13 of 30

to spy

H7270

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

אֶת14 of 30
H853

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

הָאָ֑רֶץ15 of 30

out the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חִקְר֣וּ16 of 30

and to search

H2713

properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ17 of 30

it and they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֔ם18 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְכ֖וּ19 of 30
H1980

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

חִקְר֣וּ20 of 30

and to search

H2713

properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

אֶת21 of 30
H853

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

הָאָ֑רֶץ22 of 30

out the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ23 of 30

who when they came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַר24 of 30

to mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙25 of 30

Ephraim

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

עַד26 of 30
H5704

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

בֵּ֣ית27 of 30

to the house

H1004

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

מִיכָ֔ה28 of 30

of Micah

H4318

micah, the name of seven israelites

וַיָּלִ֖ינוּ29 of 30

they lodged

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

שָֽׁם׃30 of 30
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


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 18:2 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 18:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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