King James Version

What Does Judges 18:31 Mean?

Judges 18:31 in the King James Version says “And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.” — study this verse from Judges chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.”

Judges 18:31 · KJV

Context

29

And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first.

30

And the children of Dan set up the graven 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 captivity of the land.

31

And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh. This verse highlights the tragic irony and inexcusable nature of Dan's idolatry. While they worshiped Micah's stolen graven image at their northern shrine, "the house of God was in Shiloh"—the legitimate tabernacle with God's authorized priesthood was available and accessible. The phrase "all the time" emphasizes the duration and deliberateness of their apostasy. They didn't worship idols because they lacked access to true worship; they chose idolatry despite having the true worship center available.

From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates the human heart's idolatrous tendency and preference for self-constructed religion over God's prescribed worship. The Danites had the tabernacle at Shiloh with the ark of the covenant, the Aaronic priesthood, and the prescribed sacrificial system—everything God ordained for worship—yet they preferred Micah's unauthorized shrine because it was more convenient and under their control. This illustrates the regulative principle of worship: we must worship God only in ways He has prescribed, not according to human innovation. It also warns that proximity to true worship doesn't prevent apostasy; the heart must be regenerate and submitted to God's Word.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Shiloh served as Israel's religious center from Joshua's time (Joshua 18:1) through the early monarchy (1 Samuel 1-4). The tabernacle and ark resided there, and annual festivals drew Israelites from throughout the land (Judges 21:19; 1 Samuel 1:3). Dan's tribal territory in the far north (after relocating from their original southern allotment) was distant from Shiloh, but not impossibly so—faithful Israelites regularly made pilgrimages. The Danites' choice to establish and maintain their own worship center "all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh" represents deliberate rejection of authorized worship for convenient alternatives.

Archaeological excavations at Tel Dan have uncovered a large cultic platform and temple complex from the Israelite period, confirming the biblical narrative of an established worship site. Shiloh was eventually destroyed, possibly by the Philistines after capturing the ark (1 Samuel 4), an event alluded to in Psalm 78:60 and Jeremiah 7:12-14. However, Dan's idolatrous shrine outlasted Shiloh, persisting through the divided monarchy until the Assyrian conquest. This demonstrates how false worship, once established, can outlast even legitimate worship centers when God's people persistently reject Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we sometimes choose convenient, self-directed spiritual practices over God's prescribed patterns, despite having access to biblical truth?
  2. What does the coexistence of Dan's false shrine and Shiloh's true tabernacle teach about religious pluralism and the danger of "alternative spirituality"?
  3. How does this passage underscore the necessity of not just external religious access but internal heart transformation and submission to God's authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ1 of 13

“And they set them up”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לָהֶ֔ם2 of 13
H0
אֶת3 of 13
H853

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

פֶּ֥סֶל4 of 13

“graven image”

H6459

an idol

מִיכָ֖ה5 of 13

“Micah's”

H4318

micah, the name of seven israelites

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֑ה7 of 13

“which he made”

H6213

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

כָּל8 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְמֵ֛י9 of 13

“all the time”

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

הֱי֥וֹת10 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בֵּית11 of 13

“that the house”

H1004

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

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים12 of 13

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בְּשִׁלֹֽה׃13 of 13

“was in Shiloh”

H7887

shiloh, 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 18:31 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 18:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 18:11 Samuel 1:3Judges 19:18Judges 21:211 Samuel 4:4Jeremiah 7:12

Places in This Verse

ShilohSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Seilun · 32.06°N, 35.29°E37 verses across 8 books
View all places in Judges 18 →

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