King James Version

What Does Judges 18:7 Mean?

Judges 18:7 in the King James Version says “Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the ... — study this verse from Judges chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man. magistrate: Heb. possessor, or, heir of restraint

Judges 18:7 · KJV


Context

5

And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.

6

And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go.

7

Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man. magistrate: Heb. possessor, or, heir of restraint

8

And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?

9

And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure. Laish's vulnerability made it attractive target for conquest. The phrase "dwelt careless" (yoshevet labetach, יֹשֶׁבֶת לָבֶטַח) indicates they lived "securely" or "confidently," without fear of attack. "After the manner of the Zidonians" (kemishpat Tsidonim, כְּמִשְׁפַּט צִדֹנִים) suggests Phoenician customs, including prosperity, complacency, and possibly Baal worship. The terms "quiet and secure" (shoket u-voteiach, שֹׁקֵט וּבֹטֵחַ) emphasize peaceful, prosperous life without military preparedness.

The statement "there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing" is difficult Hebrew, possibly indicating no strong ruler to organize defense or administer justice. "They were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man" explains their vulnerability—geographically isolated from their mother city (Sidon) and lacking defensive alliances. From a military perspective, Laish was ideal prey: wealthy, undefended, isolated. Yet this wasn't the territory God had given Dan. The ease of conquest doesn't validate disobedience. From a Reformed perspective, Satan often makes sin appear attractive and consequence-free (Genesis 3:4-6), but apparent ease doesn't indicate God's approval.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Laish (later renamed Dan) was located in the fertile Huleh Valley near the Jordan River headwaters, approximately 30 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. This northern location made it distant from Sidon (about 30-40 miles west), explaining the lack of immediate military support. Archaeological excavations at Tel Dan confirm a prosperous Canaanite city destroyed and rebuilt during the late Bronze/early Iron Age transition, consistent with the biblical narrative. The city's isolation and wealth made it attractive to landless groups seeking territory. The Phoenician connection suggests Laish was a trading outpost maintaining Sidonian culture but lacking military protection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Satan make sin appear attractive by highlighting immediate benefits while hiding long-term consequences?
  2. What does Laish's peaceful prosperity teach about the danger of complacency and lack of spiritual vigilance?
  3. In what ways might apparent ease of a course of action actually be a warning rather than confirmation of God's will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙1 of 30
H1980

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

חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת2 of 30

Then the five

H2568

five

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים3 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)

וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ4 of 30

and came

H935

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

לָ֑יְשָׁה5 of 30

to Laish

H3919

laish, the name of two places in palestine

וַיִּרְא֣וּ6 of 30

and saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת7 of 30
H853

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

הָעָ֣ם8 of 30

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁר9 of 30
H834

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

בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ10 of 30

that were therein

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

יוֹשֶֽׁבֶת11 of 30

how they dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לָ֠בֶטַח12 of 30

careless

H983

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

כְּמִשְׁפַּ֨ט13 of 30

after the manner

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

מִצִּ֣ידֹנִ֔ים14 of 30

from the Zidonians

H6722

a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon

שֹׁקֵ֣ט׀15 of 30

quiet

H8252

to repose (usually figurative)

וּבֹטֵ֗חַ16 of 30

and secure

H982

properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

וְאֵין17 of 30
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַכְלִ֨ים18 of 30

that might put them to shame

H3637

properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult

וְדָבָ֥ר19 of 30

and had no business

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

בָּאָ֙רֶץ֙20 of 30

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יוֹרֵ֣שׁ21 of 30

and there was no magistrate

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

עֶ֔צֶר22 of 30
H6114

restraint

וּרְחוֹקִ֥ים23 of 30

and they were far

H7350

remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

הֵ֙מָּה֙24 of 30
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מִצִּ֣ידֹנִ֔ים25 of 30

from the Zidonians

H6722

a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon

וְדָבָ֥ר26 of 30

and had no business

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֵין27 of 30
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָהֶ֖ם28 of 30
H0
עִם29 of 30
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אָדָֽם׃30 of 30

with any man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)


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 18:7 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 18:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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