Judges 18:9

Translations

Modern

They answered, “Come on, let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and it is very good. Why would you fail to act? Do not hesitate to go there and take possession of the land!

Traditional

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.

Literal

And they said, “Arise, and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And you are keeping silent? Do not hesitate to go, to enter to possess the land.

Latin

Surgite, ascendamus ad eos: vidimus enim terram valde opulentam et uberem. Nolite negligere, nolite cessare: eamus, et possideamus eam: nullus erit labor.

Original

Hebrew

English

They answered, “Come on, let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and it is very good. Why would you fail to act? Do not hesitate to go there and take possession of the land!

Notes

Judges 18:9–10

The language is similar to the report after the mission to explore the land (Numbers 14:7–8; Deuteronomy 1:25), but the context is very different. Joshua and Caleb overcame their fear and acted with faith by remembering the Lord’s promise (compare Joshua 2:9, 24; 6:2; 10:19, 30). The Danite warriors asked for God’s blessing and saw the land's value, but their overconfidence contrasts with the strong faith of Joshua and Caleb.

Judges 18:1–31

The migration of the Danites (compare Joshua 19:40–48) shows the tribe's failure to follow God's covenant and reflects Israel's decline. Micah's personal heresy (Judges 17:4–5) grew into the apostasy of the entire tribe (18:30–31). The initial covenant failure (Judges 17:19–36) led to social breakdown during the time of Jephthah and Samson (Judges 11–16). Eventually, law and order gave way to banditry and pillaging (Judges 18:27–28).

Judges 17:1–21:25

These two epilogues (Judges 17–18 and 19–21) show that inspired but unstructured leadership cannot last. As society moved toward chaos and civil war, the phrase, In those days there was no king in Israel appears four times. The phrase, everyone did what was right in his own eyes is added twice (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The era of inspired leadership declined and ended in disorder. Something important was missing.

Theme notes and profiles

Social Chaos in Judges

Related verses

Numbers 13:30
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”
Joshua 2:23–24
Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them.
John 6:27
Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
Joshua 18:3
So Joshua said to the Israelites, “How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?
2 Peter 1:10–11
Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
1 Samuel 4:9
Take courage and be men, O Philistines! Otherwise, you will serve the Hebrews just as they served you. Now be men and fight!”
1 Kings 22:23
So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”
1 Kings 22:3
…who said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?”
2 Samuel 10:12
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
Hebrews 6:11–12
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
Numbers 14:7–9
…and said to the whole congregation of Israel, “The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land.

Glossary

Allotment of the Land Eshtaol Idols, Idolatry Jeroboam Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Laish (Place) Micah (Person) Priests and Levites Travel Tribe of Dan Zorah, Zorathite

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks of Laish Jonathan: A Levite of Bethlehem, Who Becomes a Priest for Micah Reconnoissance: Laish the Tribe of Dan: A Part of Tool Laish and Called It Dan

Judges 18:9

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