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Judges 18:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 18:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they went up, and encamped in Kiriath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan, unto this day; behold, it is behind Kiriath-jearim.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they went up, and encamped in Kiriath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan, unto this day; behold, it is behind Kiriath-jearim.
Judges 18:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And they said, Arise, and let us 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 in to possess the land.
10When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and the land is large; for God hath given it into your hand, a place where there is no want of anything that is in the earth.
11And there set forth from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girt with weapons of war.
12And they went up, and encamped in Kiriath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan, unto this day; behold, it is behind Kiriath-jearim.
13And they passed thence unto the hill-country of Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah.
14Then 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.
15And they turned aside thither, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and asked him of his welfare.
← Judges 18:11Judges 18:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they went up and pitched in Kirjathjearim in Judah, etc.] Of which place (see <061509>Joshua 15:9,60). According to Bunting f383 it was sixteen miles from Zorah and Eshtaol, and this was their first day’s march: wherefore they called the name of that place Mahanehdan unto this day; which signifies the camp of Dan, or of the Danites; so it was called in the times of Samson, (<071325>Judges 13:25) and is a proof that this expedition was before his time; and it was so called, it seems, in the time of Samuel, the writer of this book: behold, it is behind Kirjathjearim; to the west of it; for though they are said to pitch in that place, the meaning is, that they pitched near it, in the fields…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Kurjath-jearim - “City of forests,” otherwise called “Kirjath-Baal” (marginal reference.), identified by Robinson with the modern “Kurit-el-Enab,” on the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem and by Conder with Soba. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mahaneh - dan - That is, the camp of Dan. Judges 18:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Kirjathjearim: A city of Judah, on the confines of Benjamin; distant nine miles from Alia or Jerusalem, in going towards Diospolis or Lydda, according to Eusebius. Jos 15:60; Sa1 7:1; Ch1 13:5, Ch1 13:6; Ch2 1:4 Mahanehdan: Jdg 13:25 \*marg. Judges 18:13”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification