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Judges 18:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 18:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land. And they came to the hill-country of Ephraim, unto the house of Micah, and lodged there.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land. And they came to the hill-country of Ephraim, unto the house of Micah, and lodged there.
Judges 18:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1In 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 [their] inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.
2And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land. And they came to the hill-country of Ephraim, unto the house of Micah, and lodged there.
3When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; and they turned aside thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what doest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?
4And he said unto them, Thus and thus hath Micah dealt with me, and he hath hired me, and I am become his priest.
5And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
← Judges 18:1Judges 18:3 →
← Full Chapter 18 Judges Overview

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 the children of Dan sent of their family five men, etc.] According to Abarbinel one out of a family, as Moses sent one out of a tribe to spy the land; and so there must be five families concerned in this affair: from their coasts, men of valour from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; these men were sent from the borders of the tribe, the extreme parts of it, as the word may signify, where perhaps they were the most pressed and overcrowded: Zorah and Eshtaol are particularly mentioned, and were the first cities in their lot, and were the coast of their inheritance, (see Gill on “<061941>Joshua 19:41”) some take the phrase rendered “from their coasts” to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This identity of locality with the scene of Samson’s birth and death indicates that both narratives are drawn from the same source, probably the annals of the tribe of Dan. 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
“There - Not in the same house, but near it. Judges 18:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“men: Heb. sons Zorah: Jdg 18:8, Jdg 18:11, Jdg 13:2, Jdg 13:25, Jdg 16:31; Gen 42:9; Jos 19:41 to spy: Num 13:17; Jos 2:1; Pro 20:18; Luk 14:31 mount: Jdg 17:1, Jdg 19:1, Jdg 19:18; Jos 17:15-18 Judges 18:3”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“To spy out and explore the land for the object mentioned, the Danites sent out five brave men "out of their (the Danites') ends," i.e., from their whole body (vid., Kg1 12:31; Kg1 13:33, and the commentary on Gen 19:4). They came up to the mountains of Ephraim, and as far as Micah's house, where they passed the night. Judges 18:3”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification