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Judges 18:5

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 18:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Judges 18:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
6And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before Jehovah is your way wherein ye go.
7Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was none in the land, possessing authority, that might put [them] to shame in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no dealings with any man.
8And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What [say] ye?
← Judges 18:4Judges 18:6 →
← 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 they said unto him, ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, etc.] They did not reprove him for assuming the priestly office, when they knew he was a Levite, such was the corruption of those times, and the great depravity and declensions they were fallen into; nor even for the idolatry he was guilty of, but encourage him in it, and thought they had got a fine opportunity, which they readily laid hold on, to have counsel asked for them of God, about the success of the errand they were sent about; to this they were led at sight of the ephod, which was like that in the tabernacle, and of the teraphim, images which, according to a notion that prevailed, when consulted, foretold future things;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The sight of the ephod and teraphim suggested the notion of inquiring of God. 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
“Ask - By thine Ephod, and Teraphim, or images, which they knew he had, Jdg 18:14. Judges 18:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Ask counsel: Kg1 22:5; Kg2 16:15; Isa 30:1; Eze 21:21; Hos 4:12; Act 8:10 of God: Jdg 18:14, Jdg 17:5, Jdg 17:13 Judges 18:6”
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Related study paths

Read Judges 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification