King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they [were] too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then the people from Dan went their way; and when Mikhah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
Berean Standard Bible:
So the Danites went on their way, and Micah turned to go back home, because he saw that they were too strong for him.
American Standard Version:
And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the children{H1121} of Dan{H1835} went{H3212} their way{H1870}: and when Micah{H4318} saw{H7200} that they were too strong{H2389} for him, he turned{H6437} and went back{H7725} unto his house{H1004}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Judges 18:26
Judges 18:26 is set within the broader narrative of the tribe of Dan's migration and conquest in the hill country of Ephraim during the period of the Judges, a time when Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). The verse specifically captures a moment following the Danites' theft of Micah's idols and the hiring of Micah's priest, which were part of a larger campaign to find a new territory for the tribe to inhabit after they found their allotted inheritance too small and difficult to possess (Judges 18:1).
In this context, the verse highlights several themes:
1. **Israel's Spiritual Decline**: The incident reflects the moral and spiritual decay of Israel during this period. The Danites, instead of seeking God's guidance, resort to idolatry and violence. Micah's household idols and priest are part of this ungodly pattern, illustrating the syncretistic practices that were pulling the Israelites away from true worship of Yahweh.
2. **Power and Oppression**: The phrase "when Micah saw that they [were] too strong for him" underscores the theme of power dynamics in the narrative. The Danites' superior strength and weaponry intimidate Micah, who realizes he cannot reclaim his stolen property or resist their force. This reflects the brutal realities of life in this era, where might often made right.
3. **The Consequences of Sin**: Micah's decision to turn back to his house empty-handed is emblematic of the broader consequences of sin. His initial complicity in idolatry has led to loss and disempowerment. This moment serves as a microcosm of the cycle of sin and judgment that characterizes much of the book of Judges.
4. **Tribal Autonomy and Conflict**: The actions of the Danites and Micah's reaction also point to the fragmented nature of Israelite society at the time. Each tribe, and even individual families, operated independently, leading to internal conflict and a lack of national unity.
In summary, Judges 18:26 encapsulates the turbulent and morally ambiguous times of the Judges, where the absence of central authority led to social chaos, idolatry, and intertribal strife. It is a stark depiction of how far the Israelites had strayed from the covenantal laws and principles given to them by God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H1835
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּן
Transliteration: Dân
Pronunciation: dawn
Description: from דִּין; judge; Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in Palestine colonized by them; Daniel - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H4318
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִיכָה
Transliteration: Mîykâh
Pronunciation: mee-kaw'
Description: an abbreviated form of מִיכָיָה; Micah, the name of seven Israelites; Micah, Micaiah, Michah. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H2389
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָזָק
Transliteration: châzâq
Pronunciation: khaw-zawk'
Description: from חָזַק; strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent); harder, hottest, [phrase] impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff(-hearted), strong(-er). - Strong's Number: H6437
There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנָה
Transliteration: pânâh
Pronunciation: paw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early). - Strong's Number: H7725
There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûwb
Pronunciation: shoob
Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).