Judges 18:10

KJV

When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where [there is] no want of any thing that [is] in the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

When ye go {H935}, ye shall come {H935} unto a people {H5971} secure {H982}, and to a large {H7342} land {H776}: for God {H430} hath given {H5414} it into your hands {H3027}; a place {H4725} where there is no want {H4270} of any thing {H1697} that is in the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When you go, you will come to a people who feel safe. There's plenty of land, the place lacks nothing, it has everything there is on earth, and God has given it to you."

Berean Standard Bible

When you enter, you will come to an unsuspecting people and a spacious land, for God has delivered it into your hand. It is a place where nothing on earth is lacking.”

American Standard Version

When 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 18:10 presents the enticing report of the five Danite spies to their tribe, promising an ideal new land for their inheritance. Having failed to fully secure their divinely allotted territory in the south, the tribe of Dan sought an alternative settlement. This verse encapsulates the spies' findings, describing Laish (later renamed Dan) as a fertile, abundant, and seemingly undefended land, which they presented as a direct gift from God, thereby justifying their intended conquest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of Judges chronicles a tumultuous era in Israel's history, characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, divine judgment through foreign oppression, the raising of deliverers (judges), and temporary peace, only for the cycle to repeat. The concluding chapters (Judges 17-21) serve as an appendix, illustrating the moral and spiritual decay of Israel "when there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" [Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes"). Chapters 17 and 18 specifically detail the story of Micah's idol and the migration of the tribe of Dan. The narrative immediately preceding Judges 18:10 describes the Danite spies' journey north, their encounter with the compromised Levite priest serving in [Micah's idolatrous household](/judges/17-5 "Micah's Idols and Levite Priest"), and their consultation with him regarding the success of their mission. The Levite's favorable, albeit self-serving, prophecy is interpreted by the spies as a divine endorsement, leading directly to their enthusiastic report back to their tribe in this verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1400-1050 BC) was marked by a decentralized tribal confederacy with no unified national leadership. Each tribe was responsible for dispossessing the Canaanite inhabitants from their allotted territories, a task many failed to complete, leading to ongoing conflict and cultural syncretism. The tribe of Dan was originally allotted land in the central coastal plain, but faced significant pressure from the Amorites and Philistines, who confined them to the hill country [Judges 1:34-35](/judges/1-34 "Dan's Failure to Dispossess"). This persistent struggle, coupled with a lack of faith to overcome their adversaries, prompted their search for a new, easier inheritance. Laish, located in the far north, was an isolated city, described as living "after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure" [Judges 18:7](/judges/18-7 "The Peaceful and Secure People of Laish"). This suggests a people who were culturally connected to the prosperous Phoenician city of Sidon but geographically distant and militarily unprepared, making them an ideal, vulnerable target for the Danites seeking an effortless conquest.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 18:10 contributes to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it highlights **The Quest for Inheritance**, revealing the Danites' pragmatic and faithless approach to possessing the land promised by God. Instead of persevering in their original, challenging inheritance, they abandoned it for an easier, albeit unauthorized, conquest. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Perceived Divine Mandate vs. True Divine Will**. The spies' assertion, "for God hath given it into your hands," is presented as a crucial justification. However, this "divine" assurance originates not from a legitimate prophet or direct revelation from Yahweh, but from a Levite priest who had already compromised his integrity by serving an idolatrous shrine. This raises profound questions about the legitimacy of their confidence and tragically foreshadows the subsequent establishment of idolatry in Dan [Judges 18:30-31](/judges/18-30 "Establishment of Idolatry in Dan"). Thirdly, the description of Laish as "a large land" and "a place where there is no want of any thing" introduces the theme of **A Land of Abundance**, echoing the biblical descriptions of the Promised Land as a place of blessing and provision [Deuteronomy 8:9](/deuteronomy/8-9 "God's Description of the Promised Land"). Yet, the Danites' pursuit of this abundance is tainted by their spiritual compromises and violent seizure. Lastly, the phrase "a people secure" introduces the theme of the **Vulnerability of Complacency**, as the inhabitants of Laish, due to their isolation and lack of preparedness, become easy prey for the invading Danites.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **secure (Hebrew, _bĕṭaḥ'_):** This word, often translated as "trust," "confidence," or "safety," carries a dual meaning in biblical Hebrew. While it can denote a positive reliance on God or a state of divinely granted peace, in contexts like Judges 18:10 and [Proverbs 1:32](/proverbs/1-32 "The Complacency of Fools"), it can also imply a false sense of security, complacency, or an unsuspecting and therefore vulnerable state. Here, it describes the inhabitants of Laish as living without fear or suspicion, lacking defensive alliances or military readiness, making them an easy target for the Danites' opportunistic invasion. Their "security" was rooted in isolation and perceived invulnerability, not in divine protection or strong defenses.
* **no want (Hebrew, _maḥsôr'_):** This term signifies "lack," "deficiency," or "poverty." Its use in the negative ("no want of any thing") emphasizes the extraordinary abundance and complete provision of the land of Laish. This hyperbole paints a picture of an agricultural paradise, a land so fertile and rich that it spontaneously provides everything necessary for sustenance and prosperity. This description would have been highly appealing to the Danites, who had struggled to secure even basic provisions in their original, contested territory. It highlights the material allure that drove their migration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure":** This opening phrase sets the stage for the spies' enticing report, immediately assuring their brethren of an easy conquest. The "people secure" refers to the inhabitants of Laish, whose state of unsuspecting peace and isolation, as described by the spies, made them appear utterly vulnerable and ripe for invasion. This security was their undoing.
* **"and to a large land":** Beyond the ease of conquest, the spies promise a vast territory. This was a significant appeal to the Danites, who were constrained in their original, smaller, and heavily contested inheritance. The promise of expansive, unpopulated, and easily accessible land would have been a powerful motivator for the land-hungry tribe.
* **"for God hath given it into your hands":** This pivotal clause represents the spies' theological justification for their proposed action. They present their discovery and the anticipated conquest as a divine mandate, a gift from God. However, this assertion is highly problematic within the broader narrative of Judges. It stems from a compromised source (Micah's Levite priest) and serves to legitimize an act of unfaithfulness (abandoning their original inheritance) and violence, ultimately leading to idolatry. It is a classic example of human desire being cloaked in divine approval.
* **"a place where [there is] no want of any thing that [is] in the earth":** This final, hyperbolic description emphasizes the extraordinary fertility and abundance of Laish. It paints a picture of a land of unparalleled provision, a veritable Eden where every material need is met naturally. This promise of effortless prosperity stands in stark contrast to the struggles the Danites faced in their original territory and serves as the ultimate material incentive for their migration and conquest.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 18:10 employs several literary devices to convey its complex message. **Irony** is prominent, particularly in the declaration "for God hath given it into your hands." The Danites claim divine sanction for an act that is fundamentally self-serving, opportunistic, and ultimately leads to the establishment of a major idolatrous center in Israel. This stands in stark contrast to God's true covenant faithfulness and the means by which He typically grants victory. **Foreshadowing** is also evident; the ease of conquest and the promise of abundance, coupled with the dubious "divine" endorsement, subtly hint at the spiritual compromises and moral decay that will characterize the Danite settlement in the north, culminating in the setting up of Micah's idol. Furthermore, the description of Laish as "a people secure" creates a powerful **contrast** between their perceived safety and their actual vulnerability, highlighting the dangers of complacency. The phrase "no want of any thing that is in the earth" uses **hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme abundance of the land, making it irresistibly attractive to the struggling Danites and underscoring the material motivations behind their actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 18:10 serves as a profound theological cautionary tale, illustrating the dangers of pragmatic faith and the human tendency to rationalize self-serving desires as divine will. The Danites' pursuit of an easier inheritance, justified by a dubious "prophecy," reveals a profound lack of trust in God's ability to enable them to conquer their *allotted* territory. Their actions highlight a pervasive theme in Judges: Israel's failure to fully dispossess the inhabitants of the land, not due to God's inability, but due to their lack of faith and obedience. This verse underscores how material desire and the pursuit of ease can eclipse spiritual integrity, leading to a distorted understanding of God's providence and ultimately to spiritual compromise and idolatry. True divine guidance aligns with God's character and revealed word, not with opportunistic ventures that contradict His established principles.

* [Deuteronomy 12:8-9](/deuteronomy/12-8 "Deuteronomy 12:8-9 - Doing What Is Right In One's Own Eyes")
* [Proverbs 1:32](/proverbs/1-32 "Proverbs 1:32 - The Complacency of Fools")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Judges 18:10 offers timeless lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to critically examine the sources of our "assurance" and the motivations behind our pursuits. Are we truly seeking God's will, or are we simply seeking validation for our own desires, especially when they promise ease, abundance, or escape from difficulty? The Danites' story warns against spiritual pragmatism that prioritizes comfort and material gain over faithfulness and perseverance in the face of challenges. It calls us to discern true divine guidance, which always aligns with God's character and His revealed Word, rather than opportunistic "signs" or convenient justifications. Furthermore, the vulnerability of the "secure" people of Laish serves as a powerful reminder against spiritual complacency. In a world that often values ease and security above all else, believers are called to cultivate vigilance, dependence on God, and a willingness to face spiritual battles rather than seeking the path of least resistance. Our ultimate security and provision come from God alone, not from worldly circumstances or self-reliance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern true divine guidance from our own desires or convenient rationalizations, especially when facing difficult situations?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be spiritually "secure" or complacent, potentially leaving us vulnerable to compromise or attack?**
* **How does the pursuit of comfort, ease, or material abundance challenge our spiritual integrity and faithfulness in today's world?**

### FAQ
**Was God truly behind the Danites' conquest of Laish, as the spies claimed?**

Answer: No, the narrative strongly implies that God was not truly behind the Danites' conquest of Laish in the way they claimed. While God had indeed promised the Israelites the entire land of Canaan, the Danites' actions in Judges 18 were motivated by their failure to dispossess the inhabitants of their *original* allotted territory [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Dan's Failure to Dispossess"). Their decision to abandon their inheritance and seek an easier conquest in the north was a pragmatic, faithless choice, not an act of obedience. The "divine" assurance they received came from a compromised Levite priest serving an idolatrous household [Judges 17:5](/judges/17-5 "Micah's Idols and Levite Priest"), not from a legitimate prophet or direct revelation from Yahweh. The subsequent establishment of idolatry in Dan [Judges 18:30-31](/judges/18-30 "Idolatry Established in Dan") further underscores that their actions were contrary to God's will and covenant. The spies' claim in Judges 18:10 was a self-serving justification, cloaking their opportunistic violence and spiritual compromise in the language of divine mandate.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 18:10, with its portrayal of a tribe seeking an "easier" and "more abundant" inheritance, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The Danites sought a physical land where there was "no want of any thing," a place of material security and ease, but their pursuit was marked by compromise and led to idolatry. In contrast, Christ offers a spiritual inheritance that is incorruptible and eternal, secured not through human effort or violence, but through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Our Inheritance in Christ"), [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "An Incorruptible Inheritance"). He is the true "place where there is no want," for in Him "all the fullness of God dwells" [Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Fullness in Christ"), and He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God Will Supply All Your Needs"). While the people of Laish found false security in their isolation, true security for believers is found only in Christ, who is our refuge and strength [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "God Our Refuge and Strength"). He invites us not to a land of earthly abundance gained through pragmatic compromise, but to abundant life found in Him, a life characterized by spiritual richness and eternal hope [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus Gives Abundant Life"). The Danites' story highlights the human tendency to seek earthly solutions for spiritual problems; Christ, however, is the ultimate solution, offering a heavenly country and a spiritual inheritance that truly satisfies every deepest longing [Hebrews 11:13-16](/hebrews/11-13 "Seeking a Better Country").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 18:27

¶ And they took [the things] which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people [that were] at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.

Judges 18:7

¶ Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that [were] therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and [there was] no magistrate in the land, that might put [them] to shame in [any] thing; and they [were] far from the Zidonians, and had no business with [any] man.

Deuteronomy 4:1

¶ Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do [them], that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

Joshua 6:16

And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

Deuteronomy 2:29

(As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Ezekiel 20:6

In the day [that] I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands: