Judges 18:16

And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which [were] of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate.

And the six {H8337} hundred {H3967} men {H376} appointed {H2296} with their weapons {H3627} of war {H4421}, which were of the children {H1121} of Dan {H1835}, stood {H5324} by the entering {H6607} of the gate {H8179}.

The 600 soldiers from Dan stayed at the gate,

The six hundred Danites stood at the entrance of the gate, armed with their weapons of war.

And the six hundred men girt with their weapons of war, who were of the children of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.

Commentary

Context

Judges 18:16 is set within the turbulent period of the Judges, a time when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" because there was no king in Israel. This chapter details the migration of the tribe of Dan, who, unlike other tribes, had failed to fully secure their assigned inheritance (Judges 1:34). Seeking new territory, they sent out spies (Judges 18:2) and are now on a military expedition to conquer the peaceful city of Laish. This verse highlights the disciplined, armed posture of the six hundred Danite warriors as they prepare to seize the city, having just taken Micah's idols and priest.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Military Readiness and Discipline: The verse emphasizes the preparedness of the Danite force. The phrase "appointed with their weapons of war" signifies their full equipment and readiness for immediate combat, a stark contrast to the general spiritual disarray often seen in the book of Judges.
  • Strategic Positioning: Standing "by the entering of the gate" was a critical tactical move in ancient warfare. Gates were the primary points of entry and defense for ancient cities, making this position ideal for launching an assault or controlling access. This detail underscores the military precision of their operation as they prepared to conquer Laish.
  • The Danite Quest for Territory: This scene is a pivotal moment in the tribe of Dan's search for a new homeland, culminating in the violent conquest of Laish and the establishment of a new settlement, which they renamed Dan (Judges 18:27-29). Their actions here reflect a self-reliant approach, detached from seeking divine guidance often seen in this period.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "appointed with their weapons of war" captures the Hebrew ḥagurim bĕkĕlê milḥamtām (חֲגֻרִים בִּכְלֵי מִלְחַמְתָּם). The word ḥagurim literally means "girded" or "equipped," implying a state of being fully prepared, with swords or other implements fastened to their belts. "Weapons of war" (kĕlê milḥamtām) refers to their standard military gear, underscoring their professional readiness for the task at hand. The "entering of the gate" (petaḥ haššaʿar) specifically denotes the opening or entrance of the city's main gate, a highly vulnerable and strategic point.

Practical Application

While this verse describes a physical military action, it offers insights into the importance of readiness and strategic positioning. For believers, it can prompt reflection on spiritual preparedness. Just as the Danites were equipped for battle, Christians are called to be "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might," putting on the full armor of God to stand against spiritual adversaries. This involves being alert, equipped with truth, righteousness, and the Word of God, and strategically positioned in prayer and service. It reminds us that spiritual battles require intentional preparation and a disciplined stance. However, the broader narrative of the Danites also serves as a cautionary tale; their military success in conquering Laish was accompanied by the introduction of idolatry into their new territory (Judges 18:30), highlighting that even effective actions must be aligned with God's will and not merely human ambition.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Judges 18:11

    And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.
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