Judges 18:17

KJV

And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, [and] came in thither, [and] took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men [that were] appointed with weapons of war.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the five {H2568} men {H582} that went {H1980} to spy out {H7270} the land {H776} went up {H5927}, and came in {H935} thither, and took {H3947} the graven image {H6459}, and the ephod {H646}, and the teraphim {H8655}, and the molten image {H4541}: and the priest {H3548} stood {H5324} in the entering {H6607} of the gate {H8179} with the six {H8337} hundred {H3967} men {H376} that were appointed {H2296} with weapons {H3627} of war {H4421}.

Complete Jewish Bible

while the five who had spied out the land went in and took the idol overlaid with silver, the vest and the household gods. The cohen had stayed with the 600 soldiers by the gate.

Berean Standard Bible

And the five men who had gone to spy out the land went inside and took the graven image, the ephod, the household idols, and the molten idol, while the priest stood at the entrance of the gate with the six hundred armed men.

American Standard Version

And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men girt with weapons of war.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 18:17 encapsulates a moment of profound spiritual and moral decay within ancient Israel, depicting the Danite tribe's audacious and pre-meditated theft of illicit cultic objects from Micah's private shrine. This act, undertaken with overwhelming force, signifies not only a blatant disregard for God's law against idolatry but also a pragmatic, self-serving approach to religion characteristic of the chaotic period of the Judges, where might often superseded divine command.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 18:17 is a pivotal scene within the larger narrative of the Danite migration, which commences in [Judges 18:1](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Migration of Dan"). The tribe of Dan, having failed to fully dispossess the Amorites from their divinely allotted inheritance in the south ([Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - Dan's Failure to Dispossess the Amorites")), dispatches five spies to scout new territory. Their journey leads them to the Ephraimite hills, where they encounter a Levite priest serving in the syncretistic household shrine of Micah ([Judges 17:5](/judges/17-5 "Judges 17:5 - Micah's Idols and Levite Priest")). The spies, recognizing the priest from a previous encounter ([Judges 18:3-5](/judges/18-3 "Judges 18:3-5 - The Spies Encounter the Levite")), return to their tribe with a report of the fertile land of Laish and a recommendation to seize Micah's religious artifacts. This verse marks their return, not to worship or seek divine guidance, but to execute a pre-meditated theft of Micah's religious artifacts, intending to establish their own religious center in their new territory. The formidable presence of the 600 armed Danite men outside ([Judges 18:11-12](/judges/18-11 "Judges 18:11-12 - The Danite Army Sets Out")) underscores the overwhelming force backing this act of coercion, ensuring no resistance from Micah or his household. The subsequent verses detail the Danites' successful theft and their persuasion of the Levite priest to join them ([Judges 18:18-20](/judges/18-18 "Judges 18:18-20 - The Theft and the Priest's Recruitment")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges consistently portrays a period of profound instability, moral relativism, and spiritual apostasy in Israel, famously summarized by the refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Lawlessness of the Judges Period")). This verse vividly illustrates that societal breakdown. Without a central religious or political authority to enforce the Mosaic Law, individual tribes and families often resorted to self-serving actions, even when those actions directly violated God's commands. The presence of a private shrine with a Levite priest, complete with forbidden images and legitimate cultic items, reflects the widespread syncretism where Yahweh worship was blended with pagan practices. The Danites' actions—theft, kidnapping, and the establishment of a new idolatrous cult—were not isolated incidents but symptomatic of a broader cultural malaise where "might made right," and divine commands were disregarded for pragmatic gain. The geographical setting, moving from the south to the far north (Laish/Dan), also highlights the fragmentation of Israel and the absence of national unity, further exacerbating the spiritual decline.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 18:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges. Firstly, it exemplifies **Rampant Idolatry and Syncretism**. The explicit listing of the "graven image," "ephod," and "teraphim" reveals a blend of forbidden pagan practices and misused elements of legitimate Israelite worship, demonstrating how deeply idolatry had permeated Israelite society, even among those who claimed to serve Yahweh. The Danites, rather than destroying these idols as commanded by God ([Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites")), simply appropriate them for their own use, highlighting a profound **Moral and Spiritual Decline**. This act of theft and the subsequent kidnapping of the priest ([Judges 18:19](/judges/18-19 "Judges 18:19 - The Danites' Offer to the Levite Priest")) vividly portrays the "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" mentality ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Absence of Central Authority")), where God's law was ignored. Finally, the Danites' actions reveal a **Self-Serving and Pragmatic Religion**. They desired a priest and religious artifacts not out of genuine devotion to Yahweh, but to legitimize their new settlement and ensure divine favor for their conquest, regardless of the objects' illicit origins, demonstrating a transactional rather than transformative faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** This primitive root signifies "to take" in a wide variety of applications, including to seize, acquire, or carry away. In this context, it highlights the forceful and deliberate act of confiscation by the Danite spies. The use of this verb underscores the active, aggressive nature of their appropriation of Micah's cultic objects, rather than a passive or accidental acquisition.
* **graven image (Hebrew, _peçel'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to carve," this term refers specifically to a carved idol, typically made of wood or stone, often overlaid with metal. Its presence here signifies a direct violation of the second commandment, which explicitly prohibits the making of any carved image for worship ([Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Second Commandment")). The Danites' appropriation of such an object underscores their disregard for God's explicit prohibitions against idolatry.
* **teraphim (Hebrew, _tᵉrâphîym'_):** This plural noun refers to household idols, often small figurines, used for divination, protection, or as symbols of family ownership or inheritance rights (cf. Rachel stealing Laban's teraphim in [Genesis 31:19](/genesis/31-19 "Genesis 31:19 - Rachel Steals Laban's Teraphim")). Their inclusion in Micah's shrine further highlights the pervasive syncretistic blend of pagan folk religion with corrupted Yahweh worship, demonstrating how deeply idolatry had permeated Israelite homes and religious practices.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, [and] came in thither":** This clause emphasizes the deliberate and premeditated nature of the Danites' action. These are the same spies who had previously evaluated the land and assessed Micah's shrine. Their "going up" and "coming in" signifies a forceful, uninvited entry, backed by the knowledge of their superior numbers. It highlights their audacious confidence in their ability to take what they desired, reflecting a complete disregard for Micah's property rights or the illicit nature of the objects themselves.
* **"[and] took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image":** This is the central action of the verse: the forceful seizure of the cultic objects. The explicit listing of each item underscores the comprehensive nature of the theft and the specific spiritual compromises present in Micah's shrine. The Danites are not destroying these idols, as commanded by the Law, but appropriating them for their own use, demonstrating their pragmatic, self-serving approach to religion rather than a commitment to pure Yahweh worship. This act directly contravenes God's commands regarding the destruction of idolatrous objects ([Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Deuteronomy 7:5 - Destroying Pagan Altars")).
* **"and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men [that were] appointed with weapons of war":** This final clause provides the crucial context of intimidation and overwhelming force. The priest's passive stance "in the entering of the gate" indicates his helplessness and the futility of resistance against the large, armed Danite contingent. The "six hundred men appointed with weapons of war" serve as a visible deterrent, ensuring the spies can complete their plundering unimpeded. It underscores the "might makes right" ethos prevalent in the Judges period, where physical power superseded divine law or moral rectitude, and even a "priest" was powerless against armed might.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 18:17 is rich with literary techniques that amplify its message of spiritual and moral decay. The most prominent is **Irony**: the Danites, a tribe of Israel, God's chosen people, are depicted not as conquering enemies of idolatry, but as thieves who steal idols to establish their own idolatrous worship. They are seeking a new home, but their foundation is built on theft and spiritual compromise, a stark contrast to the divine mandate for purity. The detailed enumeration of the cultic objects ("graven image," "ephod," "teraphim," "molten image") serves as powerful **Symbolism**, representing the pervasive syncretism and spiritual corruption that plagued Israel. These objects are not merely items but embody the nation's departure from exclusive devotion to Yahweh. The scene also employs **Foreshadowing**, as this act of establishing an idolatrous cult at Dan ([Judges 18:30-31](/judges/18-30 "Judges 18:30-31 - Dan's Idolatry")) sets the stage for the later apostasy of the northern kingdom, where Dan becomes a center of calf worship under Jeroboam ([1 Kings 12:29-30](/1_kings/12-29 "1 Kings 12:29-30 - Jeroboam's Idols at Dan and Bethel")), illustrating the long-term, devastating consequences of spiritual compromise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 18:17 serves as a chilling indictment of Israel's spiritual condition during the Judges period, illustrating the devastating consequences of abandoning God's covenant. The Danites' actions—theft and the appropriation of forbidden idols—are a direct affront to the Mosaic Law, particularly the foundational commandments against idolatry ([Exodus 20:4-5](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4-5 - The Second Commandment")) and the command to utterly destroy all pagan objects and places of worship ([Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites")). This passage highlights the danger of a self-serving, pragmatic religion that seeks to manipulate divine favor through illicit means rather than pursuing genuine obedience and exclusive devotion to Yahweh. It underscores the cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that defines the book of Judges, where the absence of a king and the prevalence of "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Moral Anarchy of the Judges Period")) led to moral anarchy and profound spiritual decay, setting the stage for future national failures.

* [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - God's Command to Destroy Idols")
* [Exodus 20:4-5](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4-5 - The Prohibition Against Idols")
* [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Moral Anarchy of the Judges Period")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 18:17 offers profound warnings for contemporary believers, confronting us with the insidious nature of spiritual compromise and the dangers of a faith that is more pragmatic than pious. The Danites sought religious objects not out of a heart for God, but as a means to legitimize their own agenda and secure their future, regardless of the objects' illicit origins. This warns against **instrumentalizing faith**—using God or spiritual practices for personal gain, comfort, or perceived success, rather than out of genuine reverence and obedience. Furthermore, the syncretism evident in Micah's shrine and embraced by the Danites serves as a stark reminder against **mixing genuine faith with worldly values or forbidden practices**. True worship demands exclusive devotion to God alone, free from the idols of culture, materialism, or self-interest. In a world where personal truth often supersedes objective truth, the "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" mentality of Judges is a powerful caution against **moral relativism**. God's unchanging standards, revealed in His Word, provide the only stable foundation for life and faith, calling us to reject all forms of idolatry and pursue sincere obedience to His commands, recognizing that true blessing flows from faithful adherence to His covenant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to instrumentalize my faith, seeking personal gain or comfort rather than genuine obedience to God?**
* **What "graven images" or "molten images"—whether literal or metaphorical (e.g., career, possessions, reputation)—might subtly compete for my ultimate devotion to God?**
* **How does the Danites' disregard for God's law challenge my own willingness to compromise biblical principles for convenience or perceived success?**
* **In what ways might syncretism manifest in my own spiritual practices or beliefs, blending Christian truth with unbiblical ideas from the world?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Danites take these specific cultic items, and what was their significance?**

Answer: The Danites took a "graven image," an "ephod," "teraphim," and a "molten image" because these were the objects that constituted Micah's private shrine and were believed to confer religious authority and divine favor. The "graven" and "molten" images were direct violations of the second commandment ([Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Prohibition Against Idols")), representing forbidden idols. The "ephod," while a legitimate priestly garment in its proper context ([Exodus 28:6](/exodus/28-6 "Exodus 28:6 - The High Priest's Ephod")), had become an object of illicit worship or divination in this corrupt setting, similar to Gideon's ephod ([Judges 8:27](/judges/8-27 "Judges 8:27 - Gideon's Ephod Becomes a Snare")). "Teraphim" were household idols, often used for divination or as symbols of family status. By taking this collection, the Danites aimed to establish a comprehensive religious center in their new territory, believing these items, along with the Levite priest, would legitimize their settlement and ensure divine blessing for their endeavors, despite the illicit and syncretistic nature of the objects themselves. They were seeking a form of religious validation, albeit a corrupted one, for their new community, demonstrating a profound misunderstanding of God's nature and His requirements for worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 18:17, with its stark portrayal of self-serving religion and rampant idolatry, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a true and faithful High Priest and a pure way of worship, found only in Jesus Christ. The Danites' attempt to establish a religious system based on stolen idols and a mercenary priest reveals the spiritual barrenness of a people "doing what was right in their own eyes," creating gods in their own image. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the ultimate reality to which all true worship points. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making obsolete the need for any physical image or object to mediate between God and humanity. Unlike the corrupted ephod used for illicit divination, Christ is our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus Our Great High Priest") who perfectly intercedes for us, having entered the true heavenly sanctuary once for all ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The New Testament consistently warns against idolatry, whether of carved images or the idols of the heart ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things"); [1 John 5:21](/1_john/5-21 "1 John 5:21 - Keep Yourselves from Idols")), pointing believers to worship God "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")), a worship centered entirely on Christ and His finished work, not on man-made objects or self-serving rituals. He is the "something greater than the temple" ([Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Something Greater Than the Temple")), embodying the presence of God that the idols could never provide, and offering a relationship built on grace and truth, not theft and compromise.

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 18:14

¶ Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.

Judges 17:4

Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred [shekels] of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.

Judges 17:5

And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

Judges 18:2

And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.

1 Samuel 6:2

And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.

1 Samuel 6:9

And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, [then] he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that [it is] not his hand [that] smote us: it [was] a chance [that] happened to us.

2 Kings 19:18

And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.