Judges 18:18

And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?

And these went {H935} into Micah's {H4318} house {H1004}, and fetched {H3947} the carved image {H6459}, the ephod {H646}, and the teraphim {H8655}, and the molten image {H4541}. Then said {H559} the priest {H3548} unto them, What do {H6213} ye?

But when they went into Mikhah's house and took the silver-covered image, the vest and the household gods, the cohen asked them, "What are you doing?"

When they entered Micah’s house and took the graven image, the ephod, the household idols, and the molten idol, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”

And when these went into Micah’s house, and fetched the graven image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image, the priest said unto them, What do ye?

Commentary

Context of Judges 18:18

The book of Judges details a tumultuous period in Israel's history, characterized by a cyclical pattern of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 18, specifically, illustrates the deep spiritual and moral decay of the time, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

Verse 18 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the tribe of Dan. Having sent five spies to seek new territory (as their inherited land proved difficult to settle, Judges 1:34), these spies had previously encountered Micah's private idolatrous sanctuary. Now, with six hundred armed Danite men, they return to Micah's house, not to worship, but to plunder his religious artifacts and persuade his hired Levite priest to join them in their quest to conquer the city of Laish (which they would rename Dan).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rampant Idolatry and Syncretism: This verse starkly highlights the pervasive idolatry in Israel during this period. The presence of a "carved image," a "molten image," an "ephod," and "teraphim" in one household demonstrates a complete disregard for God's clear commands against idol worship (Exodus 20:4). The Danites, rather than eradicating such practices, perpetuate them by stealing the objects and integrating them into their own tribal identity.
  • Lawlessness and Moral Decay: The Danites' actions are a blatant act of theft, illustrating the breakdown of law and order. They forcibly take what belongs to another, driven by self-interest and a desire for perceived blessing for their conquest, without any regard for divine law or ethical conduct.
  • Self-Serving Religion: The scene underscores how religion was often twisted for personal gain or convenience. Micah had set up his own system for prosperity, the Levite priest was motivated by a better salary, and the Danites desired religious objects to justify or "bless" their violent expansion. Genuine worship and obedience to the Lord were absent.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text uses specific terms for the idolatrous objects:

  • Carved image (Hebrew: pesel): Typically refers to an idol carved from wood or stone.
  • Molten image (Hebrew: massekah): An idol made by casting metal, often explicitly forbidden alongside carved images.
  • Ephod: While a legitimate priestly garment used in Tabernacle worship, here it is clearly being misused, likely as an object of divination or veneration, far from its original purpose.
  • Teraphim: These were household idols or cultic images, sometimes used for divination or associated with family inheritance. The Bible records other instances, such as Rachel stealing her father Laban's teraphim. Their presence in Micah's house further underscores the pagan influences prevalent in Israel.

Practical Application

Judges 18:18 serves as a powerful cautionary tale for believers today. It reminds us of:

  • The Danger of Syncretism: We must guard against mixing biblical truth with worldly philosophies or practices, ensuring our faith is rooted solely in God's revealed Word, not in human traditions or superstitions.
  • The Importance of God's Authority: When individuals or communities abandon God's clear commands and instead do "what is right in their own eyes," chaos and moral decay inevitably follow. This highlights the need for submission to divine authority and established spiritual leadership.
  • The Nature of True Worship: Genuine worship is not about manipulating God for personal gain or acquiring religious objects for superstitious blessing. It is about humble obedience, sincere devotion, and adherence to God's character and commands as revealed in Scripture.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

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