Judges 18:8

KJV

And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What [say] ye?

KJV (with Strong's)

And they came {H935} unto their brethren {H251} to Zorah {H6881} and Eshtaol {H847}: and their brethren {H251} said {H559} unto them, What say ye?

Complete Jewish Bible

When they returned to their kinsmen in Tzor'ah and Eshta'ol, they asked them what they had to report.

Berean Standard Bible

When the men returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their brothers asked them, “What did you find?”

American Standard Version

And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 18:8 records the crucial moment when five Danite spies, dispatched to scout new territory, returned to their waiting brethren in Zorah and Eshtaol. This verse captures the collective anticipation and urgent inquiry of the tribe, whose original inheritance proved untenable, setting the stage for a pivotal decision regarding their future settlement and the subsequent, morally compromised, relocation of a significant portion of the Danite people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 18:8 is nestled within a larger narrative detailing the tribe of Dan's struggle to secure their inheritance and their eventual migration. The preceding verses (Judges 18:1-7) establish the Danites' predicament—they had not fully possessed their allotted land and were seeking new territory. The five spies, sent out from Zorah and Eshtaol, had encountered Micah's idolatrous shrine and his Levite priest, Jonathan, in Ephraim. This verse marks their return, poised to deliver a report that will directly lead to the tribe's decision to move north, culminating in the violent conquest of Laish and the establishment of a new, idolatrous cult center, a narrative that profoundly shapes the rest of the chapter and serves as a stark example of Israel's spiritual decline in the period of the Judges.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges, as depicted in the book, was characterized by a decentralized tribal society without a king, where "[every man did that which was right in his own eyes](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel")" (Judges 17:6; 21:25). The tribe of Dan was originally allotted territory in the fertile Shephelah, bordering the Philistine plain (Joshua 19:40-48). However, they failed to dispossess the Amorites and were confined to the hill country, unable to fully expand into their designated inheritance, as noted in [Judges 1:34-35](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34-35 - Dan's Failure to Dispossess"). This historical pressure and their inability to secure their original land prompted their search for new territory. The communal inquiry in verse 8 reflects the tribal structure where collective decisions, often based on scouting reports, were vital for survival and expansion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse highlights several key themes prevalent in the Book of Judges. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **dispossession and failure to inherit**, a recurring motif for several tribes who did not fully conquer their allotted land, leading to ongoing conflict and compromise, as seen in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Tribal Conquests and Failures"). Secondly, it emphasizes **communal decision-making** and the reliance on shared intelligence for the tribe's future, even if those decisions ultimately lead to unrighteous actions. Thirdly, the urgent question, "What [say] ye?", reflects the **anticipation of a solution** to a pressing existential problem, setting the stage for the Danites' desperate, yet morally flawed, pursuit of a new home and their subsequent establishment of a rival religious center, which directly contradicts the Mosaic covenant's call to worship Yahweh alone at a central sanctuary, a theme of **religious syncretism and apostasy** that permeates the latter half of the book, particularly in [Judges 17-18](/judges/17 "Judges 17-18 - Micah's Idols and Dan's Migration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zorah (Hebrew, _Tsor'ah'_):** One of the two primary cities from which the Danite spies originated, located in the Shephelah region, west of Jerusalem. It was part of Dan's original inheritance (Joshua 19:41) and is notably the hometown of Samson (Judges 13:2). Its mention here emphasizes the geographical anchor of the Danite tribe before their migration.
* **Eshtaol (Hebrew, _'Eshta'ol'_):** The other significant Danite city, often mentioned alongside Zorah (Joshua 15:33; 19:41). Like Zorah, it was situated in the Shephelah, underscoring the limited territory the Danites occupied and their struggle to expand within their original inheritance, leading to the desperate search for new land.
* **"What [say] ye?" (Hebrew, _Mah 'Attem'_):** This succinct Hebrew phrase literally translates to "What are you?" or "What about you?". The KJV's insertion of "[say]" accurately captures the implied verbal action, conveying the eager and direct inquiry for the spies' report. The brevity of the Hebrew emphasizes the urgency and high anticipation of the waiting Danite brethren, whose collective future hinged on the intelligence gathered by these five men.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol":** This clause signifies the completion of the spies' reconnaissance mission and their return to the tribal community. Their arrival back at these two key Danite strongholds indicates the central gathering point of the tribe, where the collective decision-making process would take place. It highlights the communal nature of the Danite struggle and their shared anticipation.
* **"and their brethren said unto them":** This phrase introduces the direct interaction between the returning spies and the waiting tribe. The "brethren" represent the collective Danite community, eagerly awaiting news that would determine their future. This sets up a moment of high tension and expectation, as the tribe's fate rests on the report about to be delivered.
* **"What [say] ye?":** This direct question encapsulates the urgency and dependence of the Danite people on the spies' findings. It is a concise demand for information, reflecting their precarious situation and their hope for a viable solution to their inability to fully inhabit their original inheritance. The implied verb "say" clarifies the intent of the Hebrew, which is a succinct and eager inquiry for the anticipated report.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Dialogue** to convey the immediate and urgent nature of the interaction. The direct question, "What [say] ye?", is a powerful example of **Epithet**, a concise and pointed inquiry that cuts to the chase, reflecting the tribe's collective anxiety and anticipation. The setting of the return to "Zorah and Eshtaol" serves as a form of **Geographical Specificity**, grounding the narrative in the Danites' existing, albeit constrained, territory and emphasizing their origins before their significant migration. The entire scene builds **Suspense**, as the reader, along with the Danite brethren, awaits the crucial report that will determine the tribe's next, and ultimately tragic, course of action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 18:8, though brief, is a critical juncture in the Danite narrative, illustrating the consequences of Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to dispossess the inhabitants of the land. Their inability to secure their inheritance, stemming from a lack of faith and courage, led them to seek an alternative solution outside of God's original provision. This proactive, yet ultimately unrighteous, search for new territory highlights a broader theme in Judges: the people's tendency to rely on their own wisdom and strength rather than trusting in God for their deliverance and prosperity, leading to a cycle of sin, oppression, and temporary deliverance. The communal inquiry underscores the shared responsibility of the tribe in this fateful decision, which would lead them not only to a new land but also into deep idolatry.

* [Judges 1:34-35](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34-35 - Dan's Failure to Dispossess the Amorites")
* [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Every Man Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - The Way That Seems Right to a Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 18:8 serves as a poignant reminder of the human tendency to seek our own solutions when faced with challenges, especially when we perceive God's promises as unfulfilled or difficult to attain. The Danites, unable to possess their promised land, looked for an easier path, a "new normal" that ultimately led them further from God's design. This prompts us to examine our own lives: when we encounter obstacles or feel constrained, do we diligently seek God's will and trust in His power to overcome, or do we, like the Danites, devise our own plans, even if they lead us down paths of compromise or unrighteousness? True faith involves patiently waiting on God's timing and trusting in His provision, even when circumstances seem dire. It calls us to persevere in the path He has set, rather than abandoning it for what appears to be a more convenient or immediately gratifying alternative.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when God's promises or my current circumstances feel difficult or unfulfilled?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek "easier" solutions rather than trusting God's process?**
* **How can I better discern God's will and commit to His path, even when it requires perseverance and faith?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the Danites sending out spies?**

Answer: The act of sending out spies, as described in [Judges 18:1-2](/judges/18-1 "Judges 18:1-2 - Danites Seek Inheritance"), was a desperate measure by the tribe of Dan. Unlike other tribes who largely secured their inheritance, the Danites had failed to dispossess the Amorites from their allotted territory in the Shephelah ([Judges 1:34-35](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34-35 - Dan's Failure to Dispossess")). This meant they were confined and unable to expand, facing constant pressure. Sending spies was a proactive, albeit ultimately misguided, attempt to find new, unpossessed land where they could settle and thrive. It highlights their struggle for survival and their perceived need to take matters into their own hands in a period of spiritual and political disarray in Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the Danites' struggle and their unrighteous pursuit of a new inheritance, culminating in idolatry, stands in stark contrast to the perfect inheritance and righteous leadership found in Christ. The Danites sought a physical land and security through their own strength and flawed decisions, leading to a compromised spiritual state. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the true "inheritance" for believers, providing not merely physical land but eternal life and spiritual security (Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:12). While the Danites were driven by the question, "What [say] ye?" concerning a new earthly dwelling, Christ offers a heavenly dwelling and a new identity, asking us to "follow me" ([Matthew 4:19](/matthew/4-19 "Matthew 4:19 - Jesus Calls Disciples")). He is the Good Shepherd who leads His sheep to true pastures and living water, unlike the Danite spies who led their tribe to a place of idolatry and spiritual barrenness ([John 10:9-11](/john/10-9 "John 10:9-11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). The Danites' failure to fully dispossess their enemies foreshadows humanity's inability to overcome sin and death on its own; only through Christ's ultimate victory on the cross can we truly inherit the promises of God and find rest in Him ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")). He is the one who secures our true and lasting inheritance, not through human effort or compromised means, but through His perfect obedience and sacrificial love ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope Through Christ")).

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 18:2

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.

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.

Judges 16:31

Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought [him] up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

Judges 13:2

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name [was] Manoah; and his wife [was] barren, and bare not.