Judges 18:13

And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah.

And they passed {H5674} thence unto mount {H2022} Ephraim {H669}, and came {H935} unto the house {H1004} of Micah {H4318}.

From there they passed on into the hills of Efrayim and came to Mikhah's house.

And from there they traveled to the hill country of Ephraim and came to Micah’s house.

And they passed thence unto the hill-country of Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah.

Commentary

Judges 18:13 marks a crucial geographical and narrative point in the Danite migration, as the 600 armed men from the tribe of Dan arrive at the residence of Micah in Mount Ephraim. This verse sets the stage for a significant act of theft and the establishment of an unauthorized religious center for the Danites, highlighting the spiritual and moral decline prevalent during the period of the Judges.

Context of Judges 18:13

The book of Judges details a period in Israel's history characterized by spiritual decline and political instability, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25). The tribe of Dan, unable to secure their allotted inheritance in the south (Judges 1:34), sent five spies to find a new territory. These spies, as recounted in Judges 18:1-12, had previously encountered Micah's private shrine, which included a graven image, an ephod, household gods (teraphim), and a hired Levite priest (Judges 17:5). Returning with news of the vulnerable city of Laish, the spies led their armed brethren directly to Micah's house, intending to appropriate his religious artifacts and his priest for their own purposes.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Compromise and Idolatry: The narrative surrounding Micah's house exemplifies the widespread spiritual decay in Israel. Micah, despite having a Levite, had fashioned his own idols, a clear violation of God's law against graven images (Exodus 20:4). The Danites further compound this sin by stealing these illicit religious objects, demonstrating a profound misunderstanding of true worship and the danger of syncretism.
  • Lack of Central Authority: The independent actions of the Danites, pursuing their own land and establishing their own worship center without consulting the tabernacle at Shiloh or the other tribes, underscores the chaotic "no king" period. This self-reliance leads to lawlessness and spiritual confusion, contrasting sharply with the unified worship mandated by the Mosaic Law.
  • Theft and Deception: The Danites' arrival at Micah's house is not for fellowship but for plunder. Their subsequent actions of taking his idols and priest, as detailed in Judges 18:14-20, highlight a blatant disregard for property rights and an opportunistic approach to religion, where convenience trumps righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "mount Ephraim" (Hebrew: Har Ephraim) refers to the mountainous region in the central part of Israel, primarily inhabited by the tribe of Ephraim. It was a strategic and fertile area, making Micah's residence well-situated. The name "Micah" (Hebrew: Mikah) is a shortened form of Mikaiah, meaning "who is like Yahweh?" or "who is like the LORD?". The irony of this name, given Micah's creation and worship of idols, is striking, as his actions fundamentally contradicted the very meaning of his name, failing to acknowledge the uniqueness and supremacy of the true God.

Practical Application

Judges 18:13 serves as a cautionary tale for believers today. It reminds us of the dangers of:

  • Self-Made Religion: Like Micah, we can be tempted to create a faith that suits our preferences rather than adhering strictly to God's revealed Word. True worship must be according to God's commands, not our own inventions or conveniences.
  • Spiritual Opportunism: The Danites' readiness to adopt Micah's idols and priest for their own convenience shows a lack of genuine commitment to God. Our faith should not be a means to an end for personal gain or comfort, but a sincere devotion to the Lord, seeking His will above all else.
  • Compromise and Idolatry: Idolatry isn't just bowing to statues; it's anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives. This passage urges us to examine our hearts and ensure our loyalty is solely to the one true God, avoiding any form of spiritual syncretism or compromise that dilutes our devotion to Him.
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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

  • Joshua 24:33 (2 votes)

    And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill [that pertained to] Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.

  • Joshua 24:30 (2 votes)

    And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which [is] in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.

  • Judges 17:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name [was] Micah.

  • Judges 18:2 (2 votes)

    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 18:3 (2 votes)

    When they [were] by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this [place]? and what hast thou here?

  • Judges 19:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass in those days, when [there was] no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.