Juges - Caput 18

Juges 18.1 in diebus illis non erat rex in Israhel et tribus Dan quaerebat possessionem sibi ut habitaret in ea usque ad illum enim diem inter ceteras tribus sortem non acceperat Juges 18.2 miserunt igitur filii Dan stirpis et familiae suae quinque viros fortissimos de Saraa et Esthaol ut explorarent terram et diligenter inspicerent dixeruntque eis ite et considerate terram qui cum pergentes venissent in montem Ephraim et intrassent domum Micha requieverunt ibi Juges 18.3 et agnoscentes vocem adulescentis Levitae utentesque illius diversorio dixerunt ad eum quis te huc adduxit quid hic agis quam ob causam huc venire voluisti Juges 18.4 qui respondit eis haec et haec praestitit mihi Michas et me mercede conduxit ut sim ei sacerdos Juges 18.5 rogaveruntque eum ut consuleret Dominum et scire possent an prospero itinere pergerent et res haberet effectum Juges 18.6 qui respondit eis ite cum pace Dominus respicit viam vestram et iter quo pergitis Juges 18.7 euntes itaque quinque viri venerunt Lais videruntque populum habitantem in ea absque ullo timore iuxta Sidoniorum consuetudinem securum et quietum nullo eis penitus resistente magnarumque opum et procul a Sidone atque a cunctis hominibus separatum Juges 18.8 reversique ad fratres suos in Saraa et Esthaol et quid egissent sciscitantibus responderunt Juges 18.9 surgite et ascendamus ad eos vidimus enim terram valde opulentam et uberem nolite neglegere nolite cessare eamus et possideamus eam nullus erit labor Juges 18.10 intrabimus ad securos in regionem latissimam tradetque nobis Dominus locum in quo nullius rei est penuria eorum quae gignuntur in terra Juges 18.11 profecti igitur sunt de cognatione Dan id est de Saraa et Esthaol sescenti viri accincti armis bellicis Juges 18.12 ascendentesque manserunt in Cariathiarim Iudae qui locus ex eo tempore castrorum Dan nomen accepit et est post tergum Cariathiarim Juges 18.13 inde transierunt in montem Ephraim cumque venissent ad domum Micha Juges 18.14 dixerunt quinque viri qui prius missi fuerant ad considerandam terram Lais ceteris fratribus suis nostis quod in domibus istis sit ephod et therafin et sculptile atque conflatile videte quid vobis placeat Juges 18.15 et cum paululum declinassent ingressi sunt domum adulescentis Levitae qui erat in domo Micha salutaveruntque eum verbis pacificis Juges 18.16 sescenti autem viri ita ut erant armati stabant ante ostium Juges 18.17 at illi qui ingressi fuerant domum iuvenis sculptile et ephod et therafin atque conflatile tollere nitebantur et sacerdos stabat ante ostium sescentis viris fortissimis haut procul expectantibus Juges 18.18 tulerunt igitur qui intraverant sculptile ephod et idola atque conflatile quibus dixit sacerdos quid facitis Juges 18.19 cui responderunt tace et pone digitum super os tuum venique nobiscum ut habeamus te patrem et sacerdotem quid tibi melius est ut sis sacerdos in domo unius viri an in una tribu et familia in Israhel Juges 18.20 quod cum audisset adquievit sermonibus eorum et tulit ephod et idola ac sculptile et cum eis profectus est Juges 18.21 qui cum pergerent et ante se ire fecissent parvulos et iumenta et omne quod erat pretiosum Juges 18.22 iamque a domo Michae essent procul viri qui habitabant in aedibus Michae conclamantes secuti sunt Juges 18.23 et post tergum clamare coeperunt qui cum respexissent dixerunt ad Micham quid tibi vis cur clamas Juges 18.24 qui respondit deos meos quos mihi feci tulistis et sacerdotem et omnia quae habeo et dicitis quid tibi est Juges 18.25 dixeruntque ei filii Dan cave ne ultra loquaris ad nos et veniant ad te viri animo concitati et ipse cum omni domo tua pereas Juges 18.26 et sic coepto itinere perrexerunt videns autem Micha quod fortiores se essent reversus est in domum suam Juges 18.27 sescenti autem viri tulerunt sacerdotem et quae supra diximus veneruntque in Lais ad populum quiescentem atque securum et percusserunt eos in ore gladii urbemque incendio tradiderunt Juges 18.28 nullo penitus ferente praesidium eo quod procul habitarent a Sidone et cum nullo hominum haberent quicquam societatis ac negotii erat autem civitas sita in regione Roob quam rursum extruentes habitaverunt in ea Juges 18.29 vocato nomine civitatis Dan iuxta vocabulum patris sui quem genuerat Israhel quae prius Lais dicebatur Juges 18.30 posueruntque sibi sculptile et Ionathan filium Gersan filii Mosi ac filios eius sacerdotes in tribu Dan usque ad diem captivitatis suae Juges 18.31 mansitque apud eos idolum Michae omni tempore quo fuit domus Dei in Silo in diebus illis non erat rex in Israhel

Juges : Caput 18

The Moral Decline of the Tribe of Dan in the Book of Judges

Judges chapter 18 continues the narrative of moral decline, focusing on the tribe of Dan. How does the quest for territory lead to idolatry? This intriguing text recounts the migration of the Danites, their theft of Micah's idols, and the establishment of their own city and idol worship. The chapter reveals the consequences of a lack of spiritual leadership and disobedience to God's will. Judges 18 illustrates how pragmatism can lead to spiritual commitment. Explore with us five biblical passages that shed light on the complex themes of this important chapter.

Deuteronomy 12:5

"But you shall seek him in the place which the Lord your God will choose out of all the tribes to write his name there and to make his dwelling place. There you must go." This verse contrasts with the actions of the tribe of Dan in Judges 18, who established their own place of worship against God's instructions.

1 Kings 12:28-29

"After consulting with his advisors, the king had two calves made of gold and said to the people, "It has been a long time since you went up to Jerusalem. These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt. He placed a calf in Bethel and another in Dan." This passage shows the long-term consequences of the idolatry established by the tribe of Dan in Judges 18.

Hosea 4:17

"Ephraim has joined himself to idols; forsake it!" This verse reflects the theme of idolatry present in Judges 18, where the tribe of Dan established idol worship.

Micah 2:1-2

"Woe to those who plot evil, to those who plot evil in their beds! When the dawn breaks, they carry it out, for that is what they can do. They covet the land and take possession of it; they covet houses and take them. They do violence to a man and his household, to him and his heirs." This passage reflects the unjust and violent actions of the tribe of Dan in Judges 18, who stole Micah's idol and took the city of Laish by force.

1 Timothy 6:10

"For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, because they coveted money, have departed from the faith and endured much suffering." This verse relates to the greedy motivation of the Levite in Judges 18, who abandoned his duty for a higher wage. Through these passages, we are invited to reflect on our own relationship with God and the dangers of idolatry in all its forms. May these reflections lead us to a renewed commitment to our faith and a sincere search for God's will.