Judges 18 16

Judges 18:16 kjv

And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate.

Judges 18:16 nkjv

The six hundred men armed with their weapons of war, who were of the children of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.

Judges 18:16 niv

The six hundred Danites, armed for battle, stood at the entrance of the gate.

Judges 18:16 esv

Now the 600 men of the Danites, armed with their weapons of war, stood by the entrance of the gate.

Judges 18:16 nlt

As the 600 armed warriors from the tribe of Dan stood at the entrance of the gate,

Judges 18 verses

Judges 18 16 Meaning

The verse describes the strategic positioning of the six hundred armed Danite warriors at the gate of Laish. It highlights their preparation and clear intent to initiate a hostile takeover, signifying the violent and opportunistic nature of their migration within a period marked by moral and religious decline in Israel.

Judges 18 16 Context

Judges 18 forms a grim narrative illustrating the spiritual and moral degradation of Israel during the period of the Judges, prior to the establishment of the monarchy. The chapter recounts the Danite tribe's search for new territory, as they had not fully dispossessed the Philistines from their allotted inheritance (Jdg 1:34). They send spies to find a suitable location, discovering the tranquil city of Laish. Before their conquest, the 600 Danite warriors orchestrate a cunning act of religious theft, acquiring Micah's idol and priest. This verse (18:16) sets the scene for the violent capture of Laish, demonstrating the Danites' calculated and aggressive approach to acquiring new land, which directly contradicts God's methods for conquest and righteous living. This entire account stands as a poignant illustration of "every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6; 21:25).

Word Analysis

• And: Hebrew: wĕ- (וְ). A simple conjunction connecting this action to the prior events of the Danites' journey and their encounter with Micah's household. It indicates narrative continuity.
• the six hundred men: Hebrew: shesh me'ot ish (שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ). This specific numerical figure emphasizes a substantial and organized fighting force. It signifies the Danites' collective strength and the coordinated nature of their military action, adequate for a swift conquest.
• appointed / armed: Hebrew: chagurey (חֲגוּרֵי), from chagar (חָגַר). Literally "girded" or "girt," meaning they had their weapons strapped or tied onto their bodies, making them ready for immediate action. This term emphasizes their military readiness and purposeful attire.
• with their weapons of war: Hebrew: k'ley milchamah (כְּלֵי מִלְחָמָה). This phrase explicitly identifies the implements they carried. They were not merchants or travelers, but soldiers prepared for conflict. This immediately clarifies their presence as a clear threat and hostile intent.
• stood: Hebrew: nitzavim (נִצָּבִים), a participle, emphasizing a deliberate and fixed posture. It's not a casual passing but a strategic, enduring position. This suggests a menacing and expectant presence, setting the stage for an immediate assault.
• by the entrance of the gate: Hebrew: petach ha'sha'ar (פֶּתַח הַשַּׁעַר). The "gate" of an ancient city was its primary point of access, defense, commerce, and justice. Positioning themselves at the entrance means they controlled entry and exit, effectively beginning the siege or infiltration. This highlights their objective: gaining immediate access and control.

Words-group Analysis:

• the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war: This entire phrase paints a vivid picture of a well-equipped, sizeable, and unified military unit. It communicates their immediate potential for violence and their disciplined preparation for an assault. Their armament is highlighted as a defining characteristic of their presence.
• stood by the entrance of the gate: This phrase denotes a specific tactical maneuver. It's a positioning for advantage and control. It's an aggressive posture, signaling an impending breach or takeover rather than a peaceful visit. The gate is the weak point or the crucial point of entry they intend to exploit, marking the start of their invasion.

Judges 18 16 Commentary

Judges 18:16 sets the stage for a violent conquest, vividly portraying the readiness and intent of the 600 Danite warriors. Their strategic positioning "by the entrance of the gate" indicates a calculated military maneuver, not a spontaneous act. The description "appointed with their weapons of war" leaves no doubt as to their hostile purpose, underscoring the premeditated nature of their actions against the peaceful people of Laish. This verse serves as a crucial point in the Judges narrative, illustrating the deepening moral and spiritual decay within Israel, where tribal self-interest and lawlessness led to internecine violence and unrighteous expansion, far removed from God's directives for land inheritance and conduct.

Bonus Section

• The Danites' strategic choice to have the main force wait outside the gate while a smaller group (five men) went ahead (Jdg 18:2) to scout, and later retrieve Micah's idol and priest (Jdg 18:14-17), showcases a degree of military planning and deception, despite the overall moral depravity.
• The contrast with Laish's people, described earlier as living "quiet and secure, after the manner of the Sidonians" (Jdg 18:7), heightens the sense of injustice and exploitation inherent in the Danite aggression. The unsuspecting nature of Laish makes the Danite presence at the gate even more sinister.
• The city gate in ancient Near Eastern culture was not only a defensive structure but also a vibrant center for commerce, public gatherings, and the administration of justice. The armed presence of the Danites at such a place corrupts its symbolic function, transforming a hub of community into a gateway for destruction.