Judges 18 7

Judges 18:7 kjv

Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.

Judges 18:7 nkjv

So the five men departed and went to Laish. They saw the people who were there, how they dwelt safely, in the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure. There were no rulers in the land who might put them to shame for anything. They were far from the Sidonians, and they had no ties with anyone.

Judges 18:7 niv

So the five men left and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living in safety, like the Sidonians, at peace and secure. And since their land lacked nothing, they were prosperous. Also, they lived a long way from the Sidonians and had no relationship with anyone else.

Judges 18:7 esv

Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting, lacking nothing that is in the earth and possessing wealth, and how they were far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone.

Judges 18:7 nlt

So the five men went on to the town of Laish, where they noticed the people living carefree lives, like the Sidonians; they were peaceful and secure. The people were also wealthy because their land was very fertile. And they lived a great distance from Sidon and had no allies nearby.

Judges 18 verses

Judges 18 7 Meaning

Judges 18:7 describes the findings of the five Danite spies when they came upon the city of Laish. They observed a people living in profound security, seemingly untroubled and unsuspecting, reminiscent of the peaceful and often complacent way of life attributed to the Sidonians. This sense of security stemmed from their isolation: they faced no external threats, were geographically distant from their presumed Sidonian protectors, and maintained no alliances or interactions with any other people. This description highlights their apparent self-sufficiency, yet paradoxically, foreshadows their vulnerability.

Judges 18 7 Context

Judges 18 occurs within the turbulent period of Israel's history when "there was no king in Israel, and every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25). The tribe of Dan had failed to conquer and fully inhabit the territory allotted to them in the tribal distribution (Jdg 1:34). Faced with pressure from the Amorites, they sought new territory. Chapter 18 describes five spies sent out by the Danites to scout for a suitable place to resettle. This verse is their report concerning Laish, detailing its isolated, seemingly prosperous, and highly vulnerable inhabitants, which made it an attractive target for conquest. The Danite migration and unauthorized conquest of Laish is a pivotal moment, exemplifying the era's spiritual and political disarray, where tribal self-interest supplanted divine commands and national unity.

Judges 18 7 Word analysis

• וַיֵּלְכוּ (va-yelekḥu): "And they went/passed on." Indicates direct and purposeful movement, reflecting the Danites' urgent quest for new land.
• לָיְשָׁה (Layeshah): "To Laish." An ancient city in the far north of Israel, at the headwaters of the Jordan River. Its location, described in this verse, made it strategically important later. Renamed Dan after its conquest.
• וַיִּרְאוּ (va-yire'u): "And they saw." Emphasizes observation. The spies are acting as scouts, keenly noting details about the inhabitants.
• יוֹשֶׁבֶת בֶּטַח (yosheveth betah): "Living in security."
  • yosheveth (from yashav): "sitting," "dwelling." Implies settled, comfortable residence.
  • betah: "security," "safely," "confidently," "without anxiety." This term is highly significant. While true security is from the Lord (Prov 1:33, Ps 4:8), here it describes a false, human-dependent security that will be shattered. This ironic use highlights their complacency, a recurring theme in the Old Testament when describing those who ignore divine warning or trust in themselves (Isa 32:9, Amos 6:1).
• כְּמִשְׁפַּט צִדֹנִים (ke-mishpat Tsidonim): "After the manner of the Sidonians."
  • ke-mishpat: "according to the custom/judgment/manner of." This points to their way of life, implying an adopted cultural or societal norm.
  • Tsidonim (Sidonians): Sidon was a prominent Phoenician city-state known for its maritime trade and apparent prosperity. The Sidonians generally were not known for being fierce warriors and their coastal location afforded them a degree of natural protection, perhaps leading to a less vigilant lifestyle regarding inland threats. This comparison suggests a peaceful, perhaps self-absorbed, and less militarily-prepared populace.
• שֹׁקֵט וּבֹטֵחַ (shoqet u-botēaḥ): "Quiet and unsuspecting/confident."
  • shoqet (from shaqat): "quiet," "undisturbed," "at rest." Indicates a lack of internal strife or external agitation.
  • u-botēaḥ (from bataḥ): "trusting," "confident," "secure." Again, highlighting their misplaced confidence, similar to betah. The repetition underscores their complacency. This word also can carry the nuance of "unconcerned," leading to "unsuspecting" in many translations.
• וְאֵין מַכְלִים דָּבָר בָּאָרֶץ (v'ein makhlim davar ba'aretz): "And there was no one in the land to humiliate/cause injury in the land."
  • ein makhlim (from kalam, Hiphil participle): "no one putting to shame," "no one causing harm or injury," "no one vexing/molesting." This phrase vividly paints a picture of extreme isolation and a lack of opposition. They lived without fear of aggression, an almost Utopian-sounding description that is ironic given the events to follow.
  • davar: "thing," "matter," or here adverbially, "anything." Meaning "no one causing any harm."
• וְהֵם רָחוֹק מִצִּידֹנִים (v'hem raḥoq mi-Tsidonim): "And they were far from the Sidonians." Geographical distance. Even if Sidon was their cultural parent or protector, Laish was too far for effective aid in a crisis. This explains their lack of alliances; proximity often facilitated agreements.
• וְדָבָר אֵין־לָהֶם עִם־אָדָם (v'davar ein-lahem im-'adam): "And they had no dealings with anyone / no word with anyone."
  • davar ein-lahem: "no word/thing for them."
  • im 'adam: "with man/anyone." This signifies an absolute lack of diplomatic ties, trade agreements, or defensive alliances. This total isolation, which seemed to them a blessing (no enemies to bother them), was in fact their greatest weakness, making them an easy, undefended target. It contrasts with tribal and national solidarity seen elsewhere in Israel's history.

Judges 18 7 Bonus section

The state of Laish as described in Judges 18:7 is not merely a geographic and sociological observation; it functions literarily as an implicit polemic. The city's self-assuredness and isolation stand in stark contrast to the secure dwelling that God promised His people Israel if they remained faithful (e.g., Lev 25:18, Deut 12:10). Laish's security was entirely human-conceived and self-reliant, detached from any divine mandate or strength. This makes them a foil, showing what happens when a community dwells "safely" but without proper vigilance, divine protection, or communal ties, setting them up for sudden destruction. The swift and merciless conquest by the Danites, who acted not by God's command but by pragmatic self-interest, tragically demonstrates the emptiness of Laish's worldly confidence.

Judges 18 7 Commentary

Judges 18:7 is a pivotal descriptive verse that sets the stage for the Danites' opportunistic conquest. The picture painted of Laish is one of deep-seated security, complacency, and profound isolation. This apparent peace, however, is not a testament to strength or divine blessing, but to a dangerous state of vulnerability. Their "Sidonian manner" suggests a lifestyle prioritizing tranquility over vigilance, while being "far from the Sidonians" highlights their lack of any substantial protector. The phrases "quiet and unsuspecting" and "no dealings with anyone" emphatically underscore their unpreparedness for conflict and complete absence of alliances, creating an ideal target for a tribe desperate for land. This verse ultimately portrays a people ripe for exploitation due to their misplaced confidence and complete self-reliance, serving as a somber illustration of false security in a chaotic age without true leadership or divine guidance.