Judges 18 8

Judges 18:8 kjv

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

Judges 18:8 nkjv

Then the spies came back to their brethren at Zorah and Eshtaol, and their brethren said to them, "What is your report?"

Judges 18:8 niv

When they returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their fellow Danites asked them, "How did you find things?"

Judges 18:8 esv

And when they came to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtaol, their brothers said to them, "What do you report?"

Judges 18:8 nlt

When the men returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their relatives asked them, "What did you find?"

Judges 18 verses

Judges 18 8 Meaning

Judges 18:8 describes the return of the five Danite spies from their reconnaissance mission to their kinsmen in Zorah and Eshtaol. Upon their arrival, their tribal brethren immediately question them about what they had seen, indicating their eager anticipation for information regarding a new territory where they might settle and secure their tribal inheritance. This verse highlights the community's dependence on the spies' report to make a critical decision about their future.

Judges 18 8 Context

Judges chapter 18 details the Tribe of Dan's search for a new place to settle. Their original inheritance, specified in Joshua 19, had proved untenable due to the persistent presence of the Amorites who confined them to the hill country. Unable to conquer their allocated land, the Danites dispatched five men from their cities of Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out a suitable territory. This specific verse (18:8) marks the pivotal moment of the spies' return from their extensive journey northward, having explored territories as far as Laish. Their brethren's immediate question, "What have ye seen?" underscores the tribe's desperate need for intelligence to alleviate their existential crisis, setting the stage for the dramatic and problematic tribal migration that follows. The narrative in Judges consistently reflects the spiritual decay of Israel, where actions are often taken "as seemed right in their own eyes," a theme profoundly illustrated by Dan's self-directed and ultimately idolatrous pursuit of a new home.

Judges 18 8 Word analysis

• And they came (וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ - vayyāḇō’ū): This Hebrew waw consecutive perfect form indicates a sequential action following their journey (described in Jdg 18:7). It signifies their successful return after the reconnaissance, concluding the outward phase of their mission.
• unto their brethren (אֶל־אֲחֵיהֶ֜ם - ’el-’ăḥêhem): Literally "to their brothers." This emphasizes the strong tribal and kinship bond within the tribe of Dan. The spies were representatives acting on behalf of their community, returning to report directly to their kinsmen who shared their common plight and heritage.
• to Zorah and Eshtaol (צָרְעָה֙ וּבְאֶשְׁתָּאֹ֔ל - tsor‘â ūḇə’eštā’ōl): These were historically Danite cities within the lowlands of Judah. They represent the current, albeit insecure, dwelling places of the tribe of Dan before their major migration. These cities are notably associated with Samson, another prominent Danite figure (Jdg 13:25; 16:31), further rooting the narrative in a specific geographical and tribal identity.
• and their brethren said unto them (וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לָהֶם֙ אֲחֵיהֶ֔ם - vayyō’mərū lāhem ’ăḥêhem): Reinforces the immediate and direct communication between the returning spies and the wider Danite community. The repetition of "their brethren" underscores the communal nature of this crisis and their shared responsibility in seeking a resolution. It signifies the collective concern and active involvement of the tribe.
• What have ye seen? (מַה־רְּאִיתֶֽם - mah-rə’îtem): A direct and concise question. The word rə’îtem means "you (plural) have seen." This inquiry is central to intelligence gathering. It points to a demand for concrete, verifiable information obtained through direct observation. Crucially, the focus is solely on what they have seen physically in the land, not on divine guidance or spiritual insight, which is characteristic of the Judges period's moral and spiritual decline. The emphasis on sight alone often led to self-reliance rather than dependence on God.

Word-Groups Analysis:

• "And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol": This phrase establishes the setting of the spies' return and the communal aspect of their mission. It marks the conclusion of their outward journey and the beginning of the crucial reporting phase, happening right in the heart of their traditional, yet troubled, tribal territory.
• "and their brethren said unto them, What have ye seen?": This entire clause reveals the urgency and immediate practical concern of the Danite people. Their question is sharp and to the point, highlighting their deep anxiety over their unsettled situation and their eager expectation of a positive report that could lead them to a secure homeland. It is a pragmatic question, born out of human desperation rather than a desire to understand God's will.

Judges 18 8 Bonus section

The intense eagerness of the Danite brethren asking "What have ye seen?" reveals a tribe living in significant distress and a deep-seated sense of insecurity. Their original inheritance, though allotted by God, proved impossible for them to hold against the Amorites, leading to their unique displacement among the tribes. This urgency illustrates the severity of their dilemma: find new land or cease to exist as a distinct and flourishing tribe within Israel. This state of affairs subtly reflects a spiritual vacuum where direct divine intervention or inquiry had seemingly diminished, compelling people to rely on human enterprise and physical 'sight' to solve their profound problems. Their physical need for land overshadows any concern for adhering to spiritual principles, culminating in actions that defy their covenant with God.

Judges 18 8 Commentary

Judges 18:8 serves as a pivotal point in the narrative of the Danite migration, transitioning from the journey of the spies to the decisive action of the tribe. The spies' return to Zorah and Eshtaol, their current but insufficient homeland, highlights the existential pressure on the tribe of Dan. The urgent question "What have ye seen?" is loaded with the tribe's collective hopes and anxieties. This inquiry for direct observation, while pragmatic for a military reconnaissance, contrasts sharply with previous God-commanded explorations in Israel's history (e.g., Num 13). Here, there is no mention of consulting God or His representatives before sending the spies or upon their return. The tribe operates on purely human initiative and observation. Their "seeing" is confined to the physical landscape and strategic vulnerability, omitting any spiritual dimension or inquiry into divine providence. This human-centered approach ultimately foreshadows the unfortunate religious apostasy the Danites commit in later verses of the chapter, illustrating how a focus solely on one's own perceived needs and observations, rather than seeking divine direction, can lead God's people astray from His will. The verse underscores the pragmatic but ultimately self-serving trajectory of the Danites in a time when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes."