Judges 18:10
When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.
Original Language Analysis
תָּבֹ֣אוּ׀
When ye go
H935
תָּבֹ֣אוּ׀
When ye go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
תָּבֹ֣אוּ׀
When ye go
H935
תָּבֹ֣אוּ׀
When ye go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַ֣ם
unto a people
H5971
עַ֣ם
unto a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בֹּטֵ֗חַ
secure
H982
בֹּטֵ֗חַ
secure
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
רַֽחֲבַ֣ת
and to a large
H7342
רַֽחֲבַ֣ת
and to a large
Strong's:
H7342
Word #:
7 of 21
roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם
it into your hands
H3027
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם
it into your hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נְתָנָ֥הּ
hath given
H5414
נְתָנָ֥הּ
hath given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
for God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
for God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם
it into your hands
H3027
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם
it into your hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מָקוֹם֙
a place
H4725
מָקוֹם֙
a place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דָּבָ֖ר
of any thing
H1697
דָּבָ֖ר
of any thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
19 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Judges 18:7Then 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 18:27And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.
Historical Context
The spies' assurance proved technically accurate—Dan did conquer Laish successfully. But worldly success doesn't validate disobedience. The conquest established Dan's northern settlement, which became synonymous with idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-30) and eventually suffered judgment. God sometimes permits disobedient paths to 'succeed' in temporal terms while bringing spiritual disaster. The spies' promise of material abundance was fulfilled, but at the cost of spiritual health and eventual exile.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we sometimes claim God's blessing on plans He never authorized, using spiritual language to justify self-will?
- What's the difference between circumstances confirming God's will and circumstances merely presenting opportunities for disobedience?
- In what ways might material success or apparent ease actually indicate you're outside God's best purposes for your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth. The spies' assurance "God hath given it into your hands" (Elohim netanah beyedkhem, אֱלֹהִים נְתָנָהּ בְיֶדְכֶם) appropriates divine-promise language without actual divine authorization. They use Elohim (אֱלֹהִים, generic "God") rather than Yahweh (יְהוָה, covenant name), and the perfect tense "hath given" (natan, נָתַן) mimics how God spoke about the promised land. Yet God had already given Dan specific territory (Joshua 19:40-48); this unauthorized conquest contradicted His revealed will.
The description—"a people secure" (am botei'ach, עַם בֹּטֵחַ), "a large land" (eretz rachabat yadayim, אֶרֶץ רַחֲבַת יָדַיִם, literally "broad of hands"), "no want of any thing" (ein sham machsor kol-davar, אֵין־שָׁם מַחְסוֹר כָּל־דָּבָר)—emphasizes material abundance, not covenant faithfulness. This pragmatic focus reveals their values: they sought prosperity and ease, not God's glory or obedient possession of His promises. From a Reformed perspective, claiming God's blessing on self-chosen paths while ignoring His revealed will is presumption, not faith. True faith submits to God's Word even when it seems difficult, trusting His wisdom over human assessment of circumstances (Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9).