Judges Chapter 18 · Verse 12
And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjath-jearim.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיַּעֲל֗וּ
And they went up
H5927
וַֽיַּעֲל֗וּ
And they went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ
and pitched
H2583
וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ
and pitched
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
יְעָרִֽים׃
Kirjathjearim
H7157
יְעָרִֽים׃
Kirjathjearim
Strong's:
H7157
Word #:
4 of 19
kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine
בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה
in Judah
H3063
בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה
in Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
5 of 19
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֡ן
H3651
כֵּ֡ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
קָֽרְאוּ֩
wherefore they called
H7121
קָֽרְאוּ֩
wherefore they called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לַמָּק֨וֹם
that place
H4725
לַמָּק֨וֹם
that place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
9 of 19
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)
הַה֜וּא
H1931
הַה֜וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עַ֚ד
H5704
עַ֚ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
13 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
Historical Context
Kirjath-jearim was located approximately 9 miles west of Jerusalem on the border between Judah and Benjamin. Its strategic location on the road from the coastal plain to the hill country made it a natural stopping point for the Danites' northern migration. The site's later association with the ark (after its return from Philistia, 1 Samuel 6-7) adds theological significance to this reference—Dan passed near where God's presence would dwell while pursuing idolatry. The name Mahaneh-dan created a lasting geographical marker of tribal apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'memorials' might you be creating through your choices that will testify either to faithfulness or unfaithfulness?
- How does spiritual blindness prevent us from recognizing God's presence and purposes even when passing close by them?
- In what ways might your pursuit of personal goals be leading you away from where God's presence and blessing actually dwell?
Analysis & Commentary
And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjath-jearim. The Danite warriors camped at Kirjath-jearim, a town in Judah's territory (Joshua 15:60), as they journeyed north. They named the site "Mahaneh-dan" (Machaneh-Dan, מַחֲנֵה־דָן), meaning "camp of Dan." The phrase "unto this day" (ad hayom hazeh, עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה) indicates the name persisted to the time of writing, preserving memory of Dan's migration. This naming created a memorial to their faithlessness—a permanent reminder of tribal disobedience.
The geographical note "behind Kirjath-jearim" (acharei Kiryat Ye'arim, אַחֲרֵי קִרְיַת יְעָרִים) orients readers to the location, showing the Danites passed through Judean territory en route to their unauthorized conquest. Kirjath-jearim would later become famous as the resting place of the ark of the covenant for 20 years (1 Samuel 7:1-2), creating ironic juxtaposition: Dan journeyed past what would become the ark's location while carrying stolen idols to establish false worship. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates how spiritual blindness prevents recognition of God's true presence and purposes.