Judges 18:2

Authorized King James Version

And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בְּנֵי

H1121

And the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

דָ֣ן׀

H1835

of Dan

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

מִֽמִּשְׁפַּחְתָּ֡ם

H4940

of their family

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה

H2568

five

אֲנָשִׁ֣ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִקְצוֹתָם֩

H7098

from their coasts

a termination

אֲנָשִׁ֨ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּנֵי

H1121

And the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#10

חַ֜יִל

H2428

of valour

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

#11

מִצָּרְעָ֣ה

H6881

from Zorah

tsorah, a place in palestine

#12

וּמֵֽאֶשְׁתָּאֹ֗ל

H847

and from Eshtaol

eshtaol, a place in palestine

#13

לְרַגֵּ֤ל

H7270

to spy

to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e., slander); to lead about

#14

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#15

הָאָ֑רֶץ

H776

out the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#16

חִקְר֣וּ

H2713

and to search

properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

#17

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ

H559

it and they said

to say (used with great latitude)

#18

אֲלֵהֶ֔ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#19

לְכ֖וּ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#20

חִקְר֣וּ

H2713

and to search

properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

#21

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#22

הָאָ֑רֶץ

H776

out the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#23

וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ

H935

who when they came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#24

הַר

H2022

to mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#25

אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙

H669

Ephraim

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#26

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#27

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

to the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#28

מִיכָ֔ה

H4318

of Micah

micah, the name of seven israelites

#29

וַיָּלִ֖ינוּ

H3885

they lodged

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

#30

שָֽׁם׃

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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