1In those days there was no king in Israel. In those days the tribe of the Danites sought an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day, their inheritance had not fallen to them amongst the tribes of Israel.
2In those days there was no king in Israel. In those days the tribe of the Danites sought an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day, their inheritance had not fallen to them amongst the tribes of Israel.
3In those days there was no king in Israel. In those days the tribe of the Danites sought an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day, their inheritance had not fallen to them amongst the tribes of Israel.
4In those days there was no king in Israel. In those days the tribe of the Danites sought an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day, their inheritance had not fallen to them amongst the tribes of Israel.
5The children of Dan sent five men of their family from their whole number, men of valour, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it. They said to them, “Go, explore the land!”
6The children of Dan sent five men of their family from their whole number, men of valour, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it. They said to them, “Go, explore the land!”
7The children of Dan sent five men of their family from their whole number, men of valour, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it. They said to them, “Go, explore the land!”
8The children of Dan sent five men of their family from their whole number, men of valour, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it. They said to them, “Go, explore the land!”
9When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; so they went over there and said to him, “Who brought you here? What do you do in this place? What do you have here?”
10When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; so they went over there and said to him, “Who brought you here? What do you do in this place? What do you have here?”
11When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; so they went over there and said to him, “Who brought you here? What do you do in this place? What do you have here?”
12When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; so they went over there and said to him, “Who brought you here? What do you do in this place? What do you have here?”
13He said to them, “Thus and thus has Micah dealt with me, and he has hired me, and I have become his priest.”
14He said to them, “Thus and thus has Micah dealt with me, and he has hired me, and I have become his priest.”
15He said to them, “Thus and thus has Micah dealt with me, and he has hired me, and I have become his priest.”
16He said to them, “Thus and thus has Micah dealt with me, and he has hired me, and I have become his priest.”
17They said to him, “Please ask counsel of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”
18They said to him, “Please ask counsel of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”
19They said to him, “Please ask counsel of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”
20They said to him, “Please ask counsel of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”
21The priest said to them, “Go in peace. Your way in which you go is before the LORD.”
22The priest said to them, “Go in peace. Your way in which you go is before the LORD.”
23The priest said to them, “Go in peace. Your way in which you go is before the LORD.”
24The priest said to them, “Go in peace. Your way in which you go is before the LORD.”
25Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in safety, in the way of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was no one in the land possessing authority, that might put them to shame in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no dealings with anyone else.
26Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in safety, in the way of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was no one in the land possessing authority, that might put them to shame in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no dealings with anyone else.
27Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in safety, in the way of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was no one in the land possessing authority, that might put them to shame in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no dealings with anyone else.
28Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in safety, in the way of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was no one in the land possessing authority, that might put them to shame in anything, and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no dealings with anyone else.
29They came to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtaol; and their brothers asked them, “What do you say?”
30They came to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtaol; and their brothers asked them, “What do you say?”
31They came to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtaol; and their brothers asked them, “What do you say?”
32They came to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtaol; and their brothers asked them, “What do you say?”
33They said, “Arise, and let’s go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. Do you stand still? Don’t be slothful to go and to enter in to possess the land.
34They said, “Arise, and let’s go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. Do you stand still? Don’t be slothful to go and to enter in to possess the land.
35They said, “Arise, and let’s go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. Do you stand still? Don’t be slothful to go and to enter in to possess the land.
36They said, “Arise, and let’s go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. Do you stand still? Don’t be slothful to go and to enter in to possess the land.
37When you go, you will come to an unsuspecting people, and the land is large; for God has given it into your hand, a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth.”
38When you go, you will come to an unsuspecting people, and the land is large; for God has given it into your hand, a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth.”
39When you go, you will come to an unsuspecting people, and the land is large; for God has given it into your hand, a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth.”
40When you go, you will come to an unsuspecting people, and the land is large; for God has given it into your hand, a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth.”
41The family of the Danites set out from Zorah and Eshtaol with six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
42The family of the Danites set out from Zorah and Eshtaol with six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
43The family of the Danites set out from Zorah and Eshtaol with six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
44The family of the Danites set out from Zorah and Eshtaol with six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
45They went up and encamped in Kiriath Jearim in Judah. Therefore they call that place Mahaneh Dan to this day. Behold, it is behind Kiriath Jearim.
46They went up and encamped in Kiriath Jearim in Judah. Therefore they call that place Mahaneh Dan to this day. Behold, it is behind Kiriath Jearim.
47They went up and encamped in Kiriath Jearim in Judah. Therefore they call that place Mahaneh Dan to this day. Behold, it is behind Kiriath Jearim.
48They went up and encamped in Kiriath Jearim in Judah. Therefore they call that place Mahaneh Dan to this day. Behold, it is behind Kiriath Jearim.
49They passed from there to the hill country of Ephraim, and came to the house of Micah.
50They passed from there to the hill country of Ephraim, and came to the house of Micah.
51They passed from there to the hill country of Ephraim, and came to the house of Micah.
52They passed from there to the hill country of Ephraim, and came to the house of Micah.
53Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brothers, “Do you know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim,18:14 teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property. and a carved image, and a molten image? Now therefore consider what you have to do.”
54Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brothers, “Do you know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim,18:14 teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property. and a carved image, and a molten image? Now therefore consider what you have to do.”
55Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brothers, “Do you know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim,18:14 teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property. and a carved image, and a molten image? Now therefore consider what you have to do.”
56Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brothers, “Do you know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim,18:14 teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property. and a carved image, and a molten image? Now therefore consider what you have to do.”
57They went over there and came to the house of the young Levite man, even to the house of Micah, and asked him how he was doing.
58They went over there and came to the house of the young Levite man, even to the house of Micah, and asked him how he was doing.
59They went over there and came to the house of the young Levite man, even to the house of Micah, and asked him how he was doing.
60They went over there and came to the house of the young Levite man, even to the house of Micah, and asked him how he was doing.
61The six hundred men armed with their weapons of war, who were of the children of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.
62The six hundred men armed with their weapons of war, who were of the children of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.
63The six hundred men armed with their weapons of war, who were of the children of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.
64The six hundred men armed with their weapons of war, who were of the children of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.
65The five men who went to spy out the land went up, and came in there, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image; and the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
66The five men who went to spy out the land went up, and came in there, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image; and the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
67The five men who went to spy out the land went up, and came in there, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image; and the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
68The five men who went to spy out the land went up, and came in there, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image; and the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
69When these went into Micah’s house, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
70When these went into Micah’s house, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
71When these went into Micah’s house, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
72When these went into Micah’s house, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
73They said to him, “Hold your peace, put your hand on your mouth, and go with us. Be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?”
74They said to him, “Hold your peace, put your hand on your mouth, and go with us. Be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?”
75They said to him, “Hold your peace, put your hand on your mouth, and go with us. Be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?”
76They said to him, “Hold your peace, put your hand on your mouth, and go with us. Be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?”
77The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the engraved image, and went with the people.
78The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the engraved image, and went with the people.
79The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the engraved image, and went with the people.
80The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the engraved image, and went with the people.
81So they turned and departed, and put the little ones, the livestock, and the goods before them.
82So they turned and departed, and put the little ones, the livestock, and the goods before them.
83So they turned and departed, and put the little ones, the livestock, and the goods before them.
84So they turned and departed, and put the little ones, the livestock, and the goods before them.
85When they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house gathered together and overtook the children of Dan.
86When they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house gathered together and overtook the children of Dan.
87When they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house gathered together and overtook the children of Dan.
88When they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house gathered together and overtook the children of Dan.
89As they called to the children of Dan, they turned their faces, and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you come with such a company?”
90As they called to the children of Dan, they turned their faces, and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you come with such a company?”
91As they called to the children of Dan, they turned their faces, and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you come with such a company?”
92As they called to the children of Dan, they turned their faces, and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you come with such a company?”
93He said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away! What more do I have? How can you ask me, ‘What ails you?’”
94He said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away! What more do I have? How can you ask me, ‘What ails you?’”
95He said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away! What more do I have? How can you ask me, ‘What ails you?’”
96He said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away! What more do I have? How can you ask me, ‘What ails you?’”
97The children of Dan said to him, “Don’t let your voice be heard amongst us, lest angry fellows fall on you, and you lose your life, with the lives of your household.”
98The children of Dan said to him, “Don’t let your voice be heard amongst us, lest angry fellows fall on you, and you lose your life, with the lives of your household.”
99The children of Dan said to him, “Don’t let your voice be heard amongst us, lest angry fellows fall on you, and you lose your life, with the lives of your household.”
100The children of Dan said to him, “Don’t let your voice be heard amongst us, lest angry fellows fall on you, and you lose your life, with the lives of your household.”
101The children of Dan went their way; and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
102The children of Dan went their way; and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
103The children of Dan went their way; and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
104The children of Dan went their way; and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
105They took that which Micah had made, and the priest whom he had, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword; then they burnt the city with fire.
106They took that which Micah had made, and the priest whom he had, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword; then they burnt the city with fire.
107They took that which Micah had made, and the priest whom he had, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword; then they burnt the city with fire.
108They took that which Micah had made, and the priest whom he had, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword; then they burnt the city with fire.
109There was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone else; and it was in the valley that lies by Beth Rehob. They built the city and lived in it.
110There was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone else; and it was in the valley that lies by Beth Rehob. They built the city and lived in it.
111There was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone else; and it was in the valley that lies by Beth Rehob. They built the city and lived in it.
112There was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone else; and it was in the valley that lies by Beth Rehob. They built the city and lived in it.
113They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however the name of the city used to be Laish.
114They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however the name of the city used to be Laish.
115They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however the name of the city used to be Laish.
116They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however the name of the city used to be Laish.
117The children of Dan set up for themselves the engraved image; and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land.
118The children of Dan set up for themselves the engraved image; and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land.
119The children of Dan set up for themselves the engraved image; and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land.
120The children of Dan set up for themselves the engraved image; and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land.
121So they set up for themselves Micah’s engraved image which he made, and it remained all the time that God’s house was in Shiloh.
122So they set up for themselves Micah’s engraved image which he made, and it remained all the time that God’s house was in Shiloh.
123So they set up for themselves Micah’s engraved image which he made, and it remained all the time that God’s house was in Shiloh.
124So they set up for themselves Micah’s engraved image which he made, and it remained all the time that God’s house was in Shiloh.