Judges 18:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 18:7-13

Here is, I. The observation which the spies made upon the city of Laish, and the posture of its inhabitants, Jdg. 18:7. Never was place so ill governed and so ill guarded, which would make it a very easy prey to the invader. 1. It was ill governed, for every man might be as bad as he would, and there was no magistrate, no heir of restraint (as the word is), that might so much as put them to shame in any thing, much less put them to death, so that by the most impudent immoralities they provoked... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 18:7

And the five men departed ,.... From Mount Ephraim, and Micah's house there: and came to Laish ; which, according to Bunting F19 Ut supra. (Travels of the Patriarchs, &c.; p. 112.) , was one hundred and four miles from Mount Ephraim, and so many he makes it to be from Jerusalem; it lay at the furthest northern border of the land of Canaan, at the foot of Mount Lebanon, near the fountain of Jordan; it was four miles from Paneas, as Jerom says F20 De loc. Heb. fol. 90. H. ,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 18:7

After the manner of the Zidonians - Probably the people of Laish or Leshem were originally a colony of the Sidonians, who, it appears, were an opulent people; and, being in possession of a strong city, lived in a state of security, not being afraid of their neighbors. In this the Leshemites imitated them, though the sequel proves they had not the same reason for their confidence. They were far from the Zidonians - Being, as above supposed, a Sidonian colony, they... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 18:7

Laish - Afterward called “Dan” Judges 18:29. The exact site has not been identified, but it was the northern extremity of Israel, near the sources of the Jordan, and about four miles from Panium, or Caesarea-Philippi. It is thought to have stood where the village Tell-el-Kadi now stands.After the manner of the Zidonians - The genius of the Zidonians being mechanical and commercial, not military, their colonists were apt to neglect fortifications and similar warlike precautions. In Solomon’s... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 18:7

Judges 18:7 . After the manner of the Zidonians Who, dwelling in a very strong place, and abounding in wealth, lived securely in peace and luxury, and were imitated therein by the people of Laish, who were grown secure and careless, because they perceived that the Israelites never attempted any thing against them. There was no magistrate that might put them to shame That is, rebuke or punish them for any thing they did. Putting to shame seems to be used for inflicting civil... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 18:1-31

17:1-21:25 TRIBAL DISORDER WITHIN ISRAELThe writer of the book has now finished his account of the activity of the judges. To this he adds an appendix consisting of two stories (not necessarily placed in their correct chronological position in the book) that illustrate the disorder that existed in Israel during that period. The nation had no central government and people in the various tribes did as they pleased (see 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The stories record important changes that occurred... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 18:7

Laish. Called Leshem. Joshua 19:47 . quiet and secure. Probably arising from the enervating effects of malaria now endemic there. If so, it may be identified with Tel-el-kadi in the feverridden district at the head of the Jordan. man = Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Judges 18:7

THE SPIES COMPLETE THEIR MISSION"Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was none 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 any man. And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye? And they said, Arise, and let... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 18:7

Judges 18:7. Came to Laish— See on Jos 19:47 where this history is briefly told by way of anticipation. The Zidonians were a powerful people in a strong city; and therefore they indulged securely in peace and luxury, and in these particulars were imitated by the men of Laish, who had not the same reasons for their security. The people of Laish were probably a colony of the Zidonians. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 18:7

7-10. the five men departed, and came to Laish—or, "Leshem" ( :-), supposed to have been peopled by a colony of Zidonians. The place was very secluded—the soil rich in the abundance and variety of its produce, and the inhabitants, following the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, lived in their fertile and sequestered valley, according to the Zidonian style of ease and security, happy among themselves, and maintaining little or no communication with the rest of the world. The discovery of this... read more