Judges 18:27-29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 18:27-31

Here is, I. Laish conquered by the Danites. They proceeded on their march, and, because they met with no disaster, perhaps concluded they had not done amiss in robbing Micah. Many justify themselves in their impiety by their prosperity. Observe, 1. What posture they found the people of Laish in, both those of the city and those of the country about. They were quiet and secure, not jealous of the five spies that had been among them to search out the land, nor had they any intelligence of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 18:27

And they took the things which Micah had made ,.... The ephod, teraphim, and the two images, the Danites took them, or having taken them kept them, and went on with them: and the priest which he had ; him also they took, and who was willing enough to go with them: and came unto Laish, unto a people that were quiet and secure ; having no sentinels placed at any distance to give them warning of an enemy, nor any watchmen on their walls to discover one; and perhaps their gates not shut,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 18:28

And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon ,.... Under whose government and protection they seem to have been; and that city being at a distance from them, and the Danites coming upon them suddenly, there was no time to send to them for help, or any to come in to their assistance, and save them from their enemies, see Judges 18:7 . and they had no business with any man ; that could have given them notice of the design of the children of Dan against them, nor to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 18:29

And they called the name of the city Dan ,.... The name of their tribe, and to show that though they were at the furthest part of the land northward, and at such a distance from their tribe, which lay to the southwest, yet they belonged to it: after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel ; one of the twelve sons of Jacob or Israel: however, the name of the city was Laish at first ; which signifies a "lion", and might be so called from its being infested with lions,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 18:27

Unto a people - at quiet and secure - They found the report given by the spies to be correct. The people were apprehensive of no danger, and were unprepared for resistance; hence they were all put to the sword, and their city burnt up. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 18:28

There was no deliverer - They had no succor, because the Sidonians, from whom they might have expected it, were at too great a distance. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 18:29

Called the name of the city Dan - This city was afterwards very remarkable as one of the extremities of the promised land. The extent of the Jewish territories was generally expressed by the phrase, From Dan to Beer-Sheba; that is, From the most northern to the southern extremity. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 18:27

The things which Micah had made - Rather, from Judges 18:24, “the gods which Micah had made.” See Judges 18:31; Deuteronomy 27:15; Exodus 20:4. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 18:28

Rehob (as Dan afterward) is mentioned as the northernmost point of the land of Canaan Numbers 13:21, and its position is defined with reference to the entering in of Hamath.A city - Rather, “the” city. They rebuilt Laish, which they had burned down Judges 18:29. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 18:27-29

Judges 18:27-29. And burned the city with fire Not wholly, but in a great measure, to make their conquest more easy. They built a city Or, rather, repaired and enlarged that which they found there. After the name of Dan That it might be manifest they belonged to the tribe of Dan, though they were settled at a great distance from them in the most northerly part of the land; whereas the lot of their tribe was in the southern part of Canaan. read more

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