They discovered idols in Laish while scouting for new territory and contemplated seizing them for their own advantage.
Then we read in Judges 18:14: “Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish said to their kinsmen, ‘Do you know that there are in these houses an ephod and household idols and a graven image and a molten image? Now therefore, consider what you should do.’” (v.14) At this point in Israel’s history, between around 1380 and 1050 BC, the tribe of Dan was seeking a new homeland and sent out five scouts to evaluate potential territories. Laish was located in the northern part of the land, near the base of Mount Hermon. This region was situated at a distance from the more central parts of Israel, which provided an opportunity for the Danites to conquer and settle there. The five scouts discovered not only a land ripe for the taking but also a troubling array of idolatrous objects—a direct contradiction to God’s command to worship Him alone.
The verse states that these five men found “an ephod and household idols and a graven image and a molten image” (v.14). An ephod was a priestly garment normally associated with worship of the one true God, but in this context it appears to be used superstitiously, especially in conjunction with “household idols” and images. Household idols, or teraphim, were small representations often linked with superstitious beliefs. The presence of these objects reveals how far idolatry had encroached on Israelite worship. During this period in the Book of Judges, the Israelites frequently drifted away from pure devotion to the Lord and adopted customs from the surrounding nations. This verse points to a repeated theme: the people were drawn to other gods rather than remaining faithful to the God who delivered them from bondage (Exodus 20:2-3).
Within the wider context of Scripture, idolatry is consistently shown to have grave consequences. This theme echoes powerfully into the New Testament, where Jesus affirms that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord alone (Mark 12:29-30). The Danites, however, are portrayed here as being on the brink of engaging with these illicit religious objects. By saying, “Now therefore, consider what you should do” (v.14), the scouts invite their fellow tribesmen to exploit that misguided worship for their own gain, foreshadowing the deeper corruption that will unfold as the narrative continues.
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Judges 18:14 meaning
Then we read in Judges 18:14: “Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish said to their kinsmen, ‘Do you know that there are in these houses an ephod and household idols and a graven image and a molten image? Now therefore, consider what you should do.’” (v.14) At this point in Israel’s history, between around 1380 and 1050 BC, the tribe of Dan was seeking a new homeland and sent out five scouts to evaluate potential territories. Laish was located in the northern part of the land, near the base of Mount Hermon. This region was situated at a distance from the more central parts of Israel, which provided an opportunity for the Danites to conquer and settle there. The five scouts discovered not only a land ripe for the taking but also a troubling array of idolatrous objects—a direct contradiction to God’s command to worship Him alone.
The verse states that these five men found “an ephod and household idols and a graven image and a molten image” (v.14). An ephod was a priestly garment normally associated with worship of the one true God, but in this context it appears to be used superstitiously, especially in conjunction with “household idols” and images. Household idols, or teraphim, were small representations often linked with superstitious beliefs. The presence of these objects reveals how far idolatry had encroached on Israelite worship. During this period in the Book of Judges, the Israelites frequently drifted away from pure devotion to the Lord and adopted customs from the surrounding nations. This verse points to a repeated theme: the people were drawn to other gods rather than remaining faithful to the God who delivered them from bondage (Exodus 20:2-3).
Within the wider context of Scripture, idolatry is consistently shown to have grave consequences. This theme echoes powerfully into the New Testament, where Jesus affirms that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord alone (Mark 12:29-30). The Danites, however, are portrayed here as being on the brink of engaging with these illicit religious objects. By saying, “Now therefore, consider what you should do” (v.14), the scouts invite their fellow tribesmen to exploit that misguided worship for their own gain, foreshadowing the deeper corruption that will unfold as the narrative continues.