Judges 18:23 describes a scene where Micah, a man whose idols have been stolen by the tribe of Dan, confronts the Danites. Let's break down the verse:
"As they cried to the children of Dan..." Micah and his neighbors are crying out, likely in distress and anger, because the Danites have stolen his carved image, ephod, teraphim, and the priest. This is a sign of their desperation and outrage.
"...they turned their faces..." This refers to the Danites. They are numerous and well-armed (as implied by "such a company" later in the verse). Instead of being intimidated by Micah's cries, they turn to face him with a sense of superiority.
"...and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you come with such a company?” This is the crucial part. The Danites are responding to Micah. Several interpretations of this are possible:
Insolence and Intimidation: The Danites are deliberately being condescending and aggressive. They've robbed Micah of his religious objects and priest, and now they feign ignorance, essentially saying, "Why are you bothering us? Why are you here with all these people?" The size of the Danite war party is meant to discourage resistance. The phrase "such a company" can be read as implying that Micah's force is insignificant compared to theirs.
Gaslighting: It is suggested that the Danites, in their arrogance and disregard for Micah's rights, are gaslighting him, making him question the validity of his complaint.
A Question of Proportions: This could be a more literal question. The Danites might be implying that Micah is overreacting. Their phrasing suggests that they view Micah and his supporters as an unnecessary and bothersome intrusion.
In summary: The verse shows the power dynamic between the Danites and Micah. The Danites have stolen Micah's possessions and are now using their superior numbers and intimidating presence to belittle and dismiss his rightful anger. The verse sets the stage for the Danites' continued aggression and highlights the lawlessness and moral decay of the time of the Judges. The Danites were not interested in justice or fairness, only in getting what they wanted.
Judges 18:23 describes a scene where Micah, a man whose idols have been stolen by the tribe of Dan, confronts the Danites. Let's break down the verse:
"As they cried to the children of Dan..." Micah and his neighbors are crying out, likely in distress and anger, because the Danites have stolen his carved image, ephod, teraphim, and the priest. This is a sign of their desperation and outrage.
"...they turned their faces..." This refers to the Danites. They are numerous and well-armed (as implied by "such a company" later in the verse). Instead of being intimidated by Micah's cries, they turn to face him with a sense of superiority.
"...and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you come with such a company?” This is the crucial part. The Danites are responding to Micah. Several interpretations of this are possible:
Insolence and Intimidation: The Danites are deliberately being condescending and aggressive. They've robbed Micah of his religious objects and priest, and now they feign ignorance, essentially saying, "Why are you bothering us? Why are you here with all these people?" The size of the Danite war party is meant to discourage resistance. The phrase "such a company" can be read as implying that Micah's force is insignificant compared to theirs.
Gaslighting: It is suggested that the Danites, in their arrogance and disregard for Micah's rights, are gaslighting him, making him question the validity of his complaint.
A Question of Proportions: This could be a more literal question. The Danites might be implying that Micah is overreacting. Their phrasing suggests that they view Micah and his supporters as an unnecessary and bothersome intrusion.
In summary: The verse shows the power dynamic between the Danites and Micah. The Danites have stolen Micah's possessions and are now using their superior numbers and intimidating presence to belittle and dismiss his rightful anger. The verse sets the stage for the Danites' continued aggression and highlights the lawlessness and moral decay of the time of the Judges. The Danites were not interested in justice or fairness, only in getting what they wanted.