Judges 18:25 - The children of Dan said to him, “Don’t let your voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows fall on you, and you lose your life, with the lives of your household.”

Generated Verse: Judges 18:25

What does "Judges 18:25" mean?


Judges 18:25 describes a forceful and threatening encounter between the tribe of Dan and a Levite priest who was traveling with Micah. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:

Context: The tribe of Dan was looking for new land to settle because their original allocation was proving difficult to hold. They sent scouts north, who found Micah and his household shrine (including idols and the Levite priest). The scouts then returned with a group to steal these idols and persuade the Levite to come with them, promising him a better position.
"The children of Dan said to him...": This sets the scene for a direct confrontation between the Danites and the Levite.
"...Don’t let your voice be heard among us...": This is a direct order for the Levite to be silent. The Danites are trying to suppress any protest or resistance. They don't want the Levite to cry out or try to rally any opposition.
"...Lest angry fellows fall on you...": This is the core of the threat. The Danites are suggesting that if the Levite causes a disturbance or tries to resist, some of their men (the "angry fellows") will become violent.
"...and you lose your life, with the lives of your household.": This is the ultimate threat. The Danites are telling the Levite that if he doesn't comply, he and his entire family will be killed.

In Essence:

The Danites are using intimidation and the threat of violence to ensure the Levite's cooperation. They want to steal Micah's idols and take the Levite priest with them, and they are willing to use force to achieve their goals. The verse highlights their ruthlessness and disregard for the Levite's (and his family's) life. It also underscores the lawlessness and moral decay that characterized the period of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25).