Judges 18:9 - They said, “Arise, and let us go up against them; for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. Do you stand still? Don’t be slothful to go and to enter in to possess the land.

Generated Verse: Judges 18:9

What does "Judges 18:9" mean?


This verse, Judges 18:9, is part of the story of the tribe of Dan searching for a new territory to settle. They sent out spies to scout the land, and the verse represents the spies' enthusiastic report back to the rest of the tribe. Let's break down the meaning:

"They said, 'Arise, and let us go up against them'": The "they" refers to the spies. They are urging the rest of the tribe to take action and prepare for military conquest. "Go up against them" implies that they will need to fight to claim the land.
"for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good": This is the key motivation. The spies have evaluated the land and found it desirable and fertile, providing a good source of sustenance and prosperity. This positive assessment is meant to inspire confidence and eagerness in the tribe.
"Do you stand still? Don’t be slothful to go and to enter in to possess the land.": This is a strong call to action. The spies are telling the tribe not to hesitate or be lazy. They must act quickly and decisively to seize the opportunity and claim the land for themselves. "Possess the land" means to fully acquire and control it as their own territory.

In essence, the verse is a rousing speech designed to motivate the tribe of Dan to aggressively pursue a new territory based on the spies' promising report. It's a call to action, urging them to seize the opportunity and not to be held back by hesitation or laziness.

Theologically/Historically Context:

The Book of Judges: The Book of Judges is a period of chaos and decline in Israelite history, characterized by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. It highlights the lack of central leadership and the general lawlessness that prevailed.
The Tribe of Dan: The tribe of Dan was originally allotted land in the central coastal plain, but they struggled to hold it against the Philistines. This leads them to seek a new, less contested area.
Moral Ambiguity: It's important to note that while the spies present the land as desirable, their actions (and the subsequent conquest) are often seen as morally ambiguous. They are dispossessing the people already living there.
The Theme of Land: The Promised Land is a central theme in the Old Testament, representing God's blessing and provision. The tribe of Dan's quest for land is part of this larger narrative.

Therefore, this verse signifies not only a simple military expedition, but it's an insight into the chaotic period of the Judges, where each tribe acted according to their perceived needs and the tribe of Dan's actions can be seen as selfish and brutal.