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Friday, July 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Read the Bible

THE MESSAGE

Judges 18:14

The five men who earlier had explored the country of Laish told their companions, "Did you know there's an ephod, teraphim-idols, and a cast god-sculpture in these buildings? What do you think? Do you want to do something about it?"

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Dishonesty;   Ephod;   Jonathan;   Teraphim;   Theft and Thieves;   Thompson Chain Reference - Ephod;   False;   Idolatry;   Images;   Teraphim;   Worship, False;   Worship, True and False;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ephod, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Teraphim;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ephod;   Micah;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Idol;   Laish;   Thummim;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Ephod;   Laish (2);   Pentateuch;   Rachel;   Teraphim;   Urim and Thummim;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Archaeology and Biblical Study;   Inquire of God;   Teraphim;   Tribes of Israel, the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Dan;   Ephod;   God;   Israel;   Jonathan;   Laish;   Magic, Divination, and Sorcery;   Micah, Micaiah;   Priests and Levites;   Samson;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ephod;   Jonathan ;   Laish ;   Teraphim;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Dan;   Ephod;   Teraphim;   Smith Bible Dictionary - L'ish;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ephod (1);   Images;   Jonathan (1);   Lion;   Micah (1);   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Dan;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The five men who had gone to scout out the land of Laish told their brothers, “Did you know that there are an ephod, household gods, and a carved image and a silver idol in these houses? Now think about what you should do.”
Hebrew Names Version
Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Layish answered, and said to their brothers, Do you know that there is in these houses an efod, and terafim, and an engraved image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what you have to do.
King James Version
Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
Lexham English Bible
And the five men that went out to spy out the land (that is, Laish) responded and said to their relatives, "Do you know that there are in these houses an ephod, teraphim, and an idol of cast metal? So then, consider what you must do."
English Standard Version
Then the five men who had gone to scout out the country of Laish said to their brothers, "Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, household gods, a carved image, and a metal image? Now therefore consider what you will do."
New Century Version
The five men who had explored the land around Laish said to their relatives, "Do you know in one of these houses there are a holy vest, household gods, an idol, and a statue? You know what to do."
New English Translation
The five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish said to their kinsmen, "Do you realize that inside these houses are an ephod, some personal idols, a carved image, and a metal image? Decide now what you want to do."
Amplified Bible
Then the five men who had gone to scout the country of Laish said to their relatives, "Do you know that there are in these houses an ephod, teraphim, an image [of silver-plated wood], and a cast image [of solid silver]? Now therefore, consider what you should do."
New American Standard Bible
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 carved image and a cast metal image? Now then, consider what you should do."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then answered the fiue men, that went to spie out the countrey of Laish, & said vnto their brethren, Knowe ye not, that there is in these houses an Ephod, and Teraphim, and a grauen & a molten image? Nowe therefore consider what ye haue to doe.
Legacy Standard Bible
Daarop het die vyf man wat gegaan het om die land van Lais te verken, aan hulle broers begin sê: Weet julle dat in hierdie huise 'n skouerkleed en huisgode en 'n gesnede en 'n gegote beeld is? Weet dan nou wat julle moet doen!
Contemporary English Version
the five men who had been spies asked the other warriors, "Did you know that someone in this village has several idols and a sacred priestly vest? What do you think we should do about it?"
Complete Jewish Bible
The men who had gone to spy out the land of Layish then said to their kinsmen, "Are you aware that in these buildings there is a ritual vest, household gods and a carved image overlaid with silver? Decide what you ought to do."
Darby Translation
Then the five men that had gone to spy out the country of Laish spoke and said to their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? And now ye know what to do.
Easy-to-Read Version
So the five men who had explored the land around Laish spoke. They said to their relatives, "There is an ephod in one of these houses. And there are also household gods, a carved statue, and a silver idol. You know what to do."
George Lamsa Translation
Then answered the five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish, and said to their brethren, Do you know that there is on these hills an ephod and teraphim and a graven image and a molten image? Now therefore you must consider what you have to do.
Good News Translation
Then the five men who had gone to spy on the country around Laish said to their companions, "Did you know that here in one of these houses there is a wooden idol covered with silver? There are also other idols and an ephod. What do you think we should do?"
Literal Translation
And the five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish answered and said to their brothers, Do you not know that there are in these houses an ephod and household idols, and a graven image, and a molten image? And now, you know what youare to do.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then answered the fyue men that wete out to spye the londe of Lais, & sayde vnto their brethren: Knowe ye not that in these houses there is an ouerbody cote, Idols, & molten ymages? Now maye ye loke what ye haue to do.
American Standard Version
Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
Bible in Basic English
Then the five men who had gone to make a search through the country of Laish, said to their brothers, Have you knowledge that in these houses there is an ephod and family gods and a pictured image and a metal image? So now you see what to do.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then aunswered the fiue men that went to spye out the countrey of Lais, and saide vnto their brethren: Wot ye not that there is in these houses an Ephod, Theraphim, and a grauen and a moulten image? Nowe therfore consider what ye haue to do.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren: 'Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.'
King James Version (1611)
Then answered the fiue men that went to spie out the countrey of Laish, and saide vnto their brethren, Doe ye know that there is in these houses an Ephod, and Teraphim, and a grauen image, and a molten image? Now therefore consider what ye haue to doe.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the five men who went to spy out the land of Laisa answered, and said to their brethren, Ye know that there is in this place an ephod, and theraphin, and a graven and a molten image; and now consider what ye shall do.
English Revised Version
Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
Berean Standard Bible
Then the five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish said to their brothers, "Did you know that one of these houses has an ephod, household gods, a graven image, and a molten idol? Now think about what you should do."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
that weren sent bifore to biholde the lond of Lachis, seiden to her other britheren, Ye knowen, that ephod, and theraphyn, and a grauun ymage and yotun is in these housis; se ye what plesith you.
Young's Literal Translation
And the five men, those going to traverse the land of Laish, answer and say unto their brethren, `Have ye known that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and graven image, and molten image? and now, know what ye do.'
Update Bible Version
Then the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish answered, and said to their brothers, Do you know that there is in these houses an ephod, and talismans, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what you have to do.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then answered the five men that went to explore the country of Laish, and said to their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
World English Bible
Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered, and said to their brothers, Do you know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and an engraved image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what you have to do.
New King James Version
Then the five men who had gone to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brethren, "Do you know that there are in these houses an ephod, household idols, a carved image, and a molded image? Now therefore, consider what you should do."
New Living Translation
The five men who had scouted out the land around Laish explained to the others, "These buildings contain a sacred ephod, as well as some household idols, a carved image, and a cast idol. What do you think you should do?"
New Life Bible
Then the five men who had gone to look over the country of Laish said to their brothers, "Do you know that in these houses there are gods, a holy vest, and objects made to look like gods? So think about what you should do."
New Revised Standard
Then the five men who had gone to spy out the land (that is, Laish) said to their comrades, "Do you know that in these buildings there are an ephod, teraphim, and an idol of cast metal? Now therefore consider what you will do."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then responded the five men who had been to spy out the land of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Know ye that there are in these houses, an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image, - now, therefore, know what ye will do!
Douay-Rheims Bible
The five men, that before had been sent to view the land of Lais, said to the rest of their brethren: You know that in these houses there is an ephod and theraphim, and a graven and a molten god: see what you are pleased to do.
Revised Standard Version
Then the five men who had gone to spy out the country of La'ish said to their brethren, "Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, teraphim, a graven image, and a molten image? Now therefore consider what you will do."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
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."

Contextual Overview

14 The five men who earlier had explored the country of Laish told their companions, "Did you know there's an ephod, teraphim-idols, and a cast god-sculpture in these buildings? What do you think? Do you want to do something about it?" 15So they turned off the road there, went to the house of the young Levite at Micah's place and asked how things had been with him. The six hundred Danites, all well-armed, stood guard at the entrance to the gate while the five scouts who had gone to explore the land went in and took the carved idol, the ephod, the teraphim-idols, and the god-sculpture. The priest was standing at the gate entrance with the six hundred armed men. When the five went into Micah's house and took the carved idol, the ephod, the teraphim-idols, and the sculpted god, the priest said to them, "What do you think you're doing?" 19 They said to him, "Hush! Don't make a sound. Come with us. Be our father and priest. Which is more important, that you be a priest to one man or that you become priest to a whole tribe and clan in Israel?" 20 The priest jumped at the chance. He took the ephod, the teraphim-idols, and the idol and fell in with the troops. 21They turned away and set out, putting the children, the cattle, and the gear in the lead. They were well on their way from Micah's house before Micah and his neighbors got organized. But they soon overtook the Danites. They shouted at them. The Danites turned around and said, "So what's all the noise about?" 24 Micah said, "You took my god, the one I made, and you took my priest. And you marched off! What do I have left? How can you now say, ‘What's the matter?'" 25 But the Danites answered, "Don't yell at us; you just might provoke some fierce, hot-tempered men to attack you, and you'll end up an army of dead men." 26 The Danites went on their way. Micah saw that he didn't stand a chance against their arms. He turned back and went home.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Then: 1 Samuel 14:28

in these: Judges 18:3, Judges 18:4, Judges 17:5

now therefore: Proverbs 19:27, Isaiah 8:19, Isaiah 8:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:19 - images Joshua 2:1 - to spy secretly Judges 8:27 - an ephod Judges 18:5 - of God Judges 18:17 - five men 1 Samuel 19:13 - an image Job 3:2 - spake Ezekiel 21:21 - images Zechariah 10:2 - the idols

Cross-References

Genesis 18:1
God appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing. He ran from his tent to greet them and bowed before them.
Genesis 18:10
One of them said, "I'm coming back about this time next year. When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.
Numbers 11:23
God answered Moses, "So, do you think I can't take care of you? You'll see soon enough whether what I say happens for you or not."
Deuteronomy 7:21
So don't be intimidated by them. God , your God, is among you— God majestic, God awesome. God , your God, will get rid of these nations, bit by bit. You won't be permitted to wipe them out all at once lest the wild animals take over and overwhelm you. But God , your God, will move them out of your way—he'll throw them into a huge panic until there's nothing left of them. He'll turn their kings over to you and you'll remove all trace of them under Heaven. Not one person will be able to stand up to you; you'll put an end to them all.
1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Come on now, let's go across to these uncircumcised pagans. Maybe God will work for us. There's no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop God from saving when he sets his mind to it."
2 Kings 4:16
Elisha said to her, "This time next year you're going to be nursing an infant son." "O my master, O Holy Man," she said, "don't play games with me, teasing me with such fantasies!"
Job 36:5
"It's true that God is all-powerful, but he doesn't bully innocent people. For the wicked, though, it's a different story— he doesn't give them the time of day, but champions the rights of their victims. He never takes his eyes off the righteous; he honors them lavishly, promotes them endlessly. When things go badly, when affliction and suffering descend, God tells them where they've gone wrong, shows them how their pride has caused their trouble. He forces them to heed his warning, tells them they must repent of their bad life. If they obey and serve him, they'll have a good, long life on easy street. But if they disobey, they'll be cut down in their prime and never know the first thing about life. Angry people without God pile grievance upon grievance, always blaming others for their troubles. Living it up in sexual excesses, virility wasted, they die young. But those who learn from their suffering, God delivers from their suffering.
Psalms 93:1
God is King, robed and ruling, God is robed and surging with strength. And yes, the world is firm, immovable, Your throne ever firm—you're Eternal!
Psalms 95:3
And why? Because God is the best, High King over all the gods. In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns, in the other hand grasps the high mountains. He made Ocean—he owns it! His hands sculpted Earth!
Micah 7:18
Where is the god who can compare with you— wiping the slate clean of guilt, Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people? You don't nurse your anger and don't stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That's what you love most. And compassion is on its way to us. You'll stamp out our wrongdoing. You'll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean. You'll stay true to your word to Father Jacob and continue the compassion you showed Grandfather Abraham— Everything you promised our ancestors from a long time ago.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then they answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish,.... That were sent by their brethren, Judges 18:5 and, as it seems from hence, were sent particularly to Laish; they had some notion of that place as proper for them, and therefore sent those men to reconnoitre it; and now as they had passed this way before, when they came within sight of Micah's house, it put them in mind of what they had seen there; wherefore one in the name of the rest, and with their approbation, acquainted the company with it:

and said unto their brethren, do ye know that there is in those houses; in one of them, pointing to the houses of a village or town in sight:

an ephod and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? of which see Judges 17:4 and no doubt but they acquainted them, only that they had seen them, and so were certain but had consulted them, and that with success:

now therefore consider, say they,

what ye have to do; whether it may not be proper to consult them again, or rather to take them with us, to consult as occasion may require, and as tokens and pledges of God being with us, and so may the rather hope that everything will succeed to our wishes.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

In these houses - This agrees with what we saw at Judges 18:2-3 that the “house of God” and Jonathan’s house were detached from Micah’s. There were other houses besides Judges 18:22. The whole settlement was probably called Beth-Micah, contained in one court, and entered by one gate Judges 18:16.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Judges 18:14. Consider what ye have to do. — They probably had formed the design to carry off the priest and his sacred utensils.


 
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