And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.

JUDGES 18:25KJV
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Judges 18:25 (KJV)

What does Judges 18:25 mean?

Judges 18:25 shows the men of Dan threatening Micah, warning him to stay quiet or risk being killed along with his household if he continues to protest. The verse captures a tense moment where the Danites make it clear they are willing to use violence to get what they want.

In this scene, the "children of Dan" are speaking to Micah, who has confronted them for stealing his idols and priest. The Danites tell Micah not to let his "voice" be heard among them, implying that if he keeps protesting, some "angry fellows" might attack him, leading to the death of him and his family. The verse highlights the lawlessness and intimidation present during this period in Israel's history.

The Hebrew behind Judges 18:25

  • "Voice" (קוֹל, qol): This word means more than just sound; it often refers to someone's outcry or protest. Here, it emphasizes how the Danites want to silence Micah's objections completely.
  • "Angry fellows" (נֶפֶשׁ מָרֵי נֶפֶשׁ, maré nefesh): The phrase uses the word for "soul" or "life" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh) to describe people who are bitter or enraged. It suggests that the threat is not just from the group as a whole, but from particularly dangerous individuals among them.
  • "Lose" (אָסַף, asaf): This verb usually means "to gather" or "to take away," but here it is used in the sense of being "taken away" by death. It adds a layer of finality to the threat—the loss is total and irreversible.

Why Judges 18:25 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the Danites were acting honorably; their willingness to threaten violence against Micah and his family shows a breakdown of justice and order.
  • The direct threat against Micah’s "household" underlines the seriousness of the situation and the extent of the Danites' intimidation.
  • Understanding this threat helps explain why Micah gives up his pursuit, setting the stage for the Danites to continue their journey and establish themselves elsewhere, which is a key part of the larger story in Judges 18.

Where else these words appear

“angry” Hebrew H4751 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 27:34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
  • 2 Samuel 17:8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
  • Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

“run” Hebrew H6293 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 23:8 And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
  • Joshua 19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
  • 1 Kings 2:34 So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

“Dan” Hebrew H1835 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 2 Samuel 17:11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.