And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.

JUDGES 18:28KJV
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Judges 18:28 (KJV)

What does Judges 18:28 mean?

Judges 18:28 describes how the city attacked by the tribe of Dan had no one to rescue it, because it was isolated, far from the city of Zidon, and had no allies or connections with other people. After conquering it, the Danites rebuilt the city and settled there themselves.

This verse comes as the tribe of Dan is searching for a new homeland. The people of the city they attacked were vulnerable because they lived in a remote valley near Bethrehob, with no nearby help or political ties. The Danites took advantage of this isolation, destroyed the city, and then established their own community in its place.

The Hebrew behind Judges 18:28

  • "deliverer" (נָצַל, natsal): This word means someone who rescues or saves. The verse points out that there was no one to come to the city's aid, highlighting its helplessness.
  • "far" (רָחוֹק, rachoq): This term emphasizes the city's physical distance from Zidon, showing why help was unlikely to arrive.
  • "business" (דָּבָר, davar): Here, it means dealings or alliances. The city had no agreements or relationships with other groups, making it even more isolated.
  • "valley" (עֵמֶק, ‘emeq): This word describes the city’s location in a valley, which often meant both physical and social separation in ancient times.

Why Judges 18:28 matters

  • This verse explains why the city was so easily conquered: its isolation left it defenseless, with no allies or nearby help.
  • The detail about the Danites building and living in the city connects their actions to the broader story of Israel’s tribes claiming territory.
  • The verse highlights the vulnerability of small, disconnected communities in the ancient world, helping readers understand the dynamics of power and survival in the book of Judges.

Where else these words appear

“Bethrehob” Hebrew H1050 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 10:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

“Zidon” Hebrew H6721 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • 2 Samuel 24:6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
  • Jeremiah 27:3 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah;

“valley” Hebrew H6010 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  • Job 39:21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.

“far” Hebrew H7350 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
  • Isaiah 37:26 Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps.