Judges 18:9 (KJV)

What does Judges 18:9 mean?

Judges 18:9 records the scouts from the tribe of Dan urging their fellow Danites to take action and go claim the land they have found, describing it as very good and encouraging them not to hesitate or be lazy in taking possession of it. The verse is a call to immediate and determined action based on the positive report about the land.

The speakers are the five men sent by the tribe of Dan to spy out the land of Laish. They return to their people and report that the land is excellent, urging the rest not to delay ("be not slothful") but to go up and take it. This moment comes as the Danites are seeking a new territory because they have not yet received a full inheritance among the tribes of Israel. The verse captures both the excitement of the scouts and the urgency they feel about acting on their discovery.

The Hebrew behind Judges 18:9

• The word translated "Arise" is קוּם (qum), which often means to get up or take action. Here, it emphasizes the need for immediate movement and resolve.
• "Be not slothful" uses the word תֵּעָצְלוּ (te‘atzlu), which means to be lazy or sluggish. The scouts are warning against hesitation or lack of initiative, pressing for decisive action.
• The word for "possess" is יָרַשׁ (yarash), which carries the sense of taking ownership, often by force or conquest. This highlights that the Danites are being urged to actively claim the land, not just settle in it.

Why Judges 18:9 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Danites' move to take new territory was not a casual decision but was driven by a strong sense of opportunity and urgency after scouting the land.
• The language used by the scouts shows the importance of seizing the moment and not letting fear or laziness prevent them from acting, which is a recurring theme in the book of Judges.
• Understanding the context of this verse helps explain the later actions of the tribe of Dan, including their conquest of Laish and the establishment of their own city, which becomes significant in the broader narrative of Israel's settlement in the Promised Land.