Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then six hundred men of the Danites, armed for battle, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. New Living Translation So 600 men from the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. English Standard Version So 600 men of the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol, Berean Standard Bible So six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol, armed with weapons of war. King James Bible And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war. New King James Version And six hundred men of the family of the Danites went from there, from Zorah and Eshtaol, armed with weapons of war. New American Standard Bible Then from the family of the Danites, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, six hundred men armed with weapons of war set out. NASB 1995 Then from the family of the Danites, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, six hundred men armed with weapons of war set out. NASB 1977 Then from the family of the Danites, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, six hundred men armed with weapons of war set out. Legacy Standard Bible Then from the family of the Danites, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, 600 men armed with weapons of war set out. Amplified Bible Then from the [tribal] family of the Danites, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, six hundred men armed with weapons of war set out. Christian Standard Bible Six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol armed with weapons of war. Holman Christian Standard Bible Six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol armed with weapons of war. American Standard Version And there set forth from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girt with weapons of war. Contemporary English Version Six hundred men from the tribe of Dan strapped on their weapons and left Zorah and Eshtaol with their families. English Revised Version And there set forth from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girt with weapons of war. GOD'S WORD® Translation So 600 men from the tribe of Dan left Zorah and Eshtaol armed for war. Good News Translation So six hundred men from the tribe of Dan left Zorah and Eshtaol, ready for battle. International Standard Version So 600 descendants of Dan from Zorah and Eshtaol set out for battle, armed with military weapons. NET Bible So six hundred Danites, fully armed, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. New Heart English Bible Then the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men armed with weapons of war, set forth from there. Webster's Bible Translation And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol, armed with weapons of war. World English Bible The family of the Danites set out from Zorah and Eshtaol with six hundred men armed with weapons of war. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd there journey there, of the family of the Danite, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, six hundred men girded with weapons of war. Young's Literal Translation And there journey thence, of the family of the Danite, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, six hundred men girded with weapons of war. Smith's Literal Translation And they will remove from thence from the families of the Danites, and from Zorah and from Eshtaol, six hundred men girded with weapons of war. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere went therefore of the kindred of Dan, to wit, from Saraa and Esthaol, six hundred men, furnished with arms for war, Catholic Public Domain Version And so, those of the kindred of Dan set out, that is, six hundred men from Zorah and Eshtaol, girded with the weapons of warfare. New American Bible So six hundred of the clan of the Danites, men armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. New Revised Standard Version Six hundred men of the Danite clan, armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd there went from thence of the family of the Danites, from Zedah and from Eshtaol, six hundred men armed with weapons of war. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the tribe of Dan picked up from there from Tsada and from Eshtwayel, six hundred men armed with armaments of war OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And there set forth from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men girt with weapons of war. Brenton Septuagint Translation And there departed thence of the families of Dan, from Saraa and from Esthaol, six hundred men, girded with weapons of war. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Danites Settle in Laish…10When you enter, you will come to an unsuspecting people and a spacious land, for God has delivered it into your hand. It is a place where nothing on earth is lacking.” 11So six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol, armed with weapons of war. 12They went up and camped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah. That is why the place west of Kiriath-jearim is called Mahaneh-dan to this day.… Cross References Joshua 19:47 (Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.) Judges 1:34 The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain. Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Deuteronomy 12:8-9 You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes. / For you have not yet come to the resting place and the inheritance that the LORD your God is giving you. 1 Samuel 13:2 He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home. 1 Samuel 14:52 And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him. 2 Kings 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria. 1 Chronicles 12:23-37 Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: / From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears. / From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. ... Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: Matthew 4:13-16 Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— ... John 7:52 “Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.” Acts 13:21 Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. Treasury of Scripture And there went from there of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war. appointed. Jump to Previous Appointed Armed Battle Clan Dan Danite Danites Eshtaol Esh'ta-Ol Hundred Instruments Six Thence Tribe War Weapons ZorahJump to Next Appointed Armed Battle Clan Dan Danite Danites Eshtaol Esh'ta-Ol Hundred Instruments Six Thence Tribe War Weapons ZorahJudges 18 1. The Danites send five men to seek out an inheritance3. At the house of Micah they consult with Jonathan, and are encouraged 7. They search Laish, and bring back news of good hope 11. Six hundred men are sent to surprise it 16. In their way they rob Micah of his priest and his consecrated things 27. They win Laish, and call it Dan 30. They set up idolatry, wherein Jonathan inherits the priesthood. So six hundred Danites The tribe of Dan was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and Bilhah. The number six hundred indicates a significant military force, suggesting a well-organized group prepared for conquest. This event occurs during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a cycle of Israel's disobedience, oppression by enemies, cries for deliverance, and God raising up judges to save them. The Danites' actions here reflect their struggle to secure a territory, as they had not fully conquered their allotted land (Joshua 19:40-48). departed from Zorah and Eshtaol armed with weapons of war Persons / Places / Events 1. DanitesA tribe of Israel, descendants of Dan, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. In this context, they are seeking a new territory to inhabit. 2. Zorah and Eshtaol These are towns in the territory originally allotted to the tribe of Dan. They serve as the starting point for the Danites' expedition. 3. Six Hundred Men This group represents a military force from the tribe of Dan, indicating a significant mobilization for the purpose of conquest. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe Danites' need to find new land is a direct result of their failure to fully trust and obey God in conquering their original inheritance. This serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands. Seeking God's Guidance The Danites' decision to move without seeking God's direction highlights the necessity of seeking divine guidance in our decisions. We should prioritize prayer and discernment in our own lives. The Dangers of Self-Reliance The reliance on military strength rather than God's provision is evident in the Danites' actions. This teaches us the importance of relying on God rather than our own abilities or resources. Community and Leadership The mobilization of six hundred men indicates a collective decision and action. This underscores the importance of community and leadership in pursuing God's purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 18:11?2. How does Judges 18:11 illustrate the consequences of ignoring God's guidance? 3. What can we learn about obedience from the Danites' actions in Judges 18:11? 4. How does Judges 18:11 connect to the theme of idolatry in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we seek God's will before making decisions like the Danites? 6. How can we apply the lessons from Judges 18:11 to our daily lives? 7. What is the significance of the 600 Danite men in Judges 18:11? 8. How does Judges 18:11 reflect the moral state of Israel during the time of the Judges? 9. What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Judges 18:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 18? 11. What role did the Tribe of Dan play biblically? 12. In Judges 18:2, how can the Danites' sudden relocation from the south to the distant north be reconciled with known settlement patterns or historical records? 13. Does archaeological evidence confirm a city like Laish (Judges 18:7) existing so isolated and unfortified, or does the narrative conflict with external data? 14. How does the swift, seemingly unopposed conquest of Laish in Judges 18:27-29 align with other biblical accounts or historical records of territorial conflicts? What Does Judges 18:11 Mean So six hundred Danites• A fighting force of exactly “six hundred” is repeated in Judges 18:16, 17, 25, emphasizing that this was a self-contained expedition rather than the whole tribe. • Compared with the census in Numbers 26:42-43 (64,400 Danite males), the number is small, showing how far the tribe had declined in faith and cohesion. • Six hundred echoes earlier Israelite military units such as the 600 men who followed Saul (1 Samuel 13:15) and the 600 with David at Ziklag (1 Samuel 23:13); each group acted when leadership was weak, suggesting Dan’s own crisis of leadership. departed from Zorah and Eshtaol • Zorah and Eshtaol marked the Danite border with Judah (Joshua 15:33; 19:41). They were also where “the Spirit of the Lord began to stir” Samson (Judges 13:25), reminding us that this region had already witnessed both blessing and conflict. • “Departed” signals abandonment of their God-given allotment (Judges 1:34; Joshua 19:40-48). Instead of trusting the Lord to help them possess it, they sought easier territory—an early warning that convenience was trumping obedience. • Like Abram leaving Ur by faith (Genesis 12:1-4), their journey ought to have been a step of reliance on God. Yet, unlike Abram, the Danites never sought the Lord; they consulted a rogue Levite (Judges 18:5-6), foreshadowing compromise. armed with weapons of war • The phrase underscores that their mission was conquest, not peaceful settlement. Their armament contrasts with Israel’s earlier lack of metal weapons (Judges 5:8) and with Saul’s day when “no swords or spears were found” among the people (1 Samuel 13:22). • Being “armed” fits the pattern of self-reliance that threads through Judges (compare Judges 7:2, where God reduced Gideon’s forces to display His power, not theirs). • While God permits defensive warfare (Deuteronomy 20:1-4), the Danites here took up arms for an unauthorized migration, revealing hearts already drifting toward the later refrain: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). • For believers today, the scene illustrates the contrast between earthly weapons and the “armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18). The tribe trusted steel; the Lord calls us to trust Him. summary Judges 18:11 captures a pivotal moment: a small band from Dan left their homeland, sure of their swords but unsure of their God. They set out from familiar towns once touched by the Spirit, now trading heritage for convenience. Their readiness for battle exposed a reliance on human strength instead of divine promise. The verse stands as a sober reminder that God’s people thrive not by abandoning His assignments, nor by trusting earthly arms, but by staying where He plants them and depending wholly on Him. (11) Appointed.--Literally, girded. This was not a mere raid of warriors, but the migration of a section from the tribe, accompanied by their wives and children, and carrying their possessions with them (Judges 18:21). The numbers of the whole tribe at the last census had been 64,400 (Numbers 26:43).Verse 11. - The family - meaning the tribe (see Judges 13:2, note, and cf. Joshua 7:17). Possibly a reason for the use of the word family here and in ver. 2, as applied to Dan, may be that there was only one family in the tribe of Dan, that of the Shuhamites (Numbers 26:42). Six hundred men. With their wives and sisters and children (see ver. 21), the whole company, must have amounted to two or three thousand souls.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So sixשֵֽׁשׁ־ (šêš-) Number - feminine singular Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number) hundred מֵא֣וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ) Number - feminine plural Strong's 3967: A hundred Danites הַדָּנִ֔י (had·dā·nî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1839: Danites -- descendant of Dan departed וַיִּסְע֤וּ (way·yis·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5265: To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey from מִשָּׁם֙ (miš·šām) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither Zorah מִצָּרְעָ֖ה (miṣ·ṣā·rə·‘āh) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6881: Zorah -- a city exchanged by Judah and Dan and Eshtaol, וּמֵאֶשְׁתָּאֹ֑ל (ū·mê·’eš·tā·’ōl) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 847: Eshtaol -- to found, establish armed חָג֖וּר (ḥā·ḡūr) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 2296: To gird, gird on, gird oneself with weapons כְּלֵ֥י (kə·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus of war. מִלְחָמָֽה׃ (mil·ḥā·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war Links Judges 18:11 NIVJudges 18:11 NLT Judges 18:11 ESV Judges 18:11 NASB Judges 18:11 KJV Judges 18:11 BibleApps.com Judges 18:11 Biblia Paralela Judges 18:11 Chinese Bible Judges 18:11 French Bible Judges 18:11 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 18:11 There set forth from there (Jd Judg. 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