Judges 18:31
Judges 18:31 in Multiple Translations
So they set up for themselves Micah’s graven image, and it was there the whole time the house of God was in Shiloh.
And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
So they set them up Micah’s graven image which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
And they put up for themselves the image which Micah had made, and it was there all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
They worshiped the carved idol that Micah had made the whole time God's Temple was at Shiloh.
So they set them vp the grauen image, which Michah had made, all the while the house of God was in Shiloh.
And they appoint for them the graven image of Micah, which he had made, all the days of the house of God being in Shiloh.
So they set up for themselves Micah’s engraved image which he made, and it remained all the time that God’s house was in Shiloh.
And they set up for themselves Micah's graven image which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
And the idol of Michas remained with them all the time that the house of God was in Silo. In those days there was no king in Israel.
After the people of the tribe of Dan set up the idols that had been made for Micah, they worshiped those idols, even though the Sacred Tent where they had been commanded to worship God, was at Shiloh.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 18:31
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 18:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
לָ/הֶ֔ם
אֶת
פֶּ֥סֶל
מִיכָ֖ה
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
עָשָׂ֑ה
כָּל
יְמֵ֛י
הֱי֥וֹת
בֵּית
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֖ים
בְּ/שִׁלֹֽה
וַ/יָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
לָ/הֶ֔ם
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
פֶּ֥סֶל
peçel
H6459
idol
N-ms
מִיכָ֖ה
Mîykâh
H4318
Micaiah
N-proper
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
עָשָׂ֑ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
יְמֵ֛י
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
הֱי֥וֹת
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Inf-a
בֵּית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Art | N-mp
בְּ/שִׁלֹֽה
Shîylôh
H7887
Shiloh
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 18:31
וַ/יָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
לָ/הֶ֔ם
""
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
פֶּ֥סֶל
peçel
H6459
"idol"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to an idol or carved image, often used to describe false gods or objects of worship. It is sometimes translated as graven image, emphasizing the act of carving or shaping the idol. This concept is seen in the Bible as a form of rebellion against God.
Definition: idol, image Also means: pe.sil (פָּסִיל "idol" H6456)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: carved (graven) image. See also: Exodus 20:4; 2 Chronicles 33:7; Psalms 97:7.
מִיכָ֖ה
Mîykâh
H4318
"Micaiah"
N-proper
Micaiah means who is like God, a prophet in 1 Kings 22:8, son of Imlah, prophesying during Jotham and Hezekiah's reigns.
Definition: A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.22.8; son of: Imlah (H3229) Another name of mi.kha.ye.hu (מִיכָֽיְהוּ "Micaiah" H4321G) § Micah or Micaiah or Michah = "who is like God" 1) the 6th in order of the minor prophets; a native of Moresheth, he prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah, and was contemporary with the prophets Hosea, Amos, and Isaiah 2) an Ephraimite during the period of the judges 3) a descendant of Joel the Reubenite 4) son of Meribbaal and grandson of Jonathan 5) a Kohathite Levite, the eldest son of Uzziel the brother of Amram 6) father of Abdon, a man of high station in the reign of Josiah 7) son of Imlah and a prophet of Samaria who predicted the defeat and death of king Ahab of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: Micah, Micaiah, Michah. See also: Judges 17:5; Judges 18:27; Jeremiah 26:18.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָשָׂ֑ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יְמֵ֛י
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הֱי֥וֹת
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בֵּית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
בְּ/שִׁלֹֽה
Shîylôh
H7887
"Shiloh"
Prep | N-proper
Shiloh means place of rest, a city where the Ark of the Covenant and Tabernacle were kept, and where Samuel grew up. It is mentioned in the Bible as a significant location in Ephraim. The city was a temporary home for the Israelites.
Definition: Shiloh = "place of rest" a city in Ephraim and temporary home of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, the place where Samuel grew up Also named: shi.lo.ni (שִׁילֹנִי "Shilonite" H7888)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: Shiloh. See also: Joshua 18:1; 1 Samuel 2:14; Psalms 78:60.
Study Notes — Judges 18:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 18:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 18:31
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 18:31
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 18:31
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 18:31
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 18:31
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 18:31
- Sermons on Judges 18:31
Context — The Danites Take Micah’s Idols
29They named it Dan, after their forefather Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city was formerly named Laish.
30The Danites set up idols for themselves, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
31So they set up for themselves Micah’s graven image, and it was there the whole time the house of God was in Shiloh.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 18:1 | Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them, |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 1:3 | Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD. |
| 3 | Judges 19:18 | The Levite replied, “We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote hill country of Ephraim, where I am from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the LORD; but no one has taken me into his home, |
| 4 | Judges 21:21 | and watch. When you see the daughters of Shiloh come out to perform their dances, each of you is to come out of the vineyards, catch for himself a wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 7:12 | But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 4:4 | So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. |
Judges 18:31 Summary
This verse tells us that the Danites set up a fake idol, Micah's graven image, and worshipped it instead of the one true God. This was a big mistake, as God had warned against worshipping idols in Exodus 20:4-5. The Danites' actions show us how easily we can stray from God's path and start worshipping things that are not truly God. We can learn from their mistake by remembering to always prioritize our relationship with God and to be careful not to let idols into our lives, as reminded in 1 John 5:21.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Danites setting up Micah's graven image?
The Danites setting up Micah's graven image shows their rejection of the one true God and their willingness to worship idols, as warned against in Exodus 20:4-5 and Deuteronomy 5:8-9.
Where was the house of God located during this time?
According to Judges 18:31, the house of God was in Shiloh, which is also mentioned in Joshua 18:1 and 1 Samuel 1:3.
How long did the Danites continue to worship Micah's graven image?
The verse states that the image was there the whole time the house of God was in Shiloh, indicating a prolonged period of idolatrous worship, which is also referenced in 1 Kings 12:31 and 2 Kings 15:9.
What can we learn from the Danites' actions in this verse?
The Danites' actions serve as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 6:14-15 and 1 Corinthians 10:7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be setting up my own 'graven images' in my life, and how can I remove them?
- How can I ensure that I am prioritizing the worship of the one true God in my daily life?
- What are some potential consequences of prolonged idolatrous worship, and how can I avoid them?
- In what ways can I apply the lessons from the Danites' mistakes to my own life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 18:31
And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made,.... Which is repeated for the sake of the time of its continuance next expressed: all the time the house of God was in Shiloh; which,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 18:31
And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh. They set them up Micah's graven image ... all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 18:31
Judges 18:31 And they set them up Micah’ s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.Ver. 31. All the time, &c,] Till Samuel threw down this and other idols.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 18:31
(31) And they set them up Micah’s graven image.—Rather, entrusted to them, i.e., to Jonathan’s descendants. The phrase “set them up” can only have been used by inadvertence by our translators in this verse, since the verb used, yasîmo (LXX., etaxan heautois; but Vulg., mansitque apud eos, i.e., there remained with them the descendants of Jonathan), is wholly different from the verb yakîmû, rendered “set up” (LXX., anestésan) in Judges 18:30. All the time that the house of God was in Shiloh—i.e., till Samuel’s early manhood, when the Philistines sacked Shiloh, to which place the Ark and Tabernacle never returned (1 Samuel 4:3, 1 Samuel 6:21, 1 Samuel 7:1). This verse may probably have been added by a later hand to prevent any mistake in the interpretation of the former. It may have been written in Saul’s reign, when the Tabernacle and ephod had been removed to Nob for greater safety. The last mention of the town of Dan is in 2 Chronicles 16:4
Cambridge Bible on Judges 18:31
31. This verse is clearly not by the same hand as the foregoing. the house of God … in Shiloh] Not a tabernacle, or moveable tent, but a temple; see 1 Samuel 1:7; 1 Samuel 1:24; 1 Samuel 3:15. We are not told when the temple in Shiloh came to an end; was it when the ark fell into the hands of the Philistines, 1 Samuel 4? In the time of Saul the descendants of Eli are found not at Shiloh, but at Nob, ib. Judges 21:2 ff. Or was it during the Assyrian wars? The allusions in Jeremiah 7:12; Jeremiah 7:14; Jeremiah 26:6; Jeremiah 26:9 suggest a comparatively recent and well-remembered disaster. At any rate the writer does not say that the Danite shrine disappeared when the temple in Shiloh came to an end; what he means is that the local cult existed side by side with the national sanctuary. Cf. further 1 Kings 12:29 f., Amos 8:14.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 18:31
31. All the time that the house of God was in Shiloh — This statement confirms our view in the last note, that the captivity of the land was that which followed the capture of the ark, and the consequent desolation of Shiloh.
Sermons on Judges 18:31
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Prayer in Revival by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of humbling oneself before God and coming to Him with a sense of helplessness and surrender. He shares a story about receivin |
|
The Walk of Faith - Part 6 by Larry Ainsworth | In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing his enjoyment of a recent float trip and expresses his excitement to share a study on a man who rejected the priesthood of God. He des |
|
Amend Your Ways by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of giving God and our souls a chance to breathe by prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly distractions. He highlights ho |
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What Is the Spirit Doing by Dennis Kinlaw | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their life experiences and the perspective they have gained over the years. They emphasize the importance of memory as a valuable treasure a |
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Exposition on Psalm 78 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches about the journey of the Israelites in the desert, highlighting their ungratefulness towards God despite His blessings and the consequences of their disobedi |