Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They answered him, “Be quiet! Don’t say a word. Come with us, and be our father and priest. Isn’t it better that you serve a tribe and clan in Israel as priest rather than just one man’s household?” New Living Translation “Be quiet and come with us,” they said. “Be a father and priest to all of us. Isn’t it better to be a priest for an entire tribe and clan of Israel than for the household of just one man?” English Standard Version And they said to him, “Keep quiet; put your hand on your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?” Berean Standard Bible “Be quiet,” they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” Berean Literal Bible And they said to him, “Be quiet, put your hand over your mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or for you to be a priest to a tribe and to a family in Israel?” King James Bible And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? New King James Version And they said to him, “Be quiet, put your hand over your mouth, and come with us; be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest to the household of one man, or that you be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” New American Standard Bible And they said to him, “Be silent, put your hand over your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” NASB 1995 They said to him, “Be silent, put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” NASB 1977 And they said to him, “Be silent, put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” Legacy Standard Bible And they said to him, “Be silent; put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” Amplified Bible They said to him, “Keep quiet, put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or to be a priest to a tribe and family in Israel?” Berean Annotated Bible “Be quiet, they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel (he wrestles with God)? Christian Standard Bible They told him, “Be quiet. Keep your mouth shut. Come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or for you to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible They told him, “Be quiet. Keep your mouth shut. Come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or for you to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” American Standard Version And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be priest unto the house of one man, or to be priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? Contemporary English Version "Quiet!" the men said. "Keep your mouth shut and listen. Why don't you come with us and be our priest, so you can tell us what God wants us to do? You could stay here and be a priest for one man's family, but wouldn't you rather be the priest for a clan or even a whole tribe of Israel?" English Revised Version And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be priest unto the house of one man, or to be priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? GOD'S WORD® Translation They told him, "Keep quiet! Don't say a word! Come with us and be our father and priest. Is it better for you to be a priest for one man's house or for a tribe in Israel and its families?" Good News Translation They told him, "Keep quiet. Don't say a word. Come with us and be our priest and adviser. Wouldn't you rather be a priest for a whole Israelite tribe than for the family of one man?" International Standard Version They told him, "Shut up and keep quiet. Come with us and be our spiritual father and priest. It's better for you, isn't it, to be a priest to an entire tribe and family in Israel than to be priest to the home of one man?" NET Bible They said to him, "Shut up! Put your hand over your mouth and come with us! You can be our adviser and priest. Wouldn't it be better to be a priest for a whole Israelite tribe than for just one man's family?" New Heart English Bible They said to him, "Hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?" Webster's Bible Translation And they said to him, Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: Is it better for thee to be a priest to the house of one man, or that thou shouldst be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Be quiet,” they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” World English Bible They said to him, “Hold your peace, put your hand on your mouth, and go with us. Be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they say to him, “Keep silent, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be for a father and for a priest to us: is it better your being a priest for the house of one man, or your being priest for a tribe and for a family in Israel?” Berean Literal Bible And they said to him, “Be quiet, put your hand over your mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or for you to be a priest to a tribe and to a family in Israel?” Young's Literal Translation and they say to him, 'Keep silent, lay thy hand on thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us for a father and for a priest: is it better thy being a priest to the house of one man, or thy being priest to a tribe and to a family in Israel?' Smith's Literal Translation And they will say to him, Be silent; put thy hand upon thy mouth and go with us, and be to us for father and for priest: is it good for thee to be priest to the house of one man, or for thee to be priest to a tribe and to a family in Israel? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they said to him: Hold thy peace and put thy finger on thy mouth and come with us, that we may have thee for a father, and a priest. Whether is better for thee, to be a priest in the house of one man, or in a tribe and family in Israel? Catholic Public Domain Version And they responded to him: “Be silent and place your finger over your mouth. And come with us, so that we may have you as a father as well as a priest. For which is better for you: to be a priest in the house of one man, or in one tribe and family in Israel?” New American Bible they said to him, “Be still! Put your hand over your mouth! Come with us and be our father and priest. Is it better for you to be priest for the family of one man or to be priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel?” New Revised Standard Version They said to him, “Keep quiet! Put your hand over your mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one person, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they said to him, Hold your peace, stop talking, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Which is better for you, to be a priest for one man's household, or to be a priest to a family and a tribe of Israel? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated They said to him: “Be quiet! Lay your hand on your mouth and come with us and be a Father and Priest to us! Which is better for you: that you would be a Priest for the house of one man or that you would be a Priest for a race and for a tribe of the house of Israel?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they said unto him: 'Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest; is it better for thee to be priest unto the house of one man, or to be priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And they said to him, Be silent, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be the priest of the house of one man, or to be the priest of a tribe and house for a family of Israel? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Danites Take Micah's Idols…18When they entered Micah’s house and took the graven image, the ephod, the household idols, and the molten idol, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?” 19“Be quiet,” they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” 20So the priest was glad and took the ephod, the household idols, and the graven image, and went with the people.… Cross References “Be quiet,” they told him. Job 13:5 If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests. Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us Job 21:5 Look at me and be appalled; put your hand over your mouth. Job 40:4 “Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth. Numbers 10:29 Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” and be a father and a priest to us. Judges 17:10 “Stay with me,” Micah said to him, “and be my father and priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your provisions.” So the Levite went in 1 Corinthians 4:15 Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Hebrews 5:1 Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person Judges 17:12-13 Micah ordained the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. / Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, because a Levite has become my priest.” Exodus 28:1 “Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests. 1 Samuel 2:35 Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time. or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” 1 Samuel 2:27-28 Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? / And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. Deuteronomy 33:8-10 Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. / He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. / He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. Deuteronomy 18:1-8 The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. / Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them. / This shall be the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or a sheep: the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach. … 1 Kings 12:31 Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites. Treasury of Scripture And they said to him, Hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or that you be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel? lay thine. Job 21:5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Job 29:9 The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. Job 40:5,6 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further… a father Judges 17:10 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in. 2 Kings 6:21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? 2 Kings 8:8,9 And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? … Jump to Previous Better Hand Hold House Israel Lay Mouth Peace Priest Quiet Shouldst Silent TribeJump to Next Better Hand Hold House Israel Lay Mouth Peace Priest Quiet Shouldst Silent TribeJudges 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. “Be quiet,” they told him. This phrase reflects the abrupt and authoritative manner in which the Danites address the Levite. It indicates a lack of respect for his position as a priest, highlighting the chaotic and lawless period of the Judges when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The command to be quiet suggests a coercive approach, emphasizing the moral decline and disregard for proper religious order. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” Persons / Places / Events 1. The DanitesA tribe of Israel seeking a new territory, as their allotted land was insufficient. 2. Micah An Ephraimite who had established a private shrine with a Levite priest. 3. The Levite Priest Initially serving in Micah's household, he is persuaded by the Danites to become their priest. 4. The House of Micah The location where the Levite served before being taken by the Danites. 5. The Tribe of Dan One of the twelve tribes of Israel, seeking to expand their territory. Teaching Points The Danger of CompromiseThe Levite's willingness to abandon his position for greater influence reflects the danger of compromising one's calling for personal gain. The Role of a Priest The Levite's role was to serve God and His people, not to seek personal advancement. This reminds us of the importance of faithfulness in our God-given roles. Influence and Responsibility The Danites' offer to the Levite shows how influence can be misused. We must be cautious about how we use our influence and the responsibilities we accept. Idolatry and Its Consequences Micah's household idol worship and the Levite's participation highlight the pervasive issue of idolatry, reminding us to guard against modern forms of idolatry in our lives. Seeking God's Will The Danites' actions were driven by self-interest rather than seeking God's guidance, teaching us the importance of aligning our decisions with God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 18:19?2. How does Judges 18:19 illustrate the danger of compromising one's faith for gain? 3. What can we learn from the Levite's actions about spiritual leadership responsibilities? 4. How does Judges 18:19 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we resist pressures to abandon our spiritual convictions today? 6. How can we ensure our service to God remains sincere and uncompromised? 7. What does Judges 18:19 reveal about the role of priests in ancient Israelite society? 8. How does Judges 18:19 challenge the concept of religious authority and leadership? 9. What historical context is necessary to understand the events in Judges 18:19? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 18? 11. Judges 19--How do we reconcile this brutal event with the portrayal of divine justice and compassion found in other parts of the Bible? 12. What are Jacob's prophecies in the Bible? 13. Joshua 19:40-48: How can Dan's inheritance be accurate if the tribe later migrated elsewhere (Judges 18)? 14. Judges 19:2--What historical or cultural factors would explain why the Levite's concubine stayed with her father instead of returning home? What Does Judges 18:19 Mean “Be quiet,” they told him.- This abrupt command from the Danite scouts silences Micah’s young Levite (Judges 18:15–17). By forcibly ending his objections, they display contempt for both Micah’s household authority and the Levite’s priestly role, echoing later disdain for true prophetic voices (e.g., Amos 2:12; Acts 7:57). - The narrative exposes the moral confusion of the era: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). When God’s authority is ignored, might makes right. “Put your hand over your mouth” - The gesture demanded here is a sign of submission (Job 21:5; Proverbs 30:32). The Danites want the Levite’s unquestioning compliance, not his counsel. - Ironically, a priest—meant to speak God’s word—must now muzzle himself to serve human ambition, foreshadowing Israel’s later religious compromises (2 Kings 17:28–33). “and come with us” - Mobility had marked this Levite from the start (Judges 17:7–11). Instead of rooted service at the tabernacle (Deuteronomy 12:5–7), he drifts toward the highest bidder, illustrating Israel’s disregard for God-ordained worship centers. - The Danites’ invitation mirrors worldly offers that tempt God’s servants away from their true calling (cf. 1 Kings 13:7–9; 2 Timothy 4:10). “and be a father and a priest to us.” - “Father” conveys honor and guidance (2 Kings 6:21; 13:14). They crave spiritual legitimacy for their migration northward. - Yet God had already provided priestly mediation through Aaron’s line at Shiloh (Numbers 3:10; Joshua 18:1). By appointing their own priest, the Danites imitate the syncretism later condemned at Jeroboam’s shrines (1 Kings 12:31). “Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” - The offer appeals to ambition: broader influence, greater prestige, more material support (cf. Matthew 4:8–9). - But prominence gained outside God’s will corrupts. This Levite’s acceptance (Judges 18:20) leads to ongoing idolatry in Dan until the captivity of the land (Judges 18:30–31; 2 Kings 17:6). summary Judges 18:19 reveals a Levite pressured to abandon his limited but legitimate post for wider fame linked to idolatry. The Danites silence his conscience, demand submission, lure him with upward mobility, and promise honor and influence—yet all outside God’s ordained worship. The verse exposes the danger of pursuing position over obedience, reminding us that true spiritual authority comes from faithfulness to God’s revealed order, not from human promotion. (19) Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.--Comp. Job 21:5; Job 29:9; Proverbs 30:32. The laying of the finger on the lip is one of the most universal of gestures. It is the attitude of Horus, the Egyptian god of silence. (See Apul. Metamorph. 1: at ille digitum, a pollice proximum ori suo admovens . . . tace. tace, inquit.)A father and a priest.--Judges 17:10. Unto a tribe and a family.--Both to a shebet and a mishpecah. (See Note on Judges 18:1.) . . . Verse 19. - Lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Cf. Job 21:5; Job 29:9; Job 40:4. A father and a priest. See Judges 17:10, note.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Be quiet,”הַחֲרֵ֜שׁ (ha·ḥă·rêš) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise they told him. וַיֹּאמְרוּ֩ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “Put שִֽׂים־ (śîm-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set your hand יָדְךָ֤ (yā·ḏə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against your mouth פִּ֙יךָ֙ (pî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to and come וְלֵ֣ךְ (wə·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk with us עִמָּ֔נוּ (‘im·mā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 5973: With, equally with and be וֶֽהְיֵה־ (weh·yêh-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a father לְאָ֣ב (lə·’āḇ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1: Father and a priest וּלְכֹהֵ֑ן (ū·lə·ḵō·hên) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest to us. לָ֖נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's Hebrew Is it better הֲט֣וֹב ׀ (hă·ṭō·wḇ) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good for you to be הֱיוֹתְךָ֣ (hĕ·yō·wṯ·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a priest כֹהֵ֗ן (ḵō·hên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest for the house לְבֵית֙ (lə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of one אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first person אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person or א֚וֹ (’ōw) Conjunction Strong's 176: Desire, if a priest כֹהֵ֔ן (ḵō·hên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest for a tribe לְשֵׁ֥בֶט (lə·šê·ḇeṭ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe and family וּלְמִשְׁפָּחָ֖ה (ū·lə·miš·pā·ḥāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people in Israel?” בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (bə·yiś·rā·’êl) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Links Judges 18:19 NIVJudges 18:19 NLT Judges 18:19 ESV Judges 18:19 NASB Judges 18:19 KJV Judges 18:19 BibleApps.com Judges 18:19 Biblia Paralela Judges 18:19 Chinese Bible Judges 18:19 French Bible Judges 18:19 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 18:19 They said to him Hold your peace (Jd Judg. 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