They said, “Arise, and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And will you do nothing? Do not be slow to go, to enter in and possess the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The men aren't just saying the land is good; they're questioning the listeners' inaction by asking, "And will you do nothing?" This isn't just a suggestion to go, it's a pointed challenge to their inactivity, implying their current state is unacceptable given the incredible opportunity before them.
They said, “Arise, and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And will you do nothing? Do not be slow to go, to enter in and possess the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
These Danite scouts have discovered a fertile and seemingly undefended territory, a perfect new home for their tribe. They are now urging their kinsmen, who have been languishing without an inheritance, to seize this opportunity and conquer the land immediately. The spies are essentially saying, "Let's go now before someone else does!"
Imagine seeing a place so perfect, so ripe for the taking, that you can't imagine not going for it. The spies in Judges 18 felt this, and their words ignited a nation.
The spies' report wasn't just about geography; it was a powerful appeal to desire and action.
A Land of Plenty
They described a place that was "very good" – fertile, abundant, and seemingly untouched by hardship. This wasn't just land; it was a promise of ease and prosperity. Think of how exciting that must have been for the Danites, who were facing pressure and lacked a secure inheritance.
The Call to Courage
Their excitement turned into an urgent plea: "Arise, and let us go up against them... Do not be slow to go, to enter in and possess the land." This was a direct challenge to inaction. They saw a God-given opportunity and couldn't understand why anyone would hesitate.
This highlights a recurring theme: God often presents His people with opportunities, but seizing them requires courage and a willingness to act.
What happens when a perfect opportunity is met with... nothing? The spies called out the Danites for their complacency, a warning that still echoes today.
The spies didn't just praise the land; they challenged the inaction of their people. Their question, "And will you do nothing?" and the stark command, "Do not be slothful to go," reveal a deep concern about complacency.
The Paralysis of Inaction
Ask a follow-up
In the context of Judges, "being still" or "silent" meant a failure to act, a dangerous indifference when action was needed. This wasn't about being quiet in prayer, but about a lack of movement towards God's provision and purpose.
Complacency vs. Trust
The passage implies that a failure to act when faced with a clear opportunity can be a form of disobedience. It's easy to become comfortable where we are, even if it's not where God intends us to be. The spies pushed back against this, urging them to act on the confidence that God had given them the land.
Understand the original words
yarash · Hebrew Verb
The act of taking ownership or control of a territory, typically an inheritance granted by God. In a spiritual sense, it represents entering into the promises and blessings that God has provided for His people to steward.
This verse highlights the Danites' desperate search for land and their willingness to seize it, revealing a chaotic period in Israel's history where tribal needs often overrode justice and established order.
c. 1400 BC
Joshua's Conquest of Canaan
Following Joshua's leadership, the Israelites conquered Canaan, but many areas remained unconquered, leaving tribes to establish themselves over time.
Early to Mid 14th century BC
Danites Seek New Territory
The tribe of Dan struggled to secure their allotted territory due to pressure from Philistines and Amorites, prompting a search for a new homeland.
Mid 14th century BC
Levite Hired by Micah
A Levite, seeking a livelihood, settled with Micah in the hill country of Ephraim and became the priest of Micah's private shrine with its idols.
Mid 14th century BC
Danite Spies Discover Laish
Five Danite spies, while on a mission, discovered the fertile and unsuspecting city of Laish in the northern region of the Jordan.
Mid 14th century BC— this verse
Danites Encourage Conquest of Laish
The spies returned to their people and passionately urged them to conquer Laish, describing its rich resources and the vulnerability of its inhabitants.
Mid 14th century BC
Danites Steal Idols and Priest
As part of their migration, the Danites also stole Micah's religious artifacts and persuaded his Levite priest to join them, establishing a new sanctuary.
Similar to the spies in Judges, the scouts sent into Canaan reported on the land's fertility and abundance, describing it as 'a land flowing with milk and honey.'
Deuteronomy 1:21Moses encourages the Israelites to go up and take possession of the land, echoing the sentiment of Judges 18:9 that God has given it into their hands and that they should not be afraid.
Joshua 2:23-24After spying out the land of Canaan, the spies report back to Joshua that the land is indeed 'very good' and that its inhabitants are fearful, similar to the assessment made by the Danite spies.
1 Kings 22:3The phrase 'are you still?' or 'are you silent?' directly parallels the question posed by Ahab to the prophets of Israel, highlighting a similar moment of hesitation or inaction that needs to be overcome.
clarkeJudges 18:9: "And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land."
Arise, etc. - This is a very plain and nervous address; full of good sense, and well adapted to the purpose. It seems to have produced an instantaneous effect.
ellicottJudges 18:9: "And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land."
(9) Behold, it is very good. —Comp. Numbers 14:7 ; Joshua 2:23-24 . The beauty of the site well bears out the description—“the rich and beautiful seclusion of that loveliest of the scenes of Palestine” (Stanley). It was by a similar statement that Anaxilaus of Rhegium persuaded the Messenians to s…
The men aren't just saying the land is good; they're questioning the listeners' inaction by asking, "And will you do nothing?" This isn't just a suggestion to go, it's a pointed challenge to their inactivity, implying their current state is unacceptable given the incredible opportunity before them.
These Danite scouts have discovered a fertile and seemingly undefended territory, a perfect new home for their tribe. They are now urging their kinsmen, who have been languishing without an inheritance, to seize this opportunity and conquer the land immediately. The spies are essentially saying, "Let's go now before someone else does!"
These Danite scouts have discovered a fertile and seemingly undefended territory, a perfect new home for their tribe. They are now urging their kinsmen, who have been languishing without an inheritance, to seize this opportunity and conquer the land immediately. The spies are essentially saying, "Let's go now before someone else does!"
"They said, “Arise, and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And will you do nothing? Do not be slow to go, to enter in and possess the land." — The men aren't just saying the land is good; they're questioning the listeners' inaction by asking, "And will you do nothing?" This isn't just a suggestion to go, it's a pointed challenge to their in…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026