Judges 18:9

They answered, “Come on, let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and it is very good. Why would you fail to act? Do not hesitate to go there and take possession of the land!

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The five Danite scouts address their brothers in Zorah and Eshtaol immediately after returning from their reconnaissance mission. They urge the tribe to launch a military campaign against the unsuspecting inhabitants of Laish.

The words — קֻמָּה (qumma) translates as “arise,” and רָאִינוּ (ra’inu) means “we have seen.” These terms anchor the command in direct sensory observation and immediate mobilization.

The thread — This call to seize territory parallels Caleb’s urging in Numbers 13:30 and echoes Joshua’s earlier rebuke of delayed conquest in Joshua 18:3. The scouts’ return mirrors the spies’ journey in Joshua 2:23.

Why it lands — The text demands a direct response to observed reality rather than prolonged deliberation. It frames hesitation as a failure to act on confirmed information.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”
Joshua 2:23 Then the two men started back, came down from the hill country, and crossed the river. So they came to Joshua son of Nun and reported all that had happened to them.
Joshua 18:3 So Joshua said to the Israelites, “How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?
John 6:27 Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
1 Samuel 4:9 Take courage and be men, O Philistines! Otherwise, you will serve the Hebrews just as they served you. Now be men and fight!”
2 Samuel 10:12 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
1 Kings 22:3 who said to his servants, “Do you not know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we have failed to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?”
1 Kings 22:23 So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”
Hebrews 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,