This part of the narrative is reminiscent of Moses’ mission when he sent men to spy out the land of Canaan. However, the narrator is certainly making fun of the Danites. In the past their enemies had pushed them back into the hills (verse 1.34), but now they appear to be making another attempt to conquer land.

So the Danites sent five able men from the whole number of their tribe is literally “And the sons/children of Dan sent from their family five men from their borders, men of the sons of strength,” a long and complex sentence that is probably used to mock the Danites. So renders well the Hebrew waw conjunction here. Another possible connector is “therefore” (Revised English Bible). The Hebrew expression for the Danites (literally “the sons/children of Dan”) differs from the one used in verse 18.1. Translators may maintain the difference or use the same expression in both places. Sent renders the key Hebrew verb shalach, which is often used in the judges’ stories (see comments on verse 3.15). Here it has its primary meaning of “send [on a special mission].” Five able men (literally “five men … men of the sons of strength”) may be rendered “five warriors” (Contemporary English Version), “five valiant fighters,” or “five brave men” (New Jerusalem Bible). The Hebrew word for tribe is not the same one used in verse 18.1. Rather, it is the word mishpachah, which normally refers to a family or clan (see verse 17.7). From the whole number of their tribe (literally “from their family … from their borders”) probably means all the Danite clans were represented (so New International Version). Contemporary English Version offers a good model: “The tribe chose five warriors to represent their clans.” We may also say “So the Danites chose five brave men from their clans and sent them.”

From Zorah and from Eshta-ol: The five men who were chosen came from the towns of Zorah and Eshta-ol, which were southwest of Jerusalem (see verse 13.25. Samson was given special power from Yahweh between these two towns, so there may be a link back to that event. It is likely this is part of the irony being expressed here.

To spy out the land: The Hebrew verb rendered spy out is the same one used for the spies who were sent by Joshua to Jericho (see, for example, verse 2.1; verse 6.22; compare also verse 1.23, where a different Hebrew verb is used). If there is not a specific word for this activity, translators might say “to go see the land” or “to go see what the land was like.” However, if at all possible, the same terminology used in other Old Testament passages should be used here so thematic or intertextual links can be maintained. The land refers to the Promised Land (see verse 1.2).

And to explore it: The Hebrew verb rendered explore means “examine carefully.” The five men were to go and find out what they could about the land, and report back to their leaders. In some languages spy out and explore will be rendered by one verb or expression.

And they said to them, “Go and explore the land”: In typical Hebrew style much of the dialogue here repeats what has already been said in the narrative text. In this context the repetition seems to communicate irony or mockery, since the spies do not go to explore the land as they should. The pronoun they seems to refer to the tribal leaders of the Danites, while the pronoun them refers to the five men they chose. These pronouns can be made explicit if necessary.

Go and explore the land is the order given to the five men. Go renders the general Hebrew verb meaning “go” or “walk.” For explore the land, see above. Contemporary English Version says “Go and find some land where we can live.”

And they came to the hill country of Ephraim: And renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, but here it may be translated “So,” since the five men respond to the command of their leaders. The pronoun they refers to the five men, which may be made explicit, as in New Jerusalem Bible. In many languages it will be necessary to say “they left” before saying they came. They were in the south traveling toward the north. The hill country of Ephraim is the backdrop for many of the stories in the appendices. See verse 2.9 for this expression.

To the house of Micah is literally “up to the house of Micah.” The Hebrew here is odd since it could give the impression that the Danites had Micah’s house as their destination. But this is not the case. Rather, as they were traveling through the mountainous region of Ephraim, they came upon Micah’s dwelling. For the house of Micah, see verse 17.4. The repetition of this phrase may be another ironic touch. In Hebrew the name “Bethel” is the literally “the house of God.” It is possible this expression is pointing to the “shrine” Micah had put in place. In some languages it may be necessary to show that Micah is a known participant in the story by saying “this same Micah” or by using a definite expression.

And lodged there: The Hebrew verb rendered lodged (lin) suggests only an overnight stay. The adverb there refers to Micah’s house. Revised English Bible renders this clause as “and spent the night there.” We may also say “and they stayed there overnight.”

Translation models for this verse are:

• So the Danites picked five qualified men from the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol and sent them to spy out the territory. As the five men came to the hills of the territory of Ephraim, they arrived at the home of Micah and spent the night.

• So the Danites chose five very strong men from the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol and send them out to go see what the land was like. They said, “Go explore the territory.” So the men left and arrived in the mountains of Ephraim. They came to Micah’s house and stayed the night there.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .