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Verse

Judges 18:18

ESV And when these went into Micah 's house and took the carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the metal image, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"
NIV When the five men went into Micah’s house and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"
NASB When these men entered Micah’s house and took the carved image, the ephod, household idols, and the cast metal image, the priest said to them, 'What are you doing?'
CSB When they entered Micah’s house and took the carved image, the ephod, the household idols, and the silver idol, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"
NLT When the priest saw the men carrying all the sacred objects out of Micah’s shrine, he said, 'What are you doing?'
KJV And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?
NKJV When these went into Micah’s house and took the carved image, the ephod, the household idols, and the molded image, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”

What does Judges 18:18 mean?

The five spies sent from the tribe of Dan (Judges 18:1–6) are looting Micah's house shrine. They remember the expensive religious artifacts he has there (Judges 17:1–5). With an army waiting at the homestead's gates (Judges 18:16–17), they prepare to leave with all the carved and metal images, household gods, and the ephod. An ephod was a priestly breastplate, used in religious ceremonies. During this time, ornamentally decorated ephods had become objects of worship themselves. Gideon even made one and put it on display in his hometown, where it was said that it became a trap for his family (Judges 8:27).

Finally, the young Levite priest speaks up (Judges 17:7–13). He had been hired and ordained by Micah to be a personal priest to the family. He'd become like one of the family, almost a son to Micah (Judges 17:11). He had been content to accept Micah's salary and friendship without ever challenging Micah's idol worship or misunderstandings about how to please the Lord.

Now the priest offers a weak objection to the men stealing Micah's sacred objects. They will not reply kindly this time (Judges 18:19).
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