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).