Judges 5:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Gilead, Dan, and Asher each stayed home, absorbed in their own affairs while their brothers fought.
What Does Judges 5:17 Mean?
The roll call of the absent continues. Gilead stayed east of the Jordan; Dan kept to his ships; Asher lingered by the seashore among his harbors. Each had its own reason, its own business, its own comfortable distance from the battle.
Every excuse here is ordinary and respectable: trade, the sea, life as usual. Yet when God's people were in peril, ordinary business was not enough. The song quietly warns how easily our daily concerns can keep us on the sidelines of what God is doing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 5:17
What does Judges 5:17 mean?
Gilead, Dan, and Asher each stayed home, absorbed in their own affairs while their brothers fought.