Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they turned in there and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” New Living Translation While at Micah’s house, they recognized the young Levite’s accent, so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here, and what are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” English Standard Version When they were by the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young Levite. And they turned aside and said to him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is your business here?” Berean Standard Bible And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” Berean Literal Bible While they were with the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite, and they turned aside there and said to him, “Who brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And why are you here?” King James Bible When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here? New King James Version While they were at the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young Levite. They turned aside and said to him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What do you have here?” New American Standard Bible When they were near the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite; and they turned aside there and said to him, “Who brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And what do you have here?” NASB 1995 When they were near the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite; and they turned aside there and said to him, “Who brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And what do you have here?” NASB 1977 When they were near the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite; and they turned aside there, and said to him, “Who brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And what do you have here?” Legacy Standard Bible They were near the house of Micah, and they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite. So they turned aside there and said to him, “Who brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And what do you have here?” Amplified Bible When they passed near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite, and they turned aside there and said to him, “Who brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And what do you have here?” Berean Annotated Bible And while they were near Micah’s (who is like God) house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here? Christian Standard Bible While they were near Micah’s home, they recognized the accent of the young Levite. So they went over to him and asked, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is keeping you here? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible While they were near Micah’s home, they recognized the speech of the young Levite. So they went over to him and asked, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is keeping you here?” American Standard Version When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; and they turned aside thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what doest thou in this place? and what hast thou here? Contemporary English Version because they heard the young Levite talking, and they knew from his accent that he was from the south. They asked him, "What are you doing here? Who brought you here?" English Revised Version When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned aside thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what doest thou in this place? and what hast thou here? GOD'S WORD® Translation While they were at Micah's house, they recognized the young Levite's voice. So they stopped to ask him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing here? Why are you here?" Good News Translation While they were there, they recognized the accent of the young Levite, so they went up to him and asked, "What are you doing here? Who brought you here?" International Standard Version As they approached Micah's home, they recognized the voice of the young male descendant of Levi. They turned aside from there and spoke to him, asking him, "Who brought you here? What work are you doing here? And what's your business here?" NET Bible As they approached Micah's house, they recognized the accent of the young Levite. So they stopped there and said to him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is your business here?" New Heart English Bible When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; and they turned in that direction, and said to him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? And what is your business here?" Webster's Bible Translation When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said to him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” World English Bible When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; so they went over there and said to him, “Who brought you here? What do you do in this place? What do you have here?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey [are] with the household of Micah, and they have discerned the voice of the young man, the Levite, and turn aside there, and say to him, “Who has brought you here? And what are you doing in this [place]? And why are you here?” Berean Literal Bible While they were with the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite, and they turned aside there and said to him, “Who brought you here? And what are you doing in this place? And why are you here?” Young's Literal Translation They are with the household of Micah, and they have discerned the voice of the young man, the Levite, and turn aside there, and say to him, 'Who hath brought thee hither? and what art thou doing in this place? and what to thee here?' Smith's Literal Translation And they with the house of Micah, and they knew the voice of the youth, the Levite: and they will turn aside there and say to him, Who brought thee hither? and what didst thou in here? and what to thee here? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd knowing the voice of the young man the Levite, and lodging with him, they said to him: Who brought thee hither? what dost thou here? why wouldst thou come hither? Catholic Public Domain Version And they recognized the speech of the youth who was a Levite. And while making use of an inn with him, they said to him: “Who brought you here? What are you doing here? For what reason did you want to come here?” New American Bible While they were near the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young Levite, so they turned aside. They asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing here? What is your interest here?” New Revised Standard Version While they were at Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is your business here?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen they were at the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite, and they turned aside there and said to him, Why did you come here? And what are you doing here? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Those were in the house of Mikah and recognized the voice of the young man, Levi, and they turned aside to him there, and they said to him: “Why have you come here and what are you doing here?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; and they turned aside thither, and said unto him: 'Who brought thee hither? and what doest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?' Brenton Septuagint Translation in the house of Michaias, and they recognised the voice of the young man the Levite, and turned in thither; and said to him, Who brought thee in hither? and what doest thou in this place? and what hast thou here? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Danites Settle in Laish…2So the Danites sent out five men from their clans, men of valor from Zorah and Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it. “Go and explore the land,” they told them. The men entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah, where they spent the night. 3And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” 4“Micah has done this and that for me,” he replied, “and he has hired me to be his priest.”… Cross References And while they were near Micah’s house, Judges 17:8 This man left the city of Bethlehem in Judah to settle where he could find a place. And as he traveled, he came to Micah’s house in the hill country of Ephraim. Judges 17:5 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household idols, and ordained one of his sons as his priest. they recognized the voice of the young Levite; Acts 12:14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the gate, but ran inside and announced, “Peter is standing at the gate!” Genesis 27:22 So Jacob came close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” so they went over and asked him, Acts 8:30-31 So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. / “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. John 1:38-39 Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?” / “Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour. “Who brought you here? Judges 17:9 “Where are you from?” Micah asked him. “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,” he replied, “and I am on my way to settle wherever I can find a place.” Judges 17:10 “Stay with me,” Micah said to him, “and be my father and priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your provisions.” So the Levite went in What are you doing in this place? Judges 17:12 Micah ordained the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. Deuteronomy 12:5-7 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you. Why are you here?” 1 Kings 19:9 There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Samuel 9:9 (Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.) 1 Kings 13:18 Then the prophet replied, “I too am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” The old prophet was lying to him, 2 Kings 17:29-33 Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. / The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, / the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim. … Isaiah 44:13-20 The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. / He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. / It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. … Treasury of Scripture When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said to him, Who brought you here? and what make you in this place? and what have you here? they knew. Judges 12:6 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. Genesis 27:22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. Matthew 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. and what hast Isaiah 22:16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? Jump to Previous Business Discerned Hearing Here Hither House Household Levite Makest Micah Micah's Recognized Road Strange Thither Turn Turned Voice YoungJump to Next Business Discerned Hearing Here Hither House Household Levite Makest Micah Micah's Recognized Road Strange Thither Turn Turned Voice YoungJudges 18 1. The Danites send five men to seek out an inheritance3. At the house of Micah they consult with Jonathan, and are encouraged 7. They search Laish, and bring back news of good hope 11. Six hundred men are sent to surprise it 16. In their way they rob Micah of his priest and his consecrated things 27. They win Laish, and call it Dan 30. They set up idolatry, wherein Jonathan inherits the priesthood. And while they were near Micah’s house This phrase sets the scene geographically and contextually. Micah's house is located in the hill country of Ephraim, a central region in Israel. This area is significant in Israelite history, often associated with religious and political activity. The mention of Micah's house connects to the broader narrative of Judges, where individual households often become centers of idolatry and religious syncretism, reflecting the spiritual decline during this period. they recognized the voice of the young Levite so they went over and asked him “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” Persons / Places / Events 1. MicahA man from the hill country of Ephraim who had set up a shrine with idols and appointed his own priest. 2. The Young Levite A Levite from Bethlehem in Judah who became a priest for Micah, despite the irregularity of his appointment. 3. The Danites Members of the tribe of Dan who were seeking territory to settle in, as they had not yet secured their inheritance. 4. Micah’s House The location where the Levite was serving as a priest, and where the Danites recognized his voice. 5. The Hill Country of Ephraim The region where Micah lived and where the events took place. Teaching Points The Danger of CompromiseThe Levite’s acceptance of a position outside God’s ordained structure for worship illustrates the danger of compromising biblical principles for personal gain or convenience. The Importance of God-Ordained Leadership The account highlights the need for leaders to be appointed according to God’s standards, not personal or societal preferences. Recognizing God’s Voice The Danites recognized the Levite’s voice, prompting reflection on how we discern and recognize God’s voice in our lives today. The Consequences of Idolatry Micah’s idolatry serves as a warning against placing anything above God, reminding us of the first commandment’s call to exclusive worship. Seeking God’s Guidance The Danites’ quest for territory underscores the importance of seeking God’s guidance in our pursuits and decisions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 18:3?2. How does Judges 18:3 illustrate the danger of straying from God's commandments? 3. What role does discernment play when encountering unfamiliar spiritual practices in Judges 18:3? 4. How can we ensure our actions align with God's will, as seen in Judges 18:3? 5. What lessons from Judges 18:3 apply to maintaining faithfulness in modern Christian life? 6. How does Judges 18:3 connect with other biblical warnings against idolatry and false worship? 7. What is the significance of the Levite's presence in Judges 18:3? 8. How does Judges 18:3 reflect the spiritual state of Israel at the time? 9. Why did the Danites inquire about the Levite's role in Judges 18:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 18? 11. Where is Mount Ephraim mentioned in the Bible? 12. How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established? 13. How does Samuel's leadership in 1 Samuel 7 compare with conflicting narratives about priestly authority in other Old Testament books? 14. How do we reconcile the setting up of a carved image in Judges 18:31 with the strict prohibition against idolatry found elsewhere in the Old Testament? What Does Judges 18:3 Mean While they were near Micah’s houseThe five Danite scouts had already spent the night in the hill country of Ephraim (Judges 18:2). Now, by God’s providence, their path places them right at the doorstep of Micah’s shrine. - Micah’s home is no ordinary house; it contains a private sanctuary with carved and metal images (Judges 17:4–5). - The meeting is not chance. “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). - The Lord is exposing the hidden idolatry in Israel and the misplaced loyalties of both Micah and the Levite. They recognized the voice of the young Levite The travelers pick out a familiar accent or tone—something that belongs to Judah, not Ephraim. - The Levite had recently left Bethlehem in Judah “in search of a place to live” (Judges 17:7–8). His speech still carries that flavor, much like Isaac noticed Jacob’s voice in Genesis 27:22. - Recognition prompts curiosity: John 10:4 notes that sheep know a shepherd’s voice; here the Danites know this Levite’s. - Their awareness shows the tight-knit nature of Israel’s tribes, even in a time of moral drift (Judges 17:6). So they went over Instead of ignoring the discovery, the men cross the threshold and engage. - Spiritual vigilance drives them: “Test all things; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). - Approaching the Levite also illustrates how believers should confront questionable worship practices among their own (Galatians 6:1). Who brought you here? The first question challenges authority. A Levite’s assignment is to serve at the tabernacle, not in a private shrine (Numbers 18:6). - They implicitly remind him that God alone assigns ministry posts (Deuteronomy 18:5). - By asking “who,” they spotlight Micah’s presumption in hiring a personal priest. What are you doing in this place? Next they probe the Levite’s activity. - Private, home-grown religion violates Deuteronomy 12:5–6, where the Lord requires worship at His chosen place. - Romans 12:2 warns against conforming to the world; this Levite has conformed to Micah’s self-made religion. Why are you here? Finally they press motive. - God asked Elijah a similar heart-searching question in 1 Kings 19:9. - The Levite is forced to weigh convenience, income, and comfort against covenant faithfulness (2 Corinthians 6:17). summary Judges 18:3 captures a providential encounter that unmasks spiritual compromise. The Danite scouts, guided by the Lord, recognize a misplaced Levite and confront him with three layered questions about authority, practice, and motive. The verse warns against unauthorized worship, reminds every servant of God’s appointed place, and calls believers to examine why they serve where they do. (3) By the house of Micah.--Literally, with--i.e., lodging in it, as in Genesis 27:43.They knew the voice of the young man the Levite.--Again the narrative is too much compressed to enable us to fill up its details with any certainty. The youthful Jonathan had lived in Bethlehem. The grandson of Moses could not be wholly unknown. and at this time there was close intercourse between the tribes of Dan and Judah. Possibly, therefore they were personally acquainted with him; nor do they ask (as Micah had done), "Whence cometh thou? They recognised his voice, possibly by some dialectic peculiarity, but more probably by hearing him performing in the upper room his service before the pesel. Cassel renders "voice" by "sound," and refers it to the bells on the priestly dress, as in Exodus 28:35. We notice that Micah had been reticent about the ephod, &c., perhaps out of suspicion as to their intentions. Turned in thither.--Not necessarily into the house, but into the room--the oratory (aedicula), or Beth-Elohim (Judges 17:5). It seems to have been a kind of spurious Shiloh. What makest thou in this place?--The accent of extreme surprise in their queries shows that they knew Jonathan, and did not expect to find a Judaean Levite in Ephraim. Verse 3. - When. Rather, while. By the house. Rather, in or at the house. They knew the voice, having, as some think, known him before he left Bethlehem, or perceiving a southern accent. But it may merely mean that they discerned his voice as he was singing or reciting prayers in the house of God. Micah's house seems to have been a collection of houses (vers. 14, 22), approached by one gateway (ver. 16), in one of which the Levite dwelt. They turned in thither. This seems to have been next morning, when they were starting on their journey. Hearing the Levite's voice, they turned aside into his house. What makest thou, etc. Rather, What doest thou in this place? and what is thy business here?Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And while theyהֵ֚מָּה (hêm·māh) Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They were near עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with Micah’s מִיכָ֔ה (mî·ḵāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4318: Micah -- the name of several Israelites house, בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house they וְהֵ֣מָּה (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They recognized הִכִּ֔ירוּ (hik·kî·rū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize the voice ק֥וֹל (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6963: A voice, sound of the young הַנַּ֖עַר (han·na·‘ar) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer Levite; הַלֵּוִ֑י (hal·lê·wî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi so they went over וַיָּס֣וּרוּ (way·yā·sū·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5493: To turn aside and asked וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say him, לוֹ֙ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew “Who מִֽי־ (mî-) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix brought הֱבִיאֲךָ֣ (hĕ·ḇî·’ă·ḵā) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go you here? הֲלֹ֔ם (hă·lōm) Adverb Strong's 1988: Hith-er What וּמָֽה־ (ū·māh-) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what are you אַתָּ֥ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you doing עֹשֶׂ֛ה (‘ō·śeh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make in this [place]? בָּזֶ֖ה (bā·zeh) Preposition-b | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that Why וּמַה־ (ū·mah-) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what are you לְּךָ֥ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew here?” פֹֽה׃ (p̄ōh) Adverb Strong's 6311: This place, here Links Judges 18:3 NIVJudges 18:3 NLT Judges 18:3 ESV Judges 18:3 NASB Judges 18:3 KJV Judges 18:3 BibleApps.com Judges 18:3 Biblia Paralela Judges 18:3 Chinese Bible Judges 18:3 French Bible Judges 18:3 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 18:3 When they were by the house (Jd Judg. 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