Judges 18:21

21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the goods before them.

Judges 18:21 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 18:21

So they turned and departed
Turned from the gate of the city where Micah dwelt, and marched forward to Laish:

and put the little ones, and the cattle, and the carriage, before them;
partly for safety from Micah, and his friends and neighbours, and partly that they might not be overdriven: their wives, who doubtless were with them, though not mentioned, and their children, and also their flocks and herds, they brought with them from Zorah and Eshtaol, as never intending to return again thither, and being fully assured they should take Laish, and the country about, and settle there; and also all their wealth and substance, as the Targum renders the word for "carriage", whatever they were possessed of that was movable; their vessels, silver and gold, and other movables, as Kimchi interprets it, whatever was weighty, valuable and glorious, as the word signifies, or that was of any importance and worth.

Judges 18:21 In-Context

19 They said to him, Hold your shalom, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a Kohen: is it better for you to be Kohen to the house of one man, or to be Kohen to a tribe and a family in Yisra'el?
20 The Kohen's heart was glad, and he took the efod, and the terafim, and the engraved image, and went in the midst of the people.
21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the goods before them.
22 When they were a good way from the house of Mikhah, the men who were in the houses near to Mikhah's house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.
23 They cried to the children of Dan. They turned their faces, and said to Mikhah, What ails you, that you come with such a company?
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.