Judges 18:21

21 They turned away and set out, putting the children, the cattle, and the gear in the lead.

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, "Hush! Don't make a sound. Come with us. Be our father and priest. Which is more important, that you be a priest to one man or that you become priest to a whole tribe and clan in Israel?"
20 The priest jumped at the chance. He took the ephod, the teraphim-idols, and the idol and fell in with the troops.
21 They turned away and set out, putting the children, the cattle, and the gear in the lead.
22 They were well on their way from Micah's house before Micah and his neighbors got organized. But they soon overtook the Danites.
23 They shouted at them. The Danites turned around and said, "So what's all the noise about?"
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.