What is the irony of calling these spies “able men”?
Judges 18:2 (ESV)
2So the people of Dan sent five able men from the whole number of their tribe, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. And they said to them, “Go and explore the land.” And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there.
In the Hebrew they are literally men, sons of strength. This should probably be translated as noble men. This is ironic, for while these men may be able physically and militarily, they are anything but noble from a spiritual perspective.
2 So the people of Dan sent five able men from the whole number of their tribe, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. And they said to them, “Go and explore the land.” And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there.