Judges 17

King James Version

Full text for Judges Chapter 17

1¶ And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name [was] Micah.

2And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred [shekels] of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver [is] with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed [be thou] of the LORD, my son.

3And when he had restored the eleven hundred [shekels] of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.

4Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred [shekels] of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.

5And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

6In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.

7¶ And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who [was] a Levite, and he sojourned there.

8And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find [a place]: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.

9And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I [am] a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find [a place].

10And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten [shekels] of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

11And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.

12And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.

13Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to [my] priest.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Judges 17 introduces Micah of Mount Ephraim, who confesses to stealing 1100 shekels from his mother. His mother then dedicates a portion of the silver to make a graven and molten image for Micah's "house of gods," where he also establishes an ephod and teraphim, consecrating one of his sons as priest. Later, Micah hires a wandering Levite from Bethlehem-Judah to serve as his priest, believing this will bring him divine favor.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with Micah of Mount Ephraim returning 1100 shekels of silver he had stolen from his mother. His mother, having previously cursed the thief, blesses him upon his confession and dedicates the silver to the Lord for the purpose of making an idol. From this sum, 200 shekels are used to fashion a graven and molten image, which are placed in Micah's "house of gods." Micah further establishes an ephod and teraphim, and consecrates one of his own sons to serve as his priest. The narrative highlights the prevailing anarchy in Israel, stating that "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Subsequently, a young Levite from Bethlehem-Judah, seeking a place to sojourn, arrives at Micah's house. Micah offers him an annual wage, clothing, and food to become his priest, a proposition the Levite accepts. Micah then consecrates the Levite, expressing his conviction that the Lord will now bless him because he has a Levite serving as his priest.

Long Summary

Judges chapter 17 opens by introducing Micah, a man residing in Mount Ephraim, who admits to his mother that he was the one who stole 1100 shekels of silver from her. His mother, who had previously pronounced a curse upon the thief, responds by blessing Micah upon his confession. She then declares her intention to dedicate the silver "wholly unto the LORD" from her hand, specifically for her son, to create a graven image and a molten image. Despite this dedication, Micah restores the full amount of silver to her. His mother then takes 200 shekels of the silver and gives it to a founder, who crafts a graven image and a molten image, which are subsequently placed in Micah's house. Beyond these idols, Micah establishes a "house of gods," complete with an ephod and teraphim, and proceeds to consecrate one of his own sons to serve as his priest. The text interjects a significant commentary on the state of Israel during this period, noting, "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes," thereby contextualizing the irregular religious practices. Later in the chapter, a young Levite from Bethlehem-Judah, who had been sojourning there, departs to find a new place to reside. As he journeys, he arrives at Micah's house on Mount Ephraim. Micah inquires about his origins, and the Levite identifies himself and his purpose. Micah then offers the Levite a permanent position, proposing that he dwell with him and serve as "a father and a priest," promising him ten shekels of silver annually, a suit of apparel, and victuals. The Levite agrees to this arrangement and is content to stay. Micah then formally consecrates the Levite, who assumes the role of priest in Micah's household. Micah concludes by expressing his newfound confidence, stating, "Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest," indicating a misguided belief that the presence of a Levite legitimized his irregular worship.

Core Concepts

  • IdolatryMicah's mother dedicates silver to the Lord to make a graven and molten image, which are then placed in Micah's "house of gods," demonstrating the syncretistic and forbidden worship practices prevalent.
  • Private PriesthoodMicah establishes his own religious system by consecrating one of his sons, and later a wandering Levite, to serve as priests in his personal "house of gods," outside the established Mosaic law.
  • Moral AnarchyThe recurring phrase "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes" highlights the breakdown of central authority and the resulting moral and religious relativism.
  • Levitical MobilityA Levite from Bethlehem-Judah is depicted as wandering and seeking a place to sojourn, indicating a lack of stable provision or assigned duties for Levites in this period.
  • Misguided PietyMicah believes that having a Levite as his priest will ensure the Lord's blessing, illustrating a superficial understanding of divine favor and an attempt to legitimize his irregular worship practices.
  • Theft and ConfessionThe chapter opens with Micah confessing to his mother that he stole 1100 shekels of silver from her, leading to her blessing rather than continued curse.