Judges 17
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Commentaries
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MICAH RESTORING THE STOLEN MONEY TO HIS MOTHER, SHE MAKES IMAGES. (Jdg 17:1-4) a man of mount Ephraim--that is, the mountainous parts of Ephraim. This and the other narratives that follow form a miscellaneous collection, or appendix to the Book of Judges. It belongs to a period when the Hebrew nation was in a greatly disordered and corrupt state. This episode of Micah is connected with Jdg 1:34. It relates to his foundation of a small sanctuary of his own--a miniature representation of the Shiloh tabernacle--which he stocked with images modelled probably in imitation of the ark and cherubim. Micah and his mother were sincere in their intention to honor God. But their faith was blended with a sad amount of ignorance and delusion. The divisive course they pursued, as well as the will-worship they practised, subjected the perpetrators to the penalty of death.
Open source ↗And there was a man of Mount Ephraim,.... This and the four following chapters contain an history of facts, which were done not after the death of Samson, as some have thought, and as they may seem at first sight, by the order in which they are laid; but long before his time, and indeed before any of the judges in Israel, when there was no king, judge, or supreme governor among them, as appears from Jdg 17:6 even between the death of Joshua and the elders, and the first judge of Israel, Othniel; and so Josephus (e) places them in his history, and the connection of them is with Jdg 2:10 and so accounts for the rise of idolatry in Israel, how it got into the tribe of Dan, and spread itself over all the tribes of Israel, Jdg 2:11 which brought on their servitude to Cushanrishathaim, in which time the Jewish chronology (f) places those events; but they were certainly before that, for the idolatry they fell into was the cause of it; yet could not be so early as the times of Joshua, and before his death; because in his days, and the days of the elders, Israel served the Lord; the reasons why they are postponed to the end of this book, and the account of them given here, are, according to Dr. Lightfoot (g), that the reader observing how their state policy failed in the death of Samson, who was a Danite, might presently be showed God's justice in it, because their religion had first failed among the Danites; that when he observes that 1100 pieces of silver were given by every Philistine prince for the ruin of Samson, Jdg 16:5 he might presently observe the 1100 pieces of silver that were given by Micah's mother for the making of an idol, which ruined religion in Samson's tribe; that the story of Micah, of the hill country of Ephraim, the first destroyer of religion, and the sto…
Open source ↗Jdg 17:1-3 A man of the mountains of Ephraim named Micah (מיכיהוּ, Jdg 17:1, Jdg 17:4, when contracted into מיכה, Jdg 17:5, Jdg 17:8, etc.), who set up this worship for himself, and "respecting whom the Scriptures do not think it worth while to add the name of his father, or to mention the family from which he sprang" (Berleb. Bible), had stolen 1100 shekels of silver (about 135) from his mother. This is very apparent from the words which he spoke to his mother (v. 2): "The thousand and hundred shekels of silver which were taken from thee (the singular לקּח refers to the silver), about which thou cursedst and spakest of also in mine ears (i.e., didst so utter the curse that among others I also heard it), behold, this silver is with me; I have taken it." אלה, to swear, used to denote a malediction or curse (cf. אלה קול, Lev 5:1). He seems to have been impelled to make this confession by the fear of his mother's curse. But his mother praised him for it, - "Blessed be my son of Jehovah," - partly because she saw in it a proof that there still existed a germ of the fear of God, but in all probability chiefly because she was about to dedicate the silver to Jehovah; for, when her son had given it back to her, she said (v. 3), "I have sanctified the silver to the Lord from my hand for my son, to make an image and molten work." The perfect הקדּשׁתּי is not to be taken in the sense of the pluperfect, "I had sanctified it," but is expressive of an act just performed: I have sanctified it, I declare herewith that I do sanctify it. "And now I give it back to thee," namely, to appropriate to thy house of God. Jdg 17:4 Hereupon-namely, when her son had given her back the silver ("he restored the silver unto his mother" is only a repetition of Jdg 17:3, introduced as a link with which…
Open source ↗Here we have, I. Micah and his mother quarrelling. 1. The son robs the mother. The old woman had hoarded, with long scraping and saving, a great sum of money, 1100 pieces of silver. It is likely she intended, when she died, to leave it to her son: in the mean time it did her good to look upon it, and to count it over. The young man had a family of children grown up, for he had one of age to be a priest, Jdg 17:5. He knows where to find his mother's cash, thinks he has more need of it than she has, cannot stay till she dies, and so takes it away privately for his own use. Though it is a fault in parents to withhold from their children that which is meet, and lead them into temptation to wish them in their graves, yet even this will by no means excuse the wickedness of those children that steal from their parents, and think all their own that they can get from them, though by the most indirect methods. 2. The mother curses the son, or whoever had taken her money. It should seem she suspected her son; for, when she cursed, she spoke in his cars so loud, and with so much passion and vehemence, as made both his ears to tingle. See what mischief the love of money makes, how it destroys the duty and comfort of every relation. It was the love of money that made Micah so undutiful to his mother as to rob her, and made her so unkind and void of natural affection to her son as to curse him if he had it and concealed it. Outward losses drive good people to their prayers, but bad people to their curses. This woman's silver was her god before it was made thither into a graven or a molten image, else the loss of it would not have put her into such a passion as caused her quite to forget and break through all the laws of decency and piety. It is a very foolish thing for those that are…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… מִיכָיְהוּ (Mîykâyᵉhûw, H4321) — Mikajah, the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אָלָה (ʼâlâh, H422) — properly, to adjure, i.e. (usually in a bad sense) imprecate אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application פֶּסֶל (peçel, H6459) — an idol מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh, H4541) — properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication,…
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) צָרַף (tsâraph, H6884) — to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application פֶּסֶל (peçel, H6459) — an idol מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh, H4541) — properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication,… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מִיכָיְהוּ (Mîykâyᵉhûw, H4321) — Mikajah, the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image תְּרָפִים (tᵉrâphîym, H8655) — Teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… בֵּית לֶחֶם (Bêyth Lechem, H1035) — Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… בֵּית לֶחֶם (Bêyth Lechem, H1035) — Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אַיִן (ʼayin, H370) — where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi בֵּית לֶחֶם (Bêyth Lechem, H1035) — Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or…
Open source ↗מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עֵרֶךְ (ʻêrek, H6187) — a pile, equipment, estimate בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage מִחְיָה (michyâh, H4241) — preservation of life; hence, sustenance; also the live flesh, i.e. the quick לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
Open source ↗לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi יָאַל (yâʼal, H2974) — properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
So 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.
After the time of Abimelech, a man of Issachar, Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose up to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim.
From the hilltop the border curved to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then bent around toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).