Micah's Idol and the Levite Priest
Judges 17:1-13
Jud.17.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמו: CONJ,NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מיכיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 9:1 (verbal): Uses the same introductory formula — 'There was a man of [tribe/land], whose name was...' — locating a named individual by tribal/territorial origin (here: a Benjamite, Kish).
- Exodus 32:1-6 (thematic): Narrates the making and establishment of an unauthorized cult object (the golden calf) and the turn to local/portable worship — thematically parallel to Micah’s creation of a household shrine and idol.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (thematic): Describes the erection of alternative cult sites and images (the calves at Bethel and Dan) to secure local worship and political loyalty — a later, national analogue to Micah’s local shrine.
- Judges 18:30 (structural): Direct narrative continuation/echo within Judges: the Danite episode grows out of Micah’s shrine — the verse records the setting-up of a graven image and the establishment of priests, reflecting and expanding the situation introduced in 17:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And there was a man from the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Micah.
- There was a man from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Micah.
Jud.17.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאמו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,3,m
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- ומאה: CONJ+NUM,f,sg,abs
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- אלית: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- וגם: CONJ
- אמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- באזני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- הנה: PART
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לקחתיו: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg+obj3ms
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ברוך: ADJ,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 22:1-4 (structural): Legal treatment of theft and restitution; Judges 17:2 narrates the recovery/return of stolen silver, which echoes the Torah's stipulations about found or stolen property and payment for loss.
- Genesis 31:19, 31-35 (thematic): Rachel secretly takes her father Laban's household gods and hides them; both passages involve the covert removal of household items and the ensuing discovery/confrontation within a domestic setting.
- Genesis 44:12-17 (thematic): The discovery of silver in a man's possession (Joseph's cup in Benjamin's sack) leads to accusation and a claim about taking it; parallels Judges 17:2's motif of silver being found/taken and confronted between family members.
- Joshua 7:20-21 (verbal): Achan's confession—'I saw among the spoil... I coveted them and took them'—resembles the first‑person admission of taking another's possessions in Judges 17:2 and highlights the moral/ethical issue of private appropriation of communal/household goods.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to his mother, “The one thousand one hundred pieces of silver that were taken from you—about which you spoke and I heard you say, ‘The silver is accursed, it has been unlawfully taken’—behold, I took them.” And his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the LORD.”
- He said to his mother, "The eleven hundred pieces of silver that were taken—are they not yours? You took them, and furthermore you said in my hearing, 'Behold, the silver is with me; I took it.'" And his mother said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, my son."
Jud.17.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- ומאה: CONJ+NUM,f,sg,abs
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,3,m
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- הקדש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הקדשתי: VERB,hif,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מידי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לבני: PREP
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- פסל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומסכה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועתה: CONJ
- אשיבנו: VERB,hiph,imf,1,m,sg,suf:3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 32:2-4 (thematic): Both passages describe Israelites fashioning a metal image from personal/collected metal (jewelry/silver) to serve as an object of worship (the golden calf vs. a carved image).
- Judges 18:24-26 (structural): Direct narrative continuation: the silver dedicated here is later used by the Danites to make an ephod and an image in the sanctuary at Laish, linking the mother's vow to the later cultic object.
- Leviticus 27:2-8 (thematic): Legal material on vows and the valuation/redemption of persons and things dedicated to the Lord; provides background for understanding the mother's declaration that the silver was 'holy' (hekdesh).
- Numbers 30:2 (thematic): Affirms the binding nature of vows made to the LORD—relevant to the mother's claim that she has 'vowed' or 'dedicated' the silver and therefore intends to use it for a cultic purpose.
- Joshua 7:11, 16-21 (thematic): The Achan episode concerns devoted (herem) or consecrated items and the improper use/appropriation of what was declared holy; similarly raises the issue of what it means to dedicate valuables to God and consequences of misusing them.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he returned the one thousand one hundred pieces of silver to his mother. And his mother said, “I have consecrated the silver to the LORD from my son to make a carved image and a molten image; now I will restore it to you.”
- He returned the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother. And his mother said, "It is holy; I have consecrated the silver to the LORD from my son to make a carved image and a cast figure; now I will restore it to you."
Jud.17.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,3,m
- ותקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- מאתים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותתנהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- לצורף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעשהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- פסל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומסכה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מיכיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prop
Parallels
- Exodus 32:2-4 (verbal): Both passages describe craftsmen fashioning an image from people’s precious metal (jewelry/silver) to produce an idol (the golden calf vs. Micah’s carved image).
- Judges 18:30-31 (structural): Direct narrative continuation: the Danites seize Micah’s idol from his house and set it up in their city, showing the fate and function of the image made in 17:4.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (allusion): Jeroboam’s making of golden calves and establishment of worship at Dan echoes the motif of metal-made idols and cultic centers in the northern region (Dan) introduced in Judges 17–18.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): A theological critique of idols made by human hands from silver and gold—connects conceptually to Micah’s image as a created, powerless object of worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- And his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith, who made them into a carved image and a molten image; and it was in the house of Micah.
- He returned the money to his mother, and his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to a silversmith. He made it into a carved image and a cast figure, and it was in Micah's house.
Jud.17.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והאיש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אפוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותרפים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וימלא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- מבניו: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לכהן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 18:30 (verbal): Direct continuation/repetition of the same episode: the Danites take Micah's ephod and teraphim and install his priest (the narrative repeats the establishment of a non‑Levitical household cult and priesthood).
- Genesis 31:19,34 (verbal): Early attestation of household teraphim: Rachel steals her father's teraphim, showing the ancient practice of keeping household idols/domestic cultic objects similar to Micah's teraphim.
- 1 Samuel 2:12-17 (thematic): Portrait of corrupt/unauthorized priestly behavior: 'the sons of Eli were worthless men' who abused priestly privileges, paralleling the theme of improper or illegitimate priesthood represented by Micah's personal priest.
- Deuteronomy 12:5-8,13-14 (thematic): Law on centralized worship and prohibition of private shrines/altars: contrasts Micah's private 'house of God' and personal cult with the Deuteronomic ideal that worship belong at the place the Lord chooses, not in household sanctuaries.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the man Micah had a shrine; he made an ephod and household gods (teraphim), and he ordained one of his sons, and he became his priest.
- Now the man Micah had a private shrine; he made an ephod and household gods, and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
Jud.17.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- אין: PART,neg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הישר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיניו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 21:25 (verbal): Nearly identical closing formula appears at the end of Judges: 'In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes,' framing the book's anarchic theme.
- Judges 18:1 (verbal): Repeats the opening clause 'In those days there was no king in Israel' to introduce the Danite episode, linking the absence of central authority to social disorder.
- Proverbs 21:2 (verbal): Expresses a comparable insight about moral self-justification—'Every way of a man is right in his own eyes'—but contrasts it with divine judgment ('the LORD weighs the hearts').
- 1 Samuel 8:4-7 (thematic): The people's demand for a king and God's response (that they have rejected God) thematically counterpoints the judge-era 'no king' situation and explains the shift toward monarchy.
- Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (thematic): Prescribes regulations for an Israelite king, providing the legal/theological framework for monarchy that addresses problems inherent in 'every man doing what is right in his own eyes.'
Alternative generated candidates
- In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.
- In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.
Jud.17.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- נער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ממשפחת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,construct
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- לוי: PROPN,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- גר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Judges 17:8–10 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: these verses describe the Levite remaining in Micah’s house, being hired and serving as his priest—directly expands the situation introduced in 17:7.
- Judges 18:30 (structural): Later report identifying the same Levite (Jonathan son of Gershom/Gershon) and describing his role as a household/territorial priest in Dan; shows the outcome of the Levite’s residence outside Levitical centers.
- Numbers 35:1–3 (thematic): Gives the law that Levites were to be given cities among the tribal territories of Israel; helps explain the wider phenomenon of Levites residing in towns of other tribes (such as a Levite dwelling in Bethlehem of Judah).
- Joshua 21:11–12 (thematic): Part of the list of Levitical cities in the territory of Judah (and nearby allocations); illustrates that Levites were settled in towns within Judah’s inheritance, paralleling a Levite living in Bethlehem of Judah.
Alternative generated candidates
- And there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah—he was a Levite—and he was dwelling there.
- There was a young man from Bethlehem-judah, of the clan of Judah. He was a Levite, and he was living there.
Jud.17.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מהעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- לגור: VERB,qal,inf
- באשר: CONJ
- ימצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- דרכו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.17.7 (structural): Immediate context: the Levite is introduced as a sojourner from Bethlehem‑Judah who is living with Micah, providing the immediate narrative background for v.8’s movement.
- Ruth 1:1 (verbal): Same geographic origin (Bethlehem‑Judah) and the language of leaving home to 'sojourn' elsewhere (Ruth: a man of Bethlehem went to sojourn in the country of Moab), highlighting a recurring motif of migration from Bethlehem.
- Judg.18:1 (thematic): The Danite expedition seeks territory and ultimately relocates into the hill country of Ephraim/Laish; thematically parallels the move and settlement dynamic in 17:8 and anticipates the confrontation over Micah’s shrine.
- Gen.12:6–8 (thematic): Abraham’s passage through Canaan and temporary dwelling at various sites (e.g., Shechem, Bethel) echoes the motif of leaving one’s city and sojourning in another place, a common pattern of mobility in the patriarchal and judges narratives.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the man left the city of Bethlehem in Judah to sojourn wherever he could find a place, and he came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, to make his way there.
- The young man left the city of Bethlehem-judah to live wherever he could find lodging, and he came to the hill country of Ephraim to Micah's house to make his home.
Jud.17.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מיכה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מאין: ADV,interrog
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לוי: PROPN,m,sg
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לגור: VERB,qal,inf
- באשר: CONJ
- אמצא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 18:6–7 (verbal): Law concerning a Levite who comes from his town to minister among the people and is to be supported — parallels Micah’s recruitment of a Levite ‘coming from Bethlehem’ and living as a sojourner to serve as a priest.
- Numbers 18:20–24 (thematic): God’s provision for the Levites and their lack of territorial inheritance explains why Levites live among and move among Israel, matching the social/sacramental background of the wandering Levite in Judges 17:9.
- Deuteronomy 10:9 (thematic): Declares that Levi has no portion or inheritance in the land (the LORD is his inheritance), a theological basis for Levites’ itinerant status echoed in the verse’s statement that the man will ‘sojourn where I find a place.’
- Judges 19:1 (thematic): Another narrative in Judges featuring an itinerant Levite (‘a certain Levite’) who travels and sojourns among Israelite towns — reinforces the motif of Levites as mobile, non-landholding religious figures in the period of the judges.
- Judges 18:30 (structural): Later verse in the same narrative cycle that identifies the Levite who left Micah and became priest to the Danites (continuation of the story begun in Judg.17:9), showing the outcome of the Levite’s willingness to sojourn and serve where he could find a place.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Micah said to him, “From where do you come?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to live wherever I can.”
- Micah asked him, "Where do you come from?" He answered, "I am a Levite from Bethlehem-judah; I am going to live wherever I can."
Jud.17.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מיכה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שבה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- עמדי: PREP+1cs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולכהן: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לימים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וערך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בגדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומחיתך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הלוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judg.17.11 (verbal): Immediate narrative continuation: echoes and completes the idea that the Levite accepted Micah's offer and 'was to him as one of his sons'—directly parallels 'והיה לי לאב ולכהן' (be my father and priest).
- Judg.17.5 (structural): Sets the background for the transaction: Micah's private shrine and idols are described earlier, explaining why he would employ a Levite and offer payment for priestly services.
- Judg.18.30 (thematic): Later development: the same Levite becomes the priest for the tribe of Dan after leaving Micah. This parallels and resolves the arrangement in 17:10 by showing its outcome and the establishment of a private cult in Dan.
- Deut.18.6-8 (thematic): Law concerning support of Levites (they have no land inheritance and are to be sustained by offerings/tithes). Parallels Micah's provision—silver, garments, and a tenth—as material support for a Levite acting in a priestly role.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Micah said to him, “Dwell with me; be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your maintenance.” So the Levite went in.
- Micah said to him, "Dwell with me; be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, and clothing and your living." The Levite agreed to go with him.
Jud.17.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויואל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כאחד: PREP
- מבניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons
Parallels
- Judges 18:19–20 (structural): Same narrative cluster — the Levite serves as a household priest and the household expresses relief at having a Levite; continues the Micah/Dan episode and repeats the motif of a Levite attached to a private shrine.
- Judges 18:26–30 (structural): Later development of the same story: the Danites seize Micah’s cult and the Levite becomes priest for the tribe of Dan, showing the mobility and appropriation of this Levite-priest role.
- Numbers 18:6–7 (thematic): Gives the institutional role of Levites as set apart to minister in place of the firstborn — parallels the theme of a Levite serving religious functions within a household or community.
- 2 Samuel 9:7–10 (thematic): David’s adoption-like treatment of Mephibosheth (bringing him to eat and live at the king’s table ‘as one of the king’s sons’) parallels the social motif of a non-biological member becoming part of a household as ‘one of his sons.’
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Levite agreed to live with the man, and the young man became to him as one of his sons.
- The Levite consented to dwell with the man, and the young man became to him as one of his sons.
Jud.17.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימלא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מיכה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לכהן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מיכה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,construct
Parallels
- Judges 18:30 (structural): Later narrative shows the same Levite (Jonathan/Gershom's line) functioning as the priest for the tribe of Dan—direct continuation/result of his becoming a household priest in Micah’s house.
- Judges 17:6 (thematic): Frames the episode: 'there was no king... every man did what was right in his own eyes,' explaining the social-religious chaos that allows private shrines and household priests.
- Numbers 18:1-7 (thematic): Prescribes the Levites’ proper service attached to the tabernacle and the exclusive priestly role of Aaron’s house; provides a legal/theological contrast to a Levite serving as a private household priest.
- Deuteronomy 18:1-8 (thematic): Regulates the Levites’ support and settlement among Israel and their legitimate role, highlighting how Micah’s hiring of a Levite diverges from institutional provisions for Levites.
- 1 Samuel 2:12-17 (thematic): Describes corrupt, self-serving priests (Eli’s sons) who misuse religious office—parallels the improper, private exercise of priestly functions outside the established cult.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest; he was in the house of Micah.
- Micah consecrated the Levite's hand, and the young man became his priest; he was in Micah's house.
Jud.17.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מיכה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עתה: ADV
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- כי: CONJ
- ייטיב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כי: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הלוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לכהן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 17:10 (structural): Same episode: earlier verse describes the Levite taking residence with Micah and being treated as a priest/son — background for Micah’s confidence that Yahweh will prosper him.
- Judges 18:30 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation showing the Levite functioning as a priest for the tribe of Dan, confirming the outcome implicit in Micah’s claim and illustrating non‑Aaronide local priesthood.
- Numbers 3:10 (thematic): Legal/ritual contrast: the Torah assigns priestly service to Aaron and his sons (the proper cultic order), highlighting Micah’s irregular use of a Levite as a personal priest.
- 1 Samuel 2:12-17 (thematic): Depicts corrupt/illegitimate behavior by those acting as priests (Eli’s sons), thematically paralleling the problem of non‑authorized or misused priestly function in private/local cults like Micah’s.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will prosper me, for I have a Levite as priest.”
- And Micah said, "Now I know that the LORD will prosper me, for I have a Levite as my priest."
There was a man of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Micah. And he said to his mother, ‘The one thousand one hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you—about which you uttered a curse and also spoke in my hearing, “Behold, the silver is with me; I took it”—’ and his mother said, ‘Blessed be my son by the LORD.’ So he returned the one thousand one hundred shekels to his mother. And his mother said, ‘I have consecrated the silver to the LORD from my son, to make a carved image and a cast image; now I will return it to you.’ And his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a cast image. It was in the house of Micah. And the man Micah had a shrine; he made an ephod and household gods, and he ordained one of his sons, and he became his priest.
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes. Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the clan of Judah; he was a Levite and he was dwelling there. And he left the city from Bethlehem in Judah to sojourn wherever he might find a place, and he came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there. And Micah said to him, ‘Where do you come from?’ And he said to him, ‘I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah; I go to sojourn wherever I may find.’ And Micah said to him, ‘Dwell with me, be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver a year, clothing, and your maintenance.’ The Levite went in. And the Levite consented to dwell with the man, and the young man became to him as one of his sons. And Micah filled the Levite’s hand, and the young man became his priest; and he was in the house of Micah. And Micah said, ‘Now I know that the LORD will do me good, for the Levite has become my priest.’