Judges 17 10

Judges 17:10 kjv

And 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.

Judges 17:10 nkjv

Micah said to him, "Dwell with me, and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your sustenance." So the Levite went in.

Judges 17:10 niv

Then Micah said to him, "Live with me and be my father and priest, and I'll give you ten shekels of silver a year, your clothes and your food."

Judges 17:10 esv

And Micah said to him, "Stay with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year and a suit of clothes and your living." And the Levite went in.

Judges 17:10 nlt

"Stay here with me," Micah said, "and you can be a father and priest to me. I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, plus a change of clothes and your food."

Judges 17 verses

Judges 17 10 Meaning

Judges 17:10 describes Micah's offer to a young Levite: a permanent position as his personal priest for an annual salary of ten shekels of silver, a set of clothes, and food provisions. This agreement establishes a private, unauthorized priestly function within Micah's household, driven by a desire for divine blessing through a humanly contrived religious system rather than adherence to God's prescribed law. It signifies the era's widespread spiritual decay where religious roles became a matter of convenience and personal gain.

Judges 17 10 Context

Judges 17 marks the beginning of the "Appendices" section of Judges, portraying Israel's moral and religious anarchy after Joshua's generation. This chapter details Micah's self-made shrine. He melted silver into a carved image and a molten image, consecrated his own son as a priest, and fashioned an ephod and household gods. This was a profound breach of Mosaic Law, which strictly prohibited idolatry, required centralized worship, and confined the priesthood to the descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. Micah’s initial act (making his son a priest) demonstrated his ignorance or willful disregard of God's prescribed order. When the traveling Levite appears (v. 7), Micah sees it as a providential opportunity to legitimize his illegal religious setup, believing that having a true Levite will bring God's blessing, even while retaining his idols. The historical context of "no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 17:6) permeates this narrative, showing how self-will led to religious syncretism and chaos. For the original Israelite audience, this story highlighted the devastating consequences of forsaking God's covenant and established a crucial backdrop for the need of a righteous king and ultimately, the true Shepherd.

Judges 17 10 Word analysis

• Word-by-word analysis

  • Micah: Not the prophet, but an Ephraimite individual, representative of the average Israelite who blended Yahweh worship with pagan practices (syncretism).
  • said: Indicates a direct proposition, a business offer.
  • to him: Refers to the young Levite who had been traveling from Bethlehem in Judah (Judg 17:7).
  • Dwell: Hebrew: shev (שֵׁב), imperative form of "to sit, abide, inhabit". An invitation for a permanent stay, integrating him into the household.
  • with me: Emphasizes the personal and private nature of this priestly role, rather than communal service at an authorized tabernacle.
  • and be: Signifies the Levite's accepted transformation from a wandering stranger into a designated role.
  • to me: Indicates the Levite's service would be for Micah's personal benefit and perceived spiritual validation.
  • a father: Hebrew: lĕ’āv (לְאָב), meaning "as a father." A term of respect, reverence, and authority, implying spiritual guidance, counsel, and perhaps blessing. This elevated role gives the Levite significant sway within Micah's house.
  • and a priest: Hebrew: wĕkōhēn (וְכֹהֵן), specifying his primary functional role in cultic service for Micah’s personal sanctuary. While from the priestly tribe, his function in this context was unauthorized.
  • And I will give you: Marks the explicit financial contract, turning the spiritual office into a hired service.
  • ten shekels of silver: Hebrew: ‘ăśeret kesef (עֲשֶׂרֶת כֶּסֶף), "ten of silver." This was a significant annual wage for the time, attractive for a landless Levite, representing his material security.
  • a year: Hebrew: lĕšānâ (לְשָׁנָה), for the year. Establishes the annual periodicity of the payment.
  • and a suit: The Hebrew wĕkāl (וְכָל) "and all", preceding "garments", often implies a complete set or 'one' suit for the entire outfit needed, potentially signifying priestly vestments or just daily wear.
  • of clothes: Hebrew: bĕḡāḏîm (בְגָדִים), garments, apparel. Provides practical necessity for daily wear and potentially for religious duties.
  • and your food: Hebrew: ūma’ăḵālekā (וּמַאֲכָלֶךָ), "and your food." Ensures basic sustenance and hospitality.

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "Dwell with me and be to me a father and a priest": This phrase encapsulates Micah's misguided quest for religious authority. He desires a figure of both respect ("father") and religious function ("priest") to legitimate his private, idolatrous worship system, which runs contrary to God’s commands for worship at a centralized sanctuary.
  • "And I will give you ten shekels of silver a year and a suit of clothes and your food": This forms the contractual compensation package. It reveals the mercenary nature of the agreement. The Levite, whose lineage obligated him to serve Yahweh according to the Law, accepts an individualized, paid position, trading his legitimate, divine calling for personal financial security outside of God's appointed order. This highlights the commodification of sacred office during Israel's spiritual decline.

Judges 17 10 Bonus section

• The Problem of "Good Intentions": Micah's motivation was likely to gain God's favor and prosperity for his household, even stating, "Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, because I have a Levite as priest" (Judg 17:13). However, "good intentions" when they contradict God's revealed will lead to great spiritual error. This highlights the danger of subjectivism in worship.
• The Levite's Vulnerability: During the period of the Judges, with no centralized authority and declining adherence to the Law, many Levites, who had no tribal land inheritance, faced economic hardship. This vulnerability might explain the young Levite's eagerness to accept Micah's offer, despite its unorthodoxy. It underscores a breakdown in the system of support God had ordained for His ministers (Num 18:21).
• Echoes in Later Scripture: The concept of spiritual leaders serving for financial gain rather than devotion is a recurring biblical theme. Prophets, priests, and false teachers throughout the Old and New Testaments are often criticized for turning ministry into a business, echoing the root sin seen here (Isa 56:11; Mic 3:11; 2 Pet 2:3).

Judges 17 10 Commentary

Judges 17:10 illuminates the profound spiritual compromise prevalent in Israel during the period of the Judges. Micah's offer epitomizes a faith shaped by human desire rather than divine instruction. He believes he can "buy" blessing and divine favor by installing a "proper" Levite as priest over his unauthorized shrine and idols (Judg 17:13). The Levite, for his part, prioritizes personal stability and economic gain over adherence to the strictures of Levitical service, which was meant to be dedicated to Yahweh at a centralized sanctuary and sustained through tithes from all Israel (Num 18:21-24). This scenario is a stark departure from the Mosaic Law (Deut 12), which mandated the destruction of pagan altars, forbade private cultic sites, and strictly regulated priesthood. The Levite's acceptance transforms a divinely appointed service into a transactional relationship, further polluting the spiritual landscape. This mercenary approach to spirituality is strongly condemned throughout Scripture, marking a warning against the commercialization of faith and the dilution of divine truth for personal convenience or profit.