Judges 17 3

Judges 17:3 kjv

And 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.

Judges 17:3 nkjv

So when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, "I had wholly dedicated the silver from my hand to the LORD for my son, to make a carved image and a molded image; now therefore, I will return it to you."

Judges 17:3 niv

When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the LORD for my son to make an image overlaid with silver. I will give it back to you."

Judges 17:3 esv

And he restored the 1,100 pieces of silver to his mother. And his mother said, "I dedicate the silver to the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a carved image and a metal image. Now therefore I will restore it to you."

Judges 17:3 nlt

He returned the money to her, and she said, "I now dedicate these silver coins to the LORD. In honor of my son, I will have an image carved and an idol cast."

Judges 17 verses

Judges 17 3 Meaning

This verse reveals a profound instance of spiritual perversion in ancient Israel during the period of the Judges. It describes Micah's mother reclaiming the eleven hundred shekels of silver that Micah had stolen, under the premise of having "wholly dedicated" this specific silver to the Lord for the creation of idolatrous images. This act demonstrates a twisted understanding of worship and devotion, attempting to sanctify forbidden practices by associating them with YHWH. The declaration of dedication "for my son" highlights a selfish and misdirected piety, ultimately serving personal idolatry rather than true divine commandment. The return of the silver to Micah is not an act of forgiveness or genuine repentance, but a release of funds specifically for the construction of idols, setting the stage for further religious corruption within his household.

Judges 17 3 Context

Judges chapter 17 marks a dark turn in the book, providing a snapshot of the spiritual and moral chaos pervasive in Israel during the time of the Judges, often summarized by the phrase "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 17:6, 21:25). The narrative of Micah's household precedes the story of the Levite and the migration of the Danites, setting the stage for deeper tribal and national apostasy. The chapter details a domestic crisis initiated by Micah stealing 1,100 shekels of silver from his mother. Upon his confession, his mother invokes a blessing rather than a curse and paradoxically dedicates the stolen money, ostensibly to the Lord, but specifically for the purpose of making forbidden idols for her son's personal shrine. This perverse act of "devotion" highlights the complete breakdown of Mosaic law and the rise of syncretistic and personalized religion where God's name is used to sanction grievous sin. This family story acts as a microcosm of the larger spiritual decline in Israel.

Judges 17 3 Word analysis

• Then he restored: This implies Micah's return of the stolen silver, appearing as an act of contrition. However, the context quickly reveals it's merely a transactional exchange leading to further sin.
• the eleven hundred shekels of silver: This was a substantial amount, highlighting the significance of the theft and the value of the 'sacred' act being undertaken. Its specific mention also resonates with the large sum Samson’s philistine lover, Delilah, was paid in Judg 16:5.
• to his mother;: The interaction between mother and son is key. She holds the authority in this religious initiation, not any legitimate priestly figure.
• and his mother said,: Her words are a key focus, revealing her flawed religious understanding.
• "I had wholly dedicated": From the Hebrew root qadash (קָדַשׁ), often translated as "to consecrate" or "to be holy." The repetition haqdash hiqdish ("dedicated a dedication") is an infinitive absolute construction, emphasizing the absolute and fervent nature of the vow in her eyes. It's a solemn declaration, twisted in its intent.
• the silver from my hand to the Lord: This phrase indicates the silver was set apart for divine purposes from her own possession. The crucial detail is "to the Lord" (לַֽיהוָ֑ה - la-YHWH), suggesting a claim of Yahwistic worship. This makes the dedication syncretistic and sacrilegious, marrying legitimate religious language with idolatrous intent.
• for my son,: Her motivation is explicitly familial and personal, prioritizing her son's desire for a shrine over adherence to divine law. This illustrates a self-serving spirituality.
• to make a carved image: Hebrew: pesel (פֶּסֶל). This refers to an idol carved from wood or stone. Its creation is explicitly forbidden in the Decalogue (Exod 20:4; Deut 4:16, 23).
• and a molded image;: Hebrew: massekah (מַסֵּכָה). This refers to a metal idol, typically cast. Also explicitly forbidden by Mosaic law (Exod 34:17; Lev 19:4).
• now therefore, I will restore it to you.: This completes the financial transaction, returning the silver to Micah, now earmarked specifically for its sinful purpose of idolatry.

Words-group analysis:

• "I had wholly dedicated... to the Lord... to make a carved image and a molded image": This entire phrase encapsulates the spiritual corruption. The intensive dedication to "the Lord" for the explicit purpose of making forbidden "carved and molded images" is a grotesque perversion of covenant worship. It represents a grave violation of the first two commandments, falsely cloaked in pious language. It signifies an era where Israel failed to distinguish between true worship of YHWH and the abominable practices of surrounding nations, illustrating the breakdown of divine instruction and ethical living.

Judges 17 3 Bonus section

The specific sum of 1,100 shekels of silver in this verse strikingly mirrors the sum offered to Delilah by the Philistine lords to betray Samson (Judg 16:5). This subtle numerical echo could serve as a literary device to underscore a parallel theme of betrayal—in Delilah's case, betraying Samson for gain, and in Micah's mother's case, betraying the Lord and His covenant for a corrupt, personalized form of worship. Both instances involve significant monetary transactions tied to deceit and spiritual decline, highlighting the moral decay prevalent in different facets of Israelite society at the time. This verse also sets the precedent for Micah's self-made religion, demonstrating how deeply personal preferences, rather than divine revelation, shaped religious practice during this chaotic era.

Judges 17 3 Commentary

Judges 17:3 serves as a chilling testament to Israel's spiritual decline during the Judges period. Micah's mother exemplifies the twisted piety prevalent in a society where "every man did what was right in his own eyes." Her actions illustrate the fundamental misunderstanding, or deliberate subversion, of true worship. She uses the sacred language of "dedicating to the Lord" (a concept central to Yahwistic devotion) to justify the creation of idols—an act expressly forbidden by the very God she claims to honor. This isn't just misguided devotion; it's a profound syncretism, attempting to fuse Yahwism with pagan idolatry. The emphasis on the monetary value highlights that outward prosperity or grand gestures do not equate to genuine faith or obedience. The verse demonstrates that religious zeal, when unmoored from divine truth and guided by personal whims or cultural practices, inevitably leads to abomination.