Bible Commentaries
Judges 17

Verse 1

mount = hill country of Ephraim, where Joshua dwelt and was buried (Joshua 24:30 ).

Verse 2

eleven hundred. See note on Judges 16:5 .

taken. Idolatry in Israel commenced with dishonesty.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 3

wholly dedicated. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Hebrew "dedicating I had dedicated it".

Verse 4

money = silver (Judges 17:2 ).

Verse 5

house of gods. The true house of God was neglected, and as hard to find as it is to-day (Judges 21:19 ); and, when found, dancing was the prominent feature, not sacrifice or worship (Judges 21:21-23 ).

ephod. In imitation of Aaron's. Exodus 25:7 ; Exodus 28:4 .

consecrated. See note on Exodus 28:41 .Leviticus 9:17 .

his priest. Not Jehovah's, but "made with hands".

Verse 6

no king. First occurrence of four, See Judges 18:1 ; Judges 19:1 ; Judges 21:25 . Two conform to the structure here; and two in chs. Judges 19:1 , and Judges 21:25 .

Verse 7

a young man. See note on Judges 18:30 .

Beth-lehem-Judah. To distinguish it from Beth-le-hem in Zebulun (Joshua 19:15 ).

Verse 8

to sojourn. True worship neglected. Priests and Levites unemployed. Idolaters busy making idols and dancing.

Verse 12

his priest. Not Jehovah's; see on Judges 17:5 .

Verse 13

do me good. The "good" (as in all such cases) never came. For Micah is afterward robbed both of his idols and his priest.