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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 17:9 "Where are you from?" Micah asked him. "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," he replied, "and I am on my way to settle wherever I can find a place."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/17-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/07_Jdg_17_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 17:9 - Micah's Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Where are you from? Micah asked him. I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, he replied, and I am on my way to settle wherever I can find a place." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/17-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/17-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/17-8.htm" title="Judges 17:8">◄</a> Judges 17:9 <a href="/judges/17-10.htm" title="Judges 17:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Micah asked him, &#8220Where are you from?&#8221 &#8220I&#8217m a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,&#8221 he said, &#8220and I&#8217m looking for a place to stay.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Where are you from?” Micah asked him. He replied, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am looking for a place to live.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to sojourn where I may find a place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Where are you from?” Micah asked him. “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,” he replied, “and I am on my way to settle wherever I can find a place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I <i>am</i> a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find <i>a place</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” So he said to him, “I <i>am</i> a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am on my way to find <i>a place</i> to stay.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I may find <i>a place.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Micah said to him, &#8220Where do you come from?&#8221 And he said to him, &#8220I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I may find a place.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I may find <i>a place.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to sojourn wherever I may find <i>a place</i>.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I can find <i>a place.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Where do you come from? ” Micah asked him. He answered him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I’m going to stay wherever I can find a place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Where do you come from?&#8221 Micah asked him. He answered him, &#8220I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I&#8217m going to settle wherever I can find a place.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Where are you from?" Micah asked. "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," the man answered, "and I'm on my way to find a new place to live." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Micah asked him, "Where do you come from?" The man told him, "I'm a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I'm going to live wherever I can find [a place]."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Micah asked him, "Where do you come from?" He answered, "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I am looking for a place to live." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Micah asked him, "Where did you come from?" He replied, "I'm a descendant of Levi from Bethlehem in Judah, and I'm going to stay temporarily wherever I can find a place." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Micah said to him, "Where do you come from?" He replied, "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I am looking for a new place to live."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Micah said to him, "Where did you come from?" He said to him, "I am a Levite of Bethlehem Judah, and I am going to settle wherever I may find a place."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Micah said to him, Whence comest thou? And he said to him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Where are you from?” Micah asked him. “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,” he replied, “and I am on my way to settle wherever I can find a place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Micah said to him, “Where did you come from?” He said to him, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem Judah, and I am looking for a place to live.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Micah says to him, “Where do you come from?” And he says to him, “I [am] a Levite of Beth-Lehem-Judah, and I am going to sojourn where I find.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Micah saith to him, 'Whence comest thou?' and he saith unto him, 'A Levite am I, of Beth-Lehem-Judah, and I am going to sojourn where I do find.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Micah will say to him, Whence shalt thou come? and the Levite will say to him, I am from the House of Bread, of Judah, and I go to sojourn where I shall find.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He was asked by him whence he came. And he answered: I am a Levite of Bethlehem Juda, and I am going to dwell where I can, and where I shall find a place to my advantage. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he was asked by him where he came from. And he responded: “I am a Levite from Bethlehem of Judah. And I am traveling so that I may live where I am able, if I perceive it to be useful to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Where do you come from?” Micah asked him. He answered him, “I am a Levite, from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am on my way to take up residence wherever I can find a place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Micah said to him, “From where do you come?” He replied, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to live wherever I can find a place.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Micah said to him, Whence do you come? And he replied, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem of Judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Mikah said to him: “From where have you come?” The Levite said to him: “I am from Bayth Lekhem of Yehuda, and I am going on to stay where I can”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Micah said unto him: 'Whence comest thou?' And he said unto him: 'I am a Levite of Beth-lehem in Judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Michaias said to him, Whence comest thou? and he said to him, I am a Levite of Bethleem Juda, and I go to sojourn in any place I may find.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/17-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=5189" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/17.htm">Micah's Idolatry</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>This man left the city of Bethlehem in Judah to settle where he could find a place. And as he traveled, he came to Micah’s house in the hill country of Ephraim. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/370.htm" title="370: mê·’a·yin (Prep-m:: Adv) -- Whence?. Probably identical with 'ayin in the sense of query.">“Where</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: tā·ḇō·w (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">are you from?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4318.htm" title="4318: mî·ḵāh (N-proper-ms) -- The name of several Isr. An abbrev. Of Miykayah; Micah, the name of seven Israelites.">Micah</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him.</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">“I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">am a Levite</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: mib·bêṯ (Prep) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: le·ḥem (Prep:: N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">in Judah,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: wə·’ā·nō·ḵî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">“and I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hō·lêḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">am on my way</a> <a href="/hebrew/1481.htm" title="1481: lā·ḡūr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road, i.e. Sojourn; also to shrink, fear; also to gather for hostility.">to settle</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ba·’ă·šer (Prep-b:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">wherever</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: ’em·ṣā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To attain to, find. ">I can find a place.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>“Stay with me,” Micah said to him, “and be my father and priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your provisions.” So the Levite went in…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/18-3.htm">Judges 18:3-4</a></span><br />And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” / “Micah has done this and that for me,” he replied, “and he has hired me to be his priest.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-18.htm">1 Samuel 9:18-19</a></span><br />Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” / “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. And when I send you off in the morning, I will tell you all that is in your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/13-11.htm">1 Kings 13:11-14</a></span><br />Now a certain old prophet was living in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the deeds that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told their father the words that the man had spoken to the king. / “Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah. / So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-2.htm">2 Kings 5:2-3</a></span><br />At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-28.htm">2 Kings 17:28</a></span><br />Thus one of the priests they had carried away came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should worship the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/11-13.htm">2 Chronicles 11:13-14</a></span><br />Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. / For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-10.htm">Nehemiah 13:10-11</a></span><br />I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields. / So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Isaiah 30:10</a></span><br />They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-21.htm">Jeremiah 23:21-22</a></span><br />I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. / But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-2.htm">Ezekiel 13:2-3</a></span><br />“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16</a></span><br />Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-39.htm">Luke 6:39</a></span><br />Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a></span><br />The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Micah said to him, From where come you? And he said to him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Bethlehemjudah</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Beth-Lehem-Judah</a> <a href="/judges/15-1.htm">I'm</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/judges/17-7.htm">Levite</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Micah</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Sojourn</a> <a href="/judges/13-6.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Wherever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Bethlehemjudah</a> <a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Beth-Lehem-Judah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-23.htm">I'm</a> <a href="/judges/18-12.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Levite</a> <a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Micah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Sojourn</a> <a href="/judges/19-17.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/ruth/1-17.htm">Wherever</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/17-1.htm">Of the money that Micah first stole, then restored, his mother makes idols</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/17-5.htm">And he makes ornaments for them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/17-7.htm">He hires a Levite to be his priest</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“Where are you from?” Micah asked him.</b><br>This question reflects the cultural importance of tribal and familial identity in ancient Israel. Knowing someone's origin could reveal their social status, tribe, and potential role in society. Micah's inquiry suggests a curiosity or concern about the Levite's background, which could influence his decision to employ him. This interaction occurs during the time of the Judges, a period marked by social and religious chaos, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>).<p><b>“I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,” he replied,</b><br>Levites were members of the tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service to the tabernacle. Bethlehem in Judah, though not a Levitical city, indicates the Levite's displacement, possibly due to the lack of centralized worship and the scattering of the Levites. This reflects the spiritual disarray of the time. Bethlehem later gains significance as the birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ, highlighting a prophetic connection to the lineage of the Messiah (<a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>).<p><b>“and I am on my way to settle wherever I can find a place.”</b><br>The Levite's statement underscores the lack of stability and provision for the Levitical priesthood during this era. Levites were supposed to be supported by the tithes and offerings of the people (<a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Numbers 18:21-24</a>), but the decentralized worship practices led to their neglect. This wandering Levite symbolizes the spiritual neglect and apostasy prevalent in Israel. His search for a place to settle foreshadows the later establishment of a false priesthood in Micah's household, illustrating the theme of religious compromise.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/micah.htm">Micah</a></b><br>A man from the hill country of Ephraim who creates a shrine and hires a Levite to be his priest.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levite.htm">The Levite</a></b><br>A young man from Bethlehem in Judah, seeking a place to settle and serve.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethlehem_in_judah.htm">Bethlehem in Judah</a></b><br>The town from which the Levite originates, known as the birthplace of King David and later Jesus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephraim.htm">Ephraim</a></b><br>The region where Micah resides, part of the central hill country of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_shrine.htm">The Shrine</a></b><br>An unauthorized place of worship established by Micah, which includes an idol and ephod.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_god-ordained_worship.htm">The Importance of God-Ordained Worship</a></b><br>Worship should be conducted according to God's instructions, not personal preference or convenience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_will_in_our_journeys.htm">Seeking God's Will in Our Journeys</a></b><br>Like the Levite, we may find ourselves searching for a place or purpose. It's crucial to seek God's guidance rather than settling for what seems right in our own eyes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>The Levite's willingness to serve in Micah's unauthorized shrine highlights the need for discernment and integrity in spiritual leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_compromise.htm">The Consequences of Compromise</a></b><br>Micah's actions demonstrate how compromising God's commands can lead to spiritual confusion and idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_our_origins.htm">The Significance of Our Origins</a></b><br>The Levite's origin from Bethlehem reminds us that our beginnings can shape our journey, but our choices define our path.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_theological_differences_in_testaments.htm">What are the main theological differences between Testaments?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_levite's_status_credible_in_judges_17.htm">In Judges 17:7-13, how credible is the Levite's priestly status, given the requirements found elsewhere in the Old Testament regarding priestly lineage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'called_by_his_purpose'_mean.htm">How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/17-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Where</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאַ֣יִן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_370.htm">Strong's 370: </a> </span><span class="str2">Whence?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you from?”</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּב֑וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḇō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Micah</span><br /><span class="heb">מִיכָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mî·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4318.htm">Strong's 4318: </a> </span><span class="str2">Micah -- the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמֶר־</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him.</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹ֗כִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am a Levite</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵוִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lê·wî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Bethlehem</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶ֙חֶם֙</span> <span class="translit">(le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1035.htm">Strong's 1035: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Judah,”</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוּדָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hū·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֨אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“and I</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָנֹכִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am on my way</span><br /><span class="heb">הֹלֵ֔ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(hō·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to settle</span><br /><span class="heb">לָג֖וּר</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḡūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1481.htm">Strong's 1481: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wherever</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(ba·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I can find a place.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶמְצָֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(’em·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/17-9.htm">Judges 17:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/17-9.htm">OT History: Judges 17:9 Micah said to him Whence come you? (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/17-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 17:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 17:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/17-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 17:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 17:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>