CINXE.COM

<!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 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/17-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/07_Jdg_17_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 17:6 - Micah's Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." /><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/17-6.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/17-6.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 6</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="/ad6.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/17-5.htm" title="Judges 17:5">◄</a> Judges 17:6 <a href="/judges/17-7.htm" title="Judges 17:7">►</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 />In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />In those days <i>there was</i> no king in Israel, <i>but</i> every man did <i>that which was</i> right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />In those days <i>there was</i> no king in Israel; everyone did <i>what was</i> right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />This was before kings ruled Israel, so all the Israelites did whatever they thought was right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In those days Israel didn't have a king. Everyone did whatever he considered right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There was no king in Israel at that time; everyone did whatever they wanted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Back in those days, Israel didn't yet have a king, so each person did whatever seemed right in his own opinion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In those days Israel had no king. Each man did what he considered to be right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />in those days there is no king in Israel, each does that which is right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> in those days there is no king in Israel, each that which is right in his own eyes doth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In those days not a king in Israel, as man will do the right in his eyes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel, but every one did that which seemed right to himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In those days, there was no king in Israel. Instead, each one did what seemed right to himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in their own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In those days there was not a King in Israel, and every man was doing whatever was good in his eyes<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And in those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/17-6.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=5163" 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">5</span>Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household idols, and ordained one of his sons as his priest. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hā·hêm (Art:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">In those</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yā·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">there was no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: bə·yiś·rā·’êl (Prep-b:: N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">in Israel;</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">everyone</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ya·‘ă·śeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">did what was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: hay·yā·šār (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">right</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nāw (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 3ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in his own eyes.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>And there was a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah who had been residing within the clan of Judah.…<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/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8</a></span><br />You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Proverbs 21:2</a></span><br />All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-15.htm">Proverbs 12:15</a></span><br />The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a></span><br />There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-3.htm">Romans 10:3</a></span><br />Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12</a></span><br />“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-23.htm">1 Corinthians 10:23</a></span><br />“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21</a></span><br />For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-2.htm">2 Timothy 3:2-4</a></span><br />For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, / traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">2 Peter 2:10</a></span><br />Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-19.htm">2 Peter 2:19</a></span><br />They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.</p><p class="hdg">no king</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/18-1.htm">Judges 18:1</a></b></br> In those days <i>there was</i> no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day <i>all their</i> inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Judges 19:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass in those days, when <i>there was</i> no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/21-3.htm">Judges 21:3,25</a></b></br> And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel? … </p><p class="hdg">right</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8</a></b></br> Ye shall not do after all <i>the things</i> that we do here this day, every man whatsoever <i>is</i> right in his own eyes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/12-4.htm">Psalm 12:4</a></b></br> Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips <i>are</i> our own: who <i>is</i> lord over us?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-15.htm">Proverbs 12:15</a></b></br> The way of a fool <i>is</i> right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel <i>is</i> wise.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/16-28.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/judges/16-31.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/16-29.htm">Right</a> <a href="/judges/15-2.htm">Seemed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/19-17.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/judges/18-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/20-16.htm">Right</a> <a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Seemed</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>In those days there was no king in Israel;</b><br>This phrase sets the historical context for the narrative. The period of the Judges was marked by a lack of centralized leadership in Israel. After the death of Joshua, Israel was led by judges, who were regional leaders rather than national rulers. This absence of a king is significant because it highlights the political and spiritual instability of the time. The Israelites were meant to be a theocracy, with God as their king, but they often failed to follow His commandments. This phrase foreshadows the eventual demand for a human king, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/8.htm">1 Samuel 8</a>, when the Israelites ask Samuel to appoint a king to lead them like other nations.<p><b>everyone did what was right in his own eyes.</b><br>This phrase underscores the moral and spiritual chaos prevalent during the time of the Judges. Without a central authority or adherence to God's law, people acted according to their own subjective standards. This led to a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, as depicted throughout the Book of Judges. The phrase reflects the human tendency to stray from divine guidance when left to personal judgment, echoing the warning in <a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a>, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." This period of moral relativism contrasts with the biblical call for obedience to God's commandments, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/12-8.htm">Deuteronomy 12:8</a>, where the Israelites are instructed not to do what is right in their own eyes but to follow God's statutes.<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, illustrating the spiritual confusion and idolatry prevalent in Israel during this time.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephraim.htm">Ephraim</a></b><br>A region in Israel where Micah lived, representing the broader context of Israel's tribal society without centralized leadership.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/levite.htm">Levite</a></b><br>A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah who becomes a personal priest for Micah, highlighting the misuse of religious roles and the lack of adherence to God's law.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of God's chosen people, who during this period, lacked a central authority and were often led astray by their own desires and interpretations of right and wrong.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry.htm">Idolatry</a></b><br>The event of Micah creating a shrine and idols, which signifies the spiritual decline and moral relativism in Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_moral_relativism.htm">The Danger of Moral Relativism</a></b><br>Without a standard of truth, society falls into chaos. <a href="/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6</a> illustrates the consequences of everyone doing what is right in their own eyes, leading to spiritual and moral decay.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_godly_leadership.htm">The Need for Godly Leadership</a></b><br>The absence of a king in Israel points to the need for godly leadership. In our lives, we must seek guidance from God's Word and godly leaders to avoid spiritual confusion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Micah's actions show how easily idolatry can infiltrate our lives when we stray from God's commands. We must guard our hearts against modern-day idols that can lead us away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience_to_god's_law.htm">The Importance of Obedience to God's Law</a></b><br>The chaos in Israel serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God's law. Obedience brings order and blessing, while disobedience leads to disorder and judgment.<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/does_micah's_idol_challenge_israel's_unity.htm">Does the narrative of Micah’s idol in Judges 17 undermine the unifying worship practices supposedly central to Israel’s faith at that time? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_was_judges_written.htm">What is the writing date of the Book of Judges?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/accept_practicing_homosexuals_in_church.htm">What is the writing date of the Book of Judges?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_jair's_30_sons_rule_30_cities.htm">(Judges 10:4) How feasible is it that Jair had thirty sons, all uniquely ruling thirty cities with their own donkeys? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">In those days there was no king.</span>--This shows that these narratives were written, or more probably edited, in the days of the monarchy. (See <a href="/judges/18-1.htm" title="In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for to that day all their inheritance had not fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.">Judges 18:1</a>; <a href="/judges/19-1.htm" title="And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.">Judges 19:1</a>; <a href="/judges/21-25.htm" title="In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.">Judges 21:25</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Did that which was right in his own eyes.</span>--The notice is added to show why there was no authoritative interference of prince or ruler to prevent idolatrous or lawless proceedings. (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-8.htm" title="You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatever is right in his own eyes.">Deuteronomy 12:8</a> : "Ye shall not do after all the things which we do here this day, <span class= "ital">every man what is right in his own eyes."</span>)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">There was no king</span>. This must have been written in the days of the kings of Israel and Judah, and perhaps with reference to the efforts of such kings as Ass (<a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">1 Kings 15:13</a>) and Jehoshaphat (<a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">1 Kings 22:43</a>) to put down idolatry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/17-6.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">In those</span><br /><span class="heb">הָהֵ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיָּמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there was no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Israel;</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">everyone</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֛ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did [what was]</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲשֶֽׂה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">right</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיָּשָׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yā·šār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Straight, right</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in his own eyes.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֵינָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ê·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/17-6.htm">Judges 17:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/17-6.htm">OT History: Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/17-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 17:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 17:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/17-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 17:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 17:7" /></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>