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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 18:20 So the priest was glad and took the ephod, the household idols, and the graven image, and went with the people.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/18-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/07_Jdg_18_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 18:20 - The Danites Take Micah's Idols" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So the priest was glad and took the ephod, the household idols, and the graven image, and went with the people." /><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/18-20.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/18-20.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/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 20</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="/ad20.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/18-19.htm" title="Judges 18:19">◄</a> Judges 18:20 <a href="/judges/18-21.htm" title="Judges 18:21">►</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/18.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/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The priest was very pleased. He took the ephod, the household gods and the idol and went along with the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The young priest was quite happy to go with them, so he took along the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the carved image.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the priest’s heart was glad. He took the ephod and the household gods and the carved image and went along with the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the priest was glad and took the ephod, the household idols, and the graven image, and went with the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So the priest’s heart was glad; and he took the ephod, the household idols, and the carved image, and took his place among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, the household idols, and the carved image, and went among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The priest&#8217s heart was glad, and he took the ephod and household idols and the graven image and went among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod and household idols and the graven image, and went among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the priest’s heart was merry, and he took the ephod and household idols and the graven image and entered among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The priest’s heart was glad [to hear that], and he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the image, and went among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the priest was pleased and took the ephod, household idols, and carved image, and went with the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the priest was pleased and took his ephod, household idols, and carved image, and went with the people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The priest really liked that idea. So he took the vest and the idols and joined the others <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The priest was content. He took the ephod, the household idols, and the carved idol and went with the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This made the priest very happy, so he took the sacred objects and went along with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The priest was happy to oblige, so he took the ephod, the household idols, and the carved image and went along with the army. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the priest was glad and took the ephod, the household idols, and the graven image, and went with the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The priest was happy. He took the ephod, the personal idols, and the carved image and joined the group. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the engraved image, and the molten image, and went in the midst of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The priest’s heart was glad, and he took the ephod, the teraphim, and the engraved image, and went with the people. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the heart of the priest is glad, and he takes the ephod, and the teraphim, and the carved image, and goes into the midst of the people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the heart of the priest is glad, and he taketh the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and goeth into the midst of the people,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the priest's heart will be joyous, and he will take the ephod, and the teraphim, and the carved thing, and will go in the midst of the people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />When he had heard this, he agreed to their words, and took the ephod, and the idols, and the graven god, and departed with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when he had heard this, he agreed to their words. And he took the ephod, and the idols, and the graven image, and he set out with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The priest, agreeing, took the ephod, the teraphim, and the idol, and went along with the troops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the priest accepted the offer. He took the ephod, the teraphim, and the idol, and went along with the people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the graven image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and went with the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the heart of the Priest was pleased and he took the image and the ephod and the breastplate and he went on with the people<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the heart of the priest was glad, and he took the ephod, and the theraphin, and the graven image, and the molten image, and went in the midst of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/18-20.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=5452" 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/18.htm">The Danites Take Micah's Idols</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>“Be quiet,” they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hên (Art:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">So the priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: way·yî·ṭaḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">was glad</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ (N-msc) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">and took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/646.htm" title="646: hā·’ê·p̄ō·wḏ (Art:: N-ms) -- Rarely oephod; probably of foreign derivation; a girdle; specifically the ephod or high-priest's shoulder- piece; also generally, an image.">the ephod,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8655.htm" title="8655: hat·tə·rā·p̄îm (Art:: N-mp) -- (a kind of idol) perhaps household idol. Plural from rapha'; a healer; Teraphim a family idol.">the household idols,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/6459.htm" title="6459: hap·pā·sel (Art:: N-ms) -- An idol, image. From pacal; an idol.">the graven image,</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">and went</a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: bə·qe·reḇ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Putting their small children, their livestock, and their possessions in front of them, they turned and departed.…<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/17-10.htm">Judges 17:10-11</a></span><br />“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 / and agreed to stay with him, and the young man became like a son to Micah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-36.htm">1 Samuel 2:36</a></span><br />And everyone left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a morsel of bread, pleading, “Please appoint me to some priestly office so that I can eat a piece of bread.”’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31</a></span><br />Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-32.htm">2 Kings 17:32</a></span><br />So the new residents worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed for themselves priests of all sorts to serve in the shrines of the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-9.htm">2 Kings 23:9</a></span><br />Although the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread with their fellow priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11</a></span><br />Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-10.htm">Ezekiel 44:10-12</a></span><br />Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their iniquity. / Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and ministering there. They shall slaughter the burnt offerings and other sacrifices for the people and stand before them to minister to them. / Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity, declares the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8-9</a></span><br />They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity. / And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a></span><br />Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-8.htm">Malachi 2:8-9</a></span><br />But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a></span><br />No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5-7</a></span><br />All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. / They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, / the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-33.htm">Acts 20:33-34</a></span><br />I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. / You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the middle of the people.</p><p class="hdg">heart</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Judges 17:10</a></b></br> And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten <i>shekels</i> of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Proverbs 30:15</a></b></br> The horseleach hath two daughters, <i>crying</i>, Give, give. There are three <i>things that</i> are never satisfied, <i>yea</i>, four <i>things</i> say not, <i>It is</i> enough:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11</a></b></br> Yea, <i>they are</i> greedy dogs <i>which</i> can never have enough, and they <i>are</i> shepherds <i>that</i> cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.</p><p class="hdg">went.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/18-18.htm">Carved</a> <a href="/judges/18-18.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/judges/18-18.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/judges/16-25.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/judges/18-18.htm">Household</a> <a href="/judges/18-18.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/judges/18-18.htm">Image</a> <a href="/judges/15-4.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/judges/18-19.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-3.htm">Priest's</a> <a href="/judges/18-18.htm">Teraphim</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/6-18.htm">Carved</a> <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-18.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/judges/19-5.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/judges/18-25.htm">Household</a> <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">Image</a> <a href="/judges/20-42.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/judges/18-24.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-13.htm">Priest's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Teraphim</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/18-1.htm">The Danites send five men to seek out an inheritance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/18-3.htm">At the house of Micah they consult with Jonathan, and are encouraged</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/18-7.htm">They search Laish, and bring back news of good hope</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Six hundred men are sent to surprise it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/18-16.htm">In their way they rob Micah of his priest and his consecrated things</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/18-27.htm">They win Laish, and call it Dan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/18-30.htm">They set up idolatry, wherein Jonathan inherits the priesthood.</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/18.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/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So the priest was glad</b><br>The priest's gladness reflects a willingness to abandon his current position for personal gain, highlighting a theme of spiritual compromise. This mirrors the broader context of Judges, where Israel repeatedly turns away from God. The priest's joy in this context can be seen as a warning against prioritizing material or social advancement over faithfulness to God.<p><b>and took the ephod,</b><br>The ephod, a priestly garment, was often associated with seeking divine guidance. However, in this context, it is misused, symbolizing the corruption of true worship. The ephod's presence here may remind readers of the misuse of religious symbols for personal or idolatrous purposes, as seen in the story of Gideon (<a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Judges 8:27</a>).<p><b>the household idols,</b><br>Household idols, or teraphim, were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures and often used for divination or as protective talismans. Their inclusion here underscores the syncretism and idolatry prevalent in Israel during the time of the Judges, contrary to the commandment against idolatry (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>).<p><b>and the graven image,</b><br>The graven image represents a direct violation of the second commandment. This reflects the spiritual decline in Israel, where even those in religious roles, like the priest, participate in idolatry. The presence of such images indicates a departure from the worship of Yahweh alone, a recurring issue throughout the Old Testament.<p><b>and went with the people.</b><br>The priest's decision to go with the Danites signifies a shift in allegiance, prioritizing personal benefit over spiritual integrity. This action foreshadows the establishment of a rival religious center in Dan, which becomes a stumbling block for Israel (<a href="/1_kings/12-29.htm">1 Kings 12:29-30</a>). It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of forsaking God's ordained order for convenience or gain.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_priest.htm">The Priest</a></b><br>A Levite who was serving as a priest for Micah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. He is persuaded by the Danites to leave Micah and serve as a priest for their entire tribe.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_danites.htm">The Danites</a></b><br>Members of the tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. They were seeking a territory to settle in and came across Micah's house and the Levite priest.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/micah.htm">Micah</a></b><br>An Ephraimite who had set up a shrine with household gods and appointed his own priest, which was against the Mosaic Law.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephod.htm">Ephod</a></b><br>A sacred garment worn by priests in ancient Israel, often associated with divination and seeking God's will.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/household_idols_and_carved_image.htm">Household Idols and Carved Image</a></b><br>Objects of worship that were contrary to the commandments given to Israel, representing a syncretism of pagan practices with the worship of Yahweh.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a></b><br>The priest's willingness to abandon his post for personal gain illustrates the danger of compromising one's calling for material benefits.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>The actions of the Danites and the priest show how idolatry can lead a community away from God's intended path, resulting in spiritual and moral decay.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faithful_leadership.htm">The Importance of Faithful Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders, especially spiritual ones, have a responsibility to guide others in truth and righteousness, not in self-serving ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_contentment.htm">The Role of Contentment</a></b><br>The priest's decision reflects a lack of contentment with his current role, reminding us of the importance of being content with God's provision and calling.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_culture.htm">The Influence of Culture</a></b><br>The syncretism seen in this passage warns against allowing cultural practices to dilute or distort true worship of God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_bible's_family_idols.htm">What are the family idols mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_micah_justify_his_shrine.htm">Why does Micah in Judges 17:5-6 feel justified in creating his own household shrine, despite the earlier commands against idol worship?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_a_carved_image_allowed_in_judges_18_31.htm">How do we reconcile the setting up of a carved image in Judges 18:31 with the strict prohibition against idolatry found elsewhere in the Old Testament?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">The priest's heart was glad.</span>--<a href="/judges/19-6.htm" title="And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said to the man, Be content, I pray you, and tarry all night, and let your heart be merry.">Judges 19:6</a>; <a href="/judges/19-9.htm" title="And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said to him, Behold, now the day draws toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day grows to an end, lodge here, that your heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that you may go home.">Judges 19:9</a>; <a href="/ruth/3-7.htm" title="And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.">Ruth 3:7</a>. The disgraceful alacrity with which he sanctions the theft, and abandons for self-interest the cause of Micah, is very unworthy of a grandson of Moses. Dean Stanley appositely compares the bribe offered in 1176 to the monk Roger of Canterbury:--"Give us the portion of St. Thomas's skull which is in thy custody, and thou shalt cease to be a simple monk; thou shalt be Abbot of St. Augustine's."<p><span class= "bld">In the midst of the people.</span>--That they might guard his person. It is not necessarily implied that he carried <span class= "ital">all </span>these sacred objects himself; he <span class= "ital">may </span>have done so, for the molten image, which was perhaps the heaviest object, is not here mentioned.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The priest's heart was glad</span>, etc. The prospect of greater dignity and greater emolument stifled all sentiments of gratitude and loyalty to Micah, and made him cheerfully connive at an act of theft and sacrilege. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/18-20.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">So the priest</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֵ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was glad</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּיטַב֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yî·ṭaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be good, well, glad, or pleasing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקַּח֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ephod,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֣אֵפ֔וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ê·p̄ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_646.htm">Strong's 646: </a> </span><span class="str2">A girdle, the ephod, highpriest's shoulder-piece, an image</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the household idols,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַתְּרָפִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hat·tə·rā·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8655.htm">Strong's 8655: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a kind of idol) perhaps household idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the graven image,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפָּ֑סֶל</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pā·sel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6459.htm">Strong's 6459: </a> </span><span class="str2">An idol, image</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and went</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third 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">with</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקֶ֥רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nearest part, the center</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/18-20.htm">OT History: Judges 18:20 The priest's heart was glad and he (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/18-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 18:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 18:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/18-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 18:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 18:21" /></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>