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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 17:5 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/17-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/07_Jdg_17_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 17:5 - Micah's Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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/17-5.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/17-5.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 5</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="/ad5.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/17-4.htm" title="Judges 17:4">◄</a> Judges 17:5 <a href="/judges/17-6.htm" title="Judges 17:6">►</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 />Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his sons as his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Micah set up a shrine for the idol, and he made a sacred ephod and some household idols. Then he installed one of his sons as his personal priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the man Micah had a shrine and he made an ephod and household idols, and consecrated one of his sons, so that he might become his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And the man Micah had a shrine and he made an ephod and household idols and consecrated one of his sons, that he might become his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the man Micah had a shrine and he made an ephod and household idols and consecrated one of his sons, that he might become his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household idols and ordained one of his sons, and he became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now the man Micah had a house of gods (shrine), and he made an ephod and teraphim and dedicated <i>and</i> installed one of his sons, who became his [personal] priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household idols, and installed one of his sons to be his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household idols, and installed one of his sons to be his priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the man Micah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He had a shrine for worshiping God there at his home, and he had made some idols and a sacred priestly vest. Micah chose one of his own sons to be the priest for his shrine. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the man Micah had an house of gods, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Micah owned a shrine. He also made an ephod and household idols. He ordained one of his sons to be his priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This man Micah had his own place of worship. He made some idols and an ephod, and appointed one of his sons as his priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />This man Micah had his own shrine, had crafted his own ephod and some household idols, and had installed one of his sons as a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now this man Micah owned a shrine. He made an ephod and some personal idols and hired one of his sons to serve as a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The man Micah had a house of God, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the man Micah had a house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The man Micah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />As for the man Micah, he has a house of gods, and he makes an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrates the hand of one of his sons, and he is for a priest to him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> As to the man Micah, he hath a house of gods, and he maketh an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrateth the hand of one of his sons, and he is to him for a priest;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the man Micah to him a house of gods; and he will make an ephod and a teraphim, and he will fill the hand of one of his sons, and he will be to him for priest.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he separated also therein a little temple for the god, and made an ephod, and theraphim, that is to say, a priestly garment, and idols: and he filled the hand of one of his sons, and he became his priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he also separated in it a little shrine for the god. And he made an ephod and theraphim, that is, a priestly garment and idols. And he filled the hand of one of his sons, and he became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and teraphim, and installed one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />This man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and teraphim, and installed one of his sons, who became his priest.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the man Micah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod and a teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the man Mikah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod and a breastplate, and he consecrated the hand of one of his sons, and he was a Priest to him<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the man Micah had a house of God, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the house of Michaias <i>was</i> to him the house of God, and he made an ephod and theraphin, and he consecrated one of his sons, and he became to him a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/17-5.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=5153" 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">4</span>So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into a graven image and a molten idol. And they were placed in the house of Micah. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·hā·’îš (Conj-w, Art:: 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.">Now this man</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/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">had</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">a shrine,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God"></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and he made</a> <a href="/hebrew/646.htm" title="646: ’ê·p̄ō·wḏ (N-ms) -- Rarely oephod; probably of foreign derivation; a girdle; specifically the ephod or high-priest's shoulder- piece; also generally, an image.">an ephod</a> <a href="/hebrew/8655.htm" title="8655: ū·ṯə·rā·p̄îm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- (a kind of idol) perhaps household idol. Plural from rapha'; a healer; Teraphim a family idol.">and some household idols,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: way·mal·lê (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">and ordained</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/3027.htm" title="3027: yaḏ (N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’a·ḥaḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: mib·bā·nāw (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of his sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">his</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: lə·ḵō·hên (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">priest.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.…<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="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4</a></span><br />You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-15.htm">Deuteronomy 27:15</a></span><br />‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-30</a></span><br />After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10-12</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. / They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a></span><br />All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4-6</a></span><br />They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. / He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6-7</a></span><br />He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. / Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-5</a></span><br />For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a></span><br />Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22-23</a></span><br />Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-20</a></span><br />Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8</a></span><br />Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5</a></span><br />Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-21.htm">1 John 5:21</a></span><br />Little children, keep yourselves from idols.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/18-24.htm">Judges 18:24</a></b></br> And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what <i>is</i> this <i>that</i> ye say unto me, What aileth thee?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30</a></b></br> And now, <i>though</i> thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, <i>yet</i> wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/1-7.htm">Ezra 1:7</a></b></br> Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;</p><p class="hdg">ephod</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Judges 8:27</a></b></br> And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, <i>even</i> in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/18-14.htm">Judges 18:14</a></b></br> Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/28-4.htm">Exodus 28:4,15</a></b></br> And these <i>are</i> the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office… </p><p class="hdg">teraphim</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Genesis 31:19,30</a></b></br> And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that <i>were</i> her father's… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/3-4.htm">Hosea 3:4</a></b></br> For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and <i>without</i> teraphim:</p><p class="hdg">consecrated.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/29-9.htm">Exodus 29:9</a></b></br> And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31</a></b></br> And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/13-33.htm">1 Kings 13:33,34</a></b></br> After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became <i>one</i> of the priests of the high places… </p><p class="hdg">his sons</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-5.htm">Exodus 24:5</a></b></br> And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/6-19.htm">Consecrated</a> <a href="/numbers/6-6.htm">Consecrateth</a> <a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/judges/17-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/17-4.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/16-31.htm">Household</a> <a href="/judges/3-26.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-43.htm">Installed</a> <a href="/judges/16-19.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/judges/17-4.htm">Micah</a> <a href="/judges/11-20.htm">Position</a> <a href="/joshua/22-32.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/judges/6-28.htm">Shrine</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Teraphim</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/17-12.htm">Consecrated</a> <a href="/judges/17-12.htm">Consecrateth</a> <a href="/judges/18-14.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/judges/17-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/18-3.htm">Household</a> <a href="/judges/18-14.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/judges/17-12.htm">Installed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-6.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Micah</a> <a href="/judges/17-12.htm">Position</a> <a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Shrine</a> <a href="/judges/18-14.htm">Teraphim</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>Now this man Micah had a shrine</b><br>Micah, a resident of the hill country of Ephraim, constructed a shrine, which indicates a deviation from the centralized worship that was supposed to occur at the Tabernacle in Shiloh. This reflects the period of the Judges, characterized by religious and moral chaos, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>). The shrine suggests a personal or family place of worship, which was contrary to the Mosaic Law that prescribed worship at a single, God-ordained location.<p><b>and he made an ephod</b><br>The ephod was a priestly garment, typically associated with the high priest, used in seeking divine guidance (<a href="/exodus/28-6.htm">Exodus 28:6-30</a>). Micah's creation of an ephod indicates an attempt to replicate legitimate priestly functions outside of the established Levitical system. This act reflects the syncretism and religious confusion of the time, as Micah sought to blend elements of true worship with idolatrous practices.<p><b>and some household idols</b><br>Household idols, or teraphim, were small figurines used in domestic worship and divination. Their presence in Micah's shrine highlights the infiltration of pagan practices into Israelite worship. This syncretism was explicitly forbidden in the Law (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>), and it demonstrates the spiritual decline during the era of the Judges. The use of idols contrasts sharply with the commandment to worship Yahweh alone.<p><b>and ordained one of his sons as his priest</b><br>By appointing his son as a priest, Micah further violated the Mosaic Law, which designated the Levites as the only legitimate priestly tribe (<a href="/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10</a>). This act underscores the lack of adherence to God's commandments and the absence of centralized religious authority during this period. It also foreshadows the later establishment of a false priesthood in the Northern Kingdom under Jeroboam (<a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31</a>), illustrating a recurring theme of unauthorized worship in Israel's history.<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 created a private shrine and appointed his son as a priest, demonstrating a departure from the established worship practices of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/micah's_shrine.htm">Micah's Shrine</a></b><br>A private place of worship that Micah established in his home, which included an ephod and household gods, indicating syncretism and deviation from the worship of Yahweh alone.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephod.htm">Ephod</a></b><br>A priestly garment, often associated with seeking divine guidance, which Micah made for his shrine, suggesting an attempt to replicate legitimate religious practices in an illegitimate context.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/household_gods.htm">Household Gods (Teraphim)</a></b><br>Small idols used for worship, reflecting the influence of surrounding pagan practices and a breach of the first and second commandments.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/micah's_son.htm">Micah's Son</a></b><br>Appointed by Micah as a priest, despite not being from the Levitical priesthood, highlighting the disregard for God's established order for worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_syncretism.htm">The Danger of Syncretism</a></b><br>Mixing true worship with pagan practices leads to spiritual confusion and disobedience. Believers must guard against incorporating worldly elements into their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>God desires obedience to His commands over personal interpretations of worship. True worship aligns with God's revealed will in Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_proper_leadership.htm">The Role of Proper Leadership</a></b><br>Spiritual leadership should align with God's ordained structure. Unauthorized leaders can lead others astray, emphasizing the need for biblically qualified leaders.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry, in any form, diverts devotion from God and leads to spiritual decay. Believers must examine their lives for modern-day idols that compete for their allegiance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_centrality_of_god's_word.htm">The Centrality of God's Word</a></b><br>Scripture should be the ultimate authority in guiding worship and practice. Personal preferences or cultural influences should not override biblical truth.<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/evidence_of_private_shrines_like_micah's.htm">Are there historical or archaeological indications that support—or contradict—the existence of a private shrine and idol-based worship like Micah’s described in Judges 17?</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/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/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/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Had an house of gods.</span>--The Hebrew is <span class= "ital">Beth Elohim, </span>which may mean equally well "a house of God" (Vulg., <span class= "ital">?diculam Deo, </span>and so too the LXX.). It is quite clear that Micah did not abandon the worship of God under the names of Jehovah and Elohim, by which He was known to the Israelites. How he coordinated this worship with his grossly idolatrous symbols, or whom those symbols were intended to represent, it is impossible to say. The fact remains that in the Beth-Micah we find "a house of gods"--"whole chapel of idols"--consecrated to Jehovah as a pious act (<a href="/judges/17-2.htm" title="And he said to his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you, about which you cursed, and spoke of also in my ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be you of the LORD, my son.">Judges 17:2</a>; <a href="/judges/17-5.htm" title="And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.">Judges 17:5</a>; <a href="/judges/17-13.htm" title="Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.">Judges 17:13</a>; <a href="/judges/18-6.htm" title="And the priest said to them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein you go.">Judges 18:6</a>).<p><span class= "bld">An ephod.</span>--No doubt the ephod was nothing more than a gorgeous priestly garment, though possibly it may have been used for oracular purposes. (See <a href="/judges/8-27.htm" title="And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare to Gideon, and to his house.">Judges 8:27</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the man Micah</span>, etc. It is impossible to say for certain whether the state of things here described in respect of Micah preceded the events narrated in the preceding verses, or was consequent upon them. If it preceded, then we have the reason of his mother's vow: she wished to make her son's "house of God" complete by the addition of a graven and molten image. If it was consequent upon his mother's vow, then we have in the opening verses of this chapter a history of the circumstances of the foundation of Micah's "house of God," which was to play an important part in the colony of Danites, whose proceedings arc related in the following chapter, and for the sake of which this domestic history of Micah is introduced. <span class="cmt_word">House of gods</span>. Rather, <span class="accented">of God</span> (Elohim); for the worship was of Jehovah, only with a corrupt and semi-idolatrous ceremonial. <span class="cmt_word">An ephod</span>. See <a href="/judges/8-26.htm">Judges 8:26, 27</a>, note. <span class="cmt_word">Teraphim</span>. See <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Genesis 31:19</a> (images, A.V.; teraphim, Hebrews); <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">1 Samuel 15:23</a> (idolatry, A.V.; teraphim, Hebrews); 19:13 (an image, A.V.; teraphim, Hebrews); <a href="/hosea/3-4.htm">Hosea 3:4</a>,to etc. They seem to have been a kind of Penates, or household gods, and were used for divination (<a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Ezekiel 21:21</a>; <a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Zechariah 10:2</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Became his priest</span>. One function of the priest, and for which it is likely he was much resorted to, was to inquire of God by the ephod (<a href="/judges/18-5.htm">Judges 18:5, 6</a>). What his other duties might be does not appear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/17-5.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">Now this man</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָאִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | 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">Micah</span><br /><span class="heb">מִיכָ֔ה</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">had a shrine,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he made</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֤עַשׂ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive 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">an ephod</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵפוֹד֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·p̄ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">and some household idols,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּתְרָפִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ṯə·rā·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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 installed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְמַלֵּ֗א</span> <span class="translit">(way·mal·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fill, be full of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחַד֙</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his sons</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבָּנָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bā·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִי־</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his priest.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכֹהֵֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵō·hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/17-5.htm">Judges 17:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/17-5.htm">OT History: Judges 17:5 The man Micah had a house (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/17-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 17:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 17:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/17-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 17:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 17:6" /></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>