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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 17:7 And there was a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah who had been residing within the clan of Judah.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/17-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/07_Jdg_17_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 17:7 - Micah's Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And there was a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah who had been residing within the clan of Judah." /><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'; 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he <i>was</i> a Levite, and was staying there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he was staying there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he was staying there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he was staying there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he was sojourning there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, from the family [of the tribe] of Judah, who was a Levite; and he was staying there [temporarily].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was a young man, a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who was staying within the clan of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was a young man, a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who resided within the clan of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he sojourned there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />There was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah. (Bethlehem belongs to the family of Judah.) He was a Levite but was living in Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />At that same time there was a young Levite who had been living in the town of Bethlehem in Judah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A young male descendant of Levi happened to be visiting there from Bethlehem in the territory of Judah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And there was a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah who had been residing within the clan of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />There was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah. He was a Levite who had been temporarily residing among the tribe of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There was a young man out of Bethlehem Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he lived there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There was a young man out of Bethlehem Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he lived there. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And there is a young man of Beth-Lehem-Judah, of the family of Judah, and he [is] a Levite, and he [is] a sojourner there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And there is a young man of Beth-Lehem-Judah, of the family of Judah, and he is a Levite, and he is a sojourner there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there will be a youth from the House of Bread, of Judah, from the families of Judah, and he a Levite, and he sojourned there.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />There was also another young man of Bethlehem Juda, of the kindred thereof: and he was a Levite, and dwelt there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Also, there was another young man, from Bethlehem of Judah, one of his relatives. And he himself was a Levite, and he was living there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />There was a young man from Bethlehem of Judah, from the clan of Judah; he was a Levite residing there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the clan of Judah. He was a Levite residing there.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now there was a young man from Bethlehem of Judah, whose name was Levi, and he sojourned there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And there was a young man from Bayth Lekhem of Yehuda, and his name was Levi, and he was dwelling there<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem in Judah--in the family of Judah--who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And there was a young man in Bethleem of the tribe of Juda, and he <i>was</i> a Levite, and he was sojourning there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/17-7.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=5170" 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">6</span>In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><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.">And there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ar (N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">a young</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">Levite</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: mib·bêṯ (Prep) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: le·ḥem (Prep:: N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">in Judah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/1481.htm" title="1481: ḡār- (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road, i.e. Sojourn; also to shrink, fear; also to gather for hostility.">had been residing</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4940.htm" title="4940: mim·miš·pa·ḥaṯ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- From shaphah; a family, i.e. Circle of relatives; figuratively, a class, a species or sort; by extens. A tribe or people.">within the clan</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">of Judah.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>This man left the city of Bethlehem in Judah to settle where he could find a place. And as he traveled, he came to Micah’s house in the hill country of Ephraim.…<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="/1_samuel/1-1.htm">1 Samuel 1:1</a></span><br />Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-1.htm">1 Samuel 9:1-2</a></span><br />Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. / And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-21.htm">1 Samuel 10:21</a></span><br />Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-51.htm">1 Samuel 14:51</a></span><br />Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">1 Samuel 17:12</a></span><br />Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons. And in the days of Saul, Jesse was old and well along in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-18.htm">1 Samuel 18:18</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-7.htm">1 Samuel 22:7</a></span><br />Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">1 Samuel 25:3</a></span><br />His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-26.htm">1 Kings 11:26</a></span><br />Now Jeroboam son of Nebat was an Ephraimite from Zeredah whose mother was a widow named Zeruah. Jeroboam was a servant of Solomon, but he rebelled against the king,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-9.htm">1 Chronicles 2:9</a></span><br />The sons who were born to Hezron: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-51.htm">1 Chronicles 2:51</a></span><br />Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth-gader.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-33.htm">1 Chronicles 6:33-38</a></span><br />These are the men who served, together with their sons. From the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, / the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, / the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/7-6.htm">1 Chronicles 7:6</a></span><br />The three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/8-1.htm">1 Chronicles 8:1</a></span><br />Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/9-3.htm">1 Chronicles 9:3</a></span><br />Some of the descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem:</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.</p><p class="hdg">Beth-lehem-judah</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Judges 19:1,2</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="/genesis/35-19.htm">Genesis 35:19</a></b></br> And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which <i>is</i> Bethlehem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/19-15.htm">Joshua 19:15</a></b></br> And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.</p><p class="hdg">of the family.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/12-10.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/judges/12-10.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Bethlehemjudah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Beth-Lehem-Judah</a> <a href="/judges/13-2.htm">Clan</a> <a href="/judges/15-11.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-13.htm">Levite</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Sojourned</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-11.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/numbers/25-1.htm">Staying</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-35.htm">There</a> <a href="/judges/15-1.htm">Within</a> <a href="/judges/16-26.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Bethlehemjudah</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Beth-Lehem-Judah</a> <a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Clan</a> <a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/judges/17-9.htm">Levite</a> <a href="/judges/19-16.htm">Sojourned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-13.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Staying</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-5.htm">There</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-3.htm">Within</a> <a href="/judges/17-11.htm">Young</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'; 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This young Levite's presence highlights the decentralized and chaotic spiritual state of Israel during the time of the Judges, as Levites were meant to serve in specific Levitical cities or at the tabernacle, not wander independently.<p><b>from Bethlehem in Judah</b><br>Bethlehem, a small town in the territory of Judah, is significant as the future birthplace of King David and later Jesus Christ, fulfilling the prophecy of <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>. At this time, Bethlehem was not a Levitical city, indicating the Levite's presence there was unusual and possibly indicative of the spiritual disarray in Israel.<p><b>who had been residing within the clan of Judah</b><br>This suggests the Levite was living outside the traditional Levitical cities, possibly due to the lack of centralized worship and the people's neglect of God's laws. It reflects the period's instability, where individuals often did what was right in their own eyes, as noted in <a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>. The Levite's integration into the clan of Judah may also hint at the blending of tribal identities and roles during this era.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/y/young_man.htm">Young Man</a></b><br>This individual is a Levite, which is significant because Levites were set apart for religious duties in Israel. His presence in Bethlehem, a town in Judah, is noteworthy as it was not a Levitical city.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethlehem_in_judah.htm">Bethlehem in Judah</a></b><br>A town in the territory of Judah, Bethlehem is historically significant as the birthplace of King David and later Jesus Christ. Its mention here highlights the geographical and tribal context of the account.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/clan_of_judah.htm">Clan of Judah</a></b><br>This refers to the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Judah is significant in biblical history, being the tribe from which King David and Jesus descended.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/levite.htm">Levite</a></b><br>Levites were members of the tribe of Levi, set apart for religious service. This young man's status as a Levite is crucial, as it raises questions about his role and actions in the account.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/staying_there.htm">Staying There</a></b><br>The Levite's presence in Bethlehem, rather than a Levitical city, suggests a departure from traditional roles and responsibilities, setting the stage for the events that follow in the account.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_identity_and_calling.htm">The Importance of Identity and Calling</a></b><br>The Levite's presence in Bethlehem raises questions about his adherence to his calling. Believers are encouraged to reflect on their own identity in Christ and their faithfulness to their God-given roles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The account in <a href="/bsb/judges/17.htm">Judges 17</a> highlights the chaos and idolatry that result from Israel's disobedience. Christians are reminded of the importance of obedience to God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>The Levite's actions in the subsequent verses illustrate the impact of spiritual leaders on their communities. This serves as a reminder of the responsibility and influence of those in spiritual authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_amidst_human_failure.htm">God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure</a></b><br>Despite the failures of individuals, God's purposes ultimately prevail. Believers can find comfort in God's sovereignty and faithfulness.<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/is_the_levite's_status_credible_in_judges_17.htm">In Judges 17:7–13, how credible is the Levite’s priestly status, given the requirements found elsewhere in the Old Testament regarding priestly lineage? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/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_did_the_concubine_stay_with_her_dad.htm">Judges 19:2--What historical or cultural factors would explain why the Levite's concubine stayed with her father instead of returning home?</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>(7) <span class= "bld">A young man.</span>--Later on in the story we, as it were incidentally, make the astonishing discovery that this young man was no other than a grandson of Moses.<p><span class= "bld">Out of Beth-lehem-judah.</span>--So called to distinguish it from the Bethlehem in Zebulon (<a href="/joshua/19-15.htm" title="And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.">Joshua 19:15</a>). (See Note on <a href="/judges/12-8.htm" title="And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.">Judges 12:8</a>.) In later times, when Bethlehem was famous as David's birthplace, and the other Bethlehem had sunk into insignificance, the descriptive addition is often dropped.<p><span class= "bld">Of the family of Judah.</span>--It may be doubted whether this refers to the "young man" or to Bethlehem, or whether it ought not, as in some MSS. and versions (LXX., Cod. B, and Syriac), to be omitted. If it applies to the young Levite, it must mean that he did not live in one of the Levitic cities, which belonged to his own family (the family of Gershom), which were in the northern and eastern tribes (<a href="/joshua/21-6.htm" title="And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.">Joshua 21:6</a>), but in Judah, and therefore was ranked in civil matters as belonging to that tribe. Homes in the tribe of Judah were assigned to the priests alone (<a href="/context/joshua/21-9.htm" title="And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name.">Joshua 21:9-42</a>).<p><span class= "bld">He sojourned there.</span>--Comp. <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>. The curse had been pronounced on the tribe of Levi: "I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel" (<a href="/genesis/49-7.htm" title="Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.">Genesis 49:7</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Of the family of Judah</span>. These words are difficult to explain. If the man was a Levite he could not be of the family or tribe of Judah. Some explain the words to be merely a more accurate definition of Bethlehem-judah, as if he would say, I <span class="accented">mean Bethlehem in the tribe of Judah.</span> Others explain them to mean that he was one of a family of Levites who had settled in Bethlehem, and so came to be reckoned in civil matters as belonging to Judah. Others, that he was of the family of Judah on his mother s side, which might be the cause of his settling at Bethlehem. But many commentators think them spurious, as they are not found in the Septuagint (Cod. Vat.), nor in the Peschito, nor in No. 440 of De Rossi's MSS. The Septuagint has <span class="accented">Bethlehem of the family of Judah.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/17-7.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">And there was</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">a young</span><br /><span class="heb">נַ֗עַר</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Levite</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵוִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lê·wî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Bethlehem</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶ֙חֶם֙</span> <span class="translit">(le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1035.htm">Strong's 1035: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Judah,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוּדָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hū·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">וְה֥וּא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had been residing</span><br /><span class="heb">גָֽר־</span> <span class="translit">(ḡār-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1481.htm">Strong's 1481: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility</span><br /><br /><span class="word">within the clan</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמִּשְׁפַּ֖חַת</span> <span class="translit">(mim·miš·pa·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4940.htm">Strong's 4940: </a> </span><span class="str2">A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Judah.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוּדָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hū·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/17-7.htm">OT History: Judges 17:7 There was a young man out (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/17-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 17:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 17:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/17-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 17:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 17:8" /></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>