Judges 17

Judges 17:1

mount = hill country of Ephraim, where Joshua dwelt and was buried (Joshua 24:30).

Judges 17:2

eleven hundred. See note on Judges 16:5.

taken. Idolatry in Israel commenced with dishonesty.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Judges 17:3

wholly dedicated. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). Hebrew “dedicating I had dedicated it”.

Judges 17:4

money = silver (Judges 17:2).

Judges 17:5

house of gods. The true house of God was neglected, and as hard to find as it is to-day (Judges 21:19); and, when found, dancing was the prominent feature, not sacrifice or worship (Judges 21:21-23).

ephod. In imitation of Aaron’s. Exodus 25:7; Exodus 28:4.

consecrated. See note on Exodus 28:41. Leviticus 9:17.

his priest. Not Jehovah’s, but “made with hands”.

Judges 17:6

no king. First occurrence of four, See Judges 18:1; Judges 19:1; Judges 21:25. Two conform to the structure here; and two in chs. Judges 19:1, and Judges 21:25.

Judges 17:7

a young man. See note on Judges 18:30.

Beth-lehem-Judah. To distinguish it from Beth-le-hem in Zebulun (Joshua 19:15).

Judges 17:8

to sojourn. True worship neglected. Priests and Levites unemployed. Idolaters busy making idols and dancing.

Judges 17:12

his priest. Not Jehovah’s; see on Judges 17:5.

Judges 17:13

do me good. The “good” (as in all such cases) never came. For Micah is afterward robbed both of his idols and his priest.