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Read Judges 17 in modern English — World English Bible (13 verses)
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1 There was a man of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Micah.
2 He said to his mother, “The eleven hundred pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse, and also spoke it in my ears, behold, the silver is with me. I took it.” His mother said, “May Yahweh bless my son!”
3 He restored the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother, then his mother said, “I most certainly dedicate the silver to Yahweh from my hand for my son, to make an engraved image and a molten image. Now therefore I will restore it to you.”
4 When he restored the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave them to a silversmith, who made an engraved image and a molten image out of it. It was in the house of Micah.
5 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.
6 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes.
7 There was a young man out of Bethlehem Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he lived there.
8 The man departed out of the city, out of Bethlehem Judah, to live where he could find a place, and he came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, as he traveled.
9 Micah said to him, “Where did you come from?” He said to him, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem Judah, and I am looking for a place to live.”
10 Micah said to him, “Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver per year, a suit of clothing, and your food.” So the Levite went in.
11 The Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was to him as one of his sons.
12 Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
13 Then Micah said, “Now know I that Yahweh will do good to me, since I have a Levite as my priest.”
Study tools for Judges 17
Cross-references, Hebrew word study, and what the Early Church wrote about Judges 17. Tap any section to expand — or right-click any verse for the full interactive study panel.
Judges 17 study resources: word-by-word Hebrew interlinear with Strong's numbers.
Hebrew interlinear — Judges 17:1–13 (191 words)
- וַֽיְהִיwayhîhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- אִ֥ישׁʾîšiysh: a man as an individual or a male personH376
- מֵֽהַרmēharhar: a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)H2022
- אֶפְרָ֖יִםʾeprāyimEphrayim: double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of JosephH669
- וּשְׁמ֥וֹûšĕmôshem: an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individualityH8034
- מִיכָֽיְהוּ׃mîkāyĕhûMiykayhuw: Mikajah, the name of three IsraelitesH4321
- וַיֹּ֣אמֶרwayyōʾmeramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- לְאִמּ֡וֹlĕʾimmôem: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like H0001H517
- אֶלֶף֩ʾelepeleph: a thousandH505
- וּמֵאָ֨הûmēʾâme'ah: a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fractionH3967
- הַכֶּ֜סֶףhakkesepkeceph: silver (from its pale color); (by implication) moneyH3701
- אֲשֶׁ֣רʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
- לֻֽקַּֽחluqqaḥlaqach: to take (in the widest variety of applications)H3947
- לָ֗ךְlāk
- וְאַ֤תְּיwĕʾattĕyattah: thou and thee, or (plural) ye and youH859
- אָלִית֙ʾālîtalah: (properly) to swear an oath; (usually, in a bad sense) to invoke a curseH422
- וְגַם֙wĕgamgam: (properly) assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, thoughH1571
- אָמַ֣רְתְּʾāmarĕtamar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- בְּאָזְנַ֔יbĕʾoznayozen: broadness; (concretely) the ear (from its form in man)H241
- הִנֵּֽהhinnēhinneh: lo!H2009
- הַכֶּ֥סֶףhakkesepkeceph: silver (from its pale color); (by implication) moneyH3701
- אִתִּ֖יʾittîeth: (properly) nearness; (used only as a preposition or an adverb) nearH854
- אֲנִ֣יʾănîaniy: IH589
- לְקַחְתִּ֑יוlĕqaḥtîwlaqach: to take (in the widest variety of applications)H3947
- וַתֹּ֣אמֶרwattōʾmeramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- אִמּ֔וֹʾimmôem: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like H0001H517
- בָּר֥וּךְbārûkbarak: to kneel; (implication, man toward God) to bless God as an act of adorationH1288
- בְּנִ֖יbĕnîben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
- לַֽיהוָֽה׃layhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- וַיָּ֛שֶׁבwayyāšebshuwb: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the...H7725
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- אֶֽלֶףʾelepeleph: a thousandH505
- וּמֵאָ֥הûmēʾâme'ah: a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fractionH3967
- הַכֶּ֖סֶףhakkesepkeceph: silver (from its pale color); (by implication) moneyH3701
- לְאִמּ֑וֹlĕʾimmôem: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like H0001H517
- וַתֹּ֣אמֶרwattōʾmeramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- אִמּ֡וֹʾimmôem: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like H0001H517
- הַקְדֵּ֣שׁhaqdēšqadash: to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)H6942
- הִקְדַּ֣שְׁתִּיhiqdaštîqadash: to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)H6942
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- הַכֶּסֶף֩hakkesepkeceph: silver (from its pale color); (by implication) moneyH3701
- לַֽיהוָ֨הlayhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- מִיָּדִ֜יmiyyādîyad: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from H3709, the closed one)H3027
- לִבְנִ֗יlibnîben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
- לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙laʿăśôt`asah: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows)H6213
- פֶּ֣סֶלpeselpecel: an idolH6459
- וּמַסֵּכָ֔הûmassēkâmaccekah: (properly) a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image)H4541
- וְעַתָּ֖הwĕʿattâ`attah: at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletiveH6258
- אֲשִׁיבֶ֥נּוּʾăšîbennûshuwb: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the...H7725
- וַיָּ֥שֶׁבwayyāšebshuwb: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the...H7725
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- הַכֶּ֖סֶףhakkesepkeceph: silver (from its pale color); (by implication) moneyH3701
- לְאִמּ֑וֹlĕʾimmôem: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like H0001H517
- וַתִּקַּ֣חwattiqqaḥlaqach: to take (in the widest variety of applications)H3947
- אִמּוֹ֩ʾimmôem: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like H0001H517
- מָאתַ֨יִםmāʾtayimme'ah: a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fractionH3967
- כֶּ֜סֶףkesepkeceph: silver (from its pale color); (by implication) moneyH3701
- וַתִּתְּנֵ֣הוּwattittĕnēhûnathan: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)H5414
- לַצּוֹרֵ֗ףlaṣṣôrēptsaraph: to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively)H6884
- וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙wayyaʿăśēhû`asah: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows)H6213
- פֶּ֣סֶלpeselpecel: an idolH6459
- וּמַסֵּכָ֔הûmassēkâmaccekah: (properly) a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image)H4541
- וַֽיְהִ֖יwayhîhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- בְּבֵ֥יתbĕbêtbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
- מִיכָֽיְהוּ׃mîkāyĕhûMiykayhuw: Mikajah, the name of three IsraelitesH4321
- וְהָאִ֣ישׁwĕhāʾîšiysh: a man as an individual or a male personH376
- מִיכָ֔הmîkâMiykah: Micah, the name of seven IsraelitesH4318
- ל֖וֹlô
- בֵּ֣יתbêtbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
- אֱלֹהִ֑יםʾĕlōhîmelohiym: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the...H430
- וַיַּ֤עַשׂwayyaʿaś`asah: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows)H6213
- אֵפוֹד֙ʾēpôdephowd: a girdle; (specifically) the ephod or high-priest's shoulder-pieceH646
- וּתְרָפִ֔יםûtĕrāpîmtraphiym: a healer; Teraphim (singular or plural) a family idolH8655
- וַיְמַלֵּ֗אwaymallēʾmale': to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)H4390
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- יַ֤דyadyad: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from H3709, the closed one)H3027
- אַחַד֙ʾaḥadechad: (properly) united, i.e. one; (as an ordinal) firstH259
- מִבָּנָ֔יוmibbānāywben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
- וַֽיְהִיwayhîhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- ל֖וֹlô
- לְכֹהֵֽן׃lĕkōhēnkohen: (literally) one officiating, a priest; (also, by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)H3548
- בַּיָּמִ֣יםbayyāmîmyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
- הָהֵ֔םhāhēmhem: they (only used when emphatic)H1992
- אֵ֥יןʾênayin: a non-entity; (generally) used as a negative particleH369
- מֶ֖לֶךְmelekmelek: a kingH4428
- בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לbĕyiśrāʾēlYisra'el: he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of JacobH3478
- אִ֛ישׁʾîšiysh: a man as an individual or a male personH376
- הַיָּשָׁ֥רhayyāšāryashar: straightH3477
- בְּעֵינָ֖יוbĕʿênāyw`ayin: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)H5869
- יַֽעֲשֶֽׂה׃yaʿăśe`asah: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows)H6213
- וַֽיְהִיwayhîhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- נַ֗עַרnaʿarna`ar: (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescenceH5288
- מִבֵּ֥יתmibbêt
- לֶ֙חֶם֙leḥemhouse of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in IsraelH1035
- יְהוּדָ֔הyĕhûdâYhuwdah: celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five IsraelitesH3063
- מִמִּשְׁפַּ֖חַתmimmišpaḥatmishpachah: a family, i.e. circle of relatives; (figuratively) a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of...H4940
- יְהוּדָ֑הyĕhûdâYhuwdah: celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five IsraelitesH3063
- וְה֥וּאwĕhûʾhuw': (the third person pronoun singular) he, she, or it (only expressed when emphatic or without a verb)H1931
- לֵוִ֖יlēwîLeviyiy: a Levite or descendant of LeviH3881
- וְה֥וּאwĕhûʾhuw': (the third person pronoun singular) he, she, or it (only expressed when emphatic or without a verb)H1931
- גָֽרgārguwr: (properly) to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose)H1481
- שָֽׁם׃šāmsham: there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thenceH8033
- וַיֵּ֨לֶךְwayyēlekhalak: a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)H1980
- הָאִ֜ישׁhāʾîšiysh: a man as an individual or a male personH376
- מֵֽהָעִ֗ירmēhāʿîr`iyr: a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)H5892
- מִבֵּ֥יתmibbêt
- לֶ֙חֶם֙leḥemhouse of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in IsraelH1035
- יְהוּדָ֔הyĕhûdâYhuwdah: celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five IsraelitesH3063
- לָג֖וּרlāgûrguwr: (properly) to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose)H1481
- בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣רbaʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
- יִמְצָ֑אyimṣāʾmatsa': (properly) to come forth to, i.e. appear or existH4672
- וַיָּבֹ֧אwayyābōʾbow': to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)H935
- הַרharhar: a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)H2022
- אֶפְרַ֛יִםʾeprayimEphrayim: double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of JosephH669
- עַדʿad`ad: (properly) a (peremptory) terminusH5704
- בֵּ֥יתbêtbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
- מִיכָ֖הmîkâMiykah: Micah, the name of seven IsraelitesH4318
- לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹתlaʿăśôt`asah: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows)H6213
- דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃darkôderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
- וַיֹּֽאמֶרwayyōʾmeramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- ל֥וֹlô
- מִיכָ֖הmîkâMiykah: Micah, the name of seven IsraelitesH4318
- מֵאַ֣יִןmēʾayinaiyn: where?; (with prepositional prefix) whence?H370
- תָּב֑וֹאtābôʾbow': to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)H935
- וַיֹּ֨אמֶרwayyōʾmeramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- אֵלָ֜יוʾēlāywel: (properly) denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or amongH413
- לֵוִ֣יlēwîLeviyiy: a Levite or descendant of LeviH3881
- אָנֹ֗כִיʾānōkîanokiy: IH595
- מִבֵּ֥יתmibbêt
- לֶ֙חֶם֙leḥemhouse of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in IsraelH1035
- יְהוּדָ֔הyĕhûdâYhuwdah: celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five IsraelitesH3063
- וְאָֽנֹכִ֣יwĕʾānōkîanokiy: IH595
- הֹלֵ֔ךְhōlēkhalak: a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)H1980
- לָג֖וּרlāgûrguwr: (properly) to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose)H1481
- בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥רbaʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
- אֶמְצָֽא׃ʾemṣāʾmatsa': (properly) to come forth to, i.e. appear or existH4672
- וַיֹּאמֶר֩wayyōʾmeramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- ל֨וֹlô
- מִיכָ֜הmîkâMiykah: Micah, the name of seven IsraelitesH4318
- שְׁבָ֣הšĕbâyashab: (properly) to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet)H3427
- עִמָּדִ֗יʿimmādî`immad: along withH5978
- וֶֽהְיֵהwehĕyēhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- לִי֮liy
- לְאָ֣בlĕʾābab: fatherH1
- וּלְכֹהֵן֒ûlĕkōhēnkohen: (literally) one officiating, a priest; (also, by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)H3548
- וְאָֽנֹכִ֨יwĕʾānōkîanokiy: IH595
- אֶֽתֶּןʾettennathan: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)H5414
- לְךָ֜lĕkā
- עֲשֶׂ֤רֶתʿăśeret`eser: ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)H6235
- כֶּ֙סֶף֙kesepkeceph: silver (from its pale color); (by implication) moneyH3701
- לַיָּמִ֔יםlayyāmîmyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
- וְעֵ֥רֶךְwĕʿērek`erek: a pile, equipment, estimateH6187
- בְּגָדִ֖יםbĕgādîmbeged: a covering; clothingH899
- וּמִֽחְיָתֶ֑ךָûmiḥĕyātekāmichyah: preservation of life; (hence) sustenanceH4241
- וַיֵּ֖לֶךְwayyēlekhalak: a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)H1980
- הַלֵּוִֽי׃hallēwîLeviyiy: a Levite or descendant of LeviH3881
- וַיּ֥וֹאֶלwayyôʾelya'al: (properly) to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volitionH2974
- הַלֵּוִ֖יhallēwîLeviyiy: a Levite or descendant of LeviH3881
- לָשֶׁ֣בֶתlāšebetyashab: (properly) to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet)H3427
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) nearness; (used only as a preposition or an adverb) nearH854
- הָאִ֑ישׁhāʾîšiysh: a man as an individual or a male personH376
- וַיְהִ֤יwayhîhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- הַנַּ֙עַר֙hannaʿarna`ar: (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescenceH5288
- ל֔וֹlô
- כְּאַחַ֖דkĕʾaḥadechad: (properly) united, i.e. one; (as an ordinal) firstH259
- מִבָּנָֽיו׃mibbānāywben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
- וַיְמַלֵּ֤אwaymallēʾmale': to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)H4390
- מִיכָה֙mîkāhMiykah: Micah, the name of seven IsraelitesH4318
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- יַ֣דyadyad: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from H3709, the closed one)H3027
- הַלֵּוִ֔יhallēwîLeviyiy: a Levite or descendant of LeviH3881
- וַֽיְהִיwayhîhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- ל֥וֹlô
- הַנַּ֖עַרhannaʿarna`ar: (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescenceH5288
- לְכֹהֵ֑ןlĕkōhēnkohen: (literally) one officiating, a priest; (also, by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)H3548
- וַיְהִ֖יwayhîhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- בְּבֵ֥יתbĕbêtbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
- מִיכָֽה׃mîkâMiykah: Micah, the name of seven IsraelitesH4318
- וַיֹּ֣אמֶרwayyōʾmeramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- מִיכָ֔הmîkâMiykah: Micah, the name of seven IsraelitesH4318
- עַתָּ֣הʿattâ`attah: at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletiveH6258
- יָדַ֔עְתִּיyādaʿtîyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
- כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
- יֵיטִ֥יבyêṭîbyatab: to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)H3190
- יְהוָ֖הyĕhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- לִ֑יlî
- כִּ֧יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
- הָֽיָהhāyâhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- לִ֛יlî
- הַלֵּוִ֖יhallēwîLeviyiy: a Levite or descendant of LeviH3881
- לְכֹהֵֽן׃lĕkōhēnkohen: (literally) one officiating, a priest; (also, by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)H3548
Strong's words in Judges 17 (6)
- Strong's H1961 — וַֽיְהִי (wayhî)
- hayah (haw-yaw) v. 1. to exist 2. to be or become 3. to come into being, i.e. to happen, to occur (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) [a primitive root] KJV: beacon, X altogether, be. Appears 9 times in Judges 17.
- Strong's H559 — וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (wayyōʾmer)
- amar (aw-mar') v. 1. to say (used with great latitude) [a primitive root] KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.. Appears 8 times in Judges 17.
- Strong's H3701 — הַכֶּ֜סֶף (hakkesep)
- keceph (keh'-sef) n-m. 1. silver (from its pale color) 2. (by implication) money [from H3700] KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). Root(s): H3700. Appears 7 times in Judges 17.
- Strong's H4318 — מִיכָ֔ה (mîkâ)
- Miykah (mee-kaw') n/p. 1. Micah, the name of seven Israelites [an abbrev. of H4320] KJV: Micah, Micaiah, Michah. Root(s): H4320. Appears 7 times in Judges 17.
- Strong's H3881 — לֵוִ֖י (lēwî)
- Leviyiy (lay-vee-ee') (or Leviy {lay-vee'}) adj. 1. a Levite or descendant of Levi [patronymically from H3878] KJV: Leviite. Root(s): H3878. Appears 6 times in Judges 17.
- Strong's H517 — לְאִמּ֡וֹ (lĕʾimmô)
- em (ame) n-f. 1. a mother (as the bond of the family) 2. in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like H0001 [a primitive word] KJV: dam, mother, X parting. See also: H1. Appears 6 times in Judges 17.