1. kai egeneto anhr ex orouV efraim kai onoma autw mica
2. kai eipen th mhtri autou ciliouV kai ekaton arguriou touV lhmfqentaV soi kai exwrkisaV kai eipaV en toiV wsin mou idou to argurion par' emoi egw elabon auto kai eipen h mhthr autou euloghmenoV o uioV mou tw kuriw
3. kai apedwken touV ciliouV kai ekaton tou arguriou th mhtri autou kai eipen h mhthr autou agiasmw hgiasa to argurion tw kuriw ek thV ceiroV mou kata monaV tou poihsai glupton kai cwneuton kai nun epistreyw auta soi kai apodwsw soi auto
4. kai apedwken to argurion th mhtri autou kai elaben h mhthr autou diakosiouV tou arguriou kai edwken auto tw cwneuth kai epoihsen auto glupton kai cwneuton kai egeneto en tw oikw mica
5. kai o anhr mica autw oikoV qeou kai epoihsen efoud kai qerafin kai eneplhsen thn ceira enoV twn uiwn autou kai egenhqh autw eiV ierea
6. en taiV hmeraiV ekeinaiV ouk hn basileuV en israhl anhr to agaqon en ofqalmoiV autou epoiei
7. kai egeneto paidarion ek bhqleem dhmou iouda ek thV suggeneiaV iouda kai autoV leuithV kai autoV parwkei ekei
8. kai eporeuqh o anhr ek thV polewV iouda ek bhqleem paroikein ou ean eurh kai egenhqh eiV oroV efraim ewV oikou mica tou poihsai thn odon autou
9. kai eipen autw mica poqen erch kai eipen proV auton leuithV egw eimi ek bhqleem iouda kai egw poreuomai paroikein ou ean eurw
10. kai eipen autw mica kaqou met' emou kai genou moi eiV patera kai eiV ierea kai egw dwsw soi deka arguriou eiV hmeraV kai zeugoV imatiwn kai ta proV to zhn sou kai eporeuqh o leuithV
11. kai hrxato paroikein para tw andri kai egenhqh autw to paidarion wV eiV twn uiwn autou
12. kai eneplhsen mica thn ceira tou leuitou kai egenhqh autw to paidarion eiV ierea kai hn en tw oikw mica
13. kai eipen mica nun egnwn oti hgaqopoihsen me kurioV oti egenhqh moi o leuithV eiV ierea
Footnotes:
17:1-2 - The story of Micah, who establishes an idol house, highlights the apostasy in Israel. Micah seeks God's protection through sacred objects, revealing the confusion between true worship and idolatry (see also Exodus 20:4-5 and Deuteronomy 12:29-31).
17:5-6 - Israel's kinglessness is evident, with everyone doing what was right in their own eyes. This moral anarchy reflects the absence of leadership and the need for a righteous ruler (see also Proverbs 29:18 and 1 Samuel 8:5).
17:7-10 - Micah's hiring of a Levite to be his priest demonstrates his quest for religious legitimacy, even amid idolatry. This choice illustrates the distortion of true worship and the corruption of cultus (see also 1 Kings 12:31 and Ezekiel 44:10-16).
17:11-12 - The Levite's loyalty to Micah, even in an environment of idolatry, points to the moral and spiritual degradation of the priesthood during the time of the Judges. This highlights the importance of faithfulness to the true worship of God (see also Psalm 119:10-11 and Ezekiel 22:26).
17:13 - Micah believes that the Levite's presence will bring God's blessing upon his household. This mistaken belief highlights the problem of mixing idolatrous practices with faith, warning of the consequences of disobedience (see also Galatians 1:6-9 and James 1:27).
Verses related to Juízes, 17:
Judges chapter 17 begins the narrative of Israel's moral decline. How does idolatry infiltrate society? This revealing text describes the story of Micah, who establishes a private sanctuary with idols and hires a Levite as his personal priest. The chapter illustrates the spiritual and moral confusion of the period, highlighting the people's departure from God's true ways. Judges 17 serves as a warning against religious syncretism. Consider with us five biblical passages that relate to the crucial themes of this disturbing chapter.
Exodus 20:4: "You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any image of anything in heaven or on earth or in the waters under the earth." - This commandment contrasts with the actions of Micah in Judges 17, who makes an idol of silver.
1 Kings 12:28-29: "After taking advice, the king had two golden calves made and said to the people: 'It has been a long time since you went up to Jerusalem. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.' He placed a calf in Bethel and another in Dan." - Jeroboam's creation of idols echoes Micah's idolatry in Judges 17.
Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters; for he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Money." - This teaching of Jesus contrasts with the mixture of worship of God and idolatry seen in Judges 17.
Acts 19:24-26: "A goldsmith named Demetrius, who made silver miniatures of the temple of Artemis, provided much profit for the craftsmen. He gathered them together, together with workers in similar occupations, and said: 'Gentlemen, you know that our prosperity depends on this activity. As you can see and hear, this Paul has convinced and led astray many people in Ephesus and in almost the entire province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are not gods.'" - This passage about idol-making in Ephesus recalls Micah's creation of the silver idol in Judges 17.
1 John 5:21: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." - This simple warning against idolatry contrasts with Micah's actions in Judges 17.
FAQ:
Who was Micaiah and what was his mistake in Judges 17?
Micaiah was a man of Ephraim who made a silver idol and established a household cult, erring by worshiping idols, which was against God's Law. (Judges 17:1-5)
How did Micaiah receive the priest who entered his house?
Micaiah received a young Levite as a priest and hired him to officiate in his idol worship, believing this would bring blessings and success. (Judges 17:7-13)
What does Micaiah's household worship reveal about religion in Israel at the time?
Micaiah's household worship reveals a lack of centralization of worship and a tendency toward religious syncretism, including the worship of idols. (Judges 17:5)
What was the impact of Micaiah's cult on the tribe of Dan?
Micaiah's cult influenced the tribe of Dan to adopt similar practices, eventually leading to the establishment of an idolatrous cult in their city. (Judges 18:30)
What happened to the image carved by Micaiah?
The image carved by Micaiah was eventually stolen by the Danites, who took it to their tribe as part of their idol worship. (Judges 18:18)
