1. fuit eo tempore vir quidam de monte Ephraim nomine Michas
2. qui dixit matri suæ mille centum argenteos quos separaveras tibi et super quibus me audiente juraveras ecce ego habeo et apud me sunt cui illa respondit benedictus filius meus Domino
3. reddidit ergo eos matri suæ quæ dixerat ei consecravi et vovi argentum hoc Domino ut de manu mea suscipiat filius meus et faciat sculptile atque conflatile et nunc trado illud tibi
4. reddidit igitur matri suæ quæ tulit ducentos argenteos et dedit eos argentario ut faceret ex eis sculptile atque conflatile quod fuit in domo Micha
5. qui ædiculam quoque in ea Deo separavit et fecit ephod ac therafin id est vestem sacerdotalem et idola implevitque unius filiorum suorum manum et factus est ei sacerdos
6. in diebus illis non erat rex in Israël sed unusquisque quod sibi rectum videbatur hoc faciebat
7. fuit quoque alter adulescens de Bethleem Juda et cognatione ejus eratque ipse Levites et habitabat ibi
8. egressusque de civitate Bethleem peregrinari voluit ubicumque sibi commodum repperisset cumque venisset in monte Ephraim iter faciens et declinasset parumper in domum Micha
9. interrogatus est ab eo unde venis qui respondit Levita sum de Bethleem Juda et vado ut habitem ubi potuero et utile mihi esse perspexero
10. mane inquit apud me et esto mihi parens ac sacerdos daboque tibi per annos singulos decem argenteos ac vestem duplicem et quæ ad victum necessaria sunt
11. adquievit et mansit apud hominem fuitque illi quasi unus de filiis
12. implevitque Micha manum ejus et habuit apud se puerum sacerdotem
13. nunc scio dicens quod bene mihi faciat Deus habenti levitici generis sacerdotem
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 Liber Iudicum, 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)
