Judges 17:3
Judges 17:3 in Multiple Translations
And when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I wholly dedicate the silver to the LORD for my son’s benefit, to make a graven image and a molten idol. Therefore I will now return it to you.”
And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.
And he restored the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother; and his mother said, I verily dedicate the silver unto Jehovah from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.
And he gave back the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, and his mother said, I have made the silver holy to the Lord from me for my son, to make a pictured image and a metal image.
He gave back to his mother the eleven hundred shekels of silver. His mother announced, “I'm completely dedicating this money to the Lord. I'm handing it over to my son to have an idol carved, an image made with molten silver. So now I return it to you.”
And when he had restored the eleuen hundreth shekels of siluer to his mother, his mother sayd, I had dedicate the siluer to the Lord of mine hand for my sonne, to make a grauen and molten image. Now therfore I will giue it thee again.
And he giveth back the eleven hundred silverlings to his mother, and his mother saith, 'I had certainly sanctified the silver to Jehovah, from my hand, for my son, to make a graven image, and a molten image; and now, I give it back to thee.'
He restored the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother, then his mother said, “I most certainly dedicate the silver to the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a carved image and a molten image. Now therefore I will restore it to you.”
And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver to the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it to thee.
So he restored them to his mother, who said to him: I have consecrated and vowed this silver to the Lord, that my son may receive it at my hand, and make a graven and a molten god, so now I deliver it to thee.
Micah gave all the silver back to his mother. Then she said to herself, “I will give some of this silver to Yahweh.” And she said to her son, “My son, I want you to make an idol and a statue from this silver. So I will give some of this silver back to you for making these things.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 17:3
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Judges 17:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 17:3
Study Notes — Judges 17:3
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 17:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 17:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 17:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 17:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 17:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 17:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 17:3
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 17:3
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 17:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 17:3
- Sermons on Judges 17:3
Context — Micah’s Idolatry
3And when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I wholly dedicate the silver to the LORD for my son’s benefit, to make a graven image and a molten idol. Therefore I will now return it to you.”
4So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into a graven image and a molten idol. And they were placed in the house of Micah. 5Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household idols, and ordained one of his sons as his priest.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 20:4 | You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. |
| 2 | Exodus 20:23 | You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold. |
| 3 | Leviticus 19:4 | Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods. I am the LORD your God. |
| 4 | Judges 18:5 | Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God to determine whether we will have a successful journey.” |
| 5 | Exodus 34:17 | You shall make no molten gods for yourselves. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 12:3 | Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. |
| 7 | Judges 17:13 | Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, because a Levite has become my priest.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 40:18–25 | To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him? To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? To one bereft of an offering who chooses wood that will not rot, who seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple? Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble. “To whom will you liken Me, or who is My equal?” asks the Holy One. |
| 9 | Isaiah 66:3 | Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations. |
| 10 | Psalms 115:4–8 | Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them. |
Judges 17:3 Summary
[In Judges 17:3, the mother tries to dedicate the silver to the LORD, but she is actually using it to make an idol, which goes against God's commands in Exodus 20:4. This shows that using God's name or resources to justify our own desires is not pleasing to Him. We should seek to use our resources in a way that honors God, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30, where Jesus teaches about being faithful stewards. By doing so, we can avoid the dangers of idolatry and syncretism, and instead bring glory to God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the mother dedicating the silver to the LORD in Judges 17:3?
The mother's dedication of the silver to the LORD seems to be a way of trying to justify or sanctify her actions, but it is actually a form of idolatry, as seen in Exodus 20:4, where God commands against making graven images.
Is it okay to make images or idols for worship, as long as they are dedicated to God?
No, according to Scripture, making images or idols for worship is not acceptable, as stated in Deuteronomy 5:8 and Leviticus 26:30, where God warns against idolatry and the making of graven images.
How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship of resources?
This verse highlights the importance of using resources in a way that honors God, rather than using them for selfish or idolatrous purposes, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30, where Jesus teaches about being faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us.
What can we learn from the mother's actions in this verse about the dangers of syncretism?
The mother's actions demonstrate the danger of syncretism, where elements of different beliefs or practices are combined, leading to a distorted view of God and worship, as warned against in Deuteronomy 12:30-31, where God commands against incorporating pagan practices into worship.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be using God's name or resources to justify my own desires or actions, rather than seeking to honor Him?
- How can I ensure that my worship and use of resources are pleasing to God, rather than being self-serving or idolatrous?
- In what ways can I be a faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to me, using them to bring glory to Him rather than to myself?
- What are some potential dangers of syncretism in my own life, and how can I guard against combining elements of different beliefs or practices in a way that distorts my view of God?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 17:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 17:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 17:3
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 17:3
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 17:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 17:3
Cambridge Bible on Judges 17:3
Barnes' Notes on Judges 17:3
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 17:3
Sermons on Judges 17:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Money by Andrew Murray | Andrew Murray emphasizes the dual nature of money in the Christian life, highlighting its potential for both blessing and danger. He explains that while money represents hard work |
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Are You Saved? by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Exodus 20:1-7 and emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with God. He highlights that God owns us and desires our compl |
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Where Does Passion Come From? by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the problem of taking our victories over problems and putting them aside, thinking we no longer need God. He emphasizes the constant need for |
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David and Goliath by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey, which is described as the glory of all lands on earth. He emphasizes the importance of cas |
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(Genesis) Genesis 31:14-19 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and his encounter with God at Bethel. The preacher emphasizes that one cannot run away from God, as David also wrote about |
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Boasting in the Law by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how the apostle Paul systematically addresses different types of people and their beliefs about acceptance before God. He emphasizes that all |
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The Joy of Fearing God by Hans Peter Royer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of the fear of God in today's world. He references 2 Samuel 23:3, which states that when one rules in the fear of God, they are |






