Judges 17:2

KJV

And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred [shekels] of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver [is] with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed [be thou] of the LORD, my son.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto his mother {H517}, The eleven hundred {H505}{H3967} shekels of silver {H3701} that were taken {H3947} from thee, about which thou cursedst {H422}, and spakest {H559} of also in mine ears {H241}, behold, the silver {H3701} is with me; I took {H3947} it. And his mother {H517} said {H559}, Blessed {H1288} be thou of the LORD {H3068}, my son {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to his mother, "You know the 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you - you pronounced a curse about it, and you told me about it? Well, the money is with me. I took it." His mother said, "May ADONAI bless my son,"

Berean Standard Bible

said to his mother, “The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have the silver here with me; I took it.” Then his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the LORD!”

American Standard Version

And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred pieces of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou didst utter a curse, and didst also speak it in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be my son of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 17:2 introduces Micah, a man whose confession of theft to his mother, prompted by her public curse, is met with a startling blessing rather than rebuke. This initial exchange immediately sets a tone of profound moral ambiguity and spiritual compromise, foreshadowing the household's subsequent descent into idolatry and self-serving religious practices, thereby serving as a microcosm of Israel's widespread spiritual decay during the period of the Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 17:2 serves as the opening scene for the narrative of Micah, which spans [Judges 17](/judges/17 "Judges 17 - Micah's Idolatry") and [Judges 18](/judges/18 "Judges 18 - The Danites and Micah's Idols"). This two-chapter account acts as an appendix to the main body of Judges, illustrating the chaotic spiritual and moral conditions that prevailed "in those days when there was no king in Israel" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel")). The immediate context reveals a family grappling with a significant theft—eleven hundred shekels of silver—a substantial sum that underscores the gravity of the crime. Micah's confession, following his mother's curse, is the catalyst for a series of events that expose the deep-seated spiritual confusion of the era, where a blessing from the LORD is invoked in the very breath that condones, or at least overlooks, a serious transgression.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1400-1050 BC) was characterized by a decentralized tribal society in Israel, lacking a central monarchical authority. This era was marked by cycles of apostasy, divine judgment (through oppression by foreign powers), repentance, and deliverance (through divinely raised judges). Culturally, the Israelites were constantly exposed to the idolatrous practices of surrounding Canaanite peoples, often incorporating elements of pagan worship into their own understanding of Yahwism. The mention of "shekels" points to a common unit of weight and currency in the ancient Near East, signifying a significant amount of wealth. The mother's curse, or imprecation, was a serious matter, believed to invoke divine judgment upon the unknown perpetrator, and was a common practice in that cultural milieu to seek justice or recovery of stolen goods.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the broader narrative it introduces, powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in Judges. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **moral relativism** and spiritual anarchy, encapsulated by the recurring phrase, "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Concluding Summary of Judges")). Secondly, it exposes the dangers of **syncretism** and superficial piety, where the worship of Yahweh is mixed with idolatrous practices, as seen in the mother's dedication of the recovered silver to make an idol ([Judges 17:3-4](/judges/17-3 "Judges 17:3 - Micah's Mother Dedicates Silver for an Idol")). Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **corrupted leadership** and the absence of true spiritual authority, as even a Levite is hired to serve as a private priest for Micah's household ([Judges 17:7-13](/judges/17-7 "Judges 17:7-13 - Micah Hires a Levite Priest")). Judges 17:2 specifically introduces the theme of **perverted justice** and the blurring of moral lines, where confession of sin is rewarded with a blessing rather than a call to true repentance and adherence to God's law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shekels (Hebrew, _sheqel'_):** A common unit of weight and currency in ancient Israel and the wider ancient Near East. The "eleven hundred shekels of silver" mentioned here represents a very substantial sum, indicating a household of considerable means. For context, a typical annual wage for a laborer might have been around 10 shekels, making this theft equivalent to over a century's wages for an individual, highlighting the gravity of Micah's crime and the value of the stolen property.
* **cursedst (Hebrew, _'alah'_):** This word denotes a solemn oath, imprecation, or curse, often invoking divine judgment upon an individual. The mother's public pronouncement of a curse against the unknown thief was a serious act, intended to bring misfortune or divine retribution upon the perpetrator, or to compel the return of the stolen goods. It implies a deep-seated belief in the power of spoken words and the involvement of the divine in matters of justice.
* **Blessed [be thou] of the LORD (Hebrew, _baruch Yahweh'_):** This is a standard formula for invoking divine favor or expressing praise to God. However, its application in this context is deeply ironic and problematic. The mother's immediate shift from cursing to blessing, upon the return of the silver, reveals a transactional and superficial understanding of divine blessing, prioritizing the recovery of material wealth over genuine repentance for a serious sin. It suggests a pragmatic rather than truly pious motivation, where "blessing" is contingent on personal gain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred [shekels] of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver [is] with me; I took it."**: This opening clause reveals Micah's confession. The substantial sum of silver highlights the severity of the theft. The mother's public curse, which Micah heard, likely pressured him into confessing. This confession, however, seems motivated by fear of the curse's consequences rather than genuine remorse for the sin of theft itself. His direct admission, "I took it," is a stark acknowledgment of his guilt.
* **"And his mother said, Blessed [be thou] of the LORD, my son."**: This second clause presents the mother's astonishing response. Instead of rebuke, discipline, or a call to repentance for the theft, she immediately pronounces a blessing upon Micah, invoking the name of the LORD. This swift reversal from curse to blessing underscores the deeply compromised moral and spiritual state of the household. It suggests a pragmatic concern for the return of the silver superseding any genuine concern for the ethical implications of theft or the sanctity of God's law. The blessing, though invoking Yahweh, is pronounced within a context of spiritual blindness and a perversion of true righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Judges 17:2 employs several key literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the mother's solemn curse against a thief is immediately followed by a blessing upon her son, the confessed thief, invoking the very name of the LORD. This creates a stark contrast between expected righteous indignation and the actual response, highlighting the moral decay. The verse also functions as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the deeper spiritual confusion that will unfold in the subsequent verses, where the recovered silver is used to make an idol, further illustrating the family's distorted understanding of worship and divine law. The entire exchange serves as a **microcosm** of the broader spiritual and moral anarchy described in the book of Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel, Everyone Did What Was Right")). The **dialogue** itself is concise yet powerful, immediately establishing the characters' compromised moral compass and setting the stage for the narrative's exploration of syncretism and idolatry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 17:2 profoundly illustrates the spiritual and moral bankruptcy pervasive in Israel during the Judges period. The mother's immediate blessing upon her thieving son, invoking the name of the LORD, reveals a superficial and transactional understanding of divine justice and holiness. It highlights a dangerous syncretism where the sacred is invoked for pragmatic ends, devoid of genuine repentance or adherence to God's revealed law. This incident sets the stage for the subsequent idolatry within Micah's household, demonstrating how a compromised moral foundation leads to perverted worship. The passage serves as a stark warning against external religiosity that lacks internal transformation and true reverence for God's character and commands.

* [Exodus 20:15](/exodus/20-15 "Exodus 20:15 - The Eighth Commandment: You Shall Not Steal")
* [Deuteronomy 27:15](/deuteronomy/27-15 "Deuteronomy 27:15 - Curse Against Idolatry")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 17:2 offers a potent cautionary tale for contemporary believers, urging us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the integrity of our spiritual practices. The mother's response to Micah's confession—a blessing rather than a call to true repentance—serves as a stark reminder that outward displays of piety or the invocation of God's name do not automatically equate to genuine godliness. We are challenged to move beyond a superficial understanding of sin and grace, recognizing that true repentance involves not just confession, but a turning away from sin and a commitment to living in accordance with God's holy standards. This passage compels us to cultivate spiritual discernment, ensuring that our blessings, our worship, and our moral judgments are rooted in the unchanging character of God and the clear teachings of His Word, rather than being swayed by personal convenience, emotional responses, or cultural relativism. It calls us to pursue a faith that is deeply integrated, where our actions align with our convictions, and where our understanding of God's grace leads us to holiness, not complacency in sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to prioritize convenience or personal gain over genuine adherence to God's moral law?**
* **How do I ensure that my expressions of faith and "blessings" are truly aligned with God's character and not merely a reflection of my own desires or cultural norms?**
* **What does true repentance look like in my life, beyond mere confession, and how can I cultivate a deeper commitment to turning from sin?**
* **How can I develop greater spiritual discernment to recognize when religious practices or pronouncements are detached from biblical truth?**

### FAQ

**Q: Why did Micah's mother bless him instead of rebuking him for stealing?**

Answer: Micah's mother's blessing of her son, rather than rebuking him for theft, reveals a deeply compromised spiritual and moral landscape. Her primary concern appears to be the recovery of the substantial sum of silver, which was likely vital to the household's finances. The curse she pronounced was intended to compel the return of the stolen goods, and once that objective was achieved through Micah's confession, her relief seems to have overridden any concern for the sin itself. This reaction highlights the pervasive moral relativism of the era, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King, Everyone Did What Was Right")). Her blessing, while invoking the LORD, was likely a pragmatic response, demonstrating a superficial understanding of divine justice and holiness, where the material outcome was prioritized over true righteousness and repentance.

**Q: What does the "eleven hundred shekels of silver" signify?**

Answer: The "eleven hundred shekels of silver" represents a very significant amount of wealth in ancient Israel. A shekel was a unit of weight, typically around 11-12 grams, meaning 1100 shekels would be roughly 25-30 pounds (11-13 kg) of silver. This sum was substantial enough to be the object of a public curse and was later used by Micah's mother to fund the creation of a carved and molten image for idolatrous worship ([Judges 17:3-4](/judges/17-3 "Judges 17:3 - Micah's Mother Dedicates Silver for Idols")). The large sum underscores the gravity of Micah's theft and the economic impact it had on the family, further highlighting the mother's pragmatic response to its recovery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 17:2, with its stark portrayal of moral ambiguity and superficial piety, finds its ultimate fulfillment and corrective in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The mother's blessing of her thieving son, despite his unrepentant heart, stands in stark contrast to the true blessing and forgiveness offered by God through Christ. Unlike Micah's confession, which was motivated by fear of a curse and met with a perverted blessing, Jesus calls for genuine repentance that leads to life ([Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Repentance and Forgiveness")). The superficiality of Micah's household, where sacred language coexists with idolatry, is exposed by Christ's teaching that true worship is "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), not through man-made images or self-serving rituals. The Law, which Micah violated by theft ([Exodus 20:15](/exodus/20-15 "Exodus 20:15 - You Shall Not Steal")) and his mother by condoning it and promoting idolatry ([Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - No Idols")), finds its perfect embodiment and fulfillment in Jesus, who did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Ultimately, the chaos and moral decay of the Judges period, stemming from "everyone doing what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel")), point to the desperate need for a true King, Jesus Christ, who establishes His righteous reign and offers true blessing and redemption from sin, not through human compromise, but through His perfect sacrifice on the cross ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood There is No Forgiveness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 13:25

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

Ruth 3:10

And he said, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD, my daughter: [for] thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

1 Samuel 15:13

And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

Genesis 14:19

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

1 Samuel 14:24

¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

2 John 1:11

For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Proverbs 28:24

¶ Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.