Judges 17:4

Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred [shekels] of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.

Yet he restored {H7725} the money {H3701} unto his mother {H517}; and his mother {H517} took {H3947} two hundred {H3967} shekels of silver {H3701}, and gave {H5414} them to the founder {H6884}, who made {H6213} thereof a graven image {H6459} and a molten image {H4541}: and they were in the house {H1004} of Micah {H4321}.

But he returned the money to his mother, and she took 200 pieces of silver and gave them to the metalworker, who made a carved image overlaid with silver which was put in Mikhay'hu's house.

So 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.

And when he restored the money unto his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and it was in the house of Micah.

Commentary

Judges 17:4 provides a vivid glimpse into the spiritual confusion and moral decay characteristic of Israel during the period of the Judges. This verse details the outcome of Micah’s confessed theft, revealing a distorted form of worship that was common when every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Context

The book of Judges' final chapters (17-21) serve as an appendix, illustrating the depths of Israel's spiritual decline and the absence of central, godly leadership. Micah had stolen 1100 shekels of silver from his mother, only to return them after she pronounced a curse upon the thief. In a misguided act of piety, his mother dedicated a portion of the recovered silver to the Lord, but instead of using it for legitimate worship, it was used to create idols. This act sets the stage for a private, syncretistic religion within Micah's household.

Key Themes

  • Idolatry and Syncretism: The central theme is the creation of forbidden images. Despite the stated intention to dedicate the money "unto the Lord" (Judges 17:3), the outcome was the production of idols. This represents a dangerous blend of true Yahwism with pagan Canaanite practices, attempting to worship God through means explicitly forbidden by His law.
  • Spiritual Degeneration: This verse starkly illustrates the profound spiritual confusion prevalent in Israel. The people had either forgotten or deliberately disregarded the fundamental commands given at Mount Sinai, particularly the prohibition against making graven or molten images. This act highlights a society adrift from divine truth.
  • Misguided Piety: Micah's mother, in her desire to honor God with the returned money, paradoxically committed a grave sin by commissioning idols. Her intention may have been sincere, but her actions were in direct violation of God's revealed will, demonstrating that good intentions do not justify disobedient means.

Linguistic Insights

The verse mentions two types of idols: a "graven image" and a "molten image." The Hebrew word for "graven image" is pesel, referring to something carved, typically from wood or stone. The term for "molten image" is massekah, indicating something cast from metal. The presence of both suggests a deliberate and comprehensive effort to establish a physical, tangible representation for worship, which directly contradicted the nature of God as an invisible Spirit, who is to be worshipped in spirit and truth.

Practical Application

Judges 17:4 serves as a timeless warning against self-devised religion and the dangers of syncretism. While we may not create physical idols today, anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts or anything we rely on more than Him can become an idol. This verse encourages believers to critically examine their worship practices and priorities, ensuring that their faith is rooted in God's revealed Word and not in human traditions, desires, or a blend of Christian truth with worldly values. True worship aligns with God's commands and reflects a heart devoted solely to Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 46:6

    They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, [and] hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

  • Isaiah 46:7

    They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, [one] shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

  • Jeremiah 10:9

    Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are] all the work of cunning [men].

  • Jeremiah 10:10

    But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
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