Judges 17:6

KJV

In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

In those days {H3117} there was no king {H4428} in Israel {H3478}, but every man {H376} did {H6213} that which was right {H3477} in his own eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At that time there was no king in Isra'el; a man simply did whatever he thought was right.

Berean Standard Bible

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

American Standard Version

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 17:6 serves as a poignant summary statement encapsulating the spiritual and moral chaos that characterized Israel during the period of the Judges. It highlights a critical leadership vacuum—the absence of a divinely appointed human king—which led directly to a widespread societal breakdown where objective divine truth was abandoned in favor of subjective individual judgment. This verse explains the underlying cause of the recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, and temporary deliverance detailed throughout the book, revealing a people adrift without a central authority and each person acting according to their own flawed perception of what was right.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 17:6 appears in an appendix (Judges 17-21) to the main narrative cycle of the book, which details the recurring pattern of Israel's sin, God's judgment through oppression, their cry for help, and His raising of a deliverer. This verse, along with its repetitions in [Judges 18:1](/judges/18-1 "Judges 18:1 - No King in Israel"), [Judges 19:1](/judges/19-1 "Judges 19:1 - No King in Israel"), and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Final Summary of Chaos"), functions as a key interpretive lens for the entire era. Chapters 17 and 18 recount the story of Micah, who establishes a private idolatrous shrine and hires a Levite as his personal priest, illustrating the profound disregard for God's established law and worship. This narrative immediately follows the main cycle of judges and vividly exemplifies the moral anarchy described in our verse, setting the stage for the even more horrific events of chapters 19-21. The placement of this verse here emphasizes that the lack of proper leadership and the prevalence of subjective morality were not isolated incidents but pervasive issues that permeated all levels of Israelite society.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1375-1050 BC) was a transitional era following the conquest of Canaan under Joshua and preceding the establishment of the monarchy under Saul. Israel was a tribal confederacy, not a unified nation-state, and lacked a central political or religious capital. While God was meant to be their ultimate King, the people frequently turned away from Him, leading to a spiritual vacuum. The absence of a human king meant there was no consistent, central authority to enforce the Mosaic Law, administer justice uniformly, or lead the people in corporate worship and defense. This decentralized structure, coupled with the lingering influence of Canaanite religious practices and moral norms, created an environment ripe for syncretism, idolatry, and moral decay. The phrase "no king in Israel" is not merely a political observation but a theological indictment, pointing to Israel's failure to recognize and submit to Yahweh's kingship, which then manifested in a lack of human leadership and widespread moral relativism.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 17:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Judges. Foremost is the theme of **Absence of Central Authority**, both human and divine. The repeated refrain "no king in Israel" underscores the political and spiritual void that allowed chaos to flourish. This void led directly to the theme of **Moral Relativism and Subjectivism**, where individuals, lacking external divine or human guidance, determined "right" based on their own flawed perceptions rather than God's objective standards (cf. [Deuteronomy 12:8](/deuteronomy/12-8 "Deuteronomy 12:8 - Do Not Do as We Please")). This self-rule stands in stark contrast to the divine command to "do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord" ([Deuteronomy 6:18](/deuteronomy/6-18 "Deuteronomy 6:18 - Do What Is Right in the Lord's Eyes")). Consequently, the book illustrates the **Consequences of Covenant Infidelity and Societal Breakdown**, as Israel's turning away from God resulted in idolatry, internal strife, violence, and vulnerability to external enemies. The verse implicitly argues for the **Need for Righteous Leadership**, foreshadowing the later establishment of the monarchy as a divinely ordained (though often flawed) means to bring order and uphold God's covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Hebrew, _melekh'_):** The word מֶלֶךְ (_melekh_) refers to a sovereign ruler, a monarch. Its absence ("no king in Israel") signifies a profound lack of central, unifying, and authoritative leadership. This was not merely a political observation but a theological one, as God was intended to be Israel's ultimate King, governing through His laws and appointed leaders. The vacuum of human kingship thus reflected a deeper spiritual reality: Israel's failure to acknowledge and submit to Yahweh's supreme rule, leading to a breakdown of divine order and justice.
* **Right (Hebrew, _yashar'_):** The term יָשָׁר (_yashar_) fundamentally means "straight," "upright," or "correct." In a moral or ethical sense, it denotes what is proper, just, or pleasing in God's sight. However, the critical qualification "in his own eyes" completely subverts this meaning. It transforms an objective standard of righteousness into a subjective, self-referential one. What was "straight" or "right" was no longer determined by God's revealed Law but by individual preference, convenience, or flawed human reasoning, leading to moral anarchy rather than true uprightness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In those days [there was] no king in Israel":** This opening clause establishes the political and spiritual vacuum that defined the era. It signifies a period characterized by a lack of centralized, authoritative leadership that could enforce God's laws and maintain societal order. While God was Israel's true King, the absence of a human king meant there was no earthly figurehead to unify the tribes, administer justice consistently, or guide the people in faithfulness to the covenant. This leadership void created an environment where lawlessness could flourish, as there was no strong external authority to appeal to or to restrain individual impulses.
* **"[but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes":** This second clause explains the direct consequence of the leadership vacuum: widespread moral relativism and self-governance. Instead of adhering to the objective moral standards revealed in the Mosaic Law, individuals made decisions based on their personal perceptions, desires, or convenience. This phrase does not imply genuine freedom or enlightened self-determination; rather, it describes a dangerous subjectivity where personal preference superseded divine truth, leading to a breakdown of communal ethics, justice, and spiritual integrity. It highlights a society where individual autonomy was prioritized over obedience to God's commandments, resulting in chaos, injustice, and idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 17:6 employs several powerful literary devices. Most notably, it functions as a **Refrain**, repeated verbatim or with slight variations at key junctures in the book (e.g., [Judges 18:1](/judges/18-1 "Judges 18:1 - No King in Israel"), [Judges 19:1](/judges/19-1 "Judges 19:1 - No King in Israel"), [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Culmination of Chaos")). This repetition emphasizes the central theme and underlying cause of Israel's moral decline, acting as a structural and thematic anchor. There is also a strong element of **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the ideal of a unified, God-fearing nation under a king with the reality of fragmented tribes where each person acts autonomously. The phrase "right in his own eyes" also contains a subtle **Irony**: what is perceived as "right" by individuals ultimately leads to societal "wrongness" and chaos, demonstrating the destructive consequences of subjective morality. Finally, the statement implies a degree of **Hyperbole**, as it's unlikely *every single* person acted purely subjectively, but it powerfully conveys the dominant and pervasive nature of this moral anarchy across the society.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 17:6 profoundly underscores the theological truth that true freedom and societal flourishing are found not in radical autonomy but in submission to God's objective standards and His appointed authorities. When humanity rejects God as the ultimate King and source of truth, the vacuum is filled by subjective human opinion, leading inevitably to moral decay, social fragmentation, and spiritual idolatry. This verse highlights the danger of moral relativism, where personal preference replaces divine command, and the critical need for external, divine authority to guide human conscience and behavior. It implicitly argues for the necessity of a righteous king who would uphold God's law, foreshadowing the later establishment of the monarchy and ultimately pointing to the need for God's direct rule.

* [Deuteronomy 12:8](/deuteronomy/12-8 "Deuteronomy 12:8 - Do Not Do as We Please")
* [Proverbs 3:5-7](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-7 - Trust in the Lord, Not Your Own Understanding")
* [Isaiah 5:20](/isaiah/5-20 "Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to Those Who Call Evil Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The timeless warning of Judges 17:6 resonates powerfully in contemporary society, which often champions radical individualism and subjective truth. In an era where personal autonomy is frequently elevated above objective moral standards, this verse serves as a stark reminder of the chaos and spiritual desolation that ensue when individuals and communities abandon God's unchanging truth. For believers, it underscores the vital importance of recognizing God as the ultimate King and His Word as the infallible standard for all of life. Our conscience, while important, must be informed and calibrated by the Holy Spirit and the revealed will of God, rather than by fleeting cultural trends or personal desires. Living by "what is right in our own eyes" leads to a fractured self and a fragmented society, whereas submitting to God's loving authority brings true peace, order, and flourishing. This verse calls us to a deep humility, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His wisdom far surpasses our own understanding, urging us to diligently seek His will and walk in His paths.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly doing "what is right in my own eyes" rather than seeking God's objective truth?**
* **How does the absence of a clear, unifying authority (whether spiritual or moral) manifest in our current society?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my moral compass is calibrated by God's Word rather than by personal preference or cultural norms?**
* **How does my understanding of God as King influence my daily decisions and my view of authority?**

### FAQ

**What does "no king in Israel" truly signify beyond a political observation?**

Answer: While literally true that Israel did not yet have a human monarch, the phrase "no king in Israel" carries profound theological weight. It signifies a deeper spiritual crisis: Israel's failure to acknowledge and submit to Yahweh as their ultimate King. God had established a covenant with them at Sinai, intending to rule them directly through His laws and the guidance of judges and priests. The absence of a human king, therefore, points to a breakdown in their covenant relationship with God. It implies a lack of divine order, a rejection of God's sovereign authority, and a vacuum of leadership that allowed moral and spiritual chaos to proliferate. The people were, in essence, refusing God's kingship, which then manifested in the societal anarchy described in the latter part of the verse.

**How does "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" relate to modern concepts of individual freedom or autonomy?**

Answer: While modern societies often value individual freedom and autonomy, Judges 17:6 presents a cautionary tale about unchecked self-rule. The phrase "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" describes a dangerous form of moral relativism, where subjective personal judgment replaces objective divine truth. This is not about genuine freedom to choose good, but a rebellion against external, divinely established authority. In contrast to a biblical understanding of freedom, which is found in submission to God's perfect law (e.g., [Psalm 119:45](/psalm/119-45 "Psalm 119:45 - Freedom in God's Precepts")), this verse illustrates the destructive consequences when human beings become their own ultimate authority. It shows that when people abandon God's objective standards, even seemingly "right" actions can lead to widespread injustice, idolatry, and societal breakdown, as seen in the stories of Micah and the Levite's concubine in the surrounding chapters ([Judges 17](/judges/17 "Judges 17 - Micah's Idolatry") and [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 17:6, with its lament over the absence of a king and the resulting moral anarchy, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The chaos of the Judges era, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes," vividly portrays humanity's desperate need for a true and righteous King. Jesus is that King, the one who perfectly embodies what is "right" in God's eyes, not merely by subjective human standard, but by perfectly fulfilling the will of His Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases God")). He is the true King of Israel, establishing a kingdom not of this world, but one that transforms hearts and minds ([John 18:36-37](/john/18-36 "John 18:36-37 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ provides the objective standard of righteousness that humanity so desperately lacked. He does not merely offer a new set of rules, but through the indwelling Holy Spirit, He empowers His followers to live according to God's will, replacing self-rule with Christ's rule ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")). In Him, the spiritual vacuum is filled, the moral relativism is overcome by divine truth, and His people, no longer doing "what is right in their own eyes," are enabled to do what is truly right in God's eyes, living under the loving and just reign of the King of kings ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

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

Proverbs 14:12

¶ There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.

Deuteronomy 12:8

Ye shall not do after all [the things] that we do here this day, every man whatsoever [is] right in his own eyes.

Judges 21:25

In those days [there was] no king in Israel: every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 12:15

¶ The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise.

Judges 18:1

¶ In those days [there was] no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day [all their] inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

Judges 19:1

¶ And it came to pass in those days, when [there was] no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

Proverbs 16:2

¶ All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.