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Judges 17:2

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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.

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}.

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,"

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!”

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

Judges 17:2 presents a fascinating and troubling glimpse into the moral and spiritual decline characteristic of the period of the Judges in ancient Israel. This verse opens the narrative of Micah, a man whose household becomes a microcosm of the widespread spiritual confusion and idolatry of the era.

Context of Judges 17:2

The book of Judges repeatedly emphasizes a dark cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The overarching theme that sets the stage for stories like Micah's is encapsulated in the concluding verses of the book, particularly Judges 17:6, which states, "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." This verse exemplifies that moral relativism and spiritual anarchy. Here, Micah confesses to his mother that he stole 1100 shekels of silver from her. This substantial sum of silver (a significant amount of wealth, equivalent to about 25 pounds or 11 kg of silver, suggesting a household of some means) was the object of his mother's curse, pronounced publicly against the unknown thief. Micah's confession, prompted by his mother's solemn imprecation, leads to an immediate and surprising blessing from her.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Confession and Blessing: Micah's confession of theft is met not with rebuke, but with a blessing from his mother. This swift reversal from a curse to a blessing highlights a superficial understanding of divine justice and righteousness within the household. The mother's blessing, "Blessed be thou of the LORD, my son," appears to prioritize the recovery of the silver and her son's confession over the sin of theft itself, or the deeper implications of the curse.
  • Moral Ambiguity and Decline: The narrative immediately following this verse (specifically Judges 17:3-4) reveals that the recovered silver is then dedicated by the mother to the LORD to make a carved image and a molten image—a clear violation of the Second Commandment (Exodus 20:4). This demonstrates a profound spiritual confusion where sacred blessings and idolatrous practices coexist, illustrating the moral decay of the period.
  • The Nature of the "Blessing": The mother's blessing, while invoking the LORD, is fraught with irony given the context. It signifies a blessing pronounced in a morally compromised environment, where true adherence to God's law is secondary to personal convenience or superficial piety.

Linguistic Insights

The term "shekels" (שקל - sheqel in Hebrew) refers to a common unit of weight and currency in ancient Israel. The mention of "eleven hundred shekels" signifies a substantial amount, underscoring the severity of the theft and the value of the recovered sum. The mother's act of "cursedst" (אָלָה - 'alah) indicates a solemn oath or imprecation, often invoking divine judgment, which then prompts Micah's confession. Her subsequent "Blessed [be thou] of the LORD" (בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה - baruch Yahweh) is a traditional formula for invoking divine favor, but its application here is deeply paradoxical.

Practical Application

Judges 17:2 serves as a cautionary tale for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • True Repentance Requires More Than Confession: While confession is a vital first step, it must be accompanied by genuine repentance and a turning away from sin, not merely a superficial acknowledgment to avoid consequences.
  • Spiritual Discernment is Crucial: The mother's blessing, despite its pious language, lacks true spiritual discernment. It highlights the danger of religious practices or pronouncements that are detached from God's revealed will and moral law.
  • The Dangers of Moral Relativism: The broader context of "everyone doing what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 17:6) underscores the chaos that ensues when society abandons objective truth and divine standards for personal preference, even within religious expression. This passage challenges us to align our actions and blessings with God's perfect and holy character, as revealed in His Word.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Nehemiah 13:25 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 14:24 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 28:24 (2 votes)

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