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Judges 17:6

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

The book of Judges details a turbulent period in Israel's history, following the death of Joshua and the generation that had experienced God's miraculous deliverance. This verse, Judges 17:6, serves as a pivotal summary statement, repeated in various forms throughout the book (Judges 18:1, 19:1, 21:25). It encapsulates the spiritual and moral decline that characterized the era. The immediate context is the story of Micah, who built a private shrine with idols and hired a Levite as his personal priest, illustrating the widespread disregard for God's established law and worship.

Key Themes

  • Absence of Central Authority: The declaration "no king in Israel" highlights a critical leadership vacuum. Unlike later periods where a king would ideally uphold God's law and provide national direction, this era lacked a unifying human authority to enforce divine standards. This wasn't merely a political observation but underscored a deeper spiritual void, as the people had largely abandoned their covenant with God.
  • Moral Relativism and Self-Rule: The phrase "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" is the core message. It describes a society where individual subjective judgment superseded objective divine truth. Instead of adhering to the Lord's commandments (as detailed in the Law of Moses), people made decisions based on personal preference, convenience, or perceived righteousness, leading to moral anarchy and widespread sin. This stands in stark contrast to the divine command to "do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD."
  • Consequences of Spiritual Decline: This widespread individualism and disregard for God's law resulted in a cycle of sin, oppression, and temporary deliverance throughout the book of Judges. It illustrates the societal breakdown that occurs when a nation turns away from God as its ultimate authority, leading to idolatry, violence, and social chaos.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "right in his own eyes" is yashar b'einav (יָשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו). The word yashar means "straight," "right," or "upright." When applied to actions, it refers to what is morally correct. However, the addition of "in his own eyes" signifies a subjective standard rather than an objective, divine one. It implies a dangerous self-sufficiency where personal perception of "right" replaces God's absolute standard. This is not about genuine freedom but about a rebellion against external, divinely established authority, akin to leaning on one's own understanding rather than trusting in the Lord.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of moral relativism and spiritual self-reliance. In a world that often promotes subjective truth and personal autonomy above all else, Judges 17:6 reminds us of the chaos that ensues when individuals and societies abandon God's objective moral standards. For believers, it underscores the critical importance of recognizing God as the ultimate King and authority, seeking His will through His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our conscience, rather than simply doing "what feels right" or what is popular. Adhering to God's unchanging truth provides stability and leads to true blessing, contrasting sharply with the destructive path of self-governance.

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

  • Proverbs 14:12 (10 votes)

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

  • Deuteronomy 12:8 (10 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 12:15 (9 votes)

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

  • Judges 18:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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 (5 votes)

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