Judges 17:10
New International Version
Then Micah said to him, “Live with me and be my father and priest, and I’ll give you ten shekels of silver a year, your clothes and your food.”

New Living Translation
“Stay here with me,” Micah said, “and you can be a father and priest to me. I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, plus a change of clothes and your food.”

English Standard Version
And Micah said to him, “Stay with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year and a suit of clothes and your living.” And the Levite went in.

Berean Standard Bible
“Stay with me,” Micah said to him, “and be my father and priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your provisions.” So the Levite went in

King James Bible
And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

New King James Version
Micah said to him, “Dwell with me, and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your sustenance.” So the Levite went in.

New American Standard Bible
Micah then said to him, “Stay with me and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a supply of clothing, and your sustenance.” So the Levite went in.

NASB 1995
Micah then said to him, “Dwell with me and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your maintenance.” So the Levite went in.

NASB 1977
Micah then said to him, “Dwell with me and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your maintenance.” So the Levite went in.

Legacy Standard Bible
Micah then said to him, “Remain with me and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your sustenance.” So the Levite went in.

Amplified Bible
And Micah said to him, “Live here with me and be a father and a [personal] priest to me, and I will give you ten pieces of silver each year, a supply of clothing, and your sustenance (room and board).” So the Levite went in.

Christian Standard Bible
Micah replied, “Stay with me and be my father and priest, and I will give you four ounces of silver a year, along with your clothing and provisions.” So the Levite went in

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Micah replied, “Stay with me and be my father and priest, and I will give you four ounces of silver a year, along with your clothing and provisions.” So the Levite went in

American Standard Version
And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten pieces of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

Contemporary English Version
Micah said, "Why don't you stay here with me? You can be my priest and tell me what God wants me to do. Every year I'll give you ten pieces of silver and one complete set of clothes, and I'll provide all your food." The young man went for a walk,

English Revised Version
And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten pieces of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Micah told him, "Stay with me! Be a father and a priest to me. I'll give you ten pieces of silver a year, a set of clothes, and your room and board." The Levite accepted the offer

Good News Translation
Micah said, "Stay with me. Be my adviser and priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, some clothes, and your food."

International Standard Version
So Micah replied, "Come live with me! You can be a spiritual father to me, as well as a priest. I'll pay you ten silver coins a year, plus a priestly uniform and an income." So the descendant of Levi moved in.

Majority Standard Bible
“Stay with me,” Micah said to him, “and be my father and priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your provisions.” So the Levite went in

NET Bible
Micah said to him, "Stay with me. Become my adviser and priest. I will give you ten pieces of silver per year, plus clothes and food."

New Heart English Bible
Micah said to him, "Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver by the year, and a suit of clothing, and your food." So the Levite went in.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Micah said to him, Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

World English Bible
Micah said to him, “Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver per year, a suit of clothing, and your food.” So the Levite went in.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Micah says to him, “Dwell with me, and be for a father and for a priest to me, and I give ten pieces of silver to you for the days, and a suit of garments, and your sustenance”; and the Levite goes [in].

Young's Literal Translation
And Micah saith to him, 'Dwell with me, and be to me for a father and for a priest, and I give to thee ten silverlings for the days, and a suit of garments, and thy sustenance;' and the Levite goeth in.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Micah will say to him, Dwell with me, and be to me for a father and for a priest, and I will give to thee ten of silver for days, and an equipment of garments, and means of life. And the Levite will go in.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Michas said: Stay with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee every year ten pieces of silver, and a double suit of apparel, and thy victuals.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Micah said: “Stay with me. And you shall be to me like a parent and a priest. And I will give to you, each year, ten silver coins, and a double-layered garment, and whatever provisions are necessary.”

New American Bible
“Stay with me,” Micah said to him. “Be father and priest to me, and I will give you ten silver pieces a year, a set of garments, and your living.” He pressed the Levite,

New Revised Standard Version
Then Micah said to him, “Stay with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a set of clothes, and your living.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Micah said to him, Dwell with me, and be to me as a father and a priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver yearly, and your clothes and your food. So the Levite went in.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Mikah said to him: “Dwell with me and be as a Father and a Priest for me, and I shall give you ten pieces of silver for the days, and your garments and your provisions.” And Levi went in
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Micah said unto him: 'Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten pieces of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals.' So the Levite went in.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Michaias said to him, Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest; and I will give thee ten pieces of silver by the year, and a change of raiment, and thy living.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Micah's Idolatry
9“Where are you from?” Micah asked him. “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,” he replied, “and I am on my way to settle wherever I can find a place.” 10“Stay with me,” Micah said to him, “and be my father and priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your provisions.” So the Levite went in 11and agreed to stay with him, and the young man became like a son to Micah.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 2:36
And everyone left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a morsel of bread, pleading, “Please appoint me to some priestly office so that I can eat a piece of bread.”’”

1 Kings 12:31
Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites.

2 Kings 23:9
Although the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread with their fellow priests.

1 Samuel 8:5
“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”

1 Samuel 8:19-20
Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

1 Samuel 10:19
But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”

1 Samuel 12:12
But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.

1 Samuel 14:3
including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

1 Samuel 22:18
So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

1 Kings 13:33
Even after these events, Jeroboam did not repent of his evil ways, but again he appointed priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained anyone who desired to be a priest of the high places.

2 Chronicles 13:9
But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods.

Matthew 10:10
Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.

Luke 10:7
Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

1 Corinthians 9:14
In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

1 Timothy 5:18
For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Micah said to him, Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and your victuals. So the Levite went in.

a father

Judges 17:11
And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.

Judges 18:19
And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?

Genesis 45:8
So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

I will give

Judges 18:20
And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.

1 Samuel 2:36
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

Ezekiel 13:19
And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

a suit of apparel.

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Apparel Clothes Clothing Dwell I'll Levite Maintenance Micah Pieces Priest Shekels Silver Silverlings Suit Sustenance Ten Victuals
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Apparel Clothes Clothing Dwell I'll Levite Maintenance Micah Pieces Priest Shekels Silver Silverlings Suit Sustenance Ten Victuals
Judges 17
1. Of the money that Micah first stole, then restored, his mother makes idols
5. And he makes ornaments for them
7. He hires a Levite to be his priest














Then Micah said to him
This phrase introduces us to Micah, a central figure in this narrative. The name "Micah" is derived from the Hebrew "Mikha," meaning "Who is like Yahweh?" This rhetorical question underscores the irony of Micah's actions, as he engages in idolatry despite his name's declaration of God's uniqueness. Historically, this period in Israel's history was marked by a lack of centralized leadership, as noted in Judges 17:6, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This context sets the stage for the moral and spiritual confusion evident in Micah's actions.

Live with me
The invitation to "live with me" reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of hospitality and the importance of household structures. In the Hebrew culture, living with someone implied a close relationship and often a covenantal bond. This phrase suggests Micah's desire for a personal priest, indicating a privatized form of worship that deviates from the communal and centralized worship prescribed in the Mosaic Law.

and be my father and priest
The term "father" here is not used in the biological sense but as a title of respect and authority. In ancient Israel, a "father" could denote a mentor or spiritual leader. The role of "priest" was traditionally reserved for the Levites, specifically the descendants of Aaron. Micah's appointment of his own priest reflects the religious syncretism and disregard for God's established order. This act symbolizes the spiritual decline of Israel, as individuals sought to create their own religious practices apart from God's commandments.

and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year
The offer of "ten shekels of silver per year" provides insight into the economic transactions of the time. A shekel was a unit of weight and currency, and this payment indicates the value Micah placed on having a personal priest. This financial arrangement highlights the commodification of religious services, a stark contrast to the Levitical system where priests were supported by tithes and offerings dedicated to God.

a suit of clothes
The "suit of clothes" represents more than just physical attire; it signifies status and provision. In biblical times, clothing was a valuable commodity, often used as a form of payment or reward. This offer further illustrates Micah's attempt to establish his own religious system by providing for his priest's material needs, thus ensuring loyalty and service.

and your provisions
The promise of "provisions" encompasses the basic necessities of life, such as food and shelter. This comprehensive offer indicates Micah's commitment to securing a priest who would serve his household. It reflects the broader theme of self-sufficiency and independence from God's ordained system of worship, as Micah seeks to create a self-contained religious environment.

So the Levite went in
The Levite's decision to "go in" signifies his acceptance of Micah's offer and his willingness to participate in this unauthorized religious arrangement. This action highlights the moral and spiritual ambiguity of the time, as even those set apart for God's service were swayed by personal gain and convenience. The Levite's compliance underscores the pervasive nature of Israel's spiritual decline, where the lines between true worship and idolatry were increasingly blurred.

(10) Be unto me a father and a priest.--The title "father" is here ecclesiastical, like "papa," "pope," &c, and this title was given to spiritual directors, as we find in several other passages in the Bible (2Kings 2:12; 2Kings 5:13; 2Kings 6:21; Isaiah 22:21, &c.). Micah knew enough of the law to be aware of the extreme irregularity of his conduct in making one of his own sons his priest.

Ten shekels of silver.--Thus the grandson of Moses became priest of an idolatrous worship at a salary of 25s. a year!

By the year.--Literally, by days. (Comp. Leviticus 25:29.) . . .

Verses 10, 11. - A father. This is not a common application of the word father in the Old Testament. The prominent idea seems to be one of honour, combined with authority to teach and advise. It is applied to prophets (2 Kings 2:12; 2 Kings 6:21; 2 Kings 13:14), and to Joseph (Genesis 45:8). The idea is implied in the converse phrase of son, applied to those to whom the prophets stood in 'the relation of spiritual fathers (see 2 Kings 8:9; Proverbs 4:10, 20, and frequently elsewhere). The abuse of the feeling which dictates the term as applied to human teachers is reproved by our Lord (Matthew 23:9). It has been freely used in the Christian Church, as in the titles papa or pope applied to bishops, abbot and abbas, father in God, fathers of the Church, etc. Here there is perhaps a special reference to the function of Micah's priest to ask counsel of God, and then give that counsel to those who came to inquire (see note to ver. 5). It may be added that the idea of counsellor seems to be inherent in the word cohen or priest, as in 2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Kings 4:5, etc. Ten shekels - a little over a pound of our money, but probably equivalent to £20, when considered relatively to articles of consumption. A suit of apparel. There is great doubt as to the exact meaning of the word rendered suit in this connection. The word means anything arranged, i.e. put in a rank, or row, or order. In Exodus 40:23 it is applied to the shewbread: "He ordered the bread in order." Thence it came to mean the estimation or worth of a person or thing - some-what as we use the word rank. From this last sense some interpret the word here to mean the worth or price of his clothes. Others, including St. Jerome and the Septuagint, interpret it a pair of vestments, meaning summer and winter clothing. But perhaps the A.V., suit, meaning the whole set of under and upper garments, is after all the best interpretation. The Levite went in. The Hebrew is went, i.e. according to the common use of the word, went his way. And such is probably the meaning here. He went his way to consider the proposal made to him. The result is given in the next verse: And the Levite was content, etc.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Stay
שְׁבָ֣ה (šə·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

with me,”
עִמָּדִ֗י (‘im·mā·ḏî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5978: Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto,

Micah
מִיכָ֜ה (mî·ḵāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4318: Micah -- the name of several Israelites

said
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
ל֨וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“and be
וֶֽהְיֵה־ (weh·yêh-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

my father
לְאָ֣ב (lə·’āḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

and priest,
וּלְכֹהֵן֒ (ū·lə·ḵō·hên)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

and I
וְאָנֹכִ֨י (wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

will give
אֶֽתֶּן־ (’et·ten-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
לְךָ֜ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

ten [shekels]
עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת (‘ă·śe·reṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6235: Ten

of silver
כֶּ֙סֶף֙ (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

per year,
לַיָּמִ֔ים (lay·yā·mîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

a suit
וְעֵ֥רֶךְ (wə·‘ê·reḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6187: A pile, equipment, estimate

of clothes,
בְּגָדִ֖ים (bə·ḡā·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

and your provisions.”
וּמִחְיָתֶ֑ךָ (ū·miḥ·yā·ṯe·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4241: Preservation of life, sustenance, the live flesh, the quick

So the Levite
הַלֵּוִֽי׃ (hal·lê·wî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

went in
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT History: Judges 17:10 Micah said to him Dwell with me (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 17:9
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