Judges 17:9
New International Version
Micah asked him, “Where are you from?” “I’m a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah,” he said, “and I’m looking for a place to stay.”

New Living Translation
“Where are you from?” Micah asked him. He replied, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am looking for a place to live.”

English Standard Version
And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to sojourn where I may find a place.”

Berean Standard Bible
“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.”

King James Bible
And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

New King James Version
And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” So he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am on my way to find a place to stay.”

New American Standard Bible
Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I may find a place.

NASB 1995
Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I may find a place.”

NASB 1977
And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I may find a place.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to sojourn wherever I may find a place.”

Amplified Bible
Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to stay wherever I can find a place.

Christian Standard Bible
“Where do you come from? ” Micah asked him. He answered him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I’m going to stay wherever I can find a place.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Where do you come from?” Micah asked him. He answered him, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I’m going to settle wherever I can find a place.”

American Standard Version
And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

Contemporary English Version
"Where are you from?" Micah asked. "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," the man answered, "and I'm on my way to find a new place to live."

English Revised Version
And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Micah asked him, "Where do you come from?" The man told him, "I'm a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I'm going to live wherever I can find [a place]."

Good News Translation
Micah asked him, "Where do you come from?" He answered, "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I am looking for a place to live."

International Standard Version
Micah asked him, "Where did you come from?" He replied, "I'm a descendant of Levi from Bethlehem in Judah, and I'm going to stay temporarily wherever I can find a place."

Majority Standard Bible
?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.?

NET Bible
Micah said to him, "Where do you come from?" He replied, "I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I am looking for a new place to live."

New Heart English Bible
Micah said to him, "Where did you come from?" He said to him, "I am a Levite of Bethlehem Judah, and I am going to settle wherever I may find a place."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Micah said to him, Whence comest thou? And he said to him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

World English Bible
Micah said to him, “Where did you come from?” He said to him, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem Judah, and I am looking for a place to live.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Micah says to him, “Where do you come from?” And he says to him, “I [am] a Levite of Beth-Lehem-Judah, and I am going to sojourn where I find.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Micah saith to him, 'Whence comest thou?' and he saith unto him, 'A Levite am I, of Beth-Lehem-Judah, and I am going to sojourn where I do find.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Micah will say to him, Whence shalt thou come? and the Levite will say to him, I am from the House of Bread, of Judah, and I go to sojourn where I shall find.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He was asked by him whence he came. And he answered: I am a Levite of Bethlehem Juda, and I am going to dwell where I can, and where I shall find a place to my advantage.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he was asked by him where he came from. And he responded: “I am a Levite from Bethlehem of Judah. And I am traveling so that I may live where I am able, if I perceive it to be useful to me.”

New American Bible
“Where do you come from?” Micah asked him. He answered him, “I am a Levite, from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am on my way to take up residence wherever I can find a place.”

New Revised Standard Version
Micah said to him, “From where do you come?” He replied, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to live wherever I can find a place.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Micah said to him, Whence do you come? And he replied, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem of Judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Mikah said to him: “From where have you come?” The Levite said to him: “I am from Bayth Lekhem of Yehuda, and I am going on to stay where I can”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Micah said unto him: 'Whence comest thou?' And he said unto him: 'I am a Levite of Beth-lehem in Judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Michaias said to him, Whence comest thou? and he said to him, I am a Levite of Bethleem Juda, and I go to sojourn in any place I may find.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Micah's Idolatry
8This man left the city of Bethlehem in Judah to settle where he could find a place. And as he traveled, he came to Micah’s house in the hill country of Ephraim. 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…

Cross References
Judges 18:3-4
And while they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite; so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?” / “Micah has done this and that for me,” he replied, “and he has hired me to be his priest.”

1 Samuel 9:18-19
Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” / “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. And when I send you off in the morning, I will tell you all that is in your heart.

1 Kings 13:11-14
Now a certain old prophet was living in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the deeds that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told their father the words that the man had spoken to the king. / “Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah. / So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it ...

2 Kings 5:2-3
At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”

2 Kings 17:28
Thus one of the priests they had carried away came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should worship the LORD.

2 Chronicles 11:13-14
Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam. / For the Levites left their pasturelands and their possessions and went to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the LORD.

Nehemiah 13:10-11
I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields. / So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts,

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Jeremiah 23:21-22
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. / But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”

Ezekiel 13:2-3
“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Matthew 23:16
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’

Luke 6:39
Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

John 10:12-13
The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.


Treasury of Scripture

And Micah said to him, From where come you? And he said to him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

Jump to Previous
Bethlehem Beth-Lehem Bethlehemjudah Beth-Lehem-Judah I'm Judah Levite Micah Sojourn Whence Wherever
Jump to Next
Bethlehem Beth-Lehem Bethlehemjudah Beth-Lehem-Judah I'm Judah Levite Micah Sojourn Whence Wherever
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














Micah replied
The name "Micah" is a shortened form of "Micaiah," which means "Who is like Yahweh?" This rhetorical question implies that no one is like God, highlighting the irony of Micah's actions in the broader narrative, as he engages in idolatry. The act of replying indicates a conversation, suggesting a relational dynamic that is central to the unfolding events. In the context of Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), Micah's reply sets the stage for a narrative of personal and spiritual confusion.

I am a Levite
The Levites were a tribe set apart for religious duties, serving in the temple and teaching the law. The Hebrew root "Levi" means "joined" or "attached," reflecting their role in connecting the people to God. However, this Levite's presence in Micah's house, rather than serving in a designated Levitical city or the tabernacle, underscores the spiritual disarray of the time. It highlights the theme of misplaced identity and purpose, as the Levite seeks personal gain over divine calling.

from Bethlehem in Judah
Bethlehem, meaning "house of bread," is a significant location in biblical history, later known as the birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ. Its mention here situates the narrative within the tribe of Judah, known for leadership and kingship. The Levite's origin from Bethlehem, a place of future messianic significance, contrasts with his current actions, which deviate from God's intended order and foreshadow the need for righteous leadership.

he said
This phrase emphasizes the Levite's self-identification and personal narrative. In the biblical context, speech acts often reveal character and intent. The Levite's declaration of his status and origin is a self-assertion that reveals his search for identity and belonging, a common human experience that resonates with readers seeking purpose and direction.

and I am staying as a foreigner
The term "foreigner" suggests a lack of belonging and stability. In Hebrew, the word "ger" refers to a sojourner or temporary resident, highlighting the transient and unsettled nature of the Levite's life. This status reflects the broader theme of spiritual and societal instability in the period of the Judges, where there was no king, and people lacked a central, unifying authority.

in this place
The phrase "in this place" indicates a specific, yet unnamed, location, emphasizing the personal and immediate context of the Levite's situation. It suggests a disconnect from the broader community and God's ordained structure for worship and living. This setting serves as a microcosm of the larger narrative of Judges, where geographical and spiritual dislocation mirror the people's departure from God's covenant.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Where
מֵאַ֣יִן (mê·’a·yin)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 370: Whence?

are you from?”
תָּב֑וֹא (tā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

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

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

him.
ל֥וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“I
אָנֹ֗כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

am a Levite
לֵוִ֣י (lê·wî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

from Bethlehem
לֶ֙חֶם֙ (le·ḥem)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

in Judah,”
יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

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

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

am on my way
הֹלֵ֔ךְ (hō·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to settle
לָג֖וּר (lā·ḡūr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility

wherever
בַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ba·’ă·šer)
Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I can find a place.”
אֶמְצָֽא׃ (’em·ṣā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present


Links
Judges 17:9 NIV
Judges 17:9 NLT
Judges 17:9 ESV
Judges 17:9 NASB
Judges 17:9 KJV

Judges 17:9 BibleApps.com
Judges 17:9 Biblia Paralela
Judges 17:9 Chinese Bible
Judges 17:9 French Bible
Judges 17:9 Catholic Bible

OT History: Judges 17:9 Micah said to him Whence come you? (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 17:8
Top of Page
Top of Page