Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He replied, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’” New Living Translation “What do you mean, ‘What’s the matter?’” Micah replied. “You’ve taken away all the gods I have made, and my priest, and I have nothing left!” English Standard Version And he said, “You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then do you ask me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” Berean Standard Bible He replied, “You took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” Berean Literal Bible And he said, “My gods that I made you⁺ have taken, and the priest, and you⁺ have gone away. And what more is unto me? And what is this you⁺ say to me: ‘What ails you?’” King James Bible And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee? New King James Version So he said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and you have gone away. Now what more do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What ails you?’ ” New American Standard Bible And he said, “You have taken my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away; what more do I have? So how can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” NASB 1995 He said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away, and what do I have besides? So how can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” NASB 1977 And he said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away, and what do I have besides? So how can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” Legacy Standard Bible And he said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away, and what do I have besides? So how can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” Amplified Bible He said, “You have taken away my gods which I have made, and the priest, and have gone away; what else do I have left? How can you say to me, ‘What is your reason?’” Berean Annotated Bible He replied, “You⁺ took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you⁺ say to me, ‘What is the matter with you? Christian Standard Bible He said, “You took the gods I had made and the priest, and went away. What do I have left? How can you say to me, ‘What’s the matter with you? ’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible He said, “You took the gods I had made and the priest, and went away. What do I have left? How can you say to me, ‘What’s the matter with you?’” American Standard Version And he said, ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and are gone away, and what have I more? and how then say ye unto me, What aileth thee? Contemporary English Version Micah answered, "You know what's wrong. You stole the gods I made, and you took my priest. I don't have anything left." English Revised Version And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and are gone away, and what have I more? and how then say ye unto me, What aileth thee? GOD'S WORD® Translation Micah answered, "You've taken away the gods I made as well as my priest. What do I have left? How can you say to me, 'What's your problem?'" Good News Translation Micah answered, "What do you mean, 'What's the matter?' You take my priest and the gods that I made, and walk off What have I got left?" International Standard Version Micah replied, "You took my gods that I crafted, along with the priest, and left! What do I have left? So what's with this 'What's wrong with you?'" NET Bible He said, "You stole my gods that I made, as well as this priest, and then went away. What do I have left? How can you have the audacity to say to me, 'What do you want?'" New Heart English Bible He said, "You have taken away my gods which I made for myself, and the priest, and have gone away, and what more do I have? How then do you say to me, 'What's wrong with you?'" Webster's Bible Translation And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye have gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say to me, What aileth thee? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe replied, “You took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” World English Bible He said, “You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and have gone away! What more do I have? How can you ask me, ‘What ails you?’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “You have taken my gods which I made, and the priest, and you go; and what more do I [have]? And what [is] this you say to me, What [is this] to you?” Berean Literal Bible And he said, “My gods that I made you⁺ have taken, and the priest, and you⁺ have gone away. And what more is unto me? And what is this you⁺ say to me: ‘What ails you?’” Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'My gods which I made ye have taken, and the priest, and ye go; and what to me more? and what is this ye say unto me, What -- to thee!' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, My gods which I made, ye took away, and the priest, and ye will go: and what to me yet? and what this ye will say to me, What to thee? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he answered: You have taken away my gods which I have made me and the priest, and all that I have, and do you say: What aileth thee? Catholic Public Domain Version And he responded: “You have taken away my gods, which I made for myself, and the priest, and all that I have. And do you say, ‘What is it that you want?’ ” New American Bible “You have taken my god, which I made for myself, and you have gone off with my priest as well,” he answered. “What is left for me? How, then, can you ask me, ‘What do you want?’ ” New Revised Standard Version He replied, “You take my gods that I made, and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then can you ask me, ‘What is the matter?’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said to them, You have taken away the god which I made, and also the priest, and you have gone away; and what have I left? And what is this that you say to me, What ails you? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He said to them: “The god that I have made you have taken, also you have taken away the Priest and you have gone, and what more do I have, that you say to me, “What is with you?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said: 'Ye have taken away my god which I made, and the priest, and are gone away, and what have I more? and how then say ye unto me: What aileth thee?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Michaias said, Because ye have taken my graven image which I made, and my priest, and are gone; and what have I remaining? and what is this that ye say to me, Why criest thou? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Danites Take Micah's Idols…23When they called out after them, the Danites turned to face them and said to Micah, “What is the matter with you that you have called out such a company?” 24He replied, “You took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” 25The Danites said to him, “Do not raise your voice against us, or angry men will attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.”… Cross References He replied, “You took the gods I had made, Judges 17:5 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household idols, and ordained one of his sons as his priest. Exodus 32:4 He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” Psalm 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. and my priest, Judges 17:13 Then Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, because a Levite has become my priest.” Judges 17:12 Micah ordained the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. Judges 17:10 “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 and went away. Genesis 31:20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away. Genesis 31:27 Why did you run away secretly and deceive me, without even telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps. What else do I have? Ruth 1:21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.” Job 1:21 saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” Genesis 31:36 Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me? 1 Samuel 20:1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? How have I sinned against your father, that he wants to take my life?” Exodus 20:15 You shall not steal. Exodus 32:1-4 Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!” / So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” / Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. … Deuteronomy 12:30-31 be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” / You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. 1 Samuel 19:13 Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. Treasury of Scripture And he said, You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and you are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that you say to me, What ails you? what have Judges 17:13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest. Psalm 115:8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. Isaiah 44:18-20 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand… Jump to Previous Aileth Ails Besides Matter Priest Trouble What What'sJump to Next Aileth Ails Besides Matter Priest Trouble What What'sJudges 18 1. The Danites send five men to seek out an inheritance3. At the house of Micah they consult with Jonathan, and are encouraged 7. They search Laish, and bring back news of good hope 11. Six hundred men are sent to surprise it 16. In their way they rob Micah of his priest and his consecrated things 27. They win Laish, and call it Dan 30. They set up idolatry, wherein Jonathan inherits the priesthood. He replied, “You took the gods I had made, This phrase highlights the idolatry prevalent in Israel during the time of the Judges. The making of gods refers to the creation of idols, which was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 20:4-5). The context here is the story of Micah, who had crafted a carved image and a metal idol, violating the commandment against idolatry. This reflects the spiritual decline and syncretism in Israel, where people mixed the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. The making of gods also underscores the futility of idolatry, as these gods were man-made and powerless, contrasting with the omnipotent God of Israel. and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” Persons / Places / Events 1. MicahA man from the hill country of Ephraim who had made household gods and appointed a Levite as his personal priest. 2. The Danites Members of the tribe of Dan who were seeking an inheritance to settle in, as they had not yet received their allotted territory. 3. The Levite Priest Originally serving Micah, he was enticed by the Danites to become their priest, leaving Micah without his spiritual leader. 4. Household Gods Idols made by Micah, representing his attempt to create a personal religious system outside of God's commandments. 5. The Hill Country of Ephraim The region where Micah lived and where the events of Judges 18 unfold. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryMicah's account warns against creating and relying on idols, whether physical or metaphorical, instead of trusting in God. The Consequences of Disobedience Micah's loss illustrates the futility and consequences of disobeying God's commandments. The Illusion of Security Micah's reliance on his idols and priest shows the false sense of security that comes from anything other than God. The Importance of True Worship This passage challenges believers to examine their worship practices and ensure they align with God's Word. Contentment in God Alone Micah's lament over his loss serves as a reminder to find contentment and identity in God, not in material or spiritual possessions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 18:24?2. How does Judges 18:24 illustrate the consequences of idolatry in our lives? 3. What can we learn from Micah's reaction to losing his gods and priest? 4. How does this verse connect to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we guard against modern forms of idolatry today? 6. How should we respond when our faith is challenged, unlike Micah's response? 7. Why did Micah feel so attached to his idols in Judges 18:24? 8. How does Judges 18:24 reflect the spiritual state of Israel at the time? 9. What does Judges 18:24 reveal about the consequences of idolatry? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 18? 11. Why judge before knowing the full story? 12. What distinguishes secular from sacred? 13. How is it fair for 70,000 people to die (1 Chronicles 21:14) because of David's census? 14. Does Solomon's sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2-3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary? What Does Judges 18:24 Mean You took the gods I had madeMicah’s first cry exposes the futility of idols. • The objects were “gods” only because he “had made” them—powerless works of his own hands (Isaiah 44:15–17; Psalm 115:4-8). • His outrage reveals how tightly a heart can cling to something that directly breaks the second commandment (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 27:15). • When the tribe of Dan simply picks up the images and walks off, the scene underlines the helplessness of any substitute for the living God (Jeremiah 10:3-5). And my priest Micah’s second loss is the Levite he hired (Judges 17:10-13). • God had already appointed where true worship and priestly service belonged (Numbers 18:7; Deuteronomy 18:1). • Micah’s “personal chaplain” shows how easily convenience can replace obedience, much like later kings who “made priests from every class of people” (1 Kings 12:31). • The Danites prize the same illegitimate arrangement, proving that misplaced religion spreads quickly when it promises benefit (2 Timothy 4:3-4). And went away The raiders leave, and with them goes everything Micah trusted. • Theft is wrong (Exodus 20:15), yet God allows this event to expose the fragility of counterfeit worship (Job 20:5). • Micah watches his security evaporate in moments—a vivid picture of those who “trust in riches and fall” (Proverbs 11:28). What else do I have? His question is haunting because it is honest. • When possessions or people replace God, their loss feels like the end of life itself (Colossians 3:5). • The verse echoes Jesus’ warning: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). • True treasure endures only when it is “in heaven, where no thief approaches” (Luke 12:33-34). How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’ Micah believes he is the injured party, blind to his own sin. • Sin distorts perspective; “every way of a man is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 21:2). • The period of the judges is characterized by such moral confusion: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). • Jesus identifies the same impulse when He speaks of noticing a speck in another’s eye while ignoring the log in our own (Matthew 7:3-5). summary Judges 18:24 reveals the emptiness of man-made religion. Micah’s handmade gods and hired priest, swept away in a moment, leave him with nothing. His lament uncovers the tragedy of trusting anything other than the Lord: idols cannot protect, possessions cannot last, and self-righteousness cannot justify. Real security rests only in the living God, whose truth and presence cannot be carried off by any thief. (24) My gods which I made.--He does not scruple to call the pesel and teraphim "gods" (his Elohim), any more than the idolater Laban had done (Genesis 30:31). The expression seems to be intended to show scorn for Micah; and perhaps it is from missing this element that the LXX. soften it down into "my graven image," and the Chaldee to "my fear." "My gods which I made" would be a very ordinary expression for the Greeks, who called a sculptor a "god-maker" (theopoios), but was startling on the lips of an Israelite. Micah pathetically asks "What have I more?" but we may well hope that his present loss was his ultimate gain, and that he found the true God in place of the lost gods which he had made.Verse 24. - My gods, or, as some render it, my god. But the plural is probably right, as Micah was thinking of the molten and graven images, and the teraphim, and called them gods, without perhaps meaning to imply that there was any God but Jehovah.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He replied,וַיֹּ֡אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “You took לְקַחְתֶּ֧ם (lə·qaḥ·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 3947: To take the gods אֱלֹהַי֩ (’ĕ·lō·hay) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative I had made, עָשִׂ֨יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6213: To do, make and my priest, הַכֹּהֵ֛ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest and went away. וַתֵּלְכ֖וּ (wat·tê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk What else ע֑וֹד (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more do I have? וּמַה־ (ū·mah-) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what How וּמַה־ (ū·mah-) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what can you say תֹּאמְר֥וּ (tō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say to me, אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘What is the matter with you?’” מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what Links Judges 18:24 NIVJudges 18:24 NLT Judges 18:24 ESV Judges 18:24 NASB Judges 18:24 KJV Judges 18:24 BibleApps.com Judges 18:24 Biblia Paralela Judges 18:24 Chinese Bible Judges 18:24 French Bible Judges 18:24 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 18:24 He said you have taken away my (Jd Judg. 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