Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So after he returned the silver to his mother, she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who used them to make the idol. And it was put in Micah’s house. New Living Translation So when he returned the money to his mother, she took 200 silver coins and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into an image and an idol. And these were placed in Micah’s house. English Standard Version So when he restored the money to his mother, his mother took 200 pieces of silver and gave it to the silversmith, who made it into a carved image and a metal image. And it was in the house of Micah. Berean Standard Bible So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into a graven image and a molten idol. And they were placed in the house of Micah. Berean Literal Bible And he returned the silver to his mother, and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molten image, and they were in the house of Micah. King James Bible Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah. New King James Version Thus he returned the silver to his mother. Then his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molded image; and they were in the house of Micah. New American Standard Bible So when he returned the silver to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith, who made them into a carved image and a cast metal image, and they were in the house of Micah. NASB 1995 So when he returned the silver to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith who made them into a graven image and a molten image, and they were in the house of Micah. NASB 1977 So when he returned the silver to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith who made them into a graven image and a molten image, and they were in the house of Micah. Legacy Standard Bible So he returned the silver to his mother, and his mother took 200 pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith. And he made them into a graven image and a molten image, and they were in the house of Micah. Amplified Bible So when he returned the silver to his mother, she took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith who made of it an image [of silver-plated wood] and a cast image [of solid silver]; and they were in the house of Micah. Berean Annotated Bible So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver <5 lb / 2.3 kg> and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into a graven image and a molten idol. And they were placed in the house of Micah (who is like God). Christian Standard Bible So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took five pounds of silver and gave it to a silversmith. He made it into a carved image and a silver idol, and it was in Micah’s house. Holman Christian Standard Bible So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took five pounds of silver and gave it to a silversmith. He made it into a carved image overlaid with silver, and it was in Micah’s house. American Standard Version And when he restored the money unto his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and it was in the house of Micah. English Revised Version And when he restored the money unto his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and it was in the house of Micah. GOD'S WORD® Translation When Micah returned the silver to his mother, she took 200 pieces of the silver and gave it to a silversmith. He made a carved idol and a metal idol. Both were placed in Micah's home. Good News Translation Then he gave them back to his mother. She took two hundred of the pieces of silver and gave them to a metalworker, who made an idol, carving it from wood and covering it with the silver. It was placed in Micah's house. International Standard Version When he had returned the silver to his mother, his mother took 200 of the silver coins and handed them over to a silversmith. He crafted them into a carved image and into a cast image, and they were set up in Micah's house. NET Bible When he gave the silver back to his mother, she took two hundred pieces of silver to a silversmith, who made them into a carved image and a metal image. She then put them in Micah's house. New Heart English Bible When he restored the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made of it an engraved image and a molten image: and it was in the house of Micah. Webster's Bible Translation Yet he restored the money to his mother; and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made of it a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into a graven image and a molten idol. And they were placed in the house of Micah. World English Bible When he restored the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave them to a silversmith, who made a carved image and a molten image out of it. It was in the house of Micah. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he gives back the money to his mother, and his mother takes two hundred pieces of silver, and gives them to a refiner, and he makes them a carved image, and a molten image, and it is in the house of Micah. Berean Literal Bible And he returned the silver to his mother, and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molten image, and they were in the house of Micah. Young's Literal Translation And he giveth back the money to his mother, and his mother taketh two hundred silverlings, and giveth them to a refiner, and he maketh them a graven image, and a molten image, and it is in the house of Micah. Smith's Literal Translation And he will turn back the silver to his mother; and his mother will take two hundred of silver and will give it to the goldsmith, and he will make it a carved thing and molten: and it will be in the house of Micah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he restored them to his mother: and she took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith, to make of them a graven and a molten god, which was in the house of Michas. Catholic Public Domain Version And when he restored these to his mother, she took two hundred of the silver coins, and she gave them to the silversmith, so that he might make from them a molten idol and a graven image. And it was in the house of Micah. New American Bible So when he restored the silver to his mother, she took two hundred pieces and gave them to the silversmith, who made of them an idol overlaid with silver. So it remained in the house of Micah. New Revised Standard Version So when he returned the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave it to the silversmith, who made it into an idol of cast metal; and it was in the house of Micah. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo he restored the money to his mother; and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave it to the silversmith, who made it into a graven image and a molten image; and they were kept in the house of Micah. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he returned the silver to his mother, and his mother took two hundred money pieces and she gave them to a Silversmith, and he made a carved and smelted image, and it was in the house of Mikah OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when he restored the money unto his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image; and it was in the house of Micah. Brenton Septuagint Translation But he returned the silver to his mother, and his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave them to a silversmith, and he made it a graven and a molten image; and it was in the house of Michaias. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Micah's Idolatry…3And when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I wholly dedicate the silver to the LORD for my son’s benefit, to make a graven image and a molten idol. Therefore I will now return it to you.” 4So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into a graven image and a molten idol. And they were placed in the house of Micah. 5Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household idols, and ordained one of his sons as his priest.… Cross References So he returned the silver to his mother, Proverbs 28:24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys. Leviticus 6:2-5 “If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor / or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— / once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, … and she took two hundred shekels of silver 2 Samuel 14:26 And when he cut the hair of his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy—he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels, according to the royal standard. Genesis 23:16 Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants. and gave them to a silversmith, Isaiah 46:6-7 They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. Jeremiah 10:3-4 For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. who made them into a graven image and a molten idol. 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!” Isaiah 44:15-17 It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. / He burns half of it in the fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. Indeed, he warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” / From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.” And they were placed in the house of Micah. Judges 18:14-20 Then the five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish said to their brothers, “Did you know that one of these houses has an ephod, household gods, a graven image, and a molten idol? Now think about what you should do.” / So they turned aside there and went to the home of the young Levite, the house of Micah, and greeted him. / The six hundred Danites stood at the entrance of the gate, armed with their weapons of war. … 2 Kings 21:7 Manasseh even took the carved Asherah pole he had made and set it up in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever. Exodus 20:4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. Deuteronomy 27:15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Isaiah 44:9-20 All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. … 1 Kings 12:28-30 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. 2 Kings 17:16 They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. Hosea 8:4-6 They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. / He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria. Treasury of Scripture Yet he restored the money to his mother; and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah. two hundred Isaiah 46:6,7 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship… Jeremiah 10:9,10 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men… Jump to Previous Engraved House Hundred Idol Image Metal Metal-Worker Micah Micah's Molten Money Mother Pictured Pieces Restored Shekels Silver Silversmith ThereofJump to Next Engraved House Hundred Idol Image Metal Metal-Worker Micah Micah's Molten Money Mother Pictured Pieces Restored Shekels Silver Silversmith ThereofJudges 17 1. Of the money that Micah first stole, then restored, his mother makes idols5. And he makes ornaments for them 7. He hires a Levite to be his priest So he returned the silver to his mother This phrase indicates a restitution of sorts, where the son returns the stolen silver to his mother. In the context of the Book of Judges, this act of returning the silver can be seen as a moment of repentance or acknowledgment of wrongdoing. The family dynamics here reflect the broader theme of moral and spiritual decline in Israel during this period, as everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith who made them into a graven image and a molten idol And they were placed in the house of Micah Persons / Places / Events 1. MicahA man from the hill country of Ephraim who creates a shrine in his home, leading to idolatry. 2. Micah's Mother She dedicates silver to the LORD but uses it to create an idol, reflecting syncretism in worship. 3. Silversmith Craftsman who makes the idol, playing a role in the idolatrous practices. 4. Idol Represents the spiritual decline and syncretism in Israel during the time of the Judges. 5. House of Micah The location where the idol is placed, becoming a center of false worship. Teaching Points The Danger of SyncretismMixing true worship with idolatry leads to spiritual confusion and decline. Believers must guard against incorporating worldly practices into their faith. The Importance of Obedience God's commandments are clear about worship. Obedience to His Word is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with Him. The Influence of Family Micah's actions were influenced by his mother, showing the impact family can have on spiritual practices. Families should encourage one another in true worship. The Role of Leadership The absence of strong spiritual leadership in Israel led to everyone doing what was right in their own eyes. This highlights the need for godly leaders in the church and community. The Consequences of Idolatry Idolatry leads to separation from God and spiritual decay. Believers must be vigilant in identifying and removing idols from their lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 17:4?2. How does Judges 17:4 illustrate the dangers of idolatry in our lives today? 3. What lessons can we learn from Micah's actions in Judges 17:4? 4. How does Judges 17:4 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we guard against creating "idols" in our own lives? 6. How can we ensure our worship aligns with God's commands, unlike Micah's actions? 7. Why did Micah's mother dedicate silver to make an idol in Judges 17:4? 8. How does Judges 17:4 reflect the spiritual state of Israel during that time? 9. What does Judges 17:4 reveal about the influence of idolatry in Israelite society? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 17? 11. Why is Dan excluded from Revelation's 144,000 list? 12. Why does Micah in Judges 17:5–6 feel justified in creating his own household shrine, despite the earlier commands against idol worship? 13. In Judges 17:1-4, how does Micah's mother shift from cursing the stolen silver to dedicating it for an idol, and what does this imply about her religious consistency? 14. Does the narrative of Micah's idol in Judges 17 undermine the unifying worship practices supposedly central to Israel's faith at that time? What Does Judges 17:4 Mean So he returned the silver to his mother“ ‘So he returned the silver to his mother…’ ” (Judges 17:4) • The son’s act of giving back what he had stolen (Judges 17:2) looks commendable on the surface, fulfilling the call to “return what he has robbed” (Leviticus 6:4). • Yet restitution without repentance still leaves the heart unchanged; Micah never confesses sin against the LORD, only fear of a curse (Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 28:13). • The scene illustrates the book’s theme: everyone doing what is right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25), mistaking external fixes for genuine surrender. she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith “… and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith …” (Judges 17:4) • Of the 1,100 shekels originally reclaimed, only 200 are devoted; partial dedication hints at partial obedience (Acts 5:1-2; 1 Samuel 15:22-23). • Handing the silver to a craftsman mirrors how Israel earlier gave offerings for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:2-3), but the purpose here is flawed, showing how true forms can be twisted. • Her words in Judges 17:3 claimed a gift “to the LORD,” yet her actions violate His explicit command against idols (Exodus 20:4). who made them into a graven image and a molten idol “… who made them into a graven image and a molten idol …” (Judges 17:4) • The two terms stress craftsmanship: carved and cast. What begins with silver ends as forbidden worship (Deuteronomy 27:15). • Israel had been warned after the golden calf not to repeat this sin (Exodus 32:31-33; Deuteronomy 9:7-12), but the cycle resurfaces when God’s word is ignored. • Romans 1:22-23 describes this downward exchange—trading the glory of God for man-made images—exactly what unfolds in Micah’s household. they were placed in the house of Micah “… And they were placed in the house of Micah.” (Judges 17:4) • A private shrine supplants the centralized worship God ordained at Shiloh (Deuteronomy 12:5-8; Joshua 18:1). • This unauthorized sanctuary foreshadows later “high places” that plagued the nation (2 Kings 17:29-33). • The placement sets up the next scenes: Micah ordains his own priest (Judges 17:5), then the Danites seize the idol (Judges 18:18-31), multiplying sin’s ripple effect. summary Judges 17:4 traces a chain reaction: stolen silver returned without repentance, partially dedicated funds misused, idols carefully crafted, and false worship installed at home. Each step looks religious yet breaks God’s clear commands (Exodus 20:4-5). The verse exposes the ease with which sincerity can mask disobedience and warns that partial or self-defined devotion leads to deeper idolatry rather than true fellowship with the LORD. (4) Yet.--Rather, And.Two hundred shekels of silver.--Bertheau supposes that these two hundred shekels were not apart of the eleven hundred, but the trespass-money of one-fifth, which by the law Micah had to pay for his theft (Lev. 5:24). But apart from the sum not being exact, no such impression is given by the narrative. It is left to be understood that the remaining nine hundred shekels were spent in other parts of the idolatrous worship. (It may be mentioned, by way of passing illustration, that when Sir John Hawle was murdered in Westminster Abbey, the 200 paid in penance by his murderers seem to have been expended upon the purchase of a costly image, which was placed in the Chapel of St. Erasmus.) Gave them to the founder.--An illustration of the folly which Isaiah pursues with such a storm of irony and contempt (Isaiah 46:6-13). These pesilim were originally of all sorts of materials (e.g., wood, brass, stone, and clay, Daniel 2:33; Daniel 5:23; Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3, &c.), but usually of metal (Isaiah 40:19; Isaiah 44:10, &c.), adorned with plates and chains of precious metal, and embroidered robes (Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekiel 16:18, &c.). (See Excursus I.: Calf-Worship. ) . . . Verse 4. - Yet he restored. Rather, so he restored, repeating what was said in ver. 3, and adding the consequence, that his mother took two hundred shekels and gave them to the founder. It is a great puzzle to explain why two hundred shekels only are here spoken of, and what became of the other nine hundred. Bertheau thinks the two hundred were different from the eleven hundred, and were the fifth part of the whole value stolen, which the thief, according to Leviticus 6:5, was bound to give in addition to the principal. He therefore translates ver. 4 thus: "So he restored the money to his mother (and his mother took two hundred shekels), and she gave it (the money 1100 shekels) to the founder," etc. Others understand that two hundred only were actually made into the graven and molten image, and the other nine hundred were devoted to other expenses of the worship. In the house of Micah. This explains, Now I will restore it unto thee, and, for my son to make, etc., in ver. 3.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So he returnedוַיָּ֥שֶׁב (way·yā·šeḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again the silver הַכֶּ֖סֶף (hak·ke·sep̄) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money to his mother, לְאִמּ֑וֹ (lə·’im·mōw) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 517: A mother, ) and she אִמּוֹ֩ (’im·mōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 517: A mother, ) took וַתִּקַּ֣ח (wat·tiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3947: To take two hundred [shekels] מָאתַ֨יִם (mā·ṯa·yim) Number - fd Strong's 3967: A hundred of silver כֶּ֜סֶף (ke·sep̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money and gave וַתִּתְּנֵ֣הוּ (wat·tit·tə·nê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set them to a silversmith, לַצּוֹרֵ֗ף (laṣ·ṣō·w·rêp̄) Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6884: To smelt, refine, test who made them וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙ (way·ya·‘ă·śê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make into a graven image פֶּ֣סֶל (pe·sel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6459: An idol, image and a molten idol. וּמַסֵּכָ֔ה (ū·mas·sê·ḵāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4541: A pouring over, fusion of metal, a libation, league, a coverlet And they were placed וַיְהִ֖י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be in the house בְּבֵ֥ית (bə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of Micah. מִיכָֽיְהוּ׃ (mî·ḵā·yə·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4319: Micaiah Links Judges 17:4 NIVJudges 17:4 NLT Judges 17:4 ESV Judges 17:4 NASB Judges 17:4 KJV Judges 17:4 BibleApps.com Judges 17:4 Biblia Paralela Judges 17:4 Chinese Bible Judges 17:4 French Bible Judges 17:4 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 17:4 When he restored the money to his (Jd Judg. 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