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.

Jump to Previous
Apparel Clothes Clothing Dwell I'll Levite Maintenance Micah Pieces Priest Shekels Silver Silverlings Suit Sustenance Ten Victuals
Jump to Next
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














“Stay with me,” Micah said to him,
Micah, a resident of the hill country of Ephraim, invites a Levite to reside with him. This reflects the period of the Judges, characterized by a lack of centralized leadership in Israel, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The invitation indicates Micah's desire for spiritual legitimacy and guidance, as Levites were set apart for religious duties (Numbers 3:5-10).

“and be my father and priest,”
Micah seeks a personal priest, which deviates from the established Levitical priesthood centered in the tabernacle. The term "father" here is a title of respect and authority, suggesting a spiritual leadership role. This reflects the syncretism and religious confusion of the time, as Micah attempts to create his own version of worship, contrary to Deuteronomy 12:5-14, which prescribes centralized worship.

“and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year,”
The offer of ten shekels of silver annually indicates a formal agreement and the value placed on religious services. This payment reflects the economic practices of the time, where silver was a common medium of exchange. The amount suggests a modest but significant compensation, highlighting the Levite's willingness to accept a stable position despite its irregularity.

“a suit of clothes,”
Providing clothing was part of the compensation, indicating the Levite's dependence on Micah for his basic needs. This reflects the cultural practice of patronage, where a benefactor supports a client in exchange for services. Clothing also symbolizes status and identity, and in this context, it may signify the Levite's new role in Micah's household.

“and your provisions.”
Micah promises to supply the Levite's daily needs, ensuring his sustenance. This arrangement underscores the Levite's vulnerability and the lack of a centralized support system for the priesthood during this period. It also highlights the personal nature of the agreement, as Micah assumes responsibility for the Levite's well-being.

So the Levite went in.
The Levite's acceptance of Micah's offer demonstrates the pragmatic decisions made by individuals during the time of the Judges. His willingness to serve in a non-traditional role reflects the broader theme of religious and moral ambiguity in the book of Judges. This decision foreshadows the eventual consequences of Israel's departure from God's prescribed order, as seen in the subsequent narrative of the Danites' idolatry (Judges 18).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Micah
A man from the hill country of Ephraim who creates a shrine and hires a Levite to be his priest.

2. The Levite
A young man from Bethlehem in Judah who becomes a priest for Micah, despite the irregularity of the arrangement.

3. Ephraim
A region in Israel where Micah resides, known for its central location and significance in Israelite history.

4. Bethlehem in Judah
The Levite's original home, a town with significant biblical history, including being the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ.

5. The Shrine
A place of worship set up by Micah, which includes an idol and other religious artifacts, contrary to God's commandments.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Syncretism
Micah's actions demonstrate the risk of blending true worship with pagan practices. Believers must guard against incorporating non-biblical elements into their faith.

The Importance of Proper Worship
God has prescribed specific ways to worship Him. Like Micah, we must be cautious not to create our own methods that deviate from Scripture.

The Role of Spiritual Leadership
The Levite's willingness to serve in an unauthorized capacity highlights the need for leaders to adhere to biblical standards and not compromise for personal gain.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Micah's account serves as a warning that disobedience to God's commands can lead to spiritual confusion and idolatry.

Seeking God's Will
Instead of following personal desires, believers should seek God's will and guidance in all aspects of life, ensuring alignment with His Word.(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


Links
Judges 17:10 NIV
Judges 17:10 NLT
Judges 17:10 ESV
Judges 17:10 NASB
Judges 17:10 KJV

Judges 17:10 BibleApps.com
Judges 17:10 Biblia Paralela
Judges 17:10 Chinese Bible
Judges 17:10 French Bible
Judges 17:10 Catholic Bible

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