Judges 17:4 - 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.
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What does "Judges 17:4" mean?
This verse from Judges 17:4 tells a story of idolatry and moral decay. Let's break it down:
"When he restored the money to his mother...": The "he" refers to Micah. In the preceding verses, Micah had stolen 1100 pieces of silver from his mother, and she had pronounced a curse on the thief. He, fearing the curse, confessed and returned the silver.
"...his mother took two hundred pieces of silver...": Instead of using the silver wisely, or even donating it to the Tabernacle (the central place of worship), she decides to use a portion of it for personal idolatry. This highlights a lack of reverence for God.
"...and gave them to a silversmith, who made a carved image and a molten image out of it.": She commissions the creation of idols - both a carved image (probably wood overlaid with silver) and a molten image (likely made entirely of silver). This is a direct violation of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4-6), which prohibit making and worshiping idols.
"It was in the house of Micah.": The idols were kept in Micah's house, further establishing his household as a center for idolatry. This signifies a breakdown of religious and moral order. It also implies that Micah condoned or even encouraged this behavior, as the idols were in his house.
In summary, the verse signifies:
Idolatry: The creation and worship of idols, which is strictly forbidden in the Old Testament.
Moral Decay: It reflects a period in Israel's history when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 17:6), leading to widespread religious and moral corruption.
Disobedience: The actions of Micah and his mother directly contradict God's commands.
Syncretism: It might indicate a mixing of true worship with pagan practices, as they still acknowledge Yahweh but also incorporate idols into their religious life.
This story sets the stage for further accounts of religious and social disorder in the Book of Judges, illustrating the consequences of abandoning God's law and following one's own desires.
Judges 17:4 - 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.
What does "Judges 17:4" mean?
This verse from Judges 17:4 tells a story of idolatry and moral decay. Let's break it down:
"When he restored the money to his mother...": The "he" refers to Micah. In the preceding verses, Micah had stolen 1100 pieces of silver from his mother, and she had pronounced a curse on the thief. He, fearing the curse, confessed and returned the silver.
"...his mother took two hundred pieces of silver...": Instead of using the silver wisely, or even donating it to the Tabernacle (the central place of worship), she decides to use a portion of it for personal idolatry. This highlights a lack of reverence for God.
"...and gave them to a silversmith, who made a carved image and a molten image out of it.": She commissions the creation of idols - both a carved image (probably wood overlaid with silver) and a molten image (likely made entirely of silver). This is a direct violation of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4-6), which prohibit making and worshiping idols.
"It was in the house of Micah.": The idols were kept in Micah's house, further establishing his household as a center for idolatry. This signifies a breakdown of religious and moral order. It also implies that Micah condoned or even encouraged this behavior, as the idols were in his house.
In summary, the verse signifies:
Idolatry: The creation and worship of idols, which is strictly forbidden in the Old Testament.
Moral Decay: It reflects a period in Israel's history when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 17:6), leading to widespread religious and moral corruption.
Disobedience: The actions of Micah and his mother directly contradict God's commands.
Syncretism: It might indicate a mixing of true worship with pagan practices, as they still acknowledge Yahweh but also incorporate idols into their religious life.
This story sets the stage for further accounts of religious and social disorder in the Book of Judges, illustrating the consequences of abandoning God's law and following one's own desires.