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Judges 17:7

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he was staying there.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who [was] a Levite, and he sojourned there.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he sojourned there.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah of the family of Judah, who [was] a Levite, and he sojourned there.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— And there was a young man out of Bethlehem-Judah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— And there was a young man out of Bethlehem-judah, of the family of Judah,—he, being a Levite, and, he, being a sojourner there.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— And there is a young man of Beth-Lehem-Judah, of the family of Judah, and he [is] a Levite, and he [is] a sojourner there.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— There was also another young man of Bethlehem Juda, of the kindred thereof: and he was a Levite, and dwelt there.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— There was also a yong man out of Bethlehem Iudah, of the familie of Iudah: who was a Leuite, and soiourned there.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— And there was a young man out of Bethlehem Iudah, of the family of Iudah, who was a Leuite, and he soiourned there.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— Now there was a young man from Beth-lehem of Judah, whose name was Levi, and he sojourned there.
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— And there was a young man in Bethlehem{gr.Bethleem} of the tribe of Judah{gr.Juda}, and he [was] a Levite, and he was sojourning there.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— And there was a young man out of Beth Lechem Yehudah of the family of Yehudah, who [was] a Lewi, and he sojourned there.

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
And there was x1961
(1961) Complement
הָיָה
hayah
{haw-yaw'}
A primitive root (compare H1933); to exist, that is, be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary).
a young man 5288
{5288} Prime
נַעַר
na`ar
{nah'-ar}
From H5287; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication a servant; also (by interchange of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age).
out of Bêŧ Leçem Yæhûđà בֵּית־לֶחֶם־יְהוּדָה 1035
{1035} Prime
בֵּית לֶחֶם
Beyth Lechem
{bayth leh'-khem}
From H1004 and H3899; house of bread; Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine.
3063
{3063} Prime
יְהוּדָה
Y@huwdah
{yeh-hoo-daw'}
From H3034; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.
x4480
(4480) Complement
מִן
min
{min}
For H4482; properly a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses.
of the family 4940
{4940} Prime
מִשְׁפָּחָה
mishpachah
{mish-paw-khaw'}
From H8192 (compare H8198); a family, that is, circle of relatives; figuratively a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people.
x4480
(4480) Complement
מִן
min
{min}
For H4482; properly a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses.
of Yæhûđà יְהוּדָה, 3063
{3063} Prime
יְהוּדָה
Y@huwdah
{yeh-hoo-daw'}
From H3034; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.
who x1931
(1931) Complement
הוּא
huw'
{hoo}
The second form is the feminine beyond the Pentateuch; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are.
[was] a Lëwî לֵוִי, 3881
{3881} Prime
לֵוִיִי
Leviyiy
{lay-vee-ee'}
Patronymic from H3878; a Leviite or descendant of Levi.
and he x1931
(1931) Complement
הוּא
huw'
{hoo}
The second form is the feminine beyond the Pentateuch; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are.
sojourned 1481
{1481} Prime
גּוּר
guwr
{goor}
A primitive root; properly to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), that is, sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather for hostility (as afraid).
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
there. x8033
(8033) Complement
שָׁם
sham
{shawm}
A primitive particle (rather from the relative H0834); there (transfered to time) then; often thither, or thence.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Judges 17:7

_ _ Beth-lehem-judah — so called in contradistinction to a town of the same name in Zebulun (Joshua 19:15).

_ _ of the family — that is, tribe.

_ _ of Judah — Men of the tribe of Levi might connect themselves, as Aaron did (Exodus 6:23), by marriage with another tribe; and this young Levite belonged to the tribe of Judah, by his mother’s side, which accounts for his being in Beth-lehem, not one of the Levitical cities.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Judges 17:7-13

_ _ We have here an account of Micah's furnishing himself with a Levite for his chaplain, either thinking his son, because the heir of his estate, too good to officiate, or rather, because not of God's tribe, not good enough. Observe,

_ _ I. What brought this Levite to Micah. By his mother's side he was of the family of Judah, and lived at Bethlehem among his mother's relations (for that was not a Levites' city), or, upon some other account, as a stranger or inmate, sojourned there, Judges 17:7. Thence he went to sojourn where he could find a place, and in his travels came to the house of Micah in Mount Ephraim, Judges 17:8. Now, 1. Some think it was his unhappiness that he was under a necessity of removing, either because he was persecuted and abused, or rather neglected and starved, at Bethlehem. God had made plentiful provision for the Levites, but the people withheld their dues, and did not help them into the possession of the cities assigned to them; so that they were reduced to straits, and no care was taken for their relief. Israel's forsaking God began with forsaking the Levites, which therefore they are warned against, Deuteronomy 12:19. It is a sign religion is going to decay when good ministers are neglected and at a loss for a livelihood. But, 2. It seems rather to have been his fault and folly, that he loved to wander, threw himself out where he was, and forfeited the respect of his friends, and, having a roving head, would go to seek his fortune, as we say. We cannot conceive that things had yet come to such a pass among them that a Levite should be poor, unless it was his own fault. As those are fit to be pitied that would fix but may not, so those are fit to be punished that might fix but will not. Unsettledness being, one would think, a constant uneasiness, it is strange that any Israelite, especially any Levite, should affect it.

_ _ II. What bargain Micah made with him. Had he not been well enough content with his son for his priest, he would have gone or sent abroad to enquire out a Levite, but now he only takes hold of one that drops into his hands, which showed that he had no great zeal in the matter. It is probable that this rambling Levite had heard, in the country, of Micah's house of gods, his graven and molten image, which, if he had had any thing of the spirit of a Levite in him, would have brought him thither to reprove Micah for his idolatry, to tell how directly contrary it was to the law of God, and how it would bring the judgments of God upon him; but instead of this, like a base and degenerate branch of that sacred tribe, thither he goes to offer his service, with, Have you any work for a Levite? for I am out of business, and go to sojourn where I may find a place; all he aimed at was to get bread, not to do good, Judges 17:9. Micah courts him into his family (v. 10), and promises him, 1. Good preferment: Be unto me a father and a priest. Though a young man, and taken up at the door, yet, if he take him for a priest, he will respect him as a father, so far is he from setting him among his servants. He asks not for his credentials, takes no time to enquire how he behaved in the place of his last settlement, considers not whether, though he was a Levite, yet he might not be of such a bad character as to be a plague and scandal to his family, but thinks, though he should be ever so great a rake, he might serve for a priest to a graven image, like Jeroboam's priest of the lowest of the people, 1 Kings 12:31. No marvel if those who can make any thing serve for a god can also make any thing serve for a priest. 2. A tolerable maintenance. He will allow him meat, and drink, and clothes, a double suit, so the word is in the margin, a better and a worse, one for every day's wear and one for holy days, and ten shekels, about twenty-five shillings, a year for spending money — a poor salary in comparison of what God provided for the Levites that behaved well; but those that forsake God's service will never better themselves, nor find a better master. The ministry is the best calling but the worst trade in the world.

_ _ III. The Levite's settlement with him (Judges 17:11): He was content to dwell with the man; though his work was superstitious and his wages were scandalous, he objected against neither, but thought himself happy that he had lighted on so good a house. Micah, thinking himself holier than any of his neighbours, presumed to consecrate this Levite, v. 12. As if his building, furnishing, and endowing this chapel authorized him, not only to appoint the person that should officiate there, but to confer those orders upon him which he had no right to give nor the other to receive. And now he shows him respect as a father and tenderness as a son, and is willing thus to make up the deficiency of the coin he gave him.

_ _ IV. Micah's satisfaction in this (Judges 17:13): Now know I that the Lord will do me good (that is, he hoped that his new establishment would gain reputation among his neighbours, which would turn to his advantage, for he would share in the profit of his altar; or, rather, he hoped that God would countenance and bless him in all he put his hand unto) because I have a Levite to be my priest. 1. He thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images that he had so opportunely sent a Levite to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that furthers them in their evil way, are too apt to infer thence that God is pleased with them. 2. He thought now that the error of his priesthood was amended all was well, though he still retained his graven and molten image. Note, Many deceive themselves into a good opinion of their state by a partial reformation. They think they are as good as they should be, because, in some one particular instance, they are not so bad as they have been, as if the correcting of one fault would atone for their persisting in all the rest. 3. He thought the making of a Levite into a priest was a very meritorious act, which really was a presumptuous usurpation, and every provoking to God. Men's pride, and ignorance, and self-flattery, will undertake, not only to justify, but magnify and sanctify, the most daring impieties and invasions upon the divine prerogatives. With much reason might Micah have said, “Now may I fear that God will curse me, because I have debauched one of his own tribe, and drawn him into the worship of a graven image;” yet for this he hopes God will do him good. 4. He thought that having a Levite in the house with him would of course entitle him to the divine favour. Carnal hearts are apt to build too much upon their external privileges, and to conclude that God will certainly do them good because they are born of godly parents, dwell in praying families, are linked in society with those that are very good, and sit under a lively ministry; whereas all this is but like having a Levite to be their priest, which amounts to no security at all that God will do them good, unless they be good themselves, and make a good use of these advantages.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Judges 17:7

Bethlehem — judah — So called here, as Matthew 2:1, Matthew 2:5, to difference it from Bethlehem in Zebulun. There he was born and bred. Of Judah — That is, of or belonging to the tribe of Judah; not by birth, for he was a Levite; but by his habitation and ministration. For the Levites were dispersed among all the tribes; and this man's lot fell into the tribe of Judah. Sojourned — So he expresseth it, because this was not the proper place of his abode, this being no Levitical city.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Judges 17:7

And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah (f) of the family of Judah, who [was] a Levite, and he sojourned there.

(f) Which Bethlehem was in the tribe of Judah.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
Beth-lehem-judah,
Judges 19:1-2 And it came to pass in those days, when [there was] no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah. ... And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.
Genesis 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.
Joshua 19:15 And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.
Ruth 1:1-2 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. ... And the name of the man [was] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Matthew 2:5-6 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, ... And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

of the family:
That is, of the tribe of Judah by his mother; and of that of Levi by his father.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Gn 35:19. Jsh 19:15. Jg 19:1. Ru 1:1. Mi 5:2. Mt 2:1, 5.

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