King James Version

What Does Judges 17:7 Mean?

“And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.”

Context

And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. consecrated: Heb. filled the hand

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.

And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed . as he: Heb. in making his way

And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah , and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **A young man.**—Later on in the story we, as it were incidentally, make the astonishing discovery that this young man was no other than a grandson of Moses. **Out of Beth-lehem-judah.**—So called to distinguish it from the Bethlehem in Zebulon (Joshua 19:15). (See Note on Judges 12:8.) In later times, when Bethlehem was famous as David’s birthplace, and the other Bethlehem had sunk into insignificance, the descriptive addition is often dropped. **Of the family of Judah.**—It may be doubted whether this refers to the “young man” or to Bethlehem, or whether it ought not, as in some MSS. and versions (LXX., Cod. B, and Syriac), to be omitted. If it applies to the young Levite, it must mean that he did not live in one of the Levitic cities, which belonged to his own family (the family of Gershom), which were in the northern and eastern tribes (Joshua 21:6), but in Judah, and therefore was ranked in civil matters as belonging to that tribe. Homes in the tribe of Judah were assigned to the priests alone (Joshua 21:9-42). **He sojourned there.**—Comp. Judges 19:1. The curse had been pronounced on the tribe of Levi: “I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel” (Genesis 49:7).

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 17:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.