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Judges 17:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 17:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
Judges 17:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find [a place].
10And 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.
11And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.
12And Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
13Then said Micah, Now know I that Jehovah will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.
← Judges 17:11Judges 17:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Micah consecrated the Levite, etc.] Installed him into, and invested him with the priestly office; in like manner he had consecrated his son before, by filling his hand with sacrifices; (see <071705>Judges 17:5) and the young man became his priest; and did the work and office of one; this was a very daring piece of presumption in them both; in Micah, to take upon him to consecrate a priest, who was himself of the tribe of Ephraim; and in the young man, to suffer himself to be put into such an office, which did not belong to him, for though every priest was a Levite, or of the tribe of Levi, yet every Levite had not a right to be a priest, only those who were of the family of Aaron: and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Micah consecrated the Levite--Hebrew, "filled his hand." This act of consecration was not less unlawful for Micah to perform than for this Levite to receive (see on Jdg 18:30).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Consecrated - To be a priest, for which he thought a consecration necessary, as knowing the Levites were no less excluded from the priest's office than the people. The young man - Instead of his son, whom he had consecrated, but now seems to restrain him from the exercise of that office, and to devolve it wholly upon the Levite, who was nearer akin to it. Judges 17:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“consecrated: Jdg 17:5 his priest: Jdg 18:30; Num 16:5, Num 16:8-10; Kg1 12:31, Kg1 13:33, Kg1 13:34 Judges 17:13”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification