BibleWord.ai› Bible› Judges› Chapter 17› Verse 6

Judges 17:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 17:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Judges 17:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3And he restored the eleven hundred [pieces] of silver to his mother; and his mother said, I verily dedicate the silver unto Jehovah from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.
4And when he restored the money unto his mother, his mother took two hundred [pieces] of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and it was in the house of Micah.
5And the man Micah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
6In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
7And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he sojourned there.
8And the man departed out of the city, out of Beth-lehem-judah, to sojourn where he could find [a place], and he came to the hill-country of Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
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].
← Judges 17:5Judges 17:7 →
← Full Chapter 17 Judges Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“In those days there was no king in Israel, etc.] That is, no supreme magistrate, judge, or ruler, Joshua being dead and Caleb also, and the elders contemporary with them; for what the Samaritan Chronicle says f373 is without foundation, that Joshua a little before his death cast a lot in the presence of the congregation, to know who should govern after him, and the lot came to one Abel, of the tribe of Judah: [but] every man did that which was right in his own eyes; which accounts for the idolatry of Micah, there being no supreme magistrate to take cognizance of his sin, and restrain him from it, or punish him for it according to the law of God.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“every man did that which was right in his own eyes--From want of a settled government, there was no one to call him to account. No punishment followed any crime.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In those days ... - This phrase, indicating distinctly that the writer lived after the establishment of the kingly government in Israel, is unique to the author of these last five chapters. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“No king - No judge to govern and control them. The word king being used largely for a supreme magistrate. God raised up judges to rule and deliver the people, when he saw fit; and at other times for their sins he suffered them to be without them, and such a time this was; and therefore they ran into that idolatry, from which the judges usually kept them; as appears by that solemn and oft - repeated passage in this book, that after the death of such or such a judge, the people forsook the Lord, and turned to idols. His own eyes - That is, not what pleased God, but what best suited his own fancy. Judges 17:7”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“no king: Jdg 18:1, Jdg 19:1, Jdg 21:3, Jdg 21:25; Gen 36:31; Deu 33:5 right: Deu 12:8; Psa 12:4; Pro 12:15, Pro 14:12, Pro 16:2; Ecc 11:9; Jer 44:16, Jer 44:17 Judges 17:7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Judges 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification