Judges 17:13
Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.
Original Language Analysis
עַתָּ֣ה
H6258
יָדַ֔עְתִּי
Now know
H3045
יָדַ֔עְתִּי
Now know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֵיטִ֥יב
will do me good
H3190
יֵיטִ֥יב
will do me good
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
6 of 13
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
יְהוָ֖ה
I that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
I that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֧י
H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָֽיָה
H1961
הָֽיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
The entire narrative of chapters 17-18 occurs during the chaotic period when Israel had no centralized worship or leadership. The Levite's willingness to serve Micah's idolatrous shrine, and later Dan's apostate sanctuary, shows how thoroughly corruption had spread even among those designated for holy service. This event predates much of the book chronologically (note 18:30's reference to the captivity), placed here to demonstrate the depths of Israel's apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you use religious activity, spiritual credentials, or sincere feelings to justify practices that contradict Scripture?
- In what ways do you create a customized faith that feels comfortable but lacks biblical warrant?
- What does this reveal about the danger of evaluating spiritual authenticity by feelings, results, or sincerity rather than Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest—Micah's confident declaration drips with irony. He assumes that having a Levite (מִלְוִי, mi-levi) as priest for his unauthorized, idolatrous shrine will earn Yahweh's favor. The verb 'to do good' (יֵיטִיב, yeitiv) expresses his expectation of blessing and prosperity. Yet Micah operates under catastrophic theological confusion: he worships Yahweh through graven images (forbidden in Exodus 20:4), at an unauthorized location (violating Deuteronomy 12), with a Levite who abandons his proper role to serve an idolatrous house.
This verse epitomizes the book's theme: 'In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes' (17:6). Micah creates a religious system that feels spiritual—he uses God's name, employs Levitical personnel, even seems sincere—yet violates every principle of true worship. He confuses religious form with spiritual reality, assuming ritual correctness guarantees divine approval. This is syncretism at its worst: mixing Yahweh worship with pagan practice, believing that right credentials (a Levite) sanctify wrong worship. Micah's story warns that sincerity without truth, zeal without knowledge, and religious activity without obedience lead to judgment, not blessing.