Judg 17:5, 18:14, 18, 20 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 5. The man Micah had a house of gods ] beith Elohim should, I think, be translated house or temple of God ; for it is very likely that both the mother and the son intended no more than a private or domestic chapel, in which they proposed to set up the worship of the true God. Made an ephod ] Perhaps the whole of this case may be stated thus: Micah built a house of God -a chapel in imitation of the sanctuary ; he made a graven image representing the ark, a molten image to represent the mercy-seat, teraphim to represent the cherubim above the mercy-seat , and an ephod in imitation of the sacerdotal garments ; and he consecrated one of his sons to be priest. Thus gross idolatry was not the crime of Micah; he only set up in his own house an epitome of the Divine worship as performed at Shiloh. What the teraphim were, ; for the ephod , ; and for the sacerdotal vestments in general, , &c. Who became his priest. ] cohen , which the Targum translates chumera . The word cohen is the common name in Hebrew for a priest of the true God; but sometimes it is applied to idolatrous priests. When it is to be understood in the former sense, the Targum renders it cahen ; when in the latter, it uses the word chumera , by which it always understands an idolatrous priest. But that this was not a case of idolatry, and that the true God was worshipped here, is evident from the word Jehovah being used, , and oracular answers being given at this house, as we see from &c.

‏ Judges 17:5

Verse 5. The man Micah had a house of gods] beith Elohim should, I think, be translated house or temple of God; for it is very likely that both the mother and the son intended no more than a private or domestic chapel, in which they proposed to set up the worship of the true God.

Made an ephod] Perhaps the whole of this case may be stated thus: Micah built a house of God-a chapel in imitation of the sanctuary; he made a graven image representing the ark, a molten image to represent the mercy-seat, teraphim to represent the cherubim above the mercy-seat, and an ephod in imitation of the sacerdotal garments; and he consecrated one of his sons to be priest. Thus gross idolatry was not the crime of Micah; he only set up in his own house an epitome of the Divine worship as performed at Shiloh. What the teraphim were, See Clarke on Ge 31:19; for the ephod, See Clarke on Ex 25:7; and for the sacerdotal vestments in general, See Clarke on Ex 28:4, &c.

Who became his priest.] cohen, which the Targum translates chumera. The word cohen is the common name in Hebrew for a priest of the true God; but sometimes it is applied to idolatrous priests. When it is to be understood in the former sense, the Targum renders it cahen; when in the latter, it uses the word chumera, by which it always understands an idolatrous priest. But that this was not a case of idolatry, and that the true God was worshipped here, is evident from the word Jehovah being used, Jud 17:4, and oracular answers being given at this house, as we see from Jud 18:6 &c.

‏ Judges 18:14

Verse 14. Consider what ye have to do.] They probably had formed the design to carry off the priest and his sacred utensils.

‏ Judges 18:18

Verse 18. These went unto Micah's house] The five men went in, while the six hundred armed men stood at the gate.

‏ Judges 18:20

Verse 20. Went to the midst of the people.] He was glad to be employed by the Danites; and went into the crowd, that he might not be discovered by Micah or his family.