It's easy to read this as just a son confessing to theft. But the mother's response, "Blessed be my son by the LORD," isn't just relief about getting her money back. It's a religious pronouncement, implying her son's confession and restitution have averted a divine judgment she herself invoked.
And he said to his mother, “The 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse, and also spoke it in my ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it.” And his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the LORD.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage unfolds at the beginning of a story about Micah, who steals a significant sum of money from his mother. Alarmed by her curse upon the thief, he confesses his deed, and surprisingly, his mother blesses him for returning the silver. This confession and blessing happen just before Micah sets up an unauthorized shrine and idol in his home, marking the start of a period of religious corruption in Israel.
Imagine losing a huge sum of money and reacting with a powerful curse. What does this reveal about the people of that time and Micah's inner turmoil?
Micah's mother, upon discovering the theft of 1,100 pieces of silver, pronounces a curse. This wasn't just a casual outburst; the text suggests she 'adjured' him, likely invoking a solemn oath. This fear of his mother's curse, deeply ingrained and potent, compels Micah to confess, 'Behold, the silver is with me; I took it.'
This exchange highlights a critical aspect of the 'every man did what was right in his own eyes' era:
Micah's mother reacts to his confession not with anger or correction, but with a blessing. What does this strange reaction tell us about her heart and the spiritual state of the family?
The most striking part of this exchange might be the mother's response: 'Blessed be my son by the LORD.' This isn't a statement of approval for Micah's theft, but a profound relief that the stolen money is returned and the curse is lifted.
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Here's what this reveals:
Understand the original words
alah · Hebrew Noun
A solemn declaration invoking divine harm or judgment upon someone or something, often associated with a binding oath. In this context, it functions as an attempt to compel the return of the stolen property through spiritual pressure.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel (Yahweh). It signifies His self-existence, faithfulness to His promises, and His unique relationship with His people.
This story unfolds during the turbulent 'Judges' period, a time when Israel lacked strong leadership and "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Micah's theft, his mother's curse, and her subsequent blessing reveal a society deeply confused about morality, justice, and true worship, where even religious devotion is mixed with idolatry and personal gain.
~1400 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, conquer and settle in the land of Canaan. This marks the beginning of the period of the Judges.
c. 1370 BC
Death of Joshua and Elders
Joshua and the generation that entered Canaan die. Without a strong central leader, the nation begins to drift spiritually.
c. 1370-1070 BC
The Period of the Judges
Israel experiences cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance under various charismatic leaders known as Judges. This era is characterized by a lack of centralized authority and widespread spiritual decline.
During the Period of the Judges— this verse
Micah's Theft and Confession
Micah steals 1,100 pieces of silver from his mother. When she curses the thief, Micah confesses, and his mother blesses him, revealing a society where morality and justice are deeply compromised.
During the Period of the Judges
Establishment of Micah's Idolatrous Shrine
Following this event, Micah fashions idols and establishes a private shrine with a priest, further illustrating the religious chaos of the time.
This passage describes the law of adjuration, where someone who hears a public curse or oath and knows the truth but doesn't speak it will bear iniquity. Micah's mother likely invoked this law, leading to his confession.
Joshua 7:19-20Here, Achan is confronted after the Israelites suffer defeat due to his sin of taking forbidden plunder. Like Micah, Achan confesses his sin when the guilt is brought directly to him, highlighting the consequences of hidden sin.
Matthew 26:63The high priest adjures Jesus, asking Him if He is the Christ. Jesus, who had been silent, finally answers when directly put under oath, mirroring Micah's confession under his mother's adjuration.
Proverbs 28:13This verse states that whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them finds mercy. Micah's confession, though motivated by fear, is the first step towards repentance.
clarkeJudges 17:2: "And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my son."
About which thou cursedst - Houbigant and others understand this of putting the young man to his oath. It is likely that when the mother of Micah missed the money, she poured imprecations on the thief; and that Micah, who had secr…
pooleJudges 17:2: "And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my son."
About which thou cursedst, i.e. didst curse the person who had taken them away, and that in my hearing, as it follows. I took it ; the fear of thy curse makes me acknowledge mine offence, and beg thy pardon. Blessed be thou of the…
It's easy to read this as just a son confessing to theft. But the mother's response, "Blessed be my son by the LORD," isn't just relief about getting her money back. It's a religious pronouncement, implying her son's confession and restitution have averted a divine judgment she herself invoked.
This passage unfolds at the beginning of a story about Micah, who steals a significant sum of money from his mother. Alarmed by her curse upon the thief, he confesses his deed, and surprisingly, his mother blesses him for returning the silver. This confession and blessing happen just before Micah sets up an unauthorized shrine and idol in his home, marking the start of a period of religious corruption in Israel.
This passage unfolds at the beginning of a story about Micah, who steals a significant sum of money from his mother. Alarmed by her curse upon the thief, he confesses his deed, and surprisingly, his mother blesses him for returning the silver. This confession and blessing happen just before Micah sets up an unauthorized shrine and idol in his home, marking the start of a period of religious corruption in Israel.
"And he said to his mother, “The 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse, and also spoke it in my ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it.” And his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the LORD.”" — It's easy to read this as just a son confessing to theft. But the mother's response, "Blessed be my son by the LORD," isn't just relief about getting her money back. It's a religious pronouncement, i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
