And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Micah didn't just build a shrine; he created a miniature, corrupted version of God's worship for himself. He set up an "ephod," a key part of the high priest's vestments, and "household gods" (teraphim), suggesting he was trying to replicate divine presence and guidance right in his own home, bypassing God's appointed way. This was more than just a private chapel; it was an attempt to control and contain God's power on his own terms.
And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes Micah's creation of a private religious shrine, complete with sacred objects like an ephod and household gods (teraphim), and his illegitimate appointment of one of his sons as priest. This act occurs within a period where the Israelites lacked central leadership, leading to widespread religious syncretism and personal interpretations of worship. The narrative sets the stage for the migration of the Danites, who will later interact with Micah's shrine and its contents.
Micah built a place for worship, but was it really for God? The Bible uses a specific phrase that hints at a deeper, more complicated truth.
The verse says Micah had a "house of gods." However, some commentators suggest the original Hebrew might be better translated as a "house of God." This isn't just a translation quibble; it highlights a critical issue in Micah's setup.
Micah didn't just set up a shrine; he appointed his own son as priest. What does this say about leadership and authority in spiritual matters?
Ask a follow-up
In ancient Israel, the role of a priest was strictly defined by God. It was a sacred office, passed down through the lineage of Aaron.
Understand the original words
bayith · Hebrew Noun
A cultic center or high place used for worship. While historically associated with sacrifice, such sites were often strictly condemned by the prophets when they operated outside of God’s prescribed place of worship (the Tabernacle/Temple).
ephod · Hebrew Noun
A priestly garment, specifically an apron-like vestment worn by the high priest, which contained the Urim and Thummim used for seeking divine guidance. Misuse of the ephod often signaled an attempt to manipulate or simulate divine revelation.
teraphim · Hebrew Noun
Literally 'teraphim'; these were objects associated with household idolatry or divination. They reflect a syncretistic practice where Israelites attempted to incorporate pagan religious elements into the worship of Yahweh.
mala · Hebrew Verb
To install someone into an office, particularly the priesthood, through a formal ceremony or setting apart. The legitimacy of such an ordination depends entirely on whether it adheres to the divine command established by God through Moses.
This story unfolds during the chaotic 'period of the Judges,' a time when Israel lacked strong central leadership and religious practices often deviated significantly from God's commands. Micah's actions—creating his own shrine, making priestly garments, and appointing his son—were a direct violation of the Mosaic Law, which strictly regulated worship and the priesthood to the line of Aaron.
c. 1380-1070 BC
Period of the Judges
A time in Israel's history marked by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, often lacking centralized leadership.
c. 1380 BC
Death of Joshua
The death of Joshua marked the end of a strong, unified leadership, leading to a period where 'every man did what was right in his own eyes.'
Undated within the Book of Judges— this verse
Micah establishes a private shrine
Micah creates a personal religious center in his home, complete with priestly garments (ephod) and idols (teraphim), and installs his son as priest.
Undated within the Book of Judges
Tribe of Dan seeks new territory
The tribe of Dan, unable to conquer their allotted land, sends scouts to find new territory, eventually encountering Micah's shrine.
Undated within the Book of Judges
Danites steal Micah's idols and priest
The Danites plunder Micah's shrine, taking the idols and persuading his Levite priest to join them and serve their new community.
This passage describes the making of the ephod as part of the sacred garments for the priests, highlighting that Micah's imitation was a deliberate, though corrupted, attempt to replicate legitimate worship.
Numbers 16:40This verse warns against unauthorized worship and priesthood, directly condemning the kind of self-appointed religious system Micah established with his son, reinforcing the seriousness of his actions.
1 Samuel 15:23The text here equates rebellion with idolatry and stubbornness with the worship of idols, which resonates with Micah's corrupt worship system that defied God's appointed order.
Hosea 3:4This prophetic passage speaks of Israel being without a true king and without sacrifice, without an ephod and teraphim, showing how the use of these religious items without proper divine appointment became a sign of spiritual brokenness and apostasy.
Romans 1:22Paul describes those who claim to be wise but become fools by exchanging the truth about God for a lie, paralleling Micah's creation of his own religious system rather than adhering to God's established way.
pooleJudges 17:5: "And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest."
An house of gods, i.e. an house or place consecrated for the service of God in this manner. An ephod; an eminent part of the priestly garments, Exodus 28:4 , which, some think, is here put for all of them. Teraphim; some sort of images so called, of which see Genesis 31:19 Hosea 3:4 . Who became his priest; because the Levites in that corrupt estate of…
bensonJudges 17:5: "And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest."
Jdg 17:5 . The man Micah had a house of gods — The Hebrew בית אלהים , Beth Elohim, may more properly be translated a house of God; that is, he had made, or at least intended to make, in his own dwelling, an imitation of the house of God in Shiloh. And teraphim — A sort of images so called. And consecrated one of his sons — Because the Levites, in that c…
Micah didn't just build a shrine; he created a miniature, corrupted version of God's worship for himself. He set up an "ephod," a key part of the high priest's vestments, and "household gods" (teraphim), suggesting he was trying to replicate divine presence and guidance right in his own home, bypassing God's appointed way. This was more than just a private chapel; it was an attempt to control and contain God's power on his own terms.
This passage describes Micah's creation of a private religious shrine, complete with sacred objects like an ephod and household gods (teraphim), and his illegitimate appointment of one of his sons as priest. This act occurs within a period where the Israelites lacked central leadership, leading to widespread religious syncretism and personal interpretations of worship. The narrative sets the stage for the migration of the Danites, who will later interact with Micah's shrine and its contents.
This passage describes Micah's creation of a private religious shrine, complete with sacred objects like an ephod and household gods (teraphim), and his illegitimate appointment of one of his sons as priest. This act occurs within a period where the Israelites lacked central leadership, leading to widespread religious syncretism and personal interpretations of worship. The narrative sets the stage for the migration of the Danites, who will later interact with Micah's shrine and its contents.
"And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest." — Micah didn't just build a shrine; he created a miniature, corrupted version of God's worship for himself. He set up an "ephod," a key part of the high priest's vestments, and "household gods" (teraph…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026