Judges 17:7

"In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in his own eyes."

Key Reflection

In a time when Israel lacked a central authoritative ruler, the phrase "everyone did that which was right in his own eyes" reveals a society without clear moral or legal guidance. This period of anarchy and personal autonomy would have been understood by the original audience as a critical critique of the lack of a king to provide leadership and enforce societal norms, highlighting the chaos and moral relativism prevailing during this era.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The Hebrew words for “he sojourned there” are,שׁםגרgêrshām, which words are usedJudges 18:30in the genealogy of this young Levite, whose name was “Jonathan, the son of Gershom” (גרשׁםgêreshôm). Hence, some read here, “the son of Gershom.”

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