The young Levite becomes a part of Micah’s family and plays a very important role there.

And Micah installed the Levite: The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And introduces a conclusion here, so it may be translated “So” (New Revised Standard Version), “Thus,” or “In this way.” The use of the name Micah and the phrase the Levite helps to mark this verse as a conclusion. Installed (literally “filled the hand of”) renders the same Hebrew expression as in verse 17.5. Once again the keyword “hand” appears in the narrative in a negative context, since this “installation” is not done according to God’s Law.

And the young man became his priest: See verse 17.5. There seems to be a special emphasis on young man, perhaps showing that making him a priest is not an appropriate arrangement. Certainly the repetition of young man maintains the ironic and perhaps even humorous tone here.

And was in the house of Micah: See verse 17.4. The name Micah occurs once more, forming an inclusio around this verse, and bringing to the foreground the important (and condemning) information: the young man became his priest. In many languages and often in Hebrew, the repetition of a name can indicate mockery or disapproval, and thus the original audience would understand that Micah’s actions are displeasing to the LORD.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .