This verse has many keywords that play a crucial role in other parts of the Old Testament. The Hebrew nouns for graven image and molten image are an integral part of the history of Israel, as are the verbs for consecrate and restore. Ironically, here in an Israelite family, the word consecrate is used to refer to a sinful religious act.

And he restored the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother: Micah gives the stolen money back to his mother. Here the Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And may be translated “Then” (New Revised Standard Version). Restored renders the Hebrew verb shuv, which can mean “restore,” “return,” or “turn around” (see comments on verse 2.19, where it is translated “turned back”). Here it may be rendered “gave back” (Revised English Bible) or “returned” (Contemporary English Version). This verb also occurs at the end of the verse, where it describes Micah’s mother giving the money back to him, thus forming an inclusio around this verse. Here again a keyword used in Israel’s history (when God “restores” his people) is used in almost a derisive way. The eleven hundred pieces of silver repeats information from the previous verse. Though this phrase might be shortened by saying “the [stolen] money” or “the silver coins,” its repetition underlines how huge this theft was. Thus it may be more effective to say “Then he returned to his mother the eleven hundred pieces of silver” rather than “Then he gave his mother the money back.”

And his mother said, “I consecrate the silver to the LORD from my hand for my son: The first reaction of Micah’s mother was to undo her curse and bless her son, already an act that is highly dubious. Her next move is even more unacceptable, as she “dedicates” the stolen money to Yahweh. Obviously there is much irony here, since Micah’s mother assumes God will be pleased with money that has been stolen by her own son! This is made clear by a very emphatic construction in Hebrew here. I consecrate is literally “Consecrating I consecrate.” New International Version keeps this emphasis by saying “I solemnly consecrate.” Consecrate renders a causative form of the Hebrew verb meaning “be holy” (qadash). To consecrate something is to dedicate it or set it apart for a special use, usually for religious purposes. Indeed, Micah’s mother specifies that this money is to go to the LORD. To renders the Hebrew preposition l-, which is translated “by” in the previous verse. For the silver, see verse 17.2. The phrase from my hand indicates that the money is her own personal gift. The keyword hand is used once again, but here it is ironic, since her hand is used in an unholy way. Like Samson defiling his hands with the blood of the lion (verse 14.6), Micah’s mother uses her hand to give money to make an idol! While she solemnly proclaims, “I have decided to dedicate this money personally to the LORD,” the audience is laughing or even snickering.

The phrase for my son may be interpreted in several ways. Several versions think it means “for the benefit of my son” (Revised English Bible), “on behalf of my son,” or “in the name of my son.” Good News Translation makes explicit that Micah’s mother is making this gift “To keep the curse from falling on my son.” Others rather see this phrase as providing the subject of the next clause. For example, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “transferring it to my son to make….” Contemporary English Version is similar with “so my son can use it to make….” Translators will have to opt for one meaning or the other. In most languages the mention of Micah as my son in the third person and in the next part of the verse as you in the second person will be unnatural, so translators will also have to consider how to address this problem. The model below uses only second person for Micah, which some languages may find helpful.

To make a graven image and a molten image: This purpose clause indicates that the silver is to be used to make an idol. Of course, it is not Micah or his mother who will personally make the idol, but they will “have [the idol] made.” The general verb make may be rendered “fashion” or “fabricate.” A graven image and a molten image renders two different Hebrew words, pesel and masekah, which could refer to two different objects as in Revised Standard Version. The word pesel can refer to any kind of idol (see, for example, Exo 20.4), though usually it is carved out of wood or stone. The word masekah refers to an idol made by pouring molten metal into a mold (see, for example, Exo 32.4). Most idols were carved from wood, but if the person wanted to make a more expensive image, the workman would cover the wooden object with precious metal, such as silver or gold. Some scholars think instead of two idols, only one is being described here, which would be a case of “hendiadys,” a stylistic feature in which two terms designate one object. This understanding fits better with the narrative since Micah seems to make only one idol. However, in verse 18.17 these two Hebrew words are listed separately in a different order, suggesting that perhaps there really were two idols made. Taking the first interpretation, we might say “an idol of cast metal” (New Revised Standard Version) or “a wooden idol covered with silver” (Good News Translation). Taking the second interpretation, we might speak of “a carved idol and one cast in metal.” Contemporary English Version says simply “an idol,” which may be not be specific enough here.

Now therefore I will restore it to you: Some biblical scholars and versions place this sentence in the previous verse at the end of Micah’s speech (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible). However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project retains it here, where it fits well as part of his mother’s speech. Now therefore (literally “and now”) shows that Micah’s mother has taken an important decision. I will restore it to you means she is giving the money (it) back to her son (you), so he can have an idol made. Alternatively, the pronoun it could refer to the idol she is going to have made and then present to her son. Later in the story, it is Micah who has possession of the idol. Here again translators will have to make a choice concerning the interpretation. The key Hebrew word for restore (shuv) forms an inclusio around this verse, and once again would cause hearers to almost recoil at its use in such a context.

Good News Translation provides a helpful model for this verse. Another possible one is:

• Then Micah gave the 1,100 silver coins back to his mother, and she said, “My son, I set this silver completely apart for Yahweh in your name, so that it can be used to make an idol overlaid with silver. Here, take the coins.”

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 .