Judges 17:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, living there as a sojourner, enters the story.
What Does Judges 17:7 Mean?
The camera shifts to a second figure: a young Levite connected to Bethlehem in Judah, who has been living there as a temporary resident. Levites were set apart for the service of God and were meant to be supported among the tribes, yet this young man is unsettled and on the move, looking for a place to belong.
His mention of Bethlehem is a quiet thread; this small town will later be named as the birthplace of God's chosen king and, in time, of the Savior Himself. Here, though, the town frames a wandering minister with no settled place. The verse sets up the meeting of two restless lives, a man with a shrine and a Levite without a home, each about to draw the other deeper into compromise.
Judges 17:7 in the Original Language
Levi (לֵוִי), 'Levite' -- a member of the tribe set apart for the service and worship of God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 17:7
What does Judges 17:7 mean?
A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, living there as a sojourner, enters the story.