There was a man from Mount Ephraim. Although both incidents are recorded at the conclusion of this book, the episodes of Michah and the concubine at Givoh took place at the beginning of the period of Judges, during the days of Asniel ben Kenaz,¹ as it is said, "They appointed, for themselves, the figure of Michah, etc., during the entire period of the Mishkon at Shiloh."² We learn that, throughout the period of Shiloh, the graven figure of Michah was in existence.³ Concerning the concubine at Givoh, it is said, about Yevus of Jerusalem, "Let us not turn to an alien city"⁴ we learn that Jerusalem had not yet been conquered.⁵⁶

footnotes: ¹ Asniel was the first of the judges. ³ Thus encompassing the period of Asniel, as his tenure began after the death of Yehoshua, when the Mishkon had already been established at Shiloh. ⁵ It was later conquered by the tribe of Judah (1:8), during the time of Asniel (there, v.13). ⁶ Seder Olam, 12.

Stolen from you [lit. "to you"]. Stolen from you.⁷ Similarly,⁸ "For women were withheld 'to' us,"—'from' us.

footnotes: ⁷ לך, lit. “to you”, may also be interpreted as “from you”. ⁸ Shmuel 1, 21:6

When you cursed. You cursed whoever stole it, and even uttered the curse in my ear.

Look, the silver. I confess to you, concerning it, that it is in my possession, as I stole it.

He returned the eleven hundred silver pieces to his mother. He verbalized his intent to return it to her, hence, wherever it was, it reverted to her possession.

I expressly consecrated the silver, from my hand to my son's. I resolved to deliver it from my hand to yours for the purpose of making an image and a molten figure. Give it to me now, so that I may return it from my hand to you. Some say that this woman was Delilah, since Scripture specifies eleven hundred pieces of silver⁹. However, they are in error, as Michah preceded Shimshon by many years.¹⁰ But the episodes are juxtaposed because of the corrupt silver, which was of equal value in each of the incidents. The silver inflicted injury in both cases.

footnotes: ⁹ See above 16:5. ¹⁰ See Rashi, v.l.

An idolatrous temple [lit. "temple of Elohim"]. A temple of idol worship. Similarly, "god" throughout this chapter is profane, except for the following: "Throughout the time that the Sanctuary of God was at Shiloh."¹¹¹²

footnotes: ¹² Shevuos, 35:b.

And inducted [lit. "filled the hands of"] one. He inducted him into the service of the image, to serve as its priest. Any induction process which a person enters for the purpose of achieving a position of prominence is described as "filling the hands,"¹³ "revetir" in old French. When a person is charged with a position, it is described as "reveture" in old French.

footnotes: ¹³ See Shemos, 28:41.

Of the clan of Yehudah. He was a Leivi maternally.¹⁴ However, the Rabbis¹⁵ interpret that, because he behaved like Menasheh,¹⁶ who was descended from Yehudah, he is described as "of the clan of Yehudah." He was actually a Leivi, the son of Gershom, son of our master Moshe, as stated explicitly below, "Yehonasan, son of Gershom, etc."¹⁷

footnotes: ¹⁴ Paternally, he was descended from Yehudah. This explains why he was both “of the clan of Yehudah”, and a Levi. ¹⁵ Bava Basra, 109:b. ¹⁶ The king who instituted idol worship throughout Eretz Yisroel. (Melachim 2, 21).

To make his way. The way by which he would journey.

Anywhere I will find a profitable livelihood.

Per year At the year's end.

An appropriate wardrobe A pair of outfits appropriate for everyone's yearly requirements.

An appropriate wardrobe. "Appareillement" in old French.

And your board Your meals.

The Levi acquiesced [lit. went] Followed his advice.