The man Micah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 5. That … idols is added by the Vulg. S. Jerom supposes that the ephod denotes all the sacerdotal vestments, and the theraphim whatever else was requisite for priestly functions, ep. ad Marcel. Grotius is of opinion that these theraphim, or cherubim, are styled elohim, gods, (verse 5) and that the altar, candlesticks, and so forth are designated above by whatever was to be graven or molten. Michas had a mind to represent the tabernacle, with its ornaments, in miniature. By the theraphim he might imitate the urim, and so forth at the expense of 200 sicles, while 900 might be set apart for the other ornaments. Calmet.—Many think that he wished to have domestic gods, like the Lares or Penates.—Hand. That is, appointed and consecrated him to the priestly office. Challoner.—He put in his hand the offerings which he had to make, as was customary. Exodus 28:41. Calmet.—Priest, contrary to all order. Menochius. Numbers 3:10. Hebrews 5:4. Calmet.—The anointing of his hands with oil, prescribed, (Leviticus 8) could give him no authority. Worthington.
teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property.