In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
In those days there was no king in Israel, so everyone did whatever they thought was right.
This verse describes a time when Israel had no central leadership, so people made their own moral decisions without guidance.
📚 Historical Context
During the time of the Judges, Israel was a loose confederation of tribes without a centralized king, leading to frequent cycles of rebellion, oppression, and deliverance as described in the book. This verse highlights the moral and spiritual disorder that resulted from the absence of a unifying authority, where people prioritized their own desires over God's commands. In the specific context of Judges 17, it introduces stories of idolatry and personal ambition that exemplified this broader societal breakdown.
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