Judges 17:7

In this verse, we read: *“Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he was staying there.”* (v.7) This brief sentence introduces a Levite who has temporarily settled within the boundaries of Bethlehem, which is a city located approximately six miles south of Jerusalem in the region of Judah. During the era of the Judges (approximately 1375–1050 BC), Bethlehem had not yet gained its later fame as the city where King David (reigning from around 1010–970 BC) was born, and eventually, where Jesus the Messiah was also born (NASB-95). Yet, it was already recognized as part of Judah’s tribal allotment, illustrating that this young man’s heritage intertwined him with the tribe of Judah, yet also with Levi, the priestly tribe set apart for religious duties.

The verse not only identifies his hometown but also highlights that this Levite belonged to the *family of Judah* (v.7). This indicates that he might have been living among the tribe of Judah even though he was genetically from the tribe of Levi. Historically, Levites were entrusted with sacred responsibilities in Israel’s worship, tending to the Tabernacle and later the Temple. However, amid the decentralized context of the Judges, many Levites traveled and settled in various towns throughout Israel. The repeated mention of “Judah” emphasizes the central role of this tribe in God’s unfolding plan, since from Judah, King David would rise, and ultimately, Jesus Christ, who is called “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah” (NASB-95), would come centuries later.

This storyline in Judges reveals a transitional moment for the Levites during a spiritually volatile period in Israel’s history. By noting that this particular Levite was *“staying there”* (v.7), Scripture foreshadows that his travels and religious duties will play a part in the events that follow in the chapters ahead. He demonstrates how individuals from the priestly tribe often searched for places to serve and sustain themselves, especially during a time where there was no central leadership in Israel apart from the occasional rise of a judge. This sets the stage for themes of worship and loyalty to God that recur throughout the book of Judges, anticipating the need for proper spiritual leadership—an idea ultimately refined in the New Testament with Jesus as the perfect High Priest (NASB-95).

He was a Levite in Bethlehem of Judah, serving as a prominent example of how leadership and devotion could be reshaped and misdirected during the tumultuous time of the Judges.