And the man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod, and household gods, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
That. Idols is added by the Vulgate. St. Jerome 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, (ver. 5) and that the altar, candlesticks, 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, 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 xxviii. 41. (Calmet)
Priest, contrary to all order. (Menochius) (Numbers iii. 10., and Hebrews v. 4.) (Calmet)
The anointing of his hands with oil, prescribed,...
