Definition: And when he had restored the eleven hundred [shekels] of silver to his mother, his mother said, I had wholly dedicated the silver unto the LORD from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 17:3. It’s a pretty fascinating story about a man who messed up and needed to return the money. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Situation: A Man Made a Mistake: A man named “the son” (we don’t know who he is, but he’s being addressed) made a huge mistake – he lost a lot of silver coins. He was so worried about it that he dedicated them completely to the Lord. He Created a Graven Image: This is a key part. The man decided to make a stone image of the silver, like a statue. This suggests he felt a strong need to worship the money and its value. What Happened Next: His Mother Asked Him to Return It: His mother, who was understandably upset, told him to return the silver to her. She Said He Had Dedicated it "Wholly unto the LORD": This is crucial. She wasn’t just asking for a small return; she was demanding complete dedication – that he would give everything to God. The Meaning & Significance: This verse is essentially telling us about a moment of intense repentance and a willingness to surrender something precious to a higher power. It highlights: The Importance of Worship: The man’s desire to create a stone image shows a focus on worship – worshipping the money, rather than appreciating it as a gift from God. A Turning Point: His mother's request was a significant moment that caused him to realize the seriousness of his mistake and need to make amends. In short, this verse is about a man who lost a lot of money and then humbly asked his mother to return it, demonstrating a shift in his priorities towards worshiping God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context behind this passage (like what was happening at the time)?