Be unto me a father and a priest. — The title “father” is here ecclesiastical, like “papa,” “pope,” &c, and this title was given to spiritual directors, as we find in several other passages in the Bible (2 Kings 2:12; 2 Kings 5:13; 2 Kings 6:21; Isaiah 22:21, &c.). Micah knew enough of the law to be aware of the extreme irregularity of his conduct in making one of his own sons his priest.
Ten shekels of silver. — Thus the grandson of Moses became priest of an idolatrous worship at a salary of 25s. a year!
By the year. — Literally, by days. (Comp. Leviticus 25:29.)
A suit of apparel. — The Vulgate renders these words “a double robe.” It seems to mean either “an order of garments” or “the value of garments,” i.e., “your clothes.”