Micah 3
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Hear - O heads of Jacob - The metaphor of the flock is still carried on. The chiefs of Jacob, and the princes of Israel, instead of taking care of the flocks, defending them, and finding them pasture, oppressed them in various ways. They are like wolves, who tear the skin of the sheep, and the flesh off their bones. This applies to all unjust and oppressive rulers. Suetonius tells us, in his Life of Tiberius, that when the governors of provinces wrote to the emperor, entreating him to increase the tributes, he wrote back: "It is the property of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them." Praesidibus onerandas tributo provincias suadentibus rescripsit: Boni Pastoris esse Tondere pecus, non Deglubebe. This is a maxim which many rulers of the earth do not seem to understand.
Open source ↗THE SINS OF THE PRINCES, PROPHETS, AND PRIESTS: THE CONSEQUENT DESOLATION OF ZION. (Mic 3:1-12) princes--magistrates or judges. Is it not for you?--Is it not your special function (Jer 5:4-5)? judgment--justice. Ye sit in judgment on others; surely then ye ought to know the judgment for injustice which awaits yourselves (Rom 2:1).
Open source ↗And I said, hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel,.... This seems to be a new sermon or discourse, delivered at another time and to another people than the preceding for, as that chiefly concerns the ten tribes, this the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and was spoken to them in the times of Hezekiah, as appears from Jer 26:18; for though Jacob and Israel generally design the ten tribes, yet here the other two, as is manifest from the above cited place, and also from Mic 3:9; and not only heads of families, but such as were the highest posts under the government, the sanhedrim of the nation, judges, rulers, and nobles, are here addressed; and who had a great share in national guilt, being ringleaders in sin, who ought to have set good examples to others; and these are not to be spared because of their grandeur and dignity, but to faithfully reproved for their vices, and which they should diligently attend unto; though they are to be addressed in a respectful and honourable manner, and be entreated to hearken to the word of the Lord by his prophet; all which was carefully observed by Micah; and it was with pleasure he could reflect upon his plain, faithful, and affectionate reproof of those great men: is it not for you to know judgment? what is just and right to be done by men, and what sentence is to be passed in courts of judicature, in cases brought before them and not only to know, in a speculative way, what is equitable, but to practise it themselves, and see that it is done by others; and when they duly considered this, they would be able to see and own that what the prophet from the Lord would now charge them with, or denounce upon them, was according to truth and justice.
Open source ↗First strophe. - Mic 3:1. "And I said, Hear ye, O heads of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know the right? Mic 3:2. Ye who hate good, and love evil; who draw off their skin from them, and their flesh from their bones. Mic 3:3. And who have eaten the flesh of my people, and stripped off their skin from them; and broken their bones, and cut them in pieces, as if in the pot, and like flesh in the midst of the caldron. Mic 3:4. Then will they cry to Jehovah, and He will not hearken; and let Him hide His face from them at the same time, as they have made their actions evil." By the expression "And I said" (vâ'ōmar), the following address is indicated as a continuation of the preceding one. The reproofs of this chapter are also a still further expansion of the woe pronounced in Mic 2:1-2 upon the godless chiefs of the nation. The heads of Jacob are addressed, that is to say, the princes of the tribes and families of Israel, and the qetsı̄nı̄m, lit., deciders (answering to the Arabic qâḍy, a judge) of the house of Israel, i.e., the heads of families and households, upon whom the administration of justice devolved (cf. Isa 1:10; Isa 22:3). הלוא לכן, is it not your duty and your office to know justice? Da‛ath is practical knowledge, which manifests itself in practice; mishpât, the public administration of justice. Instead of this, they do the opposite. The description of this conduct is appended by participles, in the form of apposition to the heads and princes addressed in Mic 3:1. Hating good and loving evil refer to the disposition, and indicate the radical corruption of these men. רעה, generally misfortune, here evil; hence the Masoretes have altered it into רע; but the very fact that it deviates from the ordinary rule shows that it is th…
Open source ↗Princes and prophets, when they faithfully discharge the duty of their office, are to be highly honoured above other men; but when they betray their trust, and act contrary to it, they should hear of their faults as well as others, and shall be made to know that there is a God above them, to whom they are accountable; at his bar the prophet here, in his name, arraigns them. I. Let the princes hear their charge and their doom. The heads of Jacob, and the princes of the house of Israel, are called upon to hear what the prophet has to say to them, Mic 3:1. The word of God has reproofs for the greatest of men, which the ministers of that word ought to apply as there is occasion. The prophet here has comfort in the reflection upon it, that, whatever the success was, he had faithfully discharged his trust: And I said, Hear, O princes! He had the testimony of his conscience for him that he had not shrunk from his duty for fear of the face of men. He tells them, 1. What was expected from them: Is it not for you to know judgment? He means to do judgment, for otherwise the knowledge of it is of no avail. "Is it not your business to administer justice impartially, and not to know faces" (as the Hebrew phrase for partiality and respect of persons is), "but to know judgment, and the merits of every cause?" Or it may be taken for granted that the heads and rulers are well acquainted with the rules of justice, whatever others are; for they have those means of knowledge, and have not those excuses for ignorance, which some others have, that are poor and foolish (Jer 5:4); and, if so, their transgression of the laws of justice is the more provoking to God, for they sin against knowledge. "Is it not for you to know judgment? Yes, it is; therefore stand still, and hear your own judgment,…
Open source ↗3:1–5:15 This message indicts the evil leaders who were destroying God’s people and contrasts them with a glorious vision of God’s kingdom and the reign of a righteous king. After suffering judgment and exile, a purified people of Israel would return and experience God’s blessings. 3:1-4 Micah relentlessly indicted the leaders of Israel because they were responsible for the peoples’ well-being. The horrors here depict the terrors of a people under siege (cp. Deut 28:53; 2 Kgs 6:29). 3:1 The leaders, who were supposed to know true judgment and justice (6:8; Deut 10:12-13), were morally responsible for Israel’s guilt.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch קָצִין (qâtsîyn, H7101) — a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) גָּזַל (gâzal, H1497) — to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob עוֹר (ʻôwr, H5785) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather שְׁאֵר (shᵉʼêr, H7607) — flesh (as swelling out), as living or forfood; generally food of any kind; figuratively,… עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)…
Open source ↗אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שְׁאֵר (shᵉʼêr, H7607) — flesh (as swelling out), as living or forfood; generally food of any kind; figuratively,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… עוֹר (ʻôwr, H5785) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather פָּצַח (pâtsach, H6476) — to break out (in joyful sound) עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. סִיר (çîyr, H5518) — a pot; also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre קַלַּחַת (qallachath, H7037) — a kettle
Open source ↗זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… מַעֲלָל (maʻălâl, H4611) — an act (good or bad)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… תָּעָה (tâʻâh, H8582) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both נָשַׁךְ (nâshak, H5391) — to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan שֵׁן (shên, H8127) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity חָזוֹן (châzôwn, H2377) — a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle חָשַׁךְ (châshak, H2821) — to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken קָסַם (qâçam, H7080) — properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to… שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קָדַר (qâdar, H6937) — to be ashy, i.e. darkcolored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)
Open source ↗חֹזֶה (chôzeh, H2374) — a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval) בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… קָסַם (qâçam, H7080) — properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to… חָפֵר (châphêr, H2659) — to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach עָטָה (ʻâṭâh, H5844) — to wrap, i.e. cover, veil, cloth, or roll שָׂפָם (sâphâm, H8222) — the beard (as a lippiece) מַעֲנֶה (maʻăneh, H4617) — a reply (favorable or contradictory) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗אוּלָם (ʼûwlâm, H199) — however or on the contrary מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… גְּבוּרָה (gᵉbûwrâh, H1369) — force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or…
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch קָצִין (qâtsîyn, H7101) — a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity תַּעָב (taʻâb, H8581) — to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… עָקַשׁ (ʻâqash, H6140) — to knot or distort; figuratively, to pervert (act or declare perverse) יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil
Open source ↗רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… שַׁחַד (shachad, H7810) — a donation (venal or redemptive) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… יָרָה (yârâh, H3384) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an… מְחִיר (mᵉchîyr, H4242) — price, payment, wages נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man קָסַם (qâçam, H7080) — properly, to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money שָׁעַן (shâʻan, H8172) — to support one's self יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Open source ↗צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem גָּלָל (gâlâl, H1558) — a circumstance (as rolled around); only used adverbially, on account of חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עִי (ʻîy, H5856) — a ruin (as if overturned) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O royal house! For this judgment is against you because you have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor.
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”
Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon the LORD.
I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers?
You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.