Micah 3:3

3 Who ¹eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones And ²chop them up as for the pot And as meat in a kettle."

Micah 3:3 Meaning and Commentary

Micah 3:3

Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skins from
off them
Like cannibals, flay them alive, and then eat their flesh: this signifies, as before, devouring their substance, only expressed in terms which still more set forth their savageness, inhumanity, barbarity, and cruelty. So the Targum,

``who spoil the substance of my people, and their precious mammon they take from them;''

and what aggravated their guilt was, that they were the Lord's people by profession and religion they so used; whom he had committed to their care to rule over, protect, and defend: and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces as for the pot, and
as flesh within the caldron:
did with them as cooks do, who not only cut flesh off the bones, and into slices, but break the bones themselves, to get out the marrow, and chop them small, that they may have all the virtue that is in them, to make their soup and broth the richer; by which is signified, that these wicked and avaricious rulers took every method to squeeze the people, and get all their wealth and riches into their hands, that they might have in a more riotous and luxurious manner.

Micah 3:3 In-Context

1 And I said, "Hear now, heads of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel. Is it not for you to know justice?

2 "You who hate good and love evil, Who tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones,

3 Who eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones And chop them up as for the pot And as meat in a kettle."

4 Then they will cry out to the LORD , But He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time Because they have practiced evil deeds.

5 Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; When they have something to bite with their teeth, They cry, "Peace," But against him who puts nothing in their mouths They declare holy war.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 14:4; Psalms 27:2; Zephaniah 3:3
• 2. Ezek 11:3, 6, 7