Micah 3:1-6

Rulers Denounced

1 And I said, "1Hear now, heads of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel. Is it not for you to 2know justice?
2 "You who hate good and love evil, Who 3tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones,
3 Who 4eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones And 5chop them up as for the pot And as meat in a kettle."
4 Then they will 6cry out to the LORD, But He will not answer them. Instead, He will 7hide His face from them at that time Because they have 8practiced evil deeds.
5 Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who 9lead my people astray; When they have something to bite with their teeth, They 10cry, "Peace," But against him who puts nothing in their mouths They declare holy war.
6 Therefore it will be 11night for you-without vision, And darkness for you-without divination. The 12sun will go down on the prophets, And the day will become dark over them.

Micah 3:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 3

In this chapter the prophet reproves and threatens both princes and prophets, first separately, and then conjunctly; first the heads and princes of the people, civil magistrates, for their ignorance of justice, and hatred of good, and love of evil, and for their oppression and cruelty; and they are threatened with distress when they should cry unto the Lord, and should not be heard by him, Mic 3:1-4; next the prophets are taken to task, for their voraciousness, avarice, and false prophesying; and are threatened with darkness, with want of vision, and of an answer from the Lord, and with shame and confusion, Mic 3:5-7; and the prophet being full of the Spirit and power of God, to declare the sins and transgressions of Jacob and Israel, Mic 3:8, very freely declaims against princes, priests, and prophets, all together; who, though guilty of very notorious crimes, yet were in great security, and promised themselves impunity, Mic 3:9-11; wherefore the city and temple of Jerusalem are threatened with an utter desolation, Mic 3:12.

Cross References 12

  • 1. Isaiah 1:10; Micah 3:9
  • 2. Psalms 82:1-5; Jeremiah 5:5
  • 3. Psalms 53:4; Ezekiel 22:27; Micah 2:8; Micah 7:2, 3
  • 4. Psalms 14:4; Psalms 27:2; Zephaniah 3:3
  • 5. Ezek 11:3, 6, 7
  • 6. Psalms 18:41; Proverbs 1:28; Isaiah 1:15; Jeremiah 11:11
  • 7. Deuteronomy 31:17; Isaiah 59:2
  • 8. Isaiah 3:11; Micah 7:13
  • 9. Isaiah 3:12; Isaiah 9:15, 16; Jeremiah 14:14, 15
  • 10. Jeremiah 6:14
  • 11. Isaiah 8:20-22; Isaiah 29:10-12
  • 12. Isaiah 59:10
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