Micah 7:3-6

3 1Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; 2the prince and 3the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together.
4 The best of them is 4like a brier, the most upright of them a thorn hedge. The day of 5your watchmen, of your punishment, has come; 6now their confusion is at hand.
5 7Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard 8the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms;[a]
6 for 9the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 10a man's enemies are the men of his own house.

Micah 7:3-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 7

This chapter begins with a lamentation of the prophet, in the name of the church and people of God, concerning the general depravity and corruption of the times in which he lived, Mic 7:1-6; then declares what he was determined to do for his relief in such circumstances, Mic 7:7; comforts himself and the church with a good hope and firm belief of its being otherwise and better with them, to the shame and confusion of their enemies that now rejoiced, though without just reason for it, Mic 7:8-10; with promises of deliverance, after a desolation of the land for some time, Mic 7:11-13; and with the answer returned to the prayers of the prophet, Mic 7:14,15; which would issue in the astonishment of the world, and their subjection to the church of God, Mic 7:16,17; and the chapter is concluded with admiration at the pardoning grace and mercy of God, and his faithfulness to his promises, Mic 7:18-20.

Cross References 10

  • 1. [Zephaniah 3:7]
  • 2. [Psalms 82:1, 2]
  • 3. Micah 3:11
  • 4. [2 Samuel 23:6, 7; Nahum 1:10]; See Ezekiel 2:6
  • 5. See Ezekiel 33:2
  • 6. [Micah 3:6, 7; Isaiah 22:5]
  • 7. Jeremiah 9:4
  • 8. [Psalms 141:3]
  • 9. Ezekiel 22:7; [Matthew 10:21, 35; Luke 12:53]
  • 10. Cited Matthew 10:36

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.