Micah 3:10

10 who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with injustice.

Micah 3:10 Meaning and Commentary

Micah 3:10

They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
] Or, "O thou that buildest up" F7 or "everyone of them that buildeth up" F8 for the word is in the singular number; but, be fire words rendered either of these ways, they respect the heads and princes of the people; who either repaired the temple on Zion, or ornamented the king's palace, or built themselves fine stately houses in Jerusalem, or large streets there, by money they took of murderers to save them, as Kimchi; or by money got by rapine and oppression, by spoiling the poor of their goods and their livelihood, for them and their families, which was all one as shedding innocent blood; and by money obtained by bribes, for the perversion of justice, and such like illegal proceedings, truly called iniquity. The Targum is,

``who build their houses in Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with deceits.''

FOOTNOTES:

F7 (hnwb) "aedificans", Montanus, Munster, Burkius.
F8 "Quisque eorum aedificat", Vatablus, Piscator, Drusius.

Micah 3:10 In-Context

8 But as for me, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the Lord, with justice and courage, to proclaim to Jacob his rebellion and to Israel his sin.
9 Listen to this, leaders of the house of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and pervert everything that is right,
10 who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with injustice.
11 Her leaders issue rulings for a bribe, her priests teach for payment, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean on the Lord, saying, "Isn't the Lord among us? No calamity will overtake us."
12 Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become ruins, and the hill of the temple mount will be a thicket.
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