Micah 1:14

Therefore There is no logical sequence implied: -therefore" often introduces a threatening passage sin leading to punishment. The prophet abruptly turns to the people of Judah.

shalt thou give presents, &c. More strictly, farewell-presents. The meaning of the whole clause is that Judah will have to give up Moresheth-gath. True, it was to an enemy that this town was to be surrendered, and -farewell presents" seems to have been a technical term for the marriage-portion of a bride (so 1 Kings 9:16). But a loose use of the phrase is quite intelligible; the literal meaning is simply -dismissal."

Moresheth-gath The birth-place of the prophet (see Introduction), who here makes an allusion to its meaning -possession of Gath."

Achzib Mentioned as in the Shephélah, Joshua 15:44. Its name suggests the thought of deception or disappointment; hence the following words. It is probably the same as Chezib, and, remarkably enough, the passage where Chezib is mentioned contains a similar reference to the ominous purport of the name. -He (Judah) was at Chezib," we read in Genesis 38:5, -when she (Tamar) bare him." It was an appropriate birthplace for Shelah, who afterwards disappointed the just expectations of Tamar in regard to Judah.

a lie Rather, a disappointing brook. The word for -brook" is omitted as in Jeremiah 15:18, where the parallel clause explains the phrase to mean -waters that fail."

the kings of Israel -Israel," after the fall of the northern kingdom (predicted in Micah 1:6) is legitimately applied to Judah.