MICAH 1:1 Superscription. Rather than being identified by his father or family (compare Joel 1:1; Jonah 1:1), this prophet is identified by a location, “Micah of Moresheth.” Moresheth was about 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Jerusalem. Micah is never referred to as “prophet,” but the source of his po... [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:2 The Announcement of Judgment on Israel and Judah. The first major section describes (1) God’s punishment of Samaria and Judah (Micah 1:2); (2) abuses and abusers of Yahweh’s land (Micah 2:1); and (3) God’s promise to gather Jacob (Micah 2:12). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:3 Yahweh is COMING OUT for battle (compare Isaiah 26:21; Zechariah 14:3). Canaanite shrines were located on HIGH PLACES (see note on 1 Kings 3:2). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:4 MOUNTAINS WILL MELT. Compare Psalms 97:5; Nahum 1:5. The undoing of creation forewarns of the undoing of Samaria (Micah 1:6). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, im [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:5 JACOB... HOUSE OF ISRAEL. The whole nation will be judged (Micah 2:12; Micah 3:1, Micah 3:8). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:6 I WILL shows the Lord’s intention to act (vv. Micah 1:7, Micah 1:15; Micah 2:3, Micah 2:12; Micah 4:6, Micah 4:13; Micah 5:10;... [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:7 ALL HER CARVED IMAGES... WAGES... IDOLS. Yahweh’s judgment will be extensive. FEE OF A PROSTITUTE. The spiritual infidelity of the city is like the actions of a prostitute (compare Judges 2:17; Ezekiel 16:33). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ v [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:8 GO STRIPPED AND NAKED. Wearing sackcloth (Genesis 37:34) and covering one’s head (2 Samuel 15:30) usually signified mourning. This may be a more intense mourning, or else an image of going into exile (compare Isaiah 20:3). JACKALS... OSTRICHES. Judah is pictured as a land des... [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:9 IT HAS REACHED probably refers to the yet-to-be-identified “disaster” (v. Micah 1:12). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:10 The names of the towns and the words describing the disasters sound alike. Micah uses wordplay to reveal the various disasters Judah will face when its towns are captured by the Assyrians. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.len... [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:11 SHAPHIR sounds like “beautiful” and contrasts with NAKEDNESS AND SHAME. ZAANAN sounds like the Hebrew for “come out.” In fear, the trembling INHABITANTS do not COME OUT for battle. BETH-EZEL (“House of Taking Away”) expresses LAMENTATION that the village was “taken away,” th... [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:12 MAROTH conveys the concept of bitterness. Thus, a “bitter” town longs FOR GOOD. The DISASTER from Yahweh, who “will come down” (v. Micah 1:3), HAS COME DOWN to Jerusalem’s gate (compare v. Micah 1:9). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:13 The Hebrew for STEEDS sounds like LACHISH. Ironically, the people are urged to harness horses to chariots not to fight but to flee. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:14 MORESHETH-GATH. The name is associated with the phrase “one who is betrothed” (Deuteronomy 22:23). Assyria will receive a dowry (that is, PARTING GIFTS), along with the bride (that is, Moresheth-gath). ACHZIB sounds like “deceitful” (compare Jeremiah 15:18). The KINGS OF ISR... [ Continue Reading ]
MICAH—NOTE ON MICAH 1:15 The Hebrew for CONQUEROR sounds like MARESHAH and is often used to describe Israel’s taking of Canaan. Those who formerly conquered the Canaanites will now themselves be conquered. GLORY OF ISRAEL... ADULLAM. David fled to Adullam, where he was pursued by Saul (1 Samuel 22:1... [ Continue Reading ]