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1 I said, “Please listen, you heads of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel: Isn’t it for you to know justice?
2 You who hate the good, and love the evil; who tear off their skin, and their flesh from off their bones;
3 who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the cauldron.
4 Then they will cry to Yahweh, but he will not answer them. Yes, he will hide his face from them at that time, because they made their deeds evil.”
5 Yahweh says concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; for those who feed their teeth, they proclaim, “Peace!” and whoever doesn’t provide for their mouths, they prepare war against him:
6 “Therefore night is over you, with no vision, and it is dark to you, that you may not divine; and the sun will go down on the prophets, and the day will be black over them.
7 The seers shall be disappointed, and the diviners confounded. Yes, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer from God.”
8 But as for me, I am full of power by Yahweh’s Spirit, and of judgment, and of might, to declare to Jacob his disobedience, and to Israel his sin.
9 Please listen to this, you heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice, and pervert all equity.
10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 Her leaders judge for bribes, and her priests teach for a price, and her prophets of it tell fortunes for money: yet they lean on Yahweh, and say, “Isn’t Yahweh among us? No disaster will come on us.”
12 Therefore Zion for your sake will be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem will become heaps of rubble, and the mountain of the temple like the high places of a forest.
Study tools for Micah 3
Cross-references, Hebrew word study, and what the Early Church wrote about Micah 3. Tap any section to expand — or right-click any verse for the full interactive study panel.
Micah 3 study resources: word-by-word Hebrew interlinear with Strong's numbers, 8 cross-references.
Cross-references in Micah 3 (8)
- v.11 Jeremiah 6:13
- v.8 Isaiah 58:1
- v.11 Isaiah 1:23
- v.8 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
- v.11 Micah 3:5
- v.12 Jeremiah 26:18
- v.4 Isaiah 1:15
- v.4 Proverbs 1:28
Hebrew interlinear — Micah 3:1–12 (166 words)
- וָאֹמַ֗רwāʾōmaramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- שִׁמְעוּšimʿûshama`: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etcH8085
- נָא֙nāʾna': added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunctionH4994
- רָאשֵׁ֣יrāʾšêro'sh: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank...H7218
- יַעֲקֹ֔בyaʿăqōbYa`aqob: heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarchH3290
- וּקְצִינֵ֖יûqĕṣînêqatsiyn: a magistrate (as deciding) or other leaderH7101
- בֵּ֣יתbêtbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
- יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiśrāʾēlYisra'el: he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of JacobH3478
- הֲל֣וֹאhălôʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
- לָכֶ֔םlākem
- לָדַ֖עַתlādaʿatyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- הַמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃hammišpāṭmishpat: (properly) a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree...H4941
- שֹׂ֥נְאֵיśōnĕʾêsane': to hate (personally)H8130
- ט֖וֹבṭôbtowb: good (as an adjective) in the widest senseH2896
- וְאֹ֣הֲבֵיwĕʾōhăbêahab: to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)H157
- רָ֑עהrāʿra`: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)H7451
- גֹּזְלֵ֤יgōzĕlêgazal: to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or robH1497
- עוֹרָם֙ʿôrām`owr: skin (as naked); (by implication) hide, leatherH5785
- מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֔םmēʿălêhem`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- וּשְׁאֵרָ֖םûšĕʾērāmsh'er: flesh (as swelling out), as living or for foodH7607
- מֵעַ֥לmēʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- עַצְמוֹתָֽם׃ʿaṣmôtām`etsem: a bone (as strong); by extension, the bodyH6106
- וַאֲשֶׁ֣רwaʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
- אָכְלוּ֮ʾoklûakal: to eat (literally or figuratively)H398
- שְׁאֵ֣רšĕʾērsh'er: flesh (as swelling out), as living or for foodH7607
- עַמִּי֒ʿammiy`am: a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel)H5971
- וְעוֹרָם֙wĕʿôrām`owr: skin (as naked); (by implication) hide, leatherH5785
- מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֣םmēʿălêhem`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- הִפְשִׁ֔יטוּhipšîṭûpashat: to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array)H6584
- וְאֶתwĕʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- עַצְמֹֽתֵיהֶ֖םʿaṣmōtêhem`etsem: a bone (as strong); by extension, the bodyH6106
- פִּצֵּ֑חוּpiṣṣēḥûpatsach: to break out (in joyful sound)H6476
- וּפָרְשׂוּ֙ûporśûparas: to break apart, disperse, etcH6566
- כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רkaʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
- בַּסִּ֔ירbassîrciyr: a pot; (also) a thorn (as springing up rapidly)H5518
- וּכְבָשָׂ֖רûkĕbāśārbasar: flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, personH1320
- בְּת֥וֹךְbĕtôktavek: a bisection; (by implication) the centreH8432
- קַלָּֽחַת׃qallāḥatqallachath: a kettleH7037
- אָ֚זʾāzaz: at that time or place; (as a conjunction) thereforeH227
- יִזְעֲק֣וּyizʿăqûza`aq: to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publiclyH2199
- אֶלʾelel: (properly) denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or amongH413
- יְהוָ֔הyĕhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- וְלֹ֥אwĕlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
- יַעֲנֶ֖הyaʿăne`anah: (properly) to eye; (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attentionH6030
- אוֹתָ֑םʾôtāmeth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- וְיַסְתֵּ֨רwĕyastērcathar: to hide (by covering), literally or figurativelyH5641
- פָּנָ֤יוpānāywpaniym: the face (as the part that turns); (with prepositional prefix, as a preposition) before, etc.H6440
- מֵהֶם֙mēhemhem: they (only used when emphatic)H1992
- בָּעֵ֣תbāʿēt`eth: time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etcH6256
- הַהִ֔יאhahîʾhuw': (the third person pronoun singular) he, she, or it (only expressed when emphatic or without a verb)H1931
- כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רkaʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
- הֵרֵ֖עוּhērēʿûra`a`: (properly) to spoil; (literally) to ruin by breaking to pieces)H7489
- מַעַלְלֵיהֶֽם׃maʿallêhemma`alal: an act (good or bad)H4611
- כֹּ֚הkōkoh: (properly) like this; (by implication, of manner) thus (or so)H3541
- אָמַ֣רʾāmaramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- יְהוָ֔הyĕhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- הַנְּבִיאִ֖יםhannĕbîʾîmnabiy': a prophet; (generally) inspired manH5030
- הַמַּתְעִ֣יםhammatʿîmta`ah: to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively)H8582
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- עַמִּ֑יʿammî`am: a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel)H5971
- הַנֹּשְׁכִ֤יםhannōšĕkîmnashak: to strike with a sting (as a serpent); (figuratively) to oppress with interest on a loanH5391
- בְּשִׁנֵּיהֶם֙bĕšinnêhemshen: a tooth (as sharp); specifically (for H8143) ivoryH8127
- וְקָרְא֣וּwĕqorʾûqara': to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)H7121
- שָׁל֔וֹםšālômshalowm: safe; (figuratively) well, happy, friendlyH7965
- וַאֲשֶׁר֙waʾăšeraher: who, which, what, that; (as adverb) when, where, howH834
- לֹאlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
- יִתֵּ֣ןyittēnnathan: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)H5414
- עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- פִּיהֶ֔םpîhempeh: the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech)H6310
- וְקִדְּשׁ֥וּwĕqiddĕšûqadash: to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)H6942
- עָלָ֖יוʿālāyw`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- מִלְחָמָֽה׃milḥāmâmilchamah: a battle (i.e. the engagement); (generally) war (i.e. warfare)H4421
- לָכֵ֞ןlākēnken: (properly) set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) justH3651
- לַ֤יְלָהlaylâlayil: (properly) a twist (away of the light), i.e. nightH3915
- לָכֶם֙lākem
- מֵֽחָז֔וֹןmēḥāzônchazown: a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracleH2377
- וְחָשְׁכָ֥הwĕḥoškâchashak: to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darkenH2821
- לָכֶ֖םlākem
- מִקְּסֹ֑םmiqqĕsōmqacam: (properly) to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scrollH7080
- וּבָ֤אָהûbāʾâbow': to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)H935
- הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙haššemešshemesh: the sun; (by implication) the eastH8121
- עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- הַנְּבִיאִ֔יםhannĕbîʾîmnabiy': a prophet; (generally) inspired manH5030
- וְקָדַ֥רwĕqādarqadar: to be ashy, i.e. dark-colored; (by implication) to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)H6937
- עֲלֵיהֶ֖םʿălêhem`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- הַיּֽוֹם׃hayyômyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
- וּבֹ֣שׁוּûbōšûbuwsh: (properly) to pale; (by implication) to be ashamedH954
- הַחֹזִ֗יםhaḥōzîmchozeh: a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)H2374
- וְחָֽפְרוּ֙wĕḥāpĕrûchapher: to blush; (figuratively) to be ashamed, disappointedH2659
- הַקֹּ֣סְמִ֔יםhaqqōsĕmîmqacam: (properly) to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scrollH7080
- וְעָט֥וּwĕʿāṭû`atah: to wrap, i.e. cover, veil, cloth, or rollH5844
- עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- שָׂפָ֖םśāpāmsapham: the beard (as a lip-piece)H8222
- כֻּלָּ֑םkullāmkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
- כִּ֛יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
- אֵ֥יןʾênayin: a non-entity; (generally) used as a negative particleH369
- מַעֲנֵ֖הmaʿănēma`aneh: a reply (favorable or contradictory)H4617
- אֱלֹהִֽים׃ʾĕlōhîmelohiym: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the...H430
- וְאוּלָ֗םwĕʾûlāmuwlam: however or on the contraryH199
- אָנֹכִ֞יʾānōkîanokiy: IH595
- מָלֵ֤אתִיmālēʾtîmale': to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)H4390
- כֹ֙חַ֙kōḥakoach: vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)H3581
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- ר֣וּחַrûaḥruwach: wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalationH7307
- יְהוָ֔הyĕhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- וּמִשְׁפָּ֖טûmišpāṭmishpat: (properly) a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree...H4941
- וּגְבוּרָ֑הûgĕbûrâgbuwrah: force (literally or figuratively); (by implication) valor, victoryH1369
- לְהַגִּ֤ידlĕhaggîdnagad: (properly) to front, i.e. stand boldly out oppositeH5046
- לְיַֽעֲקֹב֙lĕyaʿăqōbYa`aqob: heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarchH3290
- פִּשְׁע֔וֹpišʿôpesha`: a revolt (national, moral or religious)H6588
- וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לûlĕyiśrāʾēlYisra'el: he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of JacobH3478
- חַטָּאתֽוֹ׃ḥaṭṭāʾtôchatta'ah: an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiationH2403
- שִׁמְעוּšimʿûshama`: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etcH8085
- נָ֣אnāʾna': added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunctionH4994
- זֹ֗אתzōtzo'th: this (often used adverb)H2063
- רָאשֵׁי֙rāʾšēyro'sh: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank...H7218
- בֵּ֣יתbêtbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
- יַעֲקֹ֔בyaʿăqōbYa`aqob: heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarchH3290
- וּקְצִינֵ֖יûqĕṣînêqatsiyn: a magistrate (as deciding) or other leaderH7101
- בֵּ֣יתbêtbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
- יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiśrāʾēlYisra'el: he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of JacobH3478
- הַֽמֲתַעֲבִ֣יםhamătaʿăbîmta`ab: to loathe, i.e. (morally) detestH8581
- מִשְׁפָּ֔טmišpāṭmishpat: (properly) a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree...H4941
- וְאֵ֥תwĕʾēteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- כָּלkālkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
- הַיְשָׁרָ֖הhayšārâyashar: straightH3477
- יְעַקֵּֽשׁוּ׃yĕʿaqqēšû`aqash: to knot or distort; (figuratively) to pervert (act or declare perverse)H6140
- בֹּנֶ֥הbōnebanah: to build (literally and figuratively)H1129
- צִיּ֖וֹןṣiyyônTsiyown: Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of JerusalemH6726
- בְּדָמִ֑יםbĕdāmîmdam: blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animalH1818
- וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖םwîrûšālaimYruwshalaim: founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of IsraelH3389
- בְּעַוְלָֽה׃bĕʿawlâ`evel: (moral) evilH5766
- רָאשֶׁ֣יהָ׀rāʾšêhāro'sh: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank...H7218
- בְּשֹׁ֣חַדbĕšōḥadshachad: a donation (venal or redemptive)H7810
- יִשְׁפֹּ֗טוּyišpōṭûshaphat: to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against)H8199
- וְכֹהֲנֶ֙יהָ֙wĕkōhănêhākohen: (literally) one officiating, a priest; (also, by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)H3548
- בִּמְחִ֣ירbimḥîrmchiyr: price, payment, wagesH4242
- יוֹר֔וּyôrûyarah: (properly) to flow as water; (hence) to rainH3384
- וּנְבִיאֶ֖יהָûnĕbîʾêhānabiy': a prophet; (generally) inspired manH5030
- בְּכֶ֣סֶףbĕkesepkeceph: silver (from its pale color); (by implication) moneyH3701
- יִקְסֹ֑מוּyiqsōmûqacam: (properly) to distribute, i.e. determine by lot or magical scrollH7080
- וְעַלwĕʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- יְהוָה֙yĕhwāhYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- יִשָּׁעֵ֣נוּyiššāʿēnûsha`an: to support one's selfH8172
- לֵאמֹ֔רlēʾmōramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- הֲל֤וֹאhălôʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
- יְהוָה֙yĕhwāhYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- בְּקִרְבֵּ֔נוּbĕqirbēnûqereb: (properly) the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with...H7130
- לֹֽאlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
- תָב֥וֹאtābôʾbow': to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)H935
- עָלֵ֖ינוּʿālênû`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- רָעָֽה׃rāʿâra`: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)H7451
- לָכֵן֙lākēnken: (properly) set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) justH3651
- בִּגְלַלְכֶ֔םbiglalkemgalal: a circumstance (as rolled around); only used adverbially, on account ofH1558
- צִיּ֖וֹןṣiyyônTsiyown: Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of JerusalemH6726
- שָׂדֶ֣הśādesadeh: a field (as flat)H7704
- תֵֽחָרֵ֑שׁtēḥārēšcharash: to scratch; (by implication) to engrave, ploughH2790
- וִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙wîrûšālaimYruwshalaim: founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of IsraelH3389
- עִיִּ֣יןʿiyyîn`iy: a ruin (as if overturned)H5856
- תִּֽהְיֶ֔הtihĕyehayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
- וְהַ֥רwĕharhar: a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)H2022
- הַבַּ֖יִתhabbayitbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
- לְבָמ֥וֹתlĕbāmôtbamah: an elevationH1116
- יָֽעַר׃yāʿarya`ar: a copse of bushes; (hence) a forestH3293
Strong's words in Micah 3 (6)
- Strong's H3068 — יְהוָ֔ה (yĕhwâ)
- Yhovah (yeh-ho-vaw') n/p. 1. (the) self-Existent or Eternal 2. Jehovah, Jewish national name of God [from H1961] KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Root(s): H1961 Compare: H3050, H3069. Appears 5 times in Micah 3.
- Strong's H1004 — בֵּ֣ית (bêt)
- bayith (bah'-yith) n-m. 1. a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) [probably from H1129 abbreviated] KJV: court, daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet, temple, web, + within(-out). Root(s): H1129. Appears 4 times in Micah 3.
- Strong's H3290 — יַעֲקֹ֔ב (yaʿăqōb)
- Ya`aqob (yah-ak-obe') n/p. 1. heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter) 2. Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch [from H6117] KJV: Jacob. Root(s): H6117. Appears 3 times in Micah 3.
- Strong's H3478 — יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiśrāʾēl)
- Yisra'el (yis-raw-ale') n/p. 1. he will rule as God 2. Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob 3. (typically) of his posterity [from H8280 and H410] KJV: Israel. Root(s): H8280, H410. Appears 3 times in Micah 3.
- Strong's H4941 — הַמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃ (hammišpāṭ)
- mishpat (mish-pawt') n-m. 1. (properly) a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty 2. abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style [from H8199] KJV: + adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong. Root(s): H8199. Appears 3 times in Micah 3.
- Strong's H5030 — הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים (hannĕbîʾîm)
- nabiy' (naw-bee') n-m. 1. a prophet 2. (generally) inspired man [from H5012] KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. Root(s): H5012. Appears 3 times in Micah 3.