Micah 7:3

Translations

Modern

Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

Traditional

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

Literal

Upon the evil are both hands to do it well; the prince is asking—and the judge—for a bribe, and the great one is speaking the desire of his soul, and they wrap it up.

Latin

Malum manuum suarum dicunt bonum: princeps postulat, et judex in reddendo est; et magnus locutus est desiderium animæ suæ, et conturbaverunt eam.

Original

Hebrew

English

Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

Notes

Micah 7:3

skilled at evil: That is, they had learned how to do evil very well.
the prince and the judge demand a bribe: The law forbade rulers and judges from accepting bribes or turning justice in the wrong direction (Exodus 18:19–22; Deuteronomy 16:18–20). Because of this, Israel’s legal system no longer worked in a fair way.

Micah 7:2–6

The people of Israel were without law, justice, or righteousness. Everyone took advantage of others for personal gain. This created a society in which all forms of oppression were normal.

Micah 7:1–20

Hopeless deception and corruption filled God’s people (Micah 7:1–6). Because of this, Micah mourned their condition and turned to the Lord for help (Micah 7:7–10).

Even so, God’s mercy would triumph. Israel would be restored by the Lord (Micah 7:11–13). God’s mercy, compassion, and unfailing love would prevail in the end (Micah 7:14–20).

Theme notes and profiles

Bribery and Gifts Social Chaos in Judges

Events

Prophecies of Micahc. 754 BC

Related verses

Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”
Proverbs 4:16–17
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.
Amos 5:12
For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Isaiah 26:21
For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.
Luke 12:1–2
In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.
Hosea 4:18
When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
1 Kings 21:9–14
In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people.
Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.
Jeremiah 3:5
Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.”

Micah 7:3

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