justice The rulers of Israel were responsible for ensuring justice and equity for all people in the land. See note on Isa 1:17.

Justice

3:4 Then they will cry The leaders of Israel (see v. 1).

He will hide his face An anthropomorphism meaning that God will not answer the prayers of the ungodly leaders.

3:5 the prophets These false prophets are not are not properly using their prophetic office.

proclaim, “Peace For those who paid them, the false prophets prophesied peace and prosperity; for those who withheld support, they prophesied chaos and calamity. Compare Ezek 13:10 and note.

who are leading my people astray The image is that of sheep, who naturally follow their shepherd. These prophets are to be contrasted with Yahweh who leads His people in Micah 2:13 (compare Ezek 34:1–10 and note).

3:6 without vision Numbers 12:6 confirms that God typically revealed Himself to prophets through dreams and visions.

3:7 seers A fuller definition of the Hebrew term here is “one who is given a message in a vision.”

justice and might The leaders of Israel were chastised for their lack of justice (see vv. 1, 9).

power, with the Spirit of Yahweh An appositional statement. Micah’s power comes from the Spirit of Yahweh.

Jacob I.e., Israel. See note on 1:5.

3:9 those detesting justice Micah is filled with mighty justice (see v. 8) while the leaders of Israel abhor justice.

perverting all that is right The wicked leaders pervert the way of righteousness.

3:10 Zion with blood and Jerusalem with wickedness This is a synonymous parallelism.

Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry Table

3:11 judge for a bribe The ot condemns this practice (Exod 23:8; Deut 16:19). Making judgments based on money is the opposite of true justice (see Micah 3:1, 9).

its priests teach for a price The priests were responsible for teaching the Law to all of Israel. The people were to support them with tithes. The price mentioned here is in addition to the required tithe.

prophets practice divination for money See note on v. 5.

Disaster will not come upon us Refers to the sin of presumption. The false prophets were saying that disaster would not come upon Israel because it was the home of Yahweh.

3:12 a heap of rubble The fate of Jerusalem is the same as that of Samaria (see 1:6). This prophecy was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 bc at the hands of the Babylonians.

the temple mount Mount Zion, the site of the temple in Jerusalem (see 2 Chr 33:15; Isa 2:2; Mic 4:1).

a high place in a forest If trees are growing on Mount Zion, then Jerusalem has been destroyed and left in ruins.