Bible Commentaries
Micah 6

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

Hear ye, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:1 ). App-92 .

Verse 3

testify = answer.

Verse 4

I brought thee up, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:51 ; Exodus 14:30 ; Exodus 20:2 .Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 4:20 ). App-92 .

and redeemed thee. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 13:13-16 ).

house of servants = house of bondage. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 13:3 , Exodus 13:14 ; Exodus 20:2 .Deuteronomy 5:6 ; Deuteronomy 6:12 ; Deuteronomy 7:8 ).

I sent before . . . Miriam. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 15:20 , Exodus 15:21 .Numbers 12:4 , Numbers 12:10 , Numbers 12:15 ; Numbers 20:1 ; Numbers 26:59 ). Miriam not mentioned after Deuteronomy 24:9 , except 1 Chronicles 6:3 .

Verse 5

remember now, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 22:5 ; Numbers 23:7 ; Numbers 24:10 , Numbers 24:11 ; Numbers 25:1 ; Numbers 31:16 . Deuteronomy 23:4 , Deuteronomy 23:5 ). App-92 .

Balak. Not mentioned since Judges 11:25 .

Balaam. Not mentioned since Joshua 24:9 , Joshua 24:10 , except in Nehemiah 13:2 . Compare 2 Peter 2:15 , and Jude 1:11 .Revelation 2:14 .

righteousness = righteous acts.

Verse 6

the high God = God on high.

high. Hebrew. marom ; not Elyon.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

burnt offerings. See App-43 .

of a year old. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 9:3 ). App-92 .

Verse 7

Will . . . ? shall I. . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

transgression = rebellion, insubordination. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

the fruit of my body = my firstborn.

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 8

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

walk humbly. The Hebrew expression ( hatzene' leketh) occurs only here. This verse embodies the principles governing Jehovah's administration under the Law, but not under the Gospel. Now, He requires faith in the Substitute Whom He has provided for the sinner; and His righteousness must be imputed in grace. See App-63 . IX: and 72. Compare also Romans 3:23 , Romans 3:24 .Ephesians 2:3-9 . Titus 3:5-8 , &c.

Verse 9

city. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), App-6 , for the inhabitants.

the man of wisdom shall see Thy name = [such as would have] true stability (or safety) will regard Thy name. The Mugah Codex, quoted in the Massorah ( App-30 ), reads: "such as revere".

wisdom. Hebrew. tushiyah. See note on Proverbs 2:7 .

Thy. The Septuagint reads: "and He (the LORD) will save such as revere His name".

rod. Hebrew. matteh = staff (for support or chastisement). Not the same word as in Micah 5:1 ; Micah 7:14 . Either put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the chastisement inflicted, or supply the Ellipsis thus: "hear ye the rod, and [Him] Who hath appointed [the chastisement]. "The suffix of the verb, "it", is feminine; while "rod" is masculine. Therefore we may supply "chastisement "(Hebrew. tokahath), which is feminine.

Verse 10

wickedness . . . wicked = lawlessness . . . lawless. Hebrew. rasha' .

the scant measure, &c. Note the word "abominable" below. In this form, only in Proverbs 22:14 .

measure = ephah. See App-51 .

abominable. Reference to Pentateuch. Out of six words thus rendered, Hebrew. za'am is chosen in Numbers 28:7 , Numbers 28:8 , Numbers 28:8 , "defied" = abhorred. It occurs only eight times elsewhere. App-92 .

Verse 11

them. Supply [her]: i.e. the wicked city.

the wicked balances. Hebrew balances of wickedness. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 25:13-16 ). App-92 .

Verse 13

will I make thee sick. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:16 ).

Verse 14

Thou shalt eat, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:26 ).

thy casting down = thy dissatisfaction or emptiness. Hebrew. yeshach. Occurs only here.

shall be in the midst of thee = [shall remain] in thee.

take hold. Some codices, with one early printed edition (Rabbinic, marg), read "take possession".

Verse 15

Thou shalt sow, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:38-40 ).

sweet wine. Hebrew. tirosh. App-27 .

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

Verse 16

the statutes. Hebrew. hukkoth = in a religious sense ( Lev 20:8 . 2 Kings 17:34 .Jeremiah 10:3; Jeremiah 10:3 ).

of Omri. Compare 1 Kings 16:31 , 1 Kings 16:32 , as to the worship of Baal.

kept = strictly kept. Compare Hosea 5:4 .

the house of Ahab. Compare 1 Kings 16:30 . &c.; Mic 21:25 , Mic 21:26 . See App-65 .

that I should make, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:37 ).