Bible Commentaries
Micah 7

Verse 1

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 2

good = gracious.

men = mankind. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 3

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

asketh = asketh [for a reward]. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 16:19 ). App-92 . Compare Micah 3:11 .Hosea 4:18 .

the judge asketh = the judge [judgeth], &c. Figure of speech complex Ellipsis. Compare Micah 3:11 .Isaiah 1:23 .

reward = bribe.

his mischievous desire = the mischief of his soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Compare Micah 3:9-11 .

they: i.e. the prince and the judge.

wrap it up = weave it together. Occurs only here.

it. Hebrew suffix is feminine, so we must supply a feminine noun: e.g. zimmah = wicked purpose, or mischievous device. Isaiah 32:7 .

Verse 4

the day of thy watchmen. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 :. the day [of punishment] foretold by thy watchmen.

Verse 5

Trust ye not = Put ye no faith in. Hebrew. 'aman . See App-69 .

put ye not confidence in. Hebrew. batah . See App-69 . So the Western Massorites. The Eastern, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "neither put", &c. Quoted in Matthew 10:35 , Matthew 10:36 ; Luke 12:53 .

doors = entrances, or openings.

Verse 6

dishonoureth, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:12 .Deuteronomy 5:16; Deuteronomy 5:16 ). App-92 .

men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh. App-14 .Micah 7:6; Micah 7:6 does not end "abruptly", nor does there "yawn a century". Micah 7:7 gives the true remedy in contrast with the vain remedies of verses: Micah 7:5 , Micah 7:6 .

Verse 7

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . See the Structure.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 8

when I fall: i.e. into calamity; not into sin. Literally I have fallen, I have arisen; though I should sit in darkness, Jehovah, &c.

Verse 9

indignation. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the punishment which was the result of it.

sinned. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

behold = look unto.

His righteousness: i.e. His righteous vindication.

Verse 10

Then she, &c. So shall she [who had been] mine enemy: i.e. Assyria (in Micah 7:12 ).

Verse 11

decree = prescribed limit or boundary. So the Oxford Gesenius, p. 349. Compare Job 26:10 ; Job 38:10 . Proverbs 8:29 . Isaiah 24:5 .Jeremiah 5:22 . Hebrew. chok.

be far removed = become distant: i.e. extended. See the Oxford Gesenius, p. 935. Hebrew. rachak, as in Isaiah 26:15 . Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ), yir'chok.

Verse 12

he = one. But a special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), reads "they": i.e. thine exiles. come = come home; as in 1 Samuel 11:5 .Psalms 45:15 .Proverbs 2:10 , or, into blessing; as in Psalms 69:27 . Nothing has "fallen out" of the text!

Assyria. See the "enemy", Micah 7:10 .

the fortified cities = the cities of Matzor (i.e. the fortress) put for Egypt. Compare Isaiah 19:6 ; Isa 19:37 .

the river. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , for the Euphrates. Also the Figure of speech Antonomasia .

Verse 13

Notwithstanding: i.e. But first, or before this.

the land, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:33 , the same word).

Verse 14

Feed, &c. Note here, the prayer of Micah. Supply the Ellip sis: "[Then Micah prayed, and said: O Jehovah] Feed Thy People", &c.

Feed = shepherd Thou (masc).

rod. Hebrew. shebet, as in Micah 5:1 ; not as in Micah 6:9 . Here it is the token of rule.

which dwell, &c. = dwell thou (feminine): i.e. the "flock". Hebrew. tz'on (com. gender).

solitarily = alone. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 23:9 . Deuteronomy 33:28 ). App-92 .

as in the days of old = as in the age-past times: so shall be the yet future day of Israel's consolation; not Micah's day, when Israel was in possession of Bashan, &c. No ground, therefore, for dating this prayer in "the latest period of Israel's history, the days of Haggai and Zechariah", as alleged.

Verse 15

According, &c. Verses 15-17 are Jehovah's answer as to the subjugation of Israel's enemies. Reference to Pentateuch. See note on Micah 6:4 . App-92 . Not the continuation of Micah's prayer.

will I shew unto him. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:10 ).

Verse 16

lay their hand, &c Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for silence, of which it was the token their ears. Some codices, with four early printed and sign. See Job 21:5 ; Job 29:9 ; Job 40:4 .

their ears. Some codices, with lour early printed editions, read "and their".

Verse 17

lick the dust. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the utmost humiliation, as in Genesis 3:14 . Compare Psalms 72:9 . Isaiah 49:23 .

move = come quaking.

holes = fastnesses. Hebrew. misgereth.

worms. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:24 , the same word). Occurs only in these two places.

Verse 18

pardoneth iniquity. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:7 ).

iniquity = perverseness. Hebrew. 'avah. .

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

Verse 19

will turn again. Compare Hosea 14:8 .

Verse 20

Thou wilt perform, &c. Quoted in Luke 1:72 , Luke 1:73 .

sworn unto our fathers. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 50:24 . &c.) App-92 . See Psalms 105:9 , Psalms 105:10 , Psalms 105:42 ,