Bible Commentaries
Micah 6

Verse 16

Micah 6:16

Omri’s Name Lives On (Micah 6:16)

Omri was the king of Israel (885–874 b.c.) who established Samaria as the capital of the Israelite kingdom. He also founded a dynasty in Israel that lasted four generations, with Omri being followed on Israel’s throne by his son Ahab, and Ahab’s sons Ahaziah and Joram.

Omri and his dynasty achieved international importance. Illustrating Omri’s influence are references to him in two sources outside of the Bible. The Moabite Stone is a basalt slab dating from about 850 b.c. which records some of Omri’s military accomplishments. In the inscription on the stone, King Mesha of Moab mentions Omri as occupying parts of the land of Moab. Moreover, Omri is indirectly mentioned in the Assyrian annals of Shalmaneser III (858–824 b.c.). Although Jehu was not of Omri’s family and had even overthrown the Omri dynasty, he is described in the annals as a “son of Omri,” and the land of Israel is called the “house of Omri.”

This Israelite king also impacted neighboring Judah, and his name was known to Micah, who prophesied more than 125 years after Omri’s death. Micah’s mention of “the statutes of Omri” (Micah 6:16) possibly alludes to Omri’s importance in at least legal declarations, although there is no other reference to Omri’s legal code, even in sources outside of the Bible. Despite impressive political accomplishments, Omri is condemned for his religious policies (1 Kings 16:25-26), and Micah announces judgment on the people because they have kept Omri’s statutes.