Bible Commentaries
Micah 6

Verse 1

The mountains, &c. That is, the princes, the great ones of the people. (Challoner) --- But Hebrew intimates real mountains, which had witnessed the impiety of the people, (Calmet) and had been defiled with their altars, &c. Protestants, "Contend thou before the," &c., (Haydock) as God’s advocate. He condescends to justify his conduct towards Israel, Isaias iii. 13. (Calmet) --- He had shewn them great favours, but they were ungrateful. (Office for Good Friday) (Worthington)

Verse 4

Slaves. Their prison, in Algiers, &c., is dreadful. (Calmet) --- Mary. She taught the women. (Chaldean; Theodotion) --- She was a figure of Christ’s mother, as Moses and Aaron were of himself. (Worthington)

Verse 5

From Setim to Galgal. He puts them in mind of the favour he did them, in not suffering them to be quite destroyed by the evil purpose of Balach and the wicked counsel of Balaam; and then gives them a hint of the wonders he wrought in order to bring them into the land of promise, by stopping the course of the Jordan, in their march from Setim to Galgal. (Challoner) --- Galgala, "limits," may denote those of the Jordan, between which river and Setim Israel was encamped, Numbers xxii., and xxv. --- Justices. Symmachus, "mercies." (Calmet)

Verse 6

What shall I offer, &c. This is spoken in the person of the people, desiring to be informed what they are to do to please God. (Challoner) --- They can answer nothing in their own defence.

Verse 7

Fat. Hebrew, "torrents of oil." --- First-born, like Jephte, or the king of Moab, Judges xi., and 4 Kings iii. 27. Saturn taught the Phœnicians this impiety. (Eusebius, præp. iv. 16.) (Calmet)

Verse 8

Solicitous. Hebrew also, "humbly." (Haydock) --- This was preferable to all other sacrifices of the old law, (Worthington) and was frequently inculcated, Deuteronomy x. 12., Psalm xlix. 9., and Isaias i. 11. Yet the carnal Jews always made perfection consist in exterior ceremonies.

Ver 9. City, to all mankind. --- Salvation. Hebrew, "wisdom shall consider thy name." Syriac, "doctrine to those who fear his name." --- It? Who will attend? (Calmet)

Ver 10. Full of wrath, &c. That is, highly provoking in the sight of God. (Challoner) --- False weights are often condemned, Deuteronomy xxxv. 13. (Calmet)

Verse 14

CHAPTER VI.

And thy. Septuagint, "I will cast thee away into thyself." (Haydock) --- Hold of some fruit. (Calmet) --- Thy wife shall miscarry; (Vatable, &c.) or if she bring forth, the children shall perish by the sword.

Ver 15. New. Septuagint, "grave." (Haydock) --- "It is good for thee, when thou knowest thy error, to have no disciples." (St. Jerome)

Verse 16

The statutes of Amri, &c. The wicked ways of Amri and Achab, idolatrous kings. (Challoner) --- They were the most infamous of Israel, 3 Kings xvi. 25, 30. (Worthington) --- Hebrew, "the statutes of Amri are kept." Septuagint, "The precepts (ami) of my people shall parish" (Haydock) --- You, rich men. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "you shall receive the reproach of people." (Haydock)