Bible Commentaries

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

good = gracious.

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

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.

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

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.

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

men. Hebrew, plural of "enosh. App-14. 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.

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

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

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.

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.

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

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.

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; Isaiah 19:37.

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

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

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

Feed, &c. Note here, the prayer of Micah. Supply the Ellipsis: "[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.

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).

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".

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.

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

iniquity = perverseness. Hebrew. "avah. .

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

will turn again. Compare Hosea 14:8.

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,