Micah 1 1

Micah 1:1 kjv

The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Micah 1:1 nkjv

The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Micah 1:1 niv

The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah?the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Micah 1:1 esv

The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Micah 1:1 nlt

The LORD gave this message to Micah of Moresheth during the years when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. The visions he saw concerned both Samaria and Jerusalem.

Micah 1 verses

Micah 1 1 Meaning

Micah chapter 1 verse 1 serves as the prophetic superscription, identifying the prophet as Micah of Moresheth and stating that the message he delivered was the direct "word of the LORD," received through divine vision. It precisely situates his ministry historically, during the reigns of Kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah, and clearly names Samaria and Jerusalem as the primary recipients of the prophetic pronouncement concerning impending judgment and future hope. This verse establishes the divine origin, human agent, and historical context of the entire book.

Micah 1 1 Context

Micah 1:1 functions as the authoritative header for the entire book, grounding its message firmly in divine revelation and specific historical events. It is not merely a literary introduction but a theological statement asserting that what follows is not human opinion, but the sovereign word of YHWH. The reference to "the word of the LORD" immediately signals the book's authority and spiritual weight. By naming three consecutive kings of Judah (Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah), the verse covers a span of approximately 50-60 years, beginning shortly before the fall of Samaria (722 BC) and extending through Hezekiah's reforms and the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem (701 BC). This period was marked by significant political upheaval due to Assyrian imperial expansion, social injustice within both Israel and Judah, and widespread idolatry. Micah, unlike the Jerusalem-based Isaiah, hails from the rural town of Moresheth-Gath, perhaps offering a perspective closer to the common people suffering under corrupt leadership. The verse directly sets the stage for God's impending judgment on the capitals, Samaria and Jerusalem, indicating that His covenant people would be held accountable for their sins, directly challenging the contemporary belief that mere temple rituals or political alliances would secure their safety irrespective of their moral and spiritual state.

Micah 1 1 Word analysis

• The word (דְּבַר, debar): More than just spoken communication, debar in prophetic contexts often denotes a powerful, effective pronouncement or message that initiates an action or reality. It signifies a divine decree.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the Tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name, indicating that the source of this revelation is the one true, living God of Israel. It emphasizes divine ownership and authority, making it distinct from human ideas or philosophies.
• that came (הָיָה, haya): Implies that the word "came into being" or "occurred" to Micah, stressing its objective, external reality and divine initiation, not Micah's own fabrication. It arrived at a specific time and place.
• to Micah (מִיכָיָהוּ, Mikayahu): The prophet's full name, meaning "Who is like YHWH?". His name itself becomes a theological echo of Micah 7:18, emphasizing God's uniqueness in forgiveness and power. He is the human instrument chosen to deliver the divine message.
• of Moresheth (מֹרֶשֶׁת גַּת, Moreshet Gat): Moresheth-Gath was a village in the Judean lowlands (Shephelah). This geographical tag distinguishes Micah as a rural prophet, likely identifying him with the common people and the agrarian lifestyle, unlike court prophets from the city.
• in the days of (בִּימֵי, biyemey): This phrase specifies the precise historical window of Micah's prophetic ministry, rooting his prophecy in tangible human history. It sets chronological boundaries for his activity.
• Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah: These were three successive kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom). Jotham (righteous), Ahaz (wicked and idolatrous), and Hezekiah (reformer). Their reigns span roughly the mid-to-late 8th century BC, providing a broad context of changing political and spiritual conditions within Judah, all covered by Micah's enduring message.
• kings of Judah: Identifies the geographical and political sphere of influence for these monarchs and highlights Judah as the prophet's primary audience, even as the prophecy begins with Samaria.
• which he saw (אֲשֶׁר חָזָה, asher chazah): This indicates that the divine message came to Micah not just aurally but as a "vision." Prophecy is depicted as a "seeing," emphasizing a direct, God-given perception or revelation of future events and spiritual truths. It's not just a message, but a divine insight.
• concerning Samaria and Jerusalem: These are the capital cities of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), respectively. Naming both indicates that God's judgment extends to both branches of His covenant people due to their shared apostasy, injustice, and disobedience. Samaria, as the Northern Kingdom's capital, would fall first during this period.

Micah 1 1 Bonus section

The presence of a formal superscription like Micah 1:1 is a common feature in prophetic books (e.g., Isaiah, Hosea, Amos). This serves not only to identify the prophet and date the prophecy but primarily to lend authoritative credence to the entire message that follows. By explicitly stating that the message "came from the LORD" and was "seen" as a vision, the book asserts its claim as divine revelation, commanding the reader's attention and obedience. The mention of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah covers periods of both spiritual revival (Jotham and Hezekiah) and profound apostasy (Ahaz), illustrating God's consistent commitment to His covenant with His people regardless of the current leadership's spiritual state. The inclusion of Moresheth-Gath highlights God's choice of ordinary individuals from humble origins to deliver His extraordinary messages, not limiting revelation to royal courts or religious establishments.

Micah 1 1 Commentary

Micah 1:1 is the foundational declaration for the entire book, affirming its absolute divine origin. It is not the word of Micah, but "the word of the LORD," making the prophet a divinely commissioned spokesman rather than a political analyst or social commentator. The emphasis on "saw" suggests a profound, revelatory encounter with God's truth, not mere human insight. By situating his ministry within the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the verse precisely anchors the prophecy in a turbulent historical era marked by Assyrian expansion and severe moral decay within Israel and Judah. The targeting of "Samaria and Jerusalem" immediately establishes the dual focus of God's impending judgment upon both northern and southern kingdoms, underscoring that His covenant people are not exempt from accountability for their idolatry and social injustice. This opening thus signals a message of severe divine judgment balanced, as the book unfolds, with promises of ultimate restoration rooted in God's faithfulness.