Micah 1 14

Micah 1:14 kjv

Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.

Micah 1:14 nkjv

Therefore you shall give presents to Moresheth Gath; The houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.

Micah 1:14 niv

Therefore you will give parting gifts to Moresheth Gath. The town of Akzib will prove deceptive to the kings of Israel.

Micah 1:14 esv

Therefore you shall give parting gifts to Moresheth-gath; the houses of Achzib shall be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel.

Micah 1:14 nlt

Send farewell gifts to Moresheth-gath ;
there is no hope of saving it.
The town of Aczib
has deceived the kings of Israel.

Micah 1 verses

Micah 1 14 Meaning

Micah 1:14 describes the dire consequences of Judah's impending judgment, employing a series of somber pronouncements interwoven with profound Hebrew wordplays. The verse metaphorically declares that Moresheth-Gath, the prophet's hometown, will be given away in a gesture of finality, akin to divorce gifts or tribute paid to an enemy. Simultaneously, the houses of Achzib—a name meaning "deception" or "lie"—are prophetically exposed as sources of false hope and disillusionment for the kings and leaders of Israel (referring to Judah's royalty here), signifying the ultimate failure of their earthly alliances and strategies against divine judgment.

Micah 1 14 Context

Micah chapter 1 begins with a dramatic announcement of the Lord's descent from His holy temple to judge Samaria and Judah due to their profound sin. Verses 5-7 specifically condemn Samaria's idolatry, forecasting its utter destruction. From verse 8 onwards, the focus shifts predominantly to Judah, as Micah pronounces a series of judgments against various Judean cities, often employing striking wordplays related to their names, demonstrating how their names prefigure their desolate fates. This poetic lament reflects the prophet's deep sorrow over the impending destruction. Micah 1:14 continues this "punitive itinerary," highlighting Moresheth-Gath (Micah's own hometown) and Achzib as sites of bitter loss and deception, respectively. This part of the prophecy anticipates the Assyrian invasion, particularly Sennacherib's campaign against Judah around 701 BC, where many of these Judean cities were besieged and devastated. The historical reality underscores the severe consequences of Judah's failure to adhere to their covenant with the Lord, including their misguided reliance on treaties and alliances with foreign powers, which ultimately offered false security.

Micah 1 14 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן, lakhen): This conjunctive adverb signals a direct consequence or result stemming from the preceding statements of judgment and impending disaster. It links the actions (sins) described earlier in the chapter to the punishments being proclaimed.
• you shall give farewell gifts (שִׁלּוּחִים תִּתְּנִי, shilluachîm titenî):
  • shilluachîm: Derived from the verb "to send away" (שָׁלַח, shalach). It denotes "sending gifts," "dismissal gifts," or "divorce presents." The term carries connotations of separation, finality, or compensation paid in the context of ending a relationship. It could also imply tribute exacted by an conqueror. This signifies a forced and painful parting from one's possessions or territory, indicating complete subjugation.
  • titenî: "you shall give," a feminine singular imperative/future verb, indicating Moresheth-Gath as the recipient (or rather, the one that will have to give these away, either by being forced to pay tribute or being forced to relinquish its inhabitants/belongings). This personalization enhances the pathos.
• to Moresheth-Gath (מוֹרֶשֶׁת גַּת, Moresheth Gat):
  • Moresheth: Micah's own hometown (Mic 1:1), literally means "possession" or "inheritance." The wordplay here is poignant: "Possession" will be given away. It also signifies that the place considered a family inheritance will be lost or tribute will be given from it.
  • Gath: Often linked to "winepress," but here it's more about the specific city, Moresheth-Gath, which suggests a border town with Philistine influence (like the Philistine city Gath). The name hints at a painful crushing or destruction.
• The houses of Achzib (בָתֵּי אַכְזִיב, batei Akzib):
  • Batei: "houses of," denoting dwellings and by extension, the inhabitants and all that belong to them.
  • Achzib: (אַכְזִיב, Achzib) This city's name is a key element of the wordplay, as it means "deception," "lie," or "failure" (like a dried-up spring). This name-fate connection is a dominant literary feature in Micah 1. It signifies that any hope or security placed in this city would turn out to be illusory.
• will be a deception (לְאַכְזָב, l'achzav):
  • l'achzav: An adjective related to the noun "Achzib," meaning "a lie," "a failure," or "a deceitful thing." The repetition and root connection (Achzib, Akzav) create a powerful paronomasia (pun), emphasizing that the city of "Deception" will prove to be truly "deceptive." It underscores that what was relied upon will prove utterly disappointing and unfaithful.
• to the kings of Israel (לְמַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, l'malkhei Yisrael):
  • malkhei Yisrael: While literally "kings of Israel," in this context, given that the Northern Kingdom of Israel had either already fallen or was in severe decline, and the prophecy focuses on cities within Judah, "Israel" here likely refers to the leaders or royalty of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. It represents the collective leadership of God's covenant people. They are the ones who put their trust in external alliances or earthly strongholds, only to find them hollow and treacherous.

Micah 1 14 Bonus section

• Puni The extensive use of wordplay (paronomasia) with the names of the cities and their predicted fates is a defining literary feature of Micah chapter 1. It not only makes the prophecy memorable but also emphasizes that God's judgment is precise and ironically inherent in the very nature of their sinful practices and misguided trusts.
• Micah's Personal Lament: As Moresheth-Gath was Micah's hometown, the prophecy carries a deep personal anguish for the prophet himself (Micah 1:8). This imbues the message with an emotional intensity often present in the prophets, showing their personal sorrow for their people's impending doom.
• False Confidence: The mention of "kings of Israel" (Judah) being deceived highlights a recurring theme in prophetic literature: the failure of the monarchy and the nation's leaders to lead the people in faithfulness to God. Their diplomatic maneuvers and military strategies, not aligned with God's will, were revealed as empty promises.
• God's Sovereignty in Judgment: Despite human attempts to secure their future through various means, this verse ultimately underscores God's absolute sovereignty. He exposes the inherent flaw in human endeavors apart from Him and orchestrates events to reveal the true nature of their alliances and trusted resources.

Micah 1 14 Commentary

Micah 1:14 stands as a profound testament to the divine judgment facing Judah, woven with intense linguistic craftsmanship. The declaration concerning Moresheth-Gath ("Possession"), Micah's very own home, implies that even what is most cherished or thought secure will be painfully surrendered as tribute or abandoned through exile, mirroring a bitter divorce or complete disinheritance. This imagery of "farewell gifts" (shilluachîm) vividly portrays forced separation and the stripping away of dignity and security. The stark irony regarding "the houses of Achzib" (meaning "Deception") further underscores the divine critique. This city, ironically named, would literally become a source of deceit, revealing the futility of human strategies and false alliances for Judah's kings. Their misguided trust in such human constructs, or in places like Achzib for security, would ultimately fail, exposing their reliance on worldly powers over the sovereign Lord. This verse is a stern warning against placing hope in anything other than God, as worldly provisions or agreements will ultimately betray those who rely on them.