Micah 3:4 kjv
Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
Micah 3:4 nkjv
Then they will cry to the LORD, But He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, Because they have been evil in their deeds.
Micah 3:4 niv
Then they will cry out to the LORD, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.
Micah 3:4 esv
Then they will cry to the LORD, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.
Micah 3:4 nlt
Then you beg the LORD for help in times of trouble!
Do you really expect him to answer?
After all the evil you have done,
he won't even look at you!"
Micah 3 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Micah 3:4 | they cry to the LORD, but he will not answer them | Judgment for oppression |
| Psalm 18:41 | They cry for help, but there is no one to save, | God’s silence in judgment |
| Psalm 66:18 | If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have heard. | Unanswered prayer & sin |
| Isaiah 1:15 | when you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear | God’s rejection of impure worship |
| Jeremiah 11:14 | therefore thus says the LORD, behold, I am bringing disaster upon them... and the LORD will not hear them | Judgment for disobedience |
| Jeremiah 14:12 | Though they fast, I will not hear their cry | God’s refusal to hear |
| Proverbs 28:9 | Whoever turns away his ear from hearing instruction will make even his prayer an abomination. | Wickedness hinders prayer |
| Amos 5:12 | For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are mighty— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and who turn aside the needy in the gate. | Oppression leading to judgment |
| Matthew 7:7 | “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. | Promise of answered prayer |
| Matthew 7:8 | For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. | Promise of answered prayer |
| Matthew 7:11 | If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! | God’s willingness to give |
| John 9:31 | We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, him he listens to. | Conditions for answered prayer |
| 1 Peter 3:12 | For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. | Righteousness & prayer |
| 1 John 3:21-22 | Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. | Conditions for answered prayer |
| Isaiah 59:1-2 | Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear deafened, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God; and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. | Sin as barrier to God's hearing |
| Psalm 34:15-16 | The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. | God's attention to the righteous/wicked |
| Jeremiah 15:1 | Then the LORD said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of my sight, and let them go! | Intercession against God's will |
| Luke 18:1 | And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to lose heart | The importance of persistence in prayer |
| Luke 11:9-10 | And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; and knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. | Persistence and faith in prayer |
| Amos 8:4-5 | Hear this, you who trample on the needy, and who do the way of the poor, saying, “When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell our grain? And the Sabbath, that we may open our wheat market, and lessen the measure, and increase the shekel, and deal falsely with balances of deceit, to buy the weak for money and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?” | Economic oppression and greed |
Micah 3 verses
Micah 3 4 Meaning
The verse declares that when calamity strikes, the people will cry out to the Lord, but He will not answer them. Their sinfulness, specifically their oppressive and unjust actions, will prevent His responsiveness. This signifies divine judgment where the normal channel of communication and appeal is closed due to severe transgression.
Micah 3 4 Context
Micah chapter 3 is a strong condemnation of the leaders of Israel, particularly the princes of Judah and the rulers of Jerusalem. These leaders are depicted as rapacious wolves, devouring people, shedding blood, and unjustly oppressing the poor and defenseless. They corrupt justice for personal gain and teach others to do the same. The people are misled by these false prophets and rulers who promise peace and prosperity, even while they are engaged in corrupt practices. This verse specifically addresses the consequence of their actions when God's judgment eventually comes upon them. The broader context of the book of Micah involves a call for repentance from social injustice and a warning of impending destruction, contrasted with a future hope of restoration.
Micah 3 4 Word analysis
כִּי (ki): A conjunction, meaning "for," "because," "that," or introducing a cause or explanation. Here, it introduces the reason for God's non-response.
עֵת (et): "time," "season."
יִקְרָא (yikra): "they will cry out," "they will call." From the root קָרָא (qara), to call, cry out. It signifies an earnest appeal.
אֶל (el): "to," "unto." A preposition indicating direction.
יְהוָה (YHWH): The personal covenantal name of God, Jehovah or LORD.
וְ (ve): Conjunction, "and."
לֹא (lo): "not."
יַעֲנֵם (ya'enem): "He will answer them." From the root עָנָה ('anah), to answer, respond. The lack of response indicates divine withholding.
וְ (ve): Conjunction, "and."
יַסְתִּיר (yastir): "He will hide." From the root סָתַר (satar), to hide, conceal. This refers to God withdrawing His favor or presence.
פָּנָיו (panav): "His face." From the root פָּנִים (panim), faces, countenance, presence. God hiding His face implies His disapproval and abandonment.
מֵהֶם (mehem): "from them." Preposition מִן (min) meaning "from," and the suffix ־ם (em) meaning "them."
בָּעֵת (ba'et): "in the time." Preposition בְּ (be), "in," "at," combined with עֵת (et).
הַהִיא (hahi'): "that." Demonstrative pronoun, "that" (feminine singular), referring to the time of calamity.
Group Analysis:
- "they cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them": This phrase emphasizes the futility of their pleas. Despite their desperate appeals ("cry out"), the anticipated divine intervention or answer will be withheld.
- "He will hide His face from them in that time": This clause elaborates on the nature of the non-response. God's deliberate withdrawal of His countenance signifies His complete displeasure and severance of relationship, highlighting the severe consequence of their past actions.
Micah 3 4 Bonus section
This verse reflects a theological principle throughout Scripture: God responds to a prayerful and obedient heart. Conversely, persistent sin and injustice create a barrier. The concept of God "hiding His face" is a metaphor for His withdrawal of blessing and protection, often due to the people's unfaithfulness. It underscores that access to God’s favor is not a mere technicality but is intrinsically linked to righteousness and obedience, particularly in how one treats fellow human beings. The judgment described is not arbitrary; it is a direct outcome of the rulers' egregious conduct that has characterized their reign.
Micah 3 4 Commentary
The leaders of Judah, like ravenous beasts and corrupt officials, have built Jerusalem and Samaria on bloodshed and injustice. They exploit the vulnerable, lining their pockets and silencing righteous criticism with promises of security and peace. When the inevitable judgment descends—the calamity that will dismantle their self-made fortresses—their desperate cries for divine help will fall on deaf ears. God, who normally hears the prayers of His people, will intentionally turn away. He will hide His face, meaning He will withhold His presence, protection, and favor. This is a stark illustration of how ingrained sin and systemic oppression sever the connection with God, rendering even sincere-sounding appeals ineffective until repentance and restitution occur. The prophet emphasizes that God’s silence is not due to an inability to hear, but a just consequence of their profound rebellion and mistreatment of others.