Micah 5 14

Micah 5:14 kjv

And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.

Micah 5:14 nkjv

I will pluck your wooden images from your midst; Thus I will destroy your cities.

Micah 5:14 niv

I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles when I demolish your cities.

Micah 5:14 esv

and I will root out your Asherah images from among you and destroy your cities.

Micah 5:14 nlt

I will abolish your idol shrines with their Asherah poles
and destroy your pagan cities.

Micah 5 verses

Micah 5 14 Meaning

This verse describes the Lord's action against His enemies, specifically those who show Him persistent hatred or opposition. He will utterly destroy them by His word and presence, leaving no remnant. It signifies complete and final judgment against those who refuse to acknowledge and submit to God's authority.

Micah 5 14 Context

Micah chapter 5 focuses on the prophecy of the coming Messiah, who will be born in Bethlehem. Verses 10-15 present a contrast: the coming peace and security for Israel under the Messiah's reign, and God's judgment upon the nations and idolatrous elements within His own people. Specifically, verse 14 serves as the immediate precursor to the declaration of the Messiah's power over His enemies. It establishes the divine authority that will enforce the coming peace by eradicating all opposition and false worship. The historical backdrop for Micah was a period of political instability and spiritual apostasy, both in Israel and the surrounding nations, making a message of divine judgment and ultimate deliverance highly relevant.

Micah 5 14 Word Analysis

• "And I will pluck": The Hebrew verb translated as "pluck" (ma·'at) suggests uprooting, destroying, or annihilating. It implies a thorough removal and eradication.
• "your": Refers back to the "high places" and "pillars" mentioned in the previous verse, which represent centers of false worship and idolatry.
• "high places": Hebrew: bāmôt. These were elevated places, often hills or constructed platforms, used for religious worship, both of the Lord in earlier times and more frequently of foreign deities, especially during the period of the divided kingdom and into Micah's time.
• "pillars": Hebrew: maṣ·ṣē·ḇôt. These were stone monuments or sacred pillars often associated with Canaanite fertility cults and idol worship, which were strictly forbidden by Mosaic Law.
• "your": Again referring to the elements of idolatry associated with the nations or corrupted worship within Israel.
• "Idolatries": Hebrew: ʼă·wōn. While literally meaning "iniquity" or "guilt," in this context, it signifies the sin and the objects or places that cause this sin—idolatry itself and its associated corrupt practices. It denotes the sinful nature and the structures that perpetuate it.
• "and": Connects the actions of plucking the high places with destroying the cities.
• "I will destroy": The Hebrew verb šḥa·ṭî can mean to slaughter, to destroy utterly, or to overthrow. It denotes a comprehensive annihilation.
• "your": Pertaining to the cities of the nations that are enemies of God or represent centers of opposition to His will.
• "cities": Hebrew: ‘ā·rê·ḵā. This refers not necessarily to cities within Judah or Israel that were being chastised for idolatry, but more broadly to the centers of power and opposition among the surrounding pagan nations.

Micah 5 14 Bonus Section

The "high places" (bāmôt) were a recurring problem throughout Israel's history. Despite the commandment to worship only at the central sanctuary, many Israelites (and even kings who were supposed to lead them) continued to build and worship at these unauthorized sites, often mixing Yahwistic worship with Canaanite practices. Kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Hezekiah, and Josiah all took steps to remove them, with varying degrees of success. Micah's prophecy underscores that a definitive, final cleansing would be necessary, which would ultimately be fulfilled by the Messiah. The destruction of these "cities" also alludes to broader divine judgment on Gentile nations that oppressed God's people and promoted idolatry, aligning with other prophetic pronouncements like those found in Isaiah and Jeremiah concerning judgment on surrounding kingdoms. The destruction is characterized by the "word" and "fury" of the Lord in the following verse, indicating the power behind this judgment.

Micah 5 14 Commentary

Micah 5:14 is a stark declaration of divine judgment against idolatry and all forms of opposition to God's rule. The Lord Himself will personally intervene to uproot and obliterate the very structures and practices that foster false worship. This includes the "high places" and "pillars," symbols of pagan religions that proliferated in the ancient Near East, often intruding into the worship of Israel. The verse extends this judgment to the "cities" associated with iniquity. The force of the language suggests a complete and decisive removal. This action is not just a historical purging but also points towards the ultimate eradication of evil and ungodliness that will be accomplished through the Messiah, who will establish His kingdom on earth, free from any rival or defiling influence. The destruction of these symbols and centers of rebellion emphasizes God's singular sovereignty and His demand for exclusive worship.