Micah 6 12

Micah 6:12 kjv

For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

Micah 6:12 nkjv

For her rich men are full of violence, Her inhabitants have spoken lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

Micah 6:12 niv

Your rich people are violent; your inhabitants are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.

Micah 6:12 esv

Your rich men are full of violence; your inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

Micah 6:12 nlt

The rich among you have become wealthy
through extortion and violence.
Your citizens are so used to lying
that their tongues can no longer tell the truth.

Micah 6 verses

Micah 6 12 meaning

Micah 6:12 delivers a scathing indictment against the society of Judah, revealing pervasive moral decay and injustice. It charges both the powerful elite ("rich men") and the general populace ("inhabitants") with systemic wrongdoing. The "rich men" are accused of "violence," implying not just physical assault but broad social oppression, economic exploitation, and a misuse of power. Meanwhile, the wider community is characterized by fundamental dishonesty, engaging in "lies" and employing a "deceitful tongue" that is intrinsically fraudulent and untrustworthy in their dealings and communication. This verse vividly portrays a society deeply corrupted in both action and speech, from the top down.

Micah 6 12 Context

Micah chapter 6 is framed as a covenant lawsuit (a "riv" in Hebrew) where God directly confronts Israel/Judah regarding their spiritual and social transgressions. The chapter opens with God appealing to creation to bear witness as He presents His case against His people (vv. 1-2), recounting His gracious acts towards them (vv. 3-5). The people, misunderstanding the nature of God, offer escalating ritual sacrifices (vv. 6-7). Micah then responds by powerfully summarizing what God truly requires: "to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (v. 8). Verses 9-16 elaborate on the people's actual sinful practices, demonstrating how they have failed to meet God's ethical demands, which stands in stark contrast to His mercy and justice. Verse 12 specifically zeroes in on the societal corruption prevalent during Micah's time, around the 8th century BC, a period marked by social unrest, economic disparity, and political intrigue amidst the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. The elite and commoners alike engaged in injustice and dishonesty, practices directly addressed by the prophet as a gross violation of God's covenant and law.

Micah 6 12 Word analysis

• For her rich men (כִּֽי־עֲשִׁירֶ֥יהָ / kî-‘ăšîrehā):

  • כִּֽי (kî): "For" or "because." Introduces the reason for God's indictment, linking back to the wider accusation of injustice in the city (v. 9-11).
  • עֲשִׁירֶ֥יהָ (‘ăšîrehā): From ‘ashir, meaning "rich, wealthy." The suffix '-eha' means "her," referring to the city or nation of Judah/Israel. This term denotes individuals with significant economic and social power. Their wealth often stemmed from or was maintained through oppressive practices, making them directly responsible for the prevailing social injustices. The focus on the wealthy indicates a systemic problem where power and privilege are abused.

• are full of violence (מָלְא֣וּ חָמָ֑ס / māl’û ḥāmās):

  • מָלְא֣וּ (māl’û): "Are full," "filled." Implies abundance, pervading influence, or characteristic behavior. Their entire being or activities are dominated by this trait.
  • חָמָ֑ס (ḥāmās): "Violence, injustice, wrong, cruelty, oppression." This Hebrew word is robust; it’s not merely physical aggression but encompasses a wide range of social, economic, and ethical violations that inflict harm on others. It suggests abuse of power, exploitation, and any act that undermines justice and equity. It's often used in connection with broken covenant obligations.

• and her inhabitants (וְיֹשְׁבֶ֥יהָ / wəyōšəvehā):

  • וְ (wə): "And." Connects the actions of the rich with those of the general populace, indicating a pervasive societal problem.
  • יֹשְׁבֶ֥יהָ (yōšəvehā): From yashav, meaning "to sit, dwell," hence "inhabitants, residents." Refers to the common people or the broader citizenry of the land. This shows that corruption is not confined to the ruling elite but has infiltrated all levels of society.

• speak lies (דִּבְּרוּ־שָׁ֑קֶר / dibbərû-šāqer):

  • דִּבְּרוּ (dibbərû): "They speak," "they utter." Implies regular and deliberate communication.
  • שָׁ֑קֶר (šāqer): "Lie, falsehood, deception, vanity." Refers to untrue statements, fraudulent claims, or dishonest testimony. It signifies a profound lack of integrity in their verbal interactions.

• and their tongue is deceitful (וּלְשׁוֹנָ֥ם רְמִיָּ֖ה / ûləšônām rəmîyāh):

  • וּ (û): "And." Adds emphasis and further clarifies the nature of their verbal dishonesty.
  • לְשׁוֹנָ֥ם (ləšônām): "Their tongue." A metonym for their speech or words. The tongue is the instrument of speech, emphasizing the means through which deceit is carried out.
  • רְמִיָּ֖ה (rəmîyāh): "Deceit, fraud, treachery." This is a strong word, suggesting intentional, crafty, and often hidden forms of deception designed to mislead or betray. It indicates not just speaking untruths but doing so with manipulative intent.

• in their mouth (בְּפִיהֶֽם׃ / bəfîhem):

  • בְּ (bə): "In, by, through."
  • פִיהֶֽם (fîhem): "Their mouth." Emphasizes that the deceit is expressed directly from them, inherent in their communication. The double mention of tongue and mouth (first 'speak lies' and then 'tongue is deceitful in their mouth') serves as an intensified indictment of verbal corruption. It underscores that deceit is not merely occasional but a defining characteristic of their discourse, coming from the core of their verbal expression.

Words-group Analysis:

• "her rich men are full of violence": This phrase directly links wealth and power with oppressive actions. It reveals a society where those who should be responsible for upholding justice are, in fact, the primary perpetrators of chamās, using their position to exploit the vulnerable. This highlights economic injustice and abuse of authority.
• "and her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth": This dual accusation against the general populace intensifies the condemnation of dishonesty. It implies that lying is not an accidental misstatement but a deliberate, habitual practice, ingrained in their communication. The use of "tongue" and "mouth" redundantly stresses the profundity and pervasiveness of their verbal treachery, suggesting a complete breakdown of trust and truthfulness within the community.

Micah 6 12 Bonus section

The three clauses in Micah 6:12 function as a powerful rhetorical build-up, demonstrating a holistic and pervasive moral corruption. It moves from specific societal leadership ("rich men") to the general populace ("inhabitants"), and from actions of oppression ("violence") to verbal abuses ("lies," "deceitful tongue"). This highlights that both overt and covert sins, actions and words, are condemned. The pairing of "lies" (as in untrue statements) and "deceitful tongue" (as in tricky, misleading speech) underscores that it's not merely an accidental inaccuracy, but an intentional pattern of communication designed to defraud or betray, echoing the cunning nature often attributed to serpent in Genesis. This pervasive ethical breakdown reveals why merely religious rituals (Micah 6:6-7) were unacceptable to God; genuine worship necessitates genuine righteousness and truth in daily life.

Micah 6 12 Commentary

Micah 6:12 serves as a stark moral x-ray of Judah, revealing a society deeply diseased by sin. It systematically condemns two primary forms of societal breakdown: injustice/oppression ("violence" from the rich) and pervasive dishonesty (lies and deceit from the populace). The charge against "rich men" being "full of violence" points to systematic abuse of power and economic exploitation, practices that contradict the covenant's call for justice and care for the vulnerable. The subsequent accusation against "inhabitants" for their "lies" and "deceitful tongue" extends the moral decay beyond the elite, painting a picture of a general breakdown in integrity and trustworthiness across the society. This isn't just a critique of individual sins but a condemnation of a societal culture that has normalized oppression and falsehood, thereby violating God's ethical requirements, encapsulated in Micah 6:8. The presence of such widespread sin explains the severity of the coming judgment.

• Practical Example: In a community, if landlords regularly overcharge vulnerable tenants, using loopholes to deny basic rights, that is the "violence" of rich men. If local shopkeepers routinely use false advertising or sell shoddy goods under false pretenses, that is the "lies" and "deceitful tongue" of the inhabitants.