Micah 7 3

Micah 7:3 kjv

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

Micah 7:3 nkjv

That they may successfully do evil with both hands? The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together.

Micah 7:3 niv

Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire? they all conspire together.

Micah 7:3 esv

Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together.

Micah 7:3 nlt

Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil!
Officials and judges alike demand bribes.
The people with influence get what they want,
and together they scheme to twist justice.

Micah 7 verses

Micah 7 3 Meaning

The verse describes the deep moral corruption present in the leadership, characterized by their greedy pursuit of gain and their willingness to be bribed for unjust judgments. They exhibit a complete disregard for righteousness and truth.

Micah 7 3 Context

Micah 7:3 focuses on the severe ethical breakdown within Judah's society, particularly among its leaders. This is in the context of the 8th century BC, a time of political instability and impending Assyrian threat. The prophet Micah is denouncing the corruption, injustice, and moral decay that pervade all levels of leadership, from princes to judges. The people of Judah, despite outward religious practices, have deeply compromised their covenant with God. The surrounding nations, particularly Israel and its prophets, are often referenced implicitly or explicitly by Micah as examples of what happens when societies reject divine guidance. The verse paints a grim picture of a society where truth is twisted, and the vulnerable are exploited for personal gain by those in positions of power.

Micah 7 3 Word analysis

• "That": Indicates purpose or result, setting forth the reason for the current state.

• "they": Refers to the leaders and influential figures of Judah previously mentioned or implied.

• "may do evil": Signifies their active participation and intent in perpetrating wickedness.

• "with both hands": An idiom emphasizing complete and eager commitment to doing evil. It suggests a wholehearted, determined engagement in their sinful pursuits. This phrase implies not just passive sin, but an active, enthusiastic embrace of wrongdoing.

• "earnestly": Intensifies the meaning of "do evil with both hands," highlighting their diligence and fervor in their wicked deeds. They are not simply failing to do good, but are actively pursuing and excelling at doing evil. This reflects a deeply ingrained, habitual corruption.

• "the prince": Refers to the rulers and high officials in positions of authority.

• "asketh": In this context, it means demands or solicits, specifically for bribes or illicit favors.

• "and the judge": Denotes those responsible for administering justice and legal decisions.

• "asketh for a reward": Explicitly states the practice of taking bribes to influence judgments. This is a direct corruption of justice.

• "and the great man": Encompasses wealthy and influential individuals beyond the official rulers, those with social and economic power.

• "he uttereth": Speaks forth, expresses, or reveals his innermost desires and intentions.

• "his mischievous desire": Refers to his wicked, corrupt, or ill intentions and schemes, his evil plan or lust.

• "yea": An interjection emphasizing the seriousness or truth of the preceding statement, often adding a further, more significant point.

• "they daub it": The Hebrew word here, lu (lu), can be translated in various ways, but in this context, it conveys the sense of thoroughly and expertly coating or plastering something over. The image is one of expertly obscuring the truth or disguising something false as true.

  • It implies skillfully disguising their wicked plans and unjust decisions with the appearance of legitimacy.
  • This "daubing" is an act of intentional deception and manipulation of justice.
  • It suggests using deceptive reasoning, legalistic loopholes, or outright lies to justify their actions.

• "with crooked sentences": The Hebrew word iqesoth (iqqeshuth) means perverseness, distortion, or twistedness. It refers to deceptive pronouncements, legal pronouncements that are twisted, cunning, or fraudulent, making right appear wrong and wrong appear right. These are not accidental errors but deliberate misapplications of the law.

• Group analysis of "do evil with both hands earnestly; the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire": This entire phrase highlights a systemic breakdown of morality. "Both hands earnestly" signifies their thorough commitment to sin. The parallel actions of the "prince" and the "judge" demanding rewards expose the bribery at the heart of governance and justice. The inclusion of "the great man" shows that this corruption isn't limited to official officeholders but extends to the powerful elite. His "mischievous desire" being uttered means their evil intentions are not hidden but actively pursued and spoken.

• Group analysis of "yea, they daub it with crooked sentences": This part exposes the sophisticated nature of their deception. "Daub it" suggests a skillful application of false reasoning or legalistic jargon to disguise their "mischievous desire" and unjust outcomes. The "crooked sentences" are the means by which they attempt to legitimize their corruption, making their unjust rulings appear to be based on law when in reality they are perversions of it.

Micah 7 3 Bonus section

The concept of "daubing with crooked sentences" evokes imagery of plastering over decay or painting over rust. It implies an attempt to conceal fundamental rot with a superficial coating of legitimacy. This act of deception was particularly insidious because it undermined the trust people should have in their legal and governmental systems. In ancient Israel, justice was meant to flow from God's law, which emphasized fairness and protection for the vulnerable. When leaders perverted this by accepting bribes and twisting the law, they were not only breaking human laws but also their covenantal obligations to God. This deep corruption set the stage for judgment, as seen in the later exiles. The phrase "with both hands earnestly" also carries a sense of practiced proficiency in sin, suggesting that wickedness had become their full-time occupation.

Micah 7 3 Commentary

This verse vividly portrays the deep-seated corruption prevalent in Micah's time. It's not merely individual sin, but a societal sickness that infects leadership. The rulers and the influential elite are not only motivated by greedy "mischievous desires" but actively exploit their power to gain financially, especially through bribery (asketh for a reward). What makes their sin particularly heinous is their deliberate skill in disguising their injustice. They "daub it with crooked sentences," meaning they use deceptive arguments and perverted legal language to mask their wickedness, attempting to make wrongdoing appear as righteousness. This highlights the deliberate nature of their opposition to God's law, turning the very instruments of justice into tools of oppression and personal enrichment. The prophecy underscores the grave responsibility of leaders to uphold truth and justice, and the severe consequences of failing to do so.