Micah 5:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:

Complete Jewish Bible:

I will cut off the cities of your land and lay waste your strongholds.

Berean Standard Bible:

I will remove the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds.

American Standard Version:

and I will cut off the cities of thy land, and will throw down all thy strongholds.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And I will cut off^{H3772} the cities^{{H6145}{H5892}} of thy land^{H776}, and throw down^{H2040} all thy strong holds^{H4013}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Micah 5:11

Micah 5:11 is part of a prophetic book in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament, attributed to the prophet Micah, who is thought to have lived in the 8th century BCE. The book of Micah addresses the southern kingdom of Judah, as well as the northern kingdom of Israel, and deals with themes of justice, social corruption, and the need for repentance. It also predicts the coming judgment of God upon the people for their sins, but it balances this with promises of future restoration and the hope of a messianic age.

In the historical context, Micah's prophecies were delivered during a time of relative peace and prosperity, but also of significant social injustice and religious apostasy. The people of Judah and Israel had turned away from God's laws, engaging in idolatry, oppression of the poor, and corrupt leadership.

The specific verse, Micah 5:11, is a continuation of God's judgment against His people. In this verse, God declares that He will destroy the fortified cities and strongholds of the land. These structures were symbols of military strength and national security, and their destruction would signify a complete removal of the people's sense of safety and autonomy. This verse reflects the broader theme of judgment that runs throughout the book, where God is portrayed as being willing to strip away the protective elements of society when it fails to uphold justice and righteousness.

The cutting off of cities and the throwing down of strongholds also serves as a warning to the people that their current state of security is illusory if they continue to ignore God's commandments and fail to live according to His will. It is a call to repentance, urging the people to turn back to God before it is too late. This warning is not only about physical destruction but also spiritual ruin, emphasizing that true security comes from a right relationship with God, not from human achievements or military might.

In summary, Micah 5:11 speaks to the dire consequences of abandoning God's laws. It reflects the themes of divine judgment and the impermanence of human power structures when not aligned with God's will. The verse serves as a stark reminder of the need for spiritual fidelity and ethical conduct, and it foreshadows the ultimate downfall of a society that ignores these principles.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3772
   There are 280 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּרַת
   Transliteration: kârath
   Pronunciation: kaw-rath'
   Description: a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces); be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6145
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָר
   Transliteration: ʻâr
   Pronunciation: awr
   Description: from עוּר; a foe (as watchful for mischief); enemy.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
4. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2040
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָרַס
   Transliteration: hâraç
   Pronunciation: haw-ras'
   Description: a primitive root; to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy; beat down, break (down, through), destroy, overthrow, pluck down, pull down, ruin, throw down, [idiom] utterly.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4013
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִבְצָר
   Transliteration: mibtsâr
   Pronunciation: mib-tsawr'
   Description: also (in plural) feminine (Daniel 11:l5) מִבְצָרָה; from בָּצַר; a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender; (de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold).