Micah 1:1

¶ The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

The word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} that came to Micah {H4318} the Morasthite {H4183} in the days {H3117} of Jotham {H3147}, Ahaz {H271}, and Hezekiah {H3169}, kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, which he saw {H2372} concerning Samaria {H8111} and Jerusalem {H3389}.

This is the word of ADONAI that came to Mikhah the Morashti during the days of Yotam, Achaz and Y'chizkiyah, kings of Y'hudah, which he saw concerning Shomron and Yerushalayim:

This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem:

The word of Jehovah that came to Micah the Morashtite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Commentary

Micah 1:1 serves as the introductory verse to the book of Micah, immediately establishing the prophet's identity, the divine origin of his message, and the historical context in which he ministered. It sets the stage for the powerful pronouncements of judgment and hope that follow.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet is identified as Micah the Morasthite, indicating his origin from Moresheth-Gath, a town in the lowlands of Judah. This places him geographically within the Southern Kingdom, yet his prophecy concerns both Samaria (the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah).

Micah’s ministry spanned the reigns of three significant kings of Judah:

  • Jotham (2 Kings 15:32): A generally righteous king.
  • Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1): A wicked king who introduced widespread idolatry.
  • Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1): A righteous reformer who sought to cleanse Judah of idolatry and restore proper worship.
This time period (roughly 750-686 BC) was marked by political turmoil, moral decay, and the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. It was during these kings' reigns that Samaria eventually fell to Assyria in 722 BC (2 Kings 17:6), a significant event that would have deeply impacted Judah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority of Prophecy: The opening phrase, "The word of the LORD that came to Micah," immediately asserts that the message is not Micah's own opinion but a direct revelation from God. This is a common formula in prophetic books, underscoring the divine origin and authoritative nature of the prophetic word.
  • Prophet's Role: Micah is presented as God's chosen vessel, a conduit for divine communication. His identification as "the Morasthite" grounds the prophecy in a specific historical person and place.
  • Scope of Judgment and Warning: The prophecy is "concerning Samaria and Jerusalem," indicating that God's message of judgment and call to repentance was directed at both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, highlighting their shared spiritual failings despite their political division.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the word of the LORD" is a foundational Hebrew idiom, dabar Yahweh, emphasizing that the message originates from God Himself, not from human wisdom or speculation. The verb "saw" (Hebrew: chazah) is significant; it implies a prophetic vision or revelation, a spiritual perception of God's truth, rather than mere physical observation. This word is often used to describe the reception of prophetic burdens, as seen in other prophetic books like Isaiah 1:1.

Practical Application

Micah 1:1 reminds us that God is actively involved in human history, speaking through His chosen messengers. The specificity of the historical context highlights that God's word is not abstract but deeply relevant to the specific circumstances and moral climate of a given time. For us today, it underscores the importance of listening to God's authoritative word and discerning its application to our own lives and societies, knowing that God holds all accountable.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 26:18

    Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed [like] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

  • Isaiah 1:1

    ¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

  • Hosea 1:1

    ¶ The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

  • Amos 1:1

    ¶ The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

  • 2 Chronicles 27:1

    ¶ Jotham [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also [was] Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.

  • 2 Chronicles 27:9

    And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

  • Hosea 5:5

    And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.