Micah 1:10

Declare ye [it] not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust.

Declare {H5046} ye it not at Gath {H1661}, weep {H1058} ye not at all {H1058}: in the house of Aphrah {H1036} roll {H6428}{H6428} thyself in the dust {H6083}.

Don't tell about it in Gat, don't shed any tears. At Beit-L'afrah [house of dust] roll yourself in the dust.

Do not tell it in Gath; do not weep at all. Roll in the dust in Beth-leaphrah.

Tell it not in Gath, weep not at all: at Beth-le-aphrah have I rolled myself in the dust.

Context of Micah 1:10

Micah 1:10 is part of the prophet Micah's opening lament concerning the impending judgment on Samaria (the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah). Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, a period marked by significant moral decay, idolatry, and social injustice in both kingdoms. This verse specifically describes the profound shame and sorrow that will accompany the devastating consequences of their unfaithfulness to God. The prophetic oracle shifts from a general announcement of judgment to a more specific, sorrowful address to various towns in Judah, using wordplay and vivid imagery to convey the depth of the calamity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Shame and Humiliation: The command "Declare ye it not at Gath" echoes David's lament over Saul and Jonathan, where he urges that the news of Israel's defeat not be told to their Philistine enemies, lest they rejoice. Here, Micah uses the same poignant imagery to emphasize the utter disgrace and humiliation Judah will experience, so severe that it should be hidden from those who would gloat over their downfall.
  • Deep Mourning and Despair: "Weep ye not at all" can be interpreted ironically, suggesting that the sorrow will be so overwhelming that ordinary weeping is insufficient or that the weeping should be done privately, not where enemies can see. The instruction "in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust" powerfully depicts an ancient custom of extreme grief, humility, and repentance. Rolling in dust or ashes was a public sign of profound sorrow and desolation, indicating complete collapse and despair. Job's friends and the elders of Zion also engaged in similar acts of mourning.
  • Divine Judgment and Consequences of Sin: Underlying this lament is the severe judgment of God against His people for their persistent sin. The impending destruction is a direct consequence of their spiritual adultery and social injustices, illustrating that God's holiness demands accountability for sin.

Linguistic Insights

Micah employs significant wordplay (a common prophetic device) to heighten the impact of his message:

  • The phrase "Declare ye it not at Gath" directly references the well-known lament in 2 Samuel 1:20, immediately invoking a sense of deep national tragedy and shame.
  • The name "Aphrah" (עָפְרָה, `Aphrah`) is phonetically similar to the Hebrew word for "dust" (עָפָר, `aphar`). This creates a poignant pun: "in the house of Dust, roll yourself in dust." This wordplay emphasizes the inescapable and complete nature of the humiliation and sorrow that will befall the town and, by extension, Judah.

Practical Application

Micah 1:10 serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of sin and rebellion against God. It highlights:

  • The Gravity of Sin: God's standards are high, and His justice is sure. The shame and sorrow depicted here underscore the devastating impact of turning away from His commands.
  • The Call to Humility and Repentance: The act of rolling in the dust symbolizes deep humility and a readiness to acknowledge one's brokenness. While the immediate context is judgment, it implicitly calls for a posture of repentance before such a severe fate is realized.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: This verse, part of a larger prophecy of judgment, reaffirms God's holy character. He cannot tolerate sin indefinitely and will bring about consequences for disobedience, even among His chosen people. This should prompt believers today to live in reverence and obedience, understanding that God's character is consistent and His word is true (Malachi 3:6).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • 2 Samuel 1:20

    Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
  • Jeremiah 6:26

    O daughter of my people, gird [thee] with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, [as for] an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
  • Lamentations 3:29

    He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
  • Amos 5:13

    Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.
  • Amos 6:10

    And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that [is] by the sides of the house, [Is there] yet [any] with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.
  • Job 2:8

    And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
  • Joshua 18:23

    And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,

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