They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
who build up Tziyon with blood and Yerushalayim with wickedness.
who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity.
They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
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.
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Habakkuk 2:9
Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! -
Habakkuk 2:12
Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! -
Jeremiah 22:13
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; [that] useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; -
Jeremiah 22:17
But thine eyes and thine heart [are] not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do [it]. -
Ezekiel 22:25
[There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. -
Ezekiel 22:28
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered [morter], seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. -
Matthew 27:25
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.
Micah 3:10 delivers a scathing indictment against the corrupt leaders of ancient Judah and Jerusalem, revealing the moral decay at the heart of their society. This verse is part of a larger prophecy by Micah, who condemned the social injustices prevalent during his time.
Context
Prophet Micah ministered in Judah during the 8th century BC, a period marked by significant spiritual decline and social disparity. Chapters 1-3 of Micah primarily focus on God's judgment against both Samaria (Israel's capital) and Jerusalem (Judah's capital) due to their sins. Specifically, Micah 3:9 addresses the heads of Jacob and princes of the house of Israel who "abhor judgment, and pervert all equity." The verse immediately following, Micah 3:11, clarifies that these leaders, priests, and prophets were motivated by greed, seeking bribes and divination for money, yet falsely claiming divine approval.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "blood" is dam (דם), often used to denote violence, bloodshed, or the shedding of innocent blood. The term "iniquity" is `awon (עָוֹן), which carries the sense of perversity, guilt, and the punishment due to wrongdoing. Together, these terms emphasize the grave nature of their sins, highlighting that the very fabric of their society was stained by their unjust practices.
Practical Application
Micah 3:10 remains profoundly relevant today, serving as a timeless warning against the dangers of unrighteous leadership and the pursuit of prosperity through unethical means. It calls us to examine the foundations upon which our societies, institutions, and even personal lives are built. True and lasting prosperity cannot be sustained on injustice or exploitation. The verse challenges us to uphold integrity, seek social justice, and ensure that those in positions of power are held accountable, remembering that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.