Micah 3:5

Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} concerning the prophets {H5030} that make my people {H5971} err {H8582}, that bite {H5391} with their teeth {H8127}, and cry {H7121}, Peace {H7965}; and he that putteth {H5414} not into their mouths {H6310}, they even prepare {H6942} war {H4421} against him.

Here is what ADONAI says in regard to the prophets who cause my people to go astray, who cry, "Peace" as soon as they are given food to eat but prepare war against anyone who fails to put something in their mouths:

This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

Thus saith Jehovah concerning the prophets that make my people to err; that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and whoso putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him:

Micah 3:5 delivers a powerful indictment from the LORD against the false prophets of Israel, exposing their true motives and the destructive nature of their ministry. This verse reveals a stark contrast between genuine divine communication and self-serving spiritual deception, emphasizing God's intolerance for those who exploit His people under the guise of prophecy.

Context

The prophet Micah ministered in Judah during a period of significant moral decay and social injustice, particularly among the nation's leaders. Chapters 1 and 2 detail God's impending judgment on both Samaria and Judah due to their idolatry and oppression. Chapter 3 specifically targets the corrupt leaders, priests, and prophets. Micah 3:1 begins by condemning the "heads of Jacob" and "princes of the house of Israel" for their injustice. Verse 5 then zeroes in on the prophets who mislead the people, acting not as divine messengers but as mercenaries. This passage is part of Micah's broader message calling for true justice and righteousness, as famously summarized in Micah 6:8.

Key Themes

  • Divine Condemnation of Falsehood: The verse opens with "Thus saith the LORD," signifying a direct, authoritative judgment from God against those who claim to speak for Him but lead His people astray. This highlights God's anger towards spiritual deception.
  • Prophets Motivated by Greed: The phrase "bite with their teeth" vividly portrays the exploitative nature of these prophets. They are likened to predatory animals, preying on the people for personal gain. Their message of "Peace" is conditional and self-serving.
  • Conditional "Peace" and Hostility: These prophets offer a superficial sense of well-being only to those who financially support them ("putteth into their mouths"). If their demands are not met, their message turns hostile ("they even prepare war against him"), revealing that their pronouncements are not from God but from their own selfish agenda. This mercenary approach stands in stark contrast to true prophetic ministry, which delivers God's word regardless of personal cost or gain.
  • Misleading the People: The core accusation is that they "make my people err." Instead of guiding the people toward truth and repentance, these prophets led them further into sin and away from God's true path, offering comforting lies rather than challenging truths.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "bite" (נָשַׁךְ, nashakh) often refers to the action of a serpent's bite, or more commonly in a legal context, to usury or charging excessive interest. In this context, it powerfully conveys the idea of exploitation and preying upon the vulnerable. It suggests that these prophets were draining the life and resources from the people, not nurturing them.
  • The word "Peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) in Hebrew signifies much more than the absence of conflict; it encompasses wholeness, well-being, prosperity, and harmony. The false prophets offered a superficial and conditional "shalom," which was not genuine peace from God but a manipulative promise based on payment. This contrasts sharply with the true peace offered by God, often through His covenant.

Related Scriptures

This verse finds echoes throughout the Old and New Testaments concerning false teachers and prophets:

  • Similar condemnations of prophets who cry "Peace, peace; when there is no peace" can be found in Jeremiah 6:14 and Jeremiah 8:11.
  • Ezekiel also speaks against false prophets who "profane me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread" in Ezekiel 13:19, highlighting the same mercenary motivation.
  • In the New Testament, Jesus warns against false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves, urging believers to know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20).
  • The apostle Peter also warns against false teachers who "through covetousness shall with feigned words make merchandise of you" in 2 Peter 2:3, reflecting the enduring danger of financially motivated spiritual deception.

Practical Application

Micah 3:5 remains profoundly relevant today. It calls believers to:

  1. Discernment: Be vigilant in evaluating spiritual messages and leaders. True spiritual authority speaks God's truth, even when it's challenging, and does not operate based on personal gain or conditional blessings.
  2. Beware of Exploitation: Recognize that spiritual leaders driven by financial incentives or who promise blessings only to those who give are acting contrary to God's heart. True ministry is given freely, as exemplified by 2 Corinthians 9:7 regarding cheerful giving.
  3. Seek Truth, Not Comfort: Sometimes, God's truth is uncomfortable or calls for repentance. A true prophet or teacher will deliver God's full message, not just what people want to hear to maintain peace or prosperity.
  4. Value Integrity: This verse underscores the importance of integrity in all spiritual leadership. Leaders are accountable to God for how they guide His people.
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.

  • Jeremiah 14:14

    Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

  • Jeremiah 14:15

    Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

  • Jeremiah 6:14

    They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.

  • 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 22:29

    The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

  • Isaiah 9:15

    The ancient and honourable, he [is] the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he [is] the tail.

  • Isaiah 9:16

    For the leaders of this people cause [them] to err; and [they that are] led of them [are] destroyed.

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