Micah 5:11

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Micah 5:11 presents a stark declaration of God's purifying judgment upon His people, specifically targeting their idolatrous practices and the infrastructure that supported them. This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Micah 5 concerning the future ruler from Bethlehem and the remnant of Israel, followed by a series of divine purifications necessary for the nation's spiritual health.

Context

This verse falls within a section of Micah's prophecy (Micah 5:10-15) where God outlines the comprehensive purification He will bring upon Israel. Following the promise of a deliverer from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and the restoration of a remnant, God declares He will remove everything that hinders their true worship and security. This includes military might (Micah 5:10), and here, the instruments of idolatry and the very cities that had become centers of unrighteousness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment Against Idolatry: The primary focus is God's intolerance for false worship. He promises to eradicate the symbols and places of paganism that had infiltrated Israel. This highlights God's demand for exclusive devotion, as seen in the first commandment.
  • Thorough Purification: The actions "pluck up" and "destroy" signify a complete and unsparing cleansing. God's judgment is not superficial; it goes to the root of the problem, removing the very structures and influences that led His people astray.
  • Sovereignty of God: The repeated phrase "I will" underscores God's absolute authority and determination to bring about His purposes, both in judgment and in the ultimate restoration of a pure people.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Compromise: The destruction of cities indicates that widespread idolatry and sin had corrupted the very fabric of their society, leading to severe divine consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The term "groves" translates the Hebrew word asherim (plural of asherah). These were cultic objects, often wooden poles or sacred trees, dedicated to the Canaanite goddess Asherah, a fertility deity. Their presence in Israel signified deep spiritual apostasy and syncretism, where the people attempted to mix the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. The command to "pluck up" these asherim is a direct echo of earlier commands in the Law to destroy all remnants of Canaanite idolatry (Deuteronomy 12:3).

Practical Application

Micah 5:11 serves as a timeless reminder that God desires pure worship and will actively remove anything that competes for His rightful place in our lives. While we may not have physical "groves" or Asherah poles today, this verse challenges us to consider what "idols" might exist in our own hearts or societies—anything that takes precedence over God, whether it be wealth, power, pleasure, or self-worship. God's judgment here is ultimately for the purpose of purification, aiming to bring His people to a place of genuine devotion and holiness. It encourages us to proactively examine our lives and remove anything that hinders our full commitment to Him, trusting in His desire to refine and purify His people.

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

  • Isaiah 2:12

    For the day of the LORD of hosts [shall be] upon every [one that is] proud and lofty, and upon every [one that is] lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

  • Isaiah 2:17

    And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

  • Hosea 10:14

    Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon [her] children.

  • Ezekiel 38:11

    And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

  • Amos 5:9

    That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.

  • Zechariah 4:6

    Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Isaiah 6:11

    Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
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