Micah 7:3

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge [asketh] for a reward; and the great [man], he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

That they may do evil {H7451} with both hands {H3709} earnestly {H3190}, the prince {H8269} asketh {H7592}, and the judge {H8199} asketh for a reward {H7966}; and the great {H1419} man, he uttereth {H1696} his mischievous {H1942} desire {H5315}: so they wrap it up {H5686}.

Their hands do evil well. The prince makes his request, the judge grants it for a price, and the great man expresses his evil desires - thus they weave it together.

Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together.

Micah 7:3 vividly portrays the deep-seated corruption prevalent in Judah during the prophet Micah's time. This verse exposes a society where wrongdoing is not merely tolerated but actively pursued by those in power, from the highest officials to the common influential person.

Context of Micah 7:3

This verse is part of Micah's lament over the moral decay and spiritual darkness gripping his nation. The prophet expresses profound sorrow, feeling isolated as he observes the widespread dishonesty and injustice, where "the good man is perished out of the earth" (Micah 7:2). Micah 7:3 specifically details how this corruption operates, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem from the top down. It sets the stage for Micah's plea for God's mercy and his ultimate hope in divine restoration.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Systemic Corruption: The verse reveals a society where corruption has permeated every level of authority. The "prince" (ruler) and the "judge" are actively seeking bribes, indicating a complete breakdown of justice and governance. This highlights the dangers when leaders prioritize personal gain over righteousness, a theme echoed in other prophetic books condemning injustice, such as Isaiah 1:23 and Amos 5:12.
  • Active Pursuit of Evil: The phrase "do evil with both hands earnestly" emphasizes a zealous, deliberate, and widespread commitment to wrongdoing. It's not passive acceptance but an eager engagement in dishonest practices by all parties involved—those who demand bribes and those who offer them.
  • Conspiracy and Deception: "So they wrap it up" suggests a conspiracy or a concerted effort to finalize their corrupt dealings, perhaps also to conceal them. This implies a network of individuals collaborating in their unethical actions, making it difficult to expose or challenge.
  • Abuse of Power: Those in positions of authority—the prince, the judge, and the great man—are exploiting their power for personal enrichment and mischievous desires, rather than upholding justice and serving the people. This stands in stark contrast to the ideal of righteous governance described in Proverbs.

Linguistic Insights

  • "do evil with both hands earnestly": The Hebrew phrase signifies a full, eager, and vigorous application to wickedness. It paints a picture of individuals fully committed to their corrupt ways.
  • "asketh for a reward": The Hebrew word for "reward" here is shochad (שֹׁחַד), which specifically means a bribe. This clarifies that the "prince" and "judge" are not just asking for legitimate payment but illicit compensation for perverting justice.
  • "so they wrap it up": The Hebrew verb 'avat (עָבַת) means to twist, entangle, or weave together. It suggests the intricate way they conspire, finalize, or even conceal their corrupt schemes, making them tightly bound or complete.

Practical Application

Micah 7:3 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of corruption and the abuse of power. It reminds us that:

  • Integrity in Leadership Matters: The health of a society is deeply connected to the integrity of its leaders. We are called to pray for and support righteous leaders, and to hold those in power accountable, remembering that all authority is established by God.
  • Personal Responsibility: While the verse focuses on leaders, the phrase "do evil with both hands earnestly" can also be a mirror for individual conduct. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions, ensuring we are not eagerly participating in or condoning any form of dishonesty.
  • Hope in God's Justice: Despite the bleak picture of corruption, Micah's prophecy ultimately points to God's unwavering justice and mercy. While human systems may fail, God always sees and will ultimately bring justice (Psalm 9:8). It encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and to work for righteousness in a fallen world.
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.

  • Micah 3:11

    The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

  • Proverbs 4:16

    For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.

  • Proverbs 4:17

    For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

  • Amos 5:12

    For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate [from their right].

  • Jeremiah 8:10

    Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

  • Matthew 26:15

    And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

  • Luke 12:1

    ¶ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back