Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the LORD from his holy temple.
Read it in contextJudgment to Come
Start reading at Micah 1:1 (Micah 1:1 to Micah 1:7).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening messages expose the conduct bringing judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem, including the failures of rulers and prophets.
1:1The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
1:2Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the LORD from his holy temple.
1:3For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
1:4And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.
1:5For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?
1:6Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.
1:7And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Micah of Moresheth is the named prophet and traditional author. Biblical references: Micah 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Micah 1:1–3:12): Micah addresses Samaria and Jerusalem, including landowners, rulers, priests, and prophets whose conduct harms the people. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Samaria and Jerusalem, including their rulers, prophets, and people, with an appeal heard by the wider nations. Biblical references: Micah 1:1; Micah 1:2; Micah 3:1. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Judgment to Come. Read Micah 1:1 through Micah 1:7 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening messages expose the conduct bringing judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem, including the failures of rulers and prophets. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? Micah's opening names the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The book announces both judgment and later hope. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The vision concerns Samaria and Jerusalem and includes references to towns of Judah, Zion, and Bethlehem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Judgment to Come (Micah 1:1 to Micah 1:7).
Start reading at Micah 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Matthew cites the Bethlehem ruler passage in the account of Jesus' birth. Keep the surrounding themes of judgment, shepherding, and peace in view when making that connection. See Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5, Matthew 2:6. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Practice justice, mercy, and humble walking with God. Read that appeal within the covenant case rather than reducing it to a slogan detached from the book's accusations. interpretation
Cited: Micah 1:1, Micah 1:7, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5, Matthew 2:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
MicahNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD that came to Micah. Micah 1:1
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Micah 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Micah's opening locates his vision concerning Samaria and Jerusalem in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The book alternates indictment and hope rather than presenting one undifferentiated promise. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening messages expose the conduct bringing judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem, including the failures of rulers and prophets.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening messages expose the conduct bringing judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem, including the failures of rulers and prophets.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Micah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Micah's opening locates his vision concerning Samaria and Jerusalem in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The book alternates indictment and hope rather than presenting one undifferentiated promise.
Connection to the wholeThe opening messages expose the conduct bringing judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem, including the failures of rulers and prophets.
Connection to the wholePromises concerning Zion and the ruler from Bethlehem appear alongside conflict and purification, carrying hope beyond the announced judgment.