(9) Her wound is incurable.—The state of Samaria is incurable: she is doomed: the destroyer is approaching—nay, he comes near, even to Jerusalem. The outlying towns are described as shuddering at the invader’s advance, but Jerusalem itself is spared. read more
MICAH THE MORASTHITEMicah 1:1-16SOME time in the reign of Hezekiah, when the kingdom of Judah was still inviolate, but shivering to the shock of the fall of Samaria, and probably while Sargon the destroyer was pushing his way past Judah to meet Egypt at Raphia, a Judean prophet of the name of Micah, standing in sight of the Assyrian march, attacked the sins of his people and prophesied their speedy overthrow beneath the same flood of war. If we be correct in our surmise, the exact year was... read more
Analysis and Annotation THE FIRST PROPHETIC MESSAGE CHAPTER 1 1. The introduction (Micah 1:1 ) 2. Judgment announced (Micah 1:2-5 ) 3. The destruction of Samaria (Micah 1:6-7 ) 4. The lamentation of the prophet over the coming judgment (Micah 1:8-16 ) Micah 1:1 . This introduction tells us two things. In the first place, we learn that this book contains the word of the Lord that came to Micah, the Morasthite; in the second place, we are told when Micah exercised his office. As stated... read more
MICAH INTRODUCTION The little known of Micah is briefly stated. Calling himself a Morasthite indicates Moresheth, or Mareshah, as his birthplace in southwestern Judah, near Gath. The time of his prophesying is shown in the same verse (by the reference to the kings of Judah) as between 758-700 B.C. He seems to be the writer of his own book, if we may judge from the personal allusions in chapter 3:1, 8, and to have died in peace, judging by Jeremiah 26:18-19 . He is frequently referred to as a... read more
Sin and Judgment Micah 1:0 , Micah 2:0 Micah was a villager. There are advantages in village life which are not to be found under metropolitan circumstances. It was no dishonour to be a villager in Bible times. We read of One of whom it is said, "He shall be called a Nazarene." Little or nothing is known about Micah, but his prophecy stands out boldly, written in letters of fire, and surrounded by a very lurid and suggestive atmosphere. There is a great deal of gospel in Micah. How is it that... read more
There is a great sameness between the writings of Isaiah and Micah; their vision opens much alike, only Micah's vision is concerning Samaria and Jerusalem; and Isaiah's of Judah and Jerusalem. Samaria was the chief city of the ten tribes of Israel; so that between the two Prophets, both Judah and Israel are alike reproved. See Isaiah 1:1-2 . But what I wish chiefly from both is, to impress the Reader's mind with the one leading object of this and of all prophecy; namely, that the Lord is... read more
Naked. Ill clothed, (Haydock) to shew the approaching calamity of the Israelites, Isaias xx. (Menochius) --- Septuagint and Chaldean explain all of the people, (Calmet) or of Samaria. "Therefore shall she lament and howl, go barefoot and naked, bewail like," &c. (Haydock) --- Dragons, when they are crushed by the elephant. (Solin xxxviii.) (Menochius) --- Tannim means also (Haydock) whales, &c., which make a horrible noise. --- Ostriches, or swans, Isaias xiii. 21. Both have a... read more
CHAPTER I. Gate. That is, the destruction of Samaria shall be followed by the invasion of my people of Juda, and the Assyrian shall come and lay all waste even to the confines of Jerusalem. (Challoner) --- Juda received the worship of Baal from Israel. It shared in the punishment of that kingdom. The prophet alludes to the ravages of Sennacherib, ver 13. Yet Juda was much afflicted by Razin and Phacee, before that invasion: which caused Achaz to call in the aid of Theglathphalassar, 2... read more
8-16 The prophet laments that Israel's case is desperate; but declare it not in Gath. Gratify not those that make merry with the sins or with the sorrows of God's Israel. Roll thyself in the dust, as mourners used to do; let every house in Jerusalem become a house of Aphrah, "a house of dust." When God makes the house dust it becomes us to humble ourselves to the dust under his mighty hand. Many places should share this mourning. The names have meanings which pointed out the miseries coming... read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Micah 1:8
(8) Dragons . . . owls.—Literally, jackals and ostriches. They are selected by reason of the dismal howls and screeches they make during the night. read more