Micah 3:5

Condemnation of the mercenary prophets, Micah 3:5-8.

5. Micah considers the mercenary prophets largely responsible for the moral and spiritual decline of the nation.

Make my people err They lead the people astray by preaching the divine favor and peace, when their message should have been one of repentance and judgment. 5b sets forth the motives determining the character of their message.

That bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace If they receive something to eat, or, in a more general sense, if by doing so they can serve their own interests, they announce, without regard for the truth, peace, that is, something that will please the hearers. The rough expression “bite with their teeth,” instead of the simple “eat,” is in perfect harmony with the strong language of Micah 3:2-3.

He that putteth not into their mouths He who fails to purchase their favor.

Prepare war Woe to such a one; for him they have only unpleasant things; unto him they declare the wrath of Jehovah and all sorts of calamity (see on Joel 3:9). “The satisfying or non-satisfying of their stomach determined the character of their prophecy.”