Micah 1:7

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פְּסִילֶ֣יהָ

H6456

And all the graven images

an idol

יֻכַּ֗תּוּ

H3807

thereof shall be beaten to pieces

to bruise or violently strike

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֶתְנַ֥ן

H868

and all the hires

a gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry)

יִשָּׂרְפ֣וּ

H8313

thereof shall be burned

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בָאֵ֔שׁ

H784

with the fire

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲצַבֶּ֖יהָ

H6091

and all the idols

an (idolatrous) image

#10

אָשִׂ֣ים

H7760

thereof will I lay

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#11

שְׁמָמָ֑ה

H8077

desolate

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

#12

כִּ֠י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#13

אֶתְנַ֥ן

H868

and all the hires

a gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry)

#14

זוֹנָ֖ה

H2181

of an harlot

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

#15

קִבָּ֔צָה

H6908

for she gathered

to grasp, i.e., collect

#16

וְעַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#17

אֶתְנַ֥ן

H868

and all the hires

a gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry)

#18

זוֹנָ֖ה

H2181

of an harlot

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

#19

יָשֽׁוּבוּ׃

H7725

and they shall return

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Micah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?