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.
Original Language Analysis
רָאשֶׁ֣יהָ׀
The heads
H7218
רָאשֶׁ֣יהָ׀
The heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
1 of 20
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
יִשְׁפֹּ֗טוּ
thereof judge
H8199
יִשְׁפֹּ֗טוּ
thereof judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
3 of 20
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
וְכֹהֲנֶ֙יהָ֙
and the priests
H3548
וְכֹהֲנֶ֙יהָ֙
and the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
4 of 20
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
יוֹר֔וּ
thereof teach
H3384
יוֹר֔וּ
thereof teach
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
וּנְבִיאֶ֖יהָ
and the prophets
H5030
וּנְבִיאֶ֖יהָ
and the prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
7 of 20
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
בְּכֶ֣סֶף
for money
H3701
בְּכֶ֣סֶף
for money
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
8 of 20
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
יִקְסֹ֑מוּ
thereof divine
H7080
יִקְסֹ֑מוּ
thereof divine
Strong's:
H7080
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָה֙
Is not the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
Is not the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הֲל֤וֹא
H3808
הֲל֤וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְהוָה֙
Is not the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
Is not the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּקִרְבֵּ֔נוּ
among
H7130
בְּקִרְבֵּ֔נוּ
among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 6:13For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.Isaiah 1:23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.Micah 3:5Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.Jeremiah 7:4Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.1 Peter 5:2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;Micah 7:3That 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.Titus 1:11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.Isaiah 48:2For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.Jeremiah 8:10Therefore 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.Numbers 16:15And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
Historical Context
Eighth-century Judah's leadership was systemically corrupt while maintaining religious façade. Judges perverted justice for bribes (directly violating Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19). Priests, who should have taught God's law freely (Deuteronomy 33:10, Malachi 2:7), charged fees. Prophets gave oracles for money rather than speaking God's authentic word. Yet they invoked temple presence and covenant relationship to guarantee security—classic presumption. Jeremiah later denounced similar false confidence: 'The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these' (Jeremiah 7:4) while ignoring justice. God's presence among a people doesn't prevent judgment when they violate covenant; it intensifies accountability (Amos 3:2).
Questions for Reflection
- Do I use religious activity or service as means for personal gain rather than faithful stewardship?
- How do I avoid presuming God's blessing while tolerating injustice and corruption in my life or community?
Analysis & Commentary
Micah indicts corrupt leadership: '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.' Three leadership categories corrupted by greed: judges taking bribes (shoftime be-shohad yishpotu), priests teaching for payment (kohaneha be-mehir yoru), prophets divining for silver (nebi'eha be-keseph yiqsomu). Yet they presume divine protection: 'Is not YHWH in our midst? No evil will come upon us!' This exposes religious hypocrisy: mercenary ministry combined with presumptuous security. True faith produces justice and integrity; formal orthodoxy masking corruption provokes judgment (v. 12: 'Therefore shall Zion... be plowed as a field'). Jesus condemned similar religious exploitation (Matthew 23:23-28).