Micah 3:5

Authorized King James Version

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Thus 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.

Original Language Analysis

כֹּ֚ה H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 1 of 20
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַ֣ר Thus saith H559
אָמַ֣ר Thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים concerning the prophets H5030
הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים concerning the prophets
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 5 of 20
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
הַמַּתְעִ֣ים err H8582
הַמַּתְעִ֣ים err
Strong's: H8582
Word #: 6 of 20
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּ֑י that make my people H5971
עַמִּ֑י that make my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 8 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַנֹּשְׁכִ֤ים that bite H5391
הַנֹּשְׁכִ֤ים that bite
Strong's: H5391
Word #: 9 of 20
to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan
בְּשִׁנֵּיהֶם֙ with their teeth H8127
בְּשִׁנֵּיהֶם֙ with their teeth
Strong's: H8127
Word #: 10 of 20
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
וְקָרְא֣וּ and cry H7121
וְקָרְא֣וּ and cry
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 11 of 20
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁל֔וֹם Peace H7965
שָׁל֔וֹם Peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 12 of 20
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וַאֲשֶׁר֙ H834
וַאֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 14 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתֵּ֣ן and he that putteth H5414
יִתֵּ֣ן and he that putteth
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 15 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 16 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּיהֶ֔ם not into their mouths H6310
פִּיהֶ֔ם not into their mouths
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 17 of 20
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וְקִדְּשׁ֥וּ they even prepare H6942
וְקִדְּשׁ֥וּ they even prepare
Strong's: H6942
Word #: 18 of 20
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
עָלָ֖יו H5921
עָלָ֖יו
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 19 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִלְחָמָֽה׃ war H4421
מִלְחָמָֽה׃ war
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 20 of 20
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

Cross References

Jeremiah 6:14They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.Jeremiah 23:32Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.Romans 16:18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Matthew 15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.Malachi 2:8But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.Micah 3:11The 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.Isaiah 3:12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.Jeremiah 23:27Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.Micah 2:11If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

Analysis & Commentary

Thus 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. God now turns from corrupt rulers (vv. 1-4) to false prophets. הַנְּבִיאִים הַמַּתְעִים אֶת־עַמִּי (ha-nevi'im hama'tim et-ammi, "the prophets that make my people err") indicts those who lead people astray. תָעָה (ta'ah) means to wander, go astray, or be deceived. These aren't true prophets who occasionally stumble but false prophets whose ministry actively misleads.

The phrase הַנֹּשְׁכִים בְּשִׁנֵּיהֶם וְקָרְאוּ שָׁלוֹם (ha-noshkhim be-sheneihem ve-qare'u shalom, "who bite with their teeth and cry Peace") exposes mercenary motivation. They "bite"—possibly meaning eat/chew (being well-fed) or bite like animals seeking prey. When paid, they proclaim שָׁלוֹם (shalom, "peace, prosperity, well-being")—false assurance that all is well. But וַאֲשֶׁר לֹא־יִתֵּן עַל־פִּיהֶם וְקִדְּשׁוּ עָלָיו מִלְחָמָה (va'asher lo-yiten al-pihem ve-qidshu alav milchamah, "and he that putteth not into their mouths, they prepare war against him")—refuse to pay them, and they declare war (pronounce judgment).

This exposes prophetic prostitution: their message depends on payment, not God's word. True prophets speak God's message regardless of consequences (Jeremiah 1:17-19; Ezekiel 2:6-7). False prophets tailor messages to sponsors—prosperity to the wealthy, judgment on the poor. Jesus warned of false prophets in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15); Paul condemned those who preach for dishonest gain (Titus 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:5).

Historical Context

Ancient Israel had professional prophets attached to royal courts and religious shrines who prophesied for fees. Legitimate prophets like Samuel and Elijah received support (1 Samuel 9:7-8; 1 Kings 17:9-16), but this degenerated into mercenary prophecy. By Micah's era, prophets functioned as hired guns—pronouncing blessing on paying clients and curses on non-payers. Jeremiah later faced these prophets who proclaimed "Peace, peace" when no peace existed (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11). Ezekiel condemned prophets who "divine for money" (Ezekiel 13:19, 22:25-28). Micah 3:11 summarizes: "The prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD." They combined mercenary practice with religious pretense—a deadly combination.

Questions for Reflection