Micah 3:6

Authorized King James Version

Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵ֞ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
לַ֤יְלָה
Therefore night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#3
לָכֶם֙
H0
#4
מֵֽחָז֔וֹן
shall be unto you that ye shall not have a vision
a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle
#5
וְחָשְׁכָ֥ה
and it shall be dark
to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken
#6
לָכֶ֖ם
H0
#7
מִקְּסֹ֑ם
unto you that ye shall not divine
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
#8
וּבָ֤אָה
shall go down
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙
and the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים
over the prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#12
וְקָדַ֥ר
shall be dark
to be ashy, i.e., dark-colored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)
#13
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
הַיּֽוֹם׃
and the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection