Micah 3:9

Authorized King James Version

Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שִׁמְעוּ
H8085
Hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
נָ֣א
H4994
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#3
זֹ֗את
H2063
this (often used adverb)
#4
רָאשֵׁי֙
H7218
this I pray you ye heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#5
בֵּ֣ית
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
H3290
of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#7
וּקְצִינֵ֖י
H7101
and princes
a magistrate (as deciding) or other leader
#8
בֵּ֣ית
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#10
הַֽמֲתַעֲבִ֣ים
H8581
that abhor
to loathe, i.e., (morally) detest
#11
מִשְׁפָּ֔ט
H4941
judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#12
וְאֵ֥ת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
הַיְשָׁרָ֖ה
H3477
all equity
straight (literally or figuratively)
#15
יְעַקֵּֽשׁוּ׃
H6140
and pervert
to knot or distort; figuratively, to pervert (act or declare perverse)

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Micah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection