弥迦书 7:3 RCUVSS

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Micah 7:3-4

Micah 7:3-4. That they may do evil with both hands, &c. With all diligence; earnestly Hebrew, להישׂיב , to good it; that is, to do it thoroughly and effectually. “Their hands are bent on iniquity, to execute it fully.” So Dr. Wheeler. The prince asketh Namely, a gift; to do any one a favour, or good. And the judge asketh for a reward And the judge will not pass a decision till he has had a bribe to engage him to do it. And the great man uttereth his mischievous desire The... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Micah 7:1-20

Sin, repentance and forgiveness (7:1-20)Speaking as one of the genuine believers in the nation, Micah confesses that God’s accusations are true. The prophet can find nothing to satisfy him in the life of the people as a whole. Judah as a nation is fruitless and of no use to God (7:1).All around him Micah sees a society that is in a state of moral decay. Gang warfare is widespread, and law-breakers buy protection from judges. Rich businessmen and other influential persons bribe government... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Micah 7:3

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . asketh = asketh [for a reward]. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 16:19 ). App-92 . Compare Micah 3:11 .Hosea 4:18 . the judge asketh = the judge [judgeth], &c. Figure of speech complex Ellipsis. Compare Micah 3:11 .Isaiah 1:23 . reward = bribe. his mischievous desire = the mischief of his soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Compare Micah 3:9-11 . they: i.e. the prince and the judge. wrap it up = weave it together. Occurs only here. it. Hebrew suffix... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Micah 7:3

"Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together."Corruption had permeated the highest levels of their society. The very men upon whom rested the responsibility for justice and order in their society were themselves guilty of the most abominable crimes and injustices. Things were so decadent that the community's "great men" openly spoke of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Micah 7:3

Micah 7:3. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly— Their hands are prepared for evil, not for good: the prince asketh, and the judge demandeth for him. He who is great openly avows the wickedness of his soul, and they detest him. Houbigant. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Micah 7:3

3. That they may do evil with both hands earnestly—literally, "Their hands are for evil that they may do it well" (that is, cleverly and successfully). the great man, he—emphatic repetition. As for the great man, he no sooner has expressed his bad desire (literally, the "mischief" or "lust of his soul"), than the venal judges are ready to wrest the decision of the case according to his wish. so they wrap it up—The Hebrew is used of intertwining cords together. The "threefold cord is not quickly... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Micah 7:1-7

D. Micah’s lament over his decadent society 7:1-7This section is an individual lament similar to many of the psalms (cf. Micah 1:8-16). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Micah 7:3

They were so skillful at doing evil that it seemed they could do it equally well with either hand; they were ambidextrous when it came to sinning. Another view is that "’both hands’ refer to ’the great man’ and the officials next to him. . . . The king and his depraved minions flagrantly pervert the covenant . . ." [Note: Waltke, in Obadiah, . . ., p. 200.] The leaders always had their hands out to receive a bribe (cf. Micah 3:11). The powerful could expect to get the evil things they wanted... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 7:1-20

Confession and Contrition Bring Back Hope1-6. Jerusalem laments her estate. The righteous among her children are taken from her by violence (Micah 7:1-2). The rulers misuse their position for their selfish ends (Micah 7:3-4). Worst of all, the trust of a man in his neighbour’s honour, which makes the cement of all society, is gone. Even the ties of nature are disowned (Micah 7:5-6).1. Desired the firstripe fruit] RV ’desireth the firstripe fig,’ which, now the harvest is past, is gone. The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Micah 7:3

(3) That they may do evil with both hands earnestly.—Literally, well. Dr. Benisch, in his Old Testament newly translated under the supervision of the Rev. the Chief Rabbi of the United Congregations of the British Empire (1852), avoids the oxymoron of doing “evil” “well” by translating the passage, “concerning the evil which their hands should amend,” which satisfactorily harmonises with the rest of the passage.So they wrap it up.—Literally, twist it, and pervert the course of justice. read more