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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Micah 7:1-6

This is such a description of bad times as, some think, could scarcely agree to the times of Hezekiah, when this prophet prophesied; and therefore they rather take it as a prediction of what should be in the reign of Manasseh. But we may rather suppose it to be in the reign of Ahaz (and in that reign he prophesied, Mic. 1:1) or in the beginning of Hezekiah's time, before the reformation he was instrumental in; nay, in the best of his days, and when he had done his best to purge out... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 7:3

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly ,.... Or "well" F20 להיטיב "bene", Drusius. , strenuously, diligently, to the utmost of their power, labouring at it with all their might and main; as wicked men generally are more industrious, and exert themselves more to do evil than good men do to do good; and even weary themselves to commit iniquity: or, "instead of doing good", as Marinus in Aben Ezra, take a great deal of pains to do evil; work with both hands at it, instead of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 7:3

That they may do evil with both hands - That is, earnestly, greedily, to the uttermost of their power. The Vulgate translates: Malum manuum suarum dicunt bonum ; "The evil of their hands they call good." The prince asketh - A bribe, to forward claims in his court. The judge asketh for a reward - That he may decide the cause in favor of him who gives most money, whether the cause be good or evil. This was notoriously the case in our own country before the giving of Magna Charta; and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 7:3

Verse 3 This verse is properly addressed to the judges and governors of the people, and also to the rich, who oppressed the miserable common people, because they could not redeem themselves by rewards. The Prophet therefore complains, that corruptions so much prevailed in judgments, that the judges readily absolved the most wicked, provided they brought bribes. The sum of what is said then is, that any thing might be done with impunity, for the judges were venal. This is the Prophet’s meaning. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 7:1-6

§ 5. Israel's penitential acknowledgment of the general corruption. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 7:1-6

The wail of a true patriot on the moral corruptions of his country. "Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape gleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the first ripe fruit," etc. In these verses the prophet bewails the moral condition of his country. The picture he draws of its wickedness is a very hideous one. It answers not only to the character of the people in the reign of Ahaz, but to their character under the reign of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 7:1-13

The good in degenerate times. We are not to understand these verses as referring specially to the prophet himself. In Micah 1:8 , Micah 1:9 we have his own lamentation in view of the prevailing ungodliness; here "the speaker is not the prophet, but the true Israel, i.e. Israel within Israel, personified" (Cheyne). God has never left himself without witnesses. Even in the most corrupt and degenerate times he has had a people to show forth his praise. It was so in the age to which this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 7:3

That they may do evil, etc. rather, both hands are upon (equivalent to "busy with") evil to do it thoroughly . This clause and the rest of the verse are very obscure Cheyne supposes the text to be corrupt. Henderson renders, "For evil their hands are well prepared;" so virtually Hitzig, Pusey, and the Septuagint. Caspari agrees rather with the Vulgate ( Malum manuum suarum dicunt bonum )," Hands are (busy) upon evil to make (it seem) good," which looks to that extremity of iniquity... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 7:3

Earnest sinners. A contrast is suggested between various grades of evil doing. Some are. not so much active as passive in sin. They drift; they are led; when sinners entice them they "consent," perhaps reluctantly at first. For want of resisting power they are found walking "in the counsel of the ungodly." Ere long they bestir themselves to gratify some sinful desire. At first they are half-hearted in the service of sin, for memory and conscience still restrain them. "Their heart is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Micah 7:3

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly - (Literally, upon evil both hands to do well,) that is, “both their hands are upon evil to do it well,” or “earnestly” , as our translation gives the meaning; only the Hebrew expresses more, that evil is their good, and their good or excellence is in evil. Bad men gain a dreadful skill and wisdom in evil, as Satan has; and cleverness in evil is their delight. Jerome: “They call the evil of their hands good.” “The prince asketh, and the judge... read more

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