Micah 1:10

10. The prophet fears the malicious joy of the heathen neighbors, which would be an insult to Jehovah. Hence he pleads with the people not to permit the news to become known in the surrounding territory.

Declare ye it not at Gath R.V., “Tell it not in Gath.” Gath was one of the five chief cities of the Philistines (see on Amos 1:6-8; Amos 6:2). The words are found also in 2 Samuel 1:20; they may have become a proverbial saying.

Weep ye not at all This is the literal rendering of the present Hebrew text; but (1) the form of the verb is unusual; (2) in all the other instances each proper noun is connected with only one verb. For these reasons many are inclined to accept as original the common LXX. reading, “weep ye not in Acco.” Acco, the later Ptolemais, was situated on the Mediterranean coast north of Mount Carmel. In this passage it would represent the heathen neighbors in the north, as Gath represents those in the south. According to Judges 1:31, the Canaanites were not driven out from Acco. Any disaster of the Hebrews would cause them to rejoice, hence they are to be kept in ignorance. If we assume a contraction for the purpose of making the rhythm smoother or producing a more perfect paronomasia, this translation might perhaps be justified by the present Hebrew text. However, such contractions are unusual, and it may be better to suppose that the original text was accidentally altered as a result of the similarity in Hebrew between the word reproduced in English by “at all” (literally, to weep) and the original of “in Acco.” The other LXX. rendering, “in Bochim,” is less probable.

The house of Aphrah R.V., “Beth-le-aphrah,” which means “house of dust.” Throughout these verses the towns are selected not because of their importance, but rather because of the suggestiveness of their names. In Joshua 18:23, is mentioned an Ophrah in Benjamin, and with it the place referred to here has often been identified; but since most or all of the places named by Micah seem to be located in the Shephelah, between Judah and Philistia, Beth-le-aphrah should probably be looked for in the same district. Thus far, however, no satisfactory identification has been proposed, and the various emendations suggested are equally unsatisfactory. The element Aphrah has been compared with the second element in Beto-gabra, that is, Eleutheropolis, and with the last element in the name Wady-el-Ghufr, south of the same place.

Roll thyself in the dust R.V., “have I rolled myself.” The latter reproduces the present Hebrew text, the former follows a Masoretic suggestion. LXX. and other ancient versions read, “roll yourselves,” thus co-ordinating this verb with the other two in the verse, and this last reading may be original. The verb is found in three other places in the Old Testament, and in all three it is translated “wallow,” so that there seems no justification for rendering it here “be-sprinkle” (with dust or ashes); and such rendering would greatly weaken the thought of the prophet.

Sprinkling ashes or dust upon the head was a common symbol of mourning (2 Samuel 13:19; Amos 2:7); the impending calamity will be so severe that extraordinary expressions of grief are called for; instead of sprinkling dust or ashes upon their heads, they are urged to wallow in it.

Much has been said concerning the obscurity of Micah 1:10, but, as interpreted above, it seems perfectly clear and intelligible. The prophet desires that the news of the disaster should be withheld from the surrounding enemies, but, he continues, in Beth-le-aphrah, that is, within your own borders, wallow in the dust as a sign of distress and mourning.