Micah 3:1-4

Outrages committed by civil rulers, Micah 3:1-4.

The denunciation in Micah 3:1-4, is addressed to the nobles, called “heads” and “princes” or “magistrates” (compare Isaiah 1:10). They are reminded, by means of a rhetorical question, that it is their duty to know the principles of righteousness and equity; ignorance of these does not excuse their unrighteous conduct.

Jacob,… Israel These are synonymous expressions, which, in the light of Micah 3:10, must refer to Judah (Micah 3:9; but compare Micah 2:12). Samaria may have fallen before these words were uttered, so that Judah had become the sole representative of Israel.

Know judgment R.V., “justice,” or equity. In view of the special privileges enjoyed by Israel (Amos 2:11; Hosea 11:1-4; Isaiah 1:2) there was no reasonable excuse for ignorance concerning the principles of righteousness on the part of anyone, certainly not on the part of the leaders of the people.

Their conduct is so different from what one might expect.

Hate the good Wrongdoing has become their second nature (Amos 3:10); their disposition has become utterly perverted, so that they hate that which they should love, and love that which they should hate (compare Isaiah 1:16-17). This corruption expresses itself in appalling cruelties. 2b, 3 describe in the strongest language possible the cruelties of the nobles. They flay the poor people alive, tear the flesh from their bones; they break their bones (others, “they lay bare their bones”), chop them in pieces, boil them in the caldron, and devour them. It is hardly necessary to state that the expressions are not to be understood literally as implying cannibalism; they are vivid pictures of heartless cruelty and oppression. Similar expressions are found in Isaiah 3:15, “What mean ye that ye crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?” and Amos 2:7 (Jerome), “Who crush the heads of the poor upon the dust of the earth.” For the simple “as for the pot” LXX. reads “as flesh for the pot,” which furnishes a suitable parallel to the next clause.