King James Version

What Does Micah 1:12 Mean?

Micah 1:12 in the King James Version says “For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem. inh...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem. inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress waited: or, was grieved”

Micah 1:12 · KJV

Context

10

Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust. Aphrah: that is, Dust

11

Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing. thou: or, thou that dwellest fairly inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress Zaanan: or, The country of flocks Bethezel: or, A place near

12

For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem. inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress waited: or, was grieved

13

O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee. inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress

14

Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel. to: or, for Moreshethgath Achzib: that is, A lie

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good (כִּי חָלָה לְטוֹב יוֹשֶׁבֶת מָרוֹת, ki chalah le-tov yoshevet Marot). מָרוֹת (Marot) derives from מַר (mar, bitter); Bitter-town חָלָה (chalah, waited anxiously/trembled) hoping for טוֹב (tov, good/prosperity). The verb suggests both hoping and writhing in pain—desperate longing for relief that never comes. Their name prophesied their experience: bitterness without remedy.

But evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem (כִּי־יָרְדָה רָעָה מֵאֵת יְהוָה לְשַׁעַר יְרוּשָׁלִָם, ki-yaradah ra'ah me-et YHWH le-sha'ar Yerushalayim). רָעָה (ra'ah, evil/disaster/calamity) doesn't mean moral evil but catastrophic judgment. Critically, it came מֵאֵת יְהוָה (me-et YHWH, from Yahweh)—not merely through Assyria but from God Himself. Assyria was the instrument; Yahweh was the agent. The evil "came down" like invading army descending from hills, reaching Jerusalem's very gate.

This verse establishes crucial theology: historical disasters aren't random but providentially governed. Amos 3:6 asks rhetorically: "Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?" This doesn't make God author of moral evil but sovereign over judgment. Maroth's futile hope for good while evil approached echoes Jeremiah's later warning against false prophets promising peace when judgment loomed (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11, 14:13-16). Hope disconnected from repentance is delusion. God doesn't promise protection from consequences while we persist in sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Maroth's location remains uncertain, likely in the Shephelah. The prophecy's fulfillment came in 701 BC when Sennacherib invaded Judah. His annals describe systematically conquering Judean cities before besieging Jerusalem. The Lachish reliefs (British Museum) dramatically depict this campaign—siege warfare, burning cities, fleeing refugees, executed defenders. Archaeological evidence from dozens of Judean sites confirms sudden, violent destruction during this period.

Jerusalem itself narrowly escaped. Hezekiah paid enormous tribute—300 talents of silver and 30 talents of gold (2 Kings 18:14-16), stripping the temple. Yet Assyria still besieged Jerusalem until divine intervention destroyed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). Micah's prophecy that evil reached "the gate of Jerusalem" was literally fulfilled—Assyria surrounded the city. That Jerusalem survived demonstrated God's mercy, not Israel's merit. A century later, Babylon finished what Assyria began, destroying Jerusalem completely (586 BC).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Maroth's futile waiting for good while judgment approached warn against false hope disconnected from repentance?
  2. What does the phrase "evil came down from the LORD" teach about God's sovereignty over historical disasters and human suffering?
  3. In what ways might modern Christians wait for 'good' while ignoring God's calls to repentance and warnings of coming judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
כִּֽי1 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חָ֥לָֽה2 of 12
H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

לְט֖וֹב3 of 12

“for good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

יוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת4 of 12

“For the inhabitant”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מָר֑וֹת5 of 12

“of Maroth”

H4796

maroth, a place in palestine

כִּֽי6 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָ֤רַד7 of 12

“came down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

רָע֙8 of 12

“but evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מֵאֵ֣ת9 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה10 of 12

“from the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְשַׁ֖עַר11 of 12

“unto the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃12 of 12

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Micah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Micah 1:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Micah 1:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 14:19Micah 1:9Amos 3:6Isaiah 59:9-11Isaiah 45:7Jeremiah 8:15

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
MarothSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Qufin · 31.62°N, 35.11°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Micah 1 →

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