King James Version

What Does Micah 1:15 Mean?

Micah 1:15 in the King James Version says “Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel. inhabitant...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel. inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress he: or, the glory of Israel shall, etc”

Micah 1:15 · KJV

Context

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

15

Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel. inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress he: or, the glory of Israel shall, etc

16

Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah (עֹד הַיֹּרֵשׁ אָבִי לָךְ יוֹשֶׁבֶת מָרֵשָׁה, od hayyoresh avi lakh yoshevet Mareshah). מָרֵשָׁה (Mareshah) was a fortified city in the Shephelah; the wordplay involves יֹרֵשׁ (yoresh, heir/possessor/conqueror)—God will bring a "possessor" to Possession-town. The term can mean legitimate heir or violent conqueror; here it's the latter—Assyria will possess/dispossess Mareshah. The irony cuts deep: the town named for possessing will be possessed by enemies.

He shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel (עַד־עֲדֻלָּם יָבוֹא כְּבוֹד יִשְׂרָאֵל, ad-Adullam yavo kh evod Yisrael). עֲדֻלָּם (Adullam) had historical significance—site of David's refuge cave when fleeing Saul (1 Samuel 22:1; 2 Samuel 23:13). That glory would return: Judah's leaders fleeing to caves like David, but without his eventual victory. כְּבוֹד (khevod, glory/nobility) ironically describes Israel's elite hiding in Adullam's caves—"glory" reduced to desperate fugitives.

The progression is devastating: from fortified cities (Lachish) to hometown (Moresheth-Gath) to ancestral refuge (Adullam), every location falls. Even places associated with past glory become refuges of desperation. The allusion to David is bittersweet—Adullam witnessed David's rise to kingship; now it witnesses Judah's humiliation. Yet David's experience offers hope: exile isn't final; God restores repentant remnants. The New Testament identifies Jesus as David's greater son who similarly experienced rejection before exaltation (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mareshah (Tel Marissa) was an important Shephelah fortress, later fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:8). Archaeological excavations reveal strong fortifications and prosperous Hellenistic period occupation. During Sennacherib's 701 BC invasion, cities like Mareshah fell to Assyrian forces. Adullam (possibly Khirbet esh-Sheikh Madkour) was located in the Shephelah, famous as David's refuge cave.

The historical and theological parallel is powerful: David hid in Adullam when fleeing Saul's unjust persecution as anointed but not yet crowned king. Judah's nobles fled to similar caves—but fleeing righteous judgment as rebellious covenant-breakers. The contrast highlights the difference: David fled as innocent victim awaiting God's timing; Judah fled as guilty rebels reaping covenant curses. Yet even in judgment, hope glimmers—David's cave experience led to eventual kingship; Judah's exile would eventually lead to return and ultimately to Messiah (Matthew 1:1-17).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the irony of Possession-town being possessed illustrate the principle that covenant unfaithfulness leads to losing what we thought secure?
  2. What does the allusion to David's Adullam cave teach about God's pattern of humiliation before exaltation?
  3. In what ways might Christians experience 'Adullam moments'—humbling refuges that prepare for future restoration and service?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
עֹ֗ד1 of 11
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

הַיֹּרֵשׁ֙2 of 11

“an heir”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

יָב֖וֹא3 of 11

“Yet will I bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָ֔ךְ4 of 11
H0
יוֹשֶׁ֖בֶת5 of 11

“unto thee O inhabitant”

H3427

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

מָֽרֵשָׁ֑ה6 of 11

“of Mareshah”

H4762

mareshah, the name of two israelites and of a place in palestine

עַד7 of 11
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עֲדֻלָּ֥ם8 of 11

“unto Adullam”

H5725

adullam, a place in palestine

יָב֖וֹא9 of 11

“Yet will I bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

כְּב֥וֹד10 of 11

“the glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃11 of 11

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 1:15 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 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 22:1Joshua 15:44Joshua 15:35Isaiah 10:5-6Isaiah 7:17-25Joshua 12:15

Places in This Verse

AdullamSettlement · Modern: Khirbet esh Sheikh Madhkur · 31.65°N, 35.00°E9 verses across 8 books
MareshahSettlement · Modern: Tel Maresha · 31.59°N, 34.90°E6 verses across 3 books
View all places in Micah 1 →

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