King James Version

What Does Micah 1:6 Mean?

Micah 1:6 in the King James Version says “Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones t...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.”

Micah 1:6 · KJV

Context

4

And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. a steep: Heb. a descent

5

For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?

6

Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.

7

And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot.

8

Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls . owls: Heb. daughters of the owl

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard (וְשַׂמְתִּי שֹׁמְרוֹן לְעִי הַשָּׂדֶה, we-samti Shomron le-iy hassadeh). God Himself pronounces judgment—"I will make" emphasizes divine agency. Samaria, capital of the Northern Kingdom, will become עִי (i, a heap/ruin) in an open field, so thoroughly destroyed that vineyards will be planted over its rubble. This reverses civilization to agriculture, culture to desolation.

I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof (וְהִגַּרְתִּי לַגַּי אֲבָנֶיהָ וִיסֹדֶיהָ אֲגַלֶּה, we-higarti lagai avaneyha vi-yesodeyha agaleh). The imagery depicts total demolition—stones cascading down the hillside, foundations exposed and laid bare (גָּלָה, galah, uncover/expose). Samaria was built on a hill; Shalmaneser V and Sargon II (722 BC) fulfilled this prophecy when Assyria destroyed the Northern Kingdom. Archaeological excavations confirm massive destruction layers from this period.

Why such devastation? Verses 5-7 identify the cause: idolatry and covenant violation. Samaria led Israel into Baal worship, golden calf idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33), and social injustice. Judgment wasn't arbitrary but covenantal—God warned repeatedly through prophets (2 Kings 17:13-18), but Israel persisted. The complete ruin demonstrates sin's wages (Romans 6:23) and God's holiness that cannot tolerate evil indefinitely.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria was founded by King Omri around 880 BC (1 Kings 16:24) and served as Israel's capital for 150 years. Despite prophetic warnings from Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea, the Northern Kingdom persisted in idolatry and oppression. In 722 BC, after a three-year siege, Assyria conquered Samaria, deported 27,290 Israelites (Assyrian records), and resettled foreigners in their place (2 Kings 17:5-6, 24).

Micah prophesied during this period (740-700 BC), witnessing Samaria's fall. His prophecy served dual purposes: explaining the Northern Kingdom's destruction to Judah and warning Judah they would face similar judgment if they continued in sin. Archaeological evidence from Samaria shows systematic destruction—burned buildings, smashed pottery, and thick ash layers confirming violent conquest. The city never fully recovered; by Jesus's time, Samaritans were a despised mixed-race remnant (John 4:9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Samaria's complete destruction demonstrate that religious privilege and heritage cannot protect those who persist in covenant violation?
  2. What does God's detailed description of judgment (heaps, exposed foundations) teach about His thorough response to entrenched sin?
  3. In what ways might modern churches resemble Samaria—maintaining religious structures while abandoning covenant faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְשַׂמְתִּ֥י1 of 11

“Therefore I will make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שֹׁמְר֛וֹן2 of 11

“Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

לְעִ֥י3 of 11

“as an heap”

H5856

a ruin (as if overturned)

הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה4 of 11

“of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

לְמַטָּ֣עֵי5 of 11

“and as plantings”

H4302

something planted, i.e., the place (a garden or vineyard), or the thing (a plant, figuratively or men); by implication, the act, planting

כָ֑רֶם6 of 11

“of a vineyard”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

וְהִגַּרְתִּ֤י7 of 11

“and I will pour down”

H5064

to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over

לַגַּי֙8 of 11

“thereof into the valley”

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

אֲבָנֶ֔יהָ9 of 11

“the stones”

H68

a stone

וִיסֹדֶ֖יהָ10 of 11

“the foundations”

H3247

a foundation (literally or figuratively)

אֲגַלֶּֽה׃11 of 11

“and I will discover”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

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 1:6 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 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 13:14Micah 3:122 Kings 19:25Lamentations 4:1Isaiah 25:2Jeremiah 51:37

Places in This Verse

Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in Micah 1 →

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