King James Version

What Does Micah 2:11 Mean?

Micah 2:11 in the King James Version says “If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he s...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people. walking: or, walk with the wind, and lie falsely”

Micah 2:11 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

9

The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever. women: or, wives

10

Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.

11

If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people. walking: or, walk with the wind, and lie falsely

12

I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah , as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.

13

The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie (לוּ־אִישׁ הֹלֵךְ רוּחַ וָשֶׁקֶר כִּזֵּב, lu-ish holekh ruach wa-sheqer kizzev). The phrase הֹלֵךְ רוּחַ וָשֶׁקֶר (holekh ruach wa-sheqer) literally means "walking in wind/spirit and falsehood"—perhaps "walking in empty wind" or "following a spirit of deception." כִּזֵּב (kizzev, lie/deceive) describes deliberate falsehood, not mere error.

Saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink (אַטִּף לְךָ לַיַּיִן וְלַשֵּׁכָר, attif lekha layyayin we-lashekhar). נָטַף (nataph, drip/prophesy—same root as v. 6) means preach. יַיִן (yayin, wine) and שֵׁכָר (shekhar, strong drink/beer) represent prosperity, celebration, ease. False prophets promise material abundance without demanding repentance or obedience. He shall even be the prophet of this people (וְהָיָה מַטִּיף הָעָם הַזֶּה, we-hayah mattif ha'am hazzeh)—such prophets gain popularity.

This biting satire exposes Israel's preference for comforting lies over convicting truth. They reject prophets calling for justice (v. 6-7) but embrace false prophets promising prosperity. Jeremiah condemned similar false prophets: "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11). Paul warned Timothy: "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3). Popularity isn't prophecy's validation; conformity to God's word is (Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Isaiah 8:20).

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Historical & Cultural Context

False prophecy plagued Israel throughout its history. During Ahab's reign, 400 prophets promised victory while one true prophet (Micaiah) predicted defeat (1 Kings 22). Jeremiah battled false prophets promising peace when Babylon approached (Jeremiah 23:9-40, 27:1-28:17). Hananiah falsely prophesied quick return from exile (Jeremiah 28); Jeremiah predicted—and Hananiah died—within the year. Ezekiel condemned prophets who "see vanity, and divine lies" (Ezekiel 13:6-9).

False prophets gained support because they affirmed audiences' desires—prosperity, security, divine favor—without demanding repentance. They were hireling prophets (Micah 3:5, 11), adapting messages to patrons' preferences. Jesus warned of false prophets in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15). The early church faced false teachers promoting comfortable doctrines (2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 1:4). Discernment requires testing prophets against Scripture (1 John 4:1-3), examining their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20), and comparing predictions to outcomes (Deuteronomy 18:22).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why are false prophets who promise prosperity without demanding repentance more popular than true prophets calling for justice?
  2. How does Paul's warning about itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3) parallel Micah's satire of prophets preaching wine and strong drink?
  3. What safeguards can Christians employ to discern true teaching from comfortable falsehoods that tickle ears but deceive souls?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
לוּ1 of 14

“If”

H3863

a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!

אִ֞ישׁ2 of 14

“a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הֹלֵ֥ךְ3 of 14

“walking”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ר֙וּחַ֙4 of 14

“in the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

וָשֶׁ֣קֶר5 of 14

“and falsehood”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

כִּזֵּ֔ב6 of 14

“do lie”

H3576

to lie (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively

מַטִּ֖יף7 of 14

“he shall even be the prophet”

H5197

to ooze, i.e., distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration

לְךָ֔8 of 14
H0
לַיַּ֖יִן9 of 14

“unto thee of wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וְלַשֵּׁכָ֑ר10 of 14

“and of strong drink”

H7941

an intoxicant, i.e., intensely alcoholic liquor

וְהָיָ֥ה11 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מַטִּ֖יף12 of 14

“he shall even be the prophet”

H5197

to ooze, i.e., distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration

הָעָ֥ם13 of 14

“of this people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּֽה׃14 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 2:11 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 2:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 5:312 Corinthians 11:13-15Isaiah 30:10-11Jeremiah 23:171 John 4:1Jeremiah 23:32

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