King James Version

What Does Micah 3:11 Mean?

Micah 3:11 in the King James Version says “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: y... — study this verse from Micah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. and say: Heb. saying

Micah 3:11 · KJV


Context

9

Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.

10

They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. blood: Heb. bloods

11

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. and say: Heb. saying

12

Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Micah indicts corrupt leadership: 'The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.' Three leadership categories corrupted by greed: judges taking bribes (shoftime be-shohad yishpotu), priests teaching for payment (kohaneha be-mehir yoru), prophets divining for silver (nebi'eha be-keseph yiqsomu). Yet they presume divine protection: 'Is not YHWH in our midst? No evil will come upon us!' This exposes religious hypocrisy: mercenary ministry combined with presumptuous security. True faith produces justice and integrity; formal orthodoxy masking corruption provokes judgment (v. 12: 'Therefore shall Zion... be plowed as a field'). Jesus condemned similar religious exploitation (Matthew 23:23-28).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Eighth-century Judah's leadership was systemically corrupt while maintaining religious façade. Judges perverted justice for bribes (directly violating Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19). Priests, who should have taught God's law freely (Deuteronomy 33:10, Malachi 2:7), charged fees. Prophets gave oracles for money rather than speaking God's authentic word. Yet they invoked temple presence and covenant relationship to guarantee security—classic presumption. Jeremiah later denounced similar false confidence: 'The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these' (Jeremiah 7:4) while ignoring justice. God's presence among a people doesn't prevent judgment when they violate covenant; it intensifies accountability (Amos 3:2).

Reflection Questions

  1. Do I use religious activity or service as means for personal gain rather than faithful stewardship?
  2. How do I avoid presuming God's blessing while tolerating injustice and corruption in my life or community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
רָאשֶׁ֣יהָ׀1 of 20

The heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

בְּשֹׁ֣חַד2 of 20

for reward

H7810

a donation (venal or redemptive)

יִשְׁפֹּ֗טוּ3 of 20

thereof judge

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

וְכֹהֲנֶ֙יהָ֙4 of 20

and the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

בִּמְחִ֣יר5 of 20

for hire

H4242

price, payment, wages

יוֹר֔וּ6 of 20

thereof teach

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

וּנְבִיאֶ֖יהָ7 of 20

and the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

בְּכֶ֣סֶף8 of 20

for money

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

יִקְסֹ֑מוּ9 of 20

thereof divine

H7080

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

וְעַל10 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהוָה֙11 of 20

Is not the LORD

H3068

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

יִשָּׁעֵ֣נוּ12 of 20

yet will they lean

H8172

to support one's self

לֵאמֹ֔ר13 of 20

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֲל֤וֹא14 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְהוָה֙15 of 20

Is not the LORD

H3068

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

בְּקִרְבֵּ֔נוּ16 of 20

among

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

לֹֽא17 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָב֥וֹא18 of 20

can come

H935

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

עָלֵ֖ינוּ19 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רָעָֽה׃20 of 20

us none evil

H7451

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


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 3:11 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 3:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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