King James Version

What Does Micah 3:2 Mean?

Micah 3:2 in the King James Version says “Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;” — study this verse from Micah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;”

Micah 3:2 · KJV

Love

Context

1

And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment?

2

Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;

3

Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

4

Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; This verse unveils the leaders' moral inversion and predatory violence. שֹׂנְאֵי טוֹב וְאֹהֲבֵי רָע (sone'ei tov ve-ohavei ra', "haters of good and lovers of evil") describes not occasional lapses but settled disposition—they actively hate what's good and passionately love what's evil. This complete reversal of moral categories signals depraved corruption (Isaiah 5:20; Romans 1:28-32).

The graphic imagery intensifies: גֹּזְלֵי עוֹרָם מֵעֲלֵיהֶם וּשְׁאֵרָם מֵעַל עַצְמוֹתָם (gozlei oram me'aleihem u-she'eram me'al atsmotam, "plucking their skin from off them and their flesh from off their bones"). This describes flaying victims alive—tearing skin and stripping flesh from bones. While metaphorical (depicting economic exploitation, not literal cannibalism), the imagery conveys the brutal reality: leaders treat people as prey to be skinned and devoured.

This prophetic metaphor exposes how systemic injustice dehumanizes victims. The poor aren't persons but resources to extract wealth from. Unjust leaders "eat the flesh of my people" (v. 3)—confiscating property, imposing crushing taxes, denying justice. The visceral horror of the imagery matches the moral horror of exploitation. Jesus later condemned religious leaders who "devour widows' houses" (Mark 12:40)—different language, same predatory spirit.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaty curses sometimes used cannibalism imagery to describe extreme suffering under siege (Deuteronomy 28:53-57; Lamentations 4:10). Micah appropriates this imagery to describe leadership's predatory treatment of subjects during peacetime. Instead of protecting the vulnerable, leaders became cannibalistic predators. Historical evidence suggests 8th century BC witnessed increasing economic disparity as the wealthy accumulated land, enslaved debtors, and controlled courts. Micah's rural background (from Moresheth-gath) gave him firsthand knowledge of how Jerusalem's elite exploited countryside populations. This pattern recurs throughout history—economic elites using legal mechanisms to devour the defenseless.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'hate good and love evil'—how does moral inversion manifest in leadership today?
  2. How does economic exploitation functionally 'flay' and 'devour' vulnerable populations?
  3. In what ways might religious or political leaders today be guilty of treating people as resources to exploit rather than persons to serve?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
שֹׂ֥נְאֵי1 of 10

“Who hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

ט֖וֹב2 of 10

“the 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

וְאֹ֣הֲבֵי3 of 10

“and love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

רָ֑עה4 of 10

“the evil”

H7451

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

גֹּזְלֵ֤י5 of 10

“who pluck off”

H1497

to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob

עוֹרָם֙6 of 10

“their skin”

H5785

skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather

מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֔ם7 of 10
H5921

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

וּשְׁאֵרָ֖ם8 of 10

“from off them and their flesh”

H7607

flesh (as swelling out), as living or for food; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood

מֵעַ֥ל9 of 10
H5921

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

עַצְמוֹתָֽם׃10 of 10

“from off their bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

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 3:2 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 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 22:27Proverbs 28:4Psalms 53:42 Chronicles 19:21 Kings 21:201 Kings 22:6-8

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