King James Version

What Does Micah 6:10 Mean?

Micah 6:10 in the King James Version says “Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Are: or,...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Are: or, Is there yet unto every man an house of the, etc scant: Heb. measure of leanness”

Micah 6:10 · KJV

Context

8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? walk: Heb. humble thyself to walk

9

The LORD'S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it. the man: or, thy name shall see that which is

10

Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Are: or, Is there yet unto every man an house of the, etc scant: Heb. measure of leanness

11

Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? count: or, be pure with, etc

12

For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

Read Micah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? God's rhetorical question exposes ongoing corruption. "Treasures of wickedness" (אוֹצְרוֹת רֶשַׁע, otzrot resha) are wealth acquired through injustice—fraud, exploitation, theft. "The house of the wicked" (בֵּית רָשָׁע, beit rasha) refers to households/businesses built on dishonesty. Despite prophetic warnings, Jerusalem's merchants continued exploiting the poor. "The scant measure" (אֵיפַת רָזוֹן, eifat razon) describes using false weights to cheat customers—giving less than paid for. "Abominable" (זְעוּמָה, ze'umah) expresses God's intense disgust.

Ancient commerce relied on honest weights and measures. Deuteronomy 25:13-16 commands: "Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small...a perfect and just weight shalt thou have." Leviticus 19:35-36 reinforces: "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights...shall ye have." Why? "I am the LORD your God." Business ethics aren't secular but sacred—reflecting God's character. Proverbs 11:1 declares: "A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight."

The principle transcends ancient merchants. Modern equivalents include deceptive advertising, hidden fees, substandard products, insider trading, wage theft, tax evasion, resume fraud, and academic dishonesty. God hates all deception in commerce. James 5:1-6 warns wealthy oppressors: "Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth." God hears the exploited; He will judge the exploiters.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Economic injustice pervaded 8th century BC Israel and Judah. Amos condemned merchants who "make the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit" (Amos 8:5). Isaiah denounced those who "grind the faces of the poor" (Isaiah 3:15). Micah earlier described rulers who "abhor judgment, and pervert all equity" (Micah 3:9). Wealthy elites enriched themselves through exploitation, assuming religious ritual would appease God. But Micah 6:8 declared God requires justice, mercy, and humility—not sacrifices masking oppression. When Israel persisted, God sent Assyria and Babylon as judgment. Economic injustice isn't merely social failure but covenant violation demanding divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern "scant measures"—dishonest business practices, exploitation, or deception—do you encounter or perhaps tolerate in your life?
  2. How does recognizing that business ethics reflect God's character shape your approach to work, commerce, and financial dealings?
  3. In what ways might you be building "treasures of wickedness" through practices that, while legal, violate biblical standards of justice and honesty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
ע֗וֹד1 of 9
H5750

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

הַאִשׁ֙2 of 9

“Are there”

H786

entity, used only adverbially, there is or are

בֵּ֣ית3 of 9

“in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

רָשָׁ֔ע4 of 9

“of the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

אֹצְר֖וֹת5 of 9

“yet the treasures”

H214

a depository

רֶ֑שַׁע6 of 9

“of wickedness”

H7562

a wrong (especially moral)

וְאֵיפַ֥ת7 of 9

“measure”

H374

an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general

רָז֖וֹן8 of 9

“and the scant”

H7332

thinness

זְעוּמָֽה׃9 of 9

“that is abominable”

H2194

properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e., to be enraged

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 6:10 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 6:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 3:10Proverbs 20:10Amos 8:5-6Proverbs 21:6Jeremiah 5:26-27Deuteronomy 25:13-16

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