King James Version

What Does Micah 6:5 Mean?

Micah 6:5 in the King James Version says “O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim u... — study this verse from Micah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

Micah 6:5 · KJV


Context

3

O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.

4

For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

5

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

6

Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? of a: Heb. sons of a year?

7

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? body: Heb. belly


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD. God commands Israel to "remember" (זְכָר־נָא, zekhor-na)—the imperative with emphatic particle נָא (na, "now, please") urges immediate recollection. What should they remember? Balak's conspiracy and God's sovereign protection.

"What Balak king of Moab consulted" (מֶה יָעַץ בָּלָק, meh ya'ats Balaq) refers to his plot to curse Israel through Balaam (Numbers 22-24). "What Balaam... answered him" recalls how God turned intended curses into blessings: "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed?" (Numbers 23:8). Balaam pronounced four oracles blessing Israel, culminating in Messianic prophecy: "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel" (Numbers 24:17).

"From Shittim unto Gilgal" (מִן־הַשִּׁטִּים עַד־הַגִּלְגָּל, min-haShittim ad-haGilgal) bookends Israel's journey from Moab's plains to Canaan's conquest. Shittim was Israel's final camp before crossing Jordan (Joshua 2:1); Gilgal was their first encampment in Canaan where they circumcised the new generation and celebrated Passover (Joshua 4:19-5:12). The span represents God's faithfulness bringing them despite enemies' opposition. "That ye may know the righteousness of the LORD" (צִדְקוֹת יְהוָה, tsidqot YHWH) uses the plural form, indicating God's repeated righteous acts—His covenant faithfulness, saving deeds, and just governance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Balaam narrative (Numbers 22-24) demonstrates God's sovereign protection of Israel. Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel, but God forced Balaam to bless them instead. Though Balaam later devised sinful strategy (seducing Israel to idolatry at Peor—Numbers 25:1-3; 31:16; Revelation 2:14), God overruled his initial curses. Israel's survival despite powerful enemies' schemes proves divine preservation.

Micah's audience in 8th century BC Judah faced Assyrian threats. Remembering God's past deliverances (from Egypt, from Balaam's curse) should inspire trust. Yet they turned to other gods and unjust practices. The command to "remember" echoes throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 8:2; Psalm 77:11; 103:2; Ephesians 2:11-12)—remembrance combats forgetfulness that breeds ingratitude and apostasy. The New Testament similarly commands remembering Christ's sacrifice (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Rehearsing God's past faithfulness strengthens faith for present challenges.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God's past protection from enemies you didn't even know existed strengthen faith when facing current threats?
  2. What does Balaam's inability to curse whom God has blessed teach about the security of those under divine covenant?
  3. How does regularly rehearsing God's 'righteous acts' in your life guard against ingratitude and apostasy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
עַמִּ֗י1 of 22

O my people

H5971

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

זְכָר2 of 22

remember

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

נָא֙3 of 22
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

מַה4 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יָּעַ֗ץ5 of 22

consulted

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

בָּלָק֙6 of 22

now what Balak

H1111

balak, a moabitish king

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 22

king

H4428

a king

מוֹאָ֔ב8 of 22

of Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וּמֶה9 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

עָנָ֥ה10 of 22

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֹת֖וֹ11 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בִּלְעָ֣ם12 of 22

and what Balaam

H1109

bilam, a place in palestine

בֶּן13 of 22

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בְּע֑וֹר14 of 22

of Beor

H1160

beor, the name of the father of an edomitish king; also of that of balaam

מִן15 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשִּׁטִּים֙16 of 22

him from Shittim

H7851

shittim, a place east of the jordan

עַד17 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל18 of 22

unto Gilgal

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

לְמַ֕עַן19 of 22
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

דַּ֖עַת20 of 22

that ye may know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

צִדְק֥וֹת21 of 22

the righteousness

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

יְהוָֽה׃22 of 22

of the LORD

H3068

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


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 6:5 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 6:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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