King James Version

What Does Micah 7:3 Mean?

Micah 7:3 in the King James Version says “That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. his: Heb. the mischief of his soul”

Micah 7:3 · KJV

Context

1

Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. when: Heb. the gatherings of summer

2

The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. good: or, godly, or, merciful

3

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. his: Heb. the mischief of his soul

4

The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

5

Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

Read Micah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. Corruption becomes systematic conspiracy. עַל־הָרַע כַּפַּיִם לְהֵיטִיב (al-hara kapayim le-heitiv, "concerning evil, both hands to do it well"). This phrase suggests using both hands energetically—they don't do evil halfheartedly but with full commitment and skill. Evil becomes their craft, pursued with diligence and expertise.

הַשַּׂר שֹׁאֵל וְהַשֹּׁפֵט בַּשִּׁלּוּם (ha-sar sho'el ve-ha-shophet ba-shillum, "the prince asks, and the judge for a bribe"). שַׂר (sar) is a prince or official; שֹׁפֵט (shophet) is a judge. Both demand שִׁלּוּם (shillum)—payment, bribe, reward. וְהַגָּדוֹל דֹּבֵר הַוַּת נַפְשׁוֹ הוּא (ve-ha-gadol dover havat nafsho hu, "and the great man speaks the desire of his soul"). The influential man openly declares his corrupt desire. וַיְעַבְּתוּהָ (vay-abbtuha, "and they weave it together"). They conspire, coordinating corruption.

This depicts institutionalized injustice—not isolated corruption but systematic conspiracy. Princes, judges, and powerful men collaborate to pervert justice. They "weave together" their schemes, creating an impenetrable network of corruption. When leadership at every level conspires for evil, society becomes irredeemably corrupt. Only divine intervention can address such systemic wickedness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Eighth-century BC Judah's elite formed corrupt networks that controlled courts, commerce, and governance. The law prohibited bribery (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19), but by Micah's era, it was standard practice. Officials openly demanded payment; judges sold verdicts; wealthy elites coordinated exploitation. This systemic corruption made reform nearly impossible—the entire power structure was complicit. Similar patterns appear throughout history: late Roman corruption, medieval church abuses, modern kleptocracies. When corruption becomes systemic, individual righteousness isn't enough—only comprehensive judgment can cleanse society. God's judgment through Babylon (586 BC) dismantled Judah's corrupt power structures, though at terrible cost.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does systematic corruption (weaving together evil schemes) differ from individual wrongdoing in its impact and resistance to reform?
  2. What does it mean to do evil 'with both hands earnestly'—how does sin become a craft pursued with diligence?
  3. How should believers respond when corruption reaches systemic levels where all power centers are complicit?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
עַל1 of 14
H5921

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

הָרַ֤ע2 of 14

“That they may do evil”

H7451

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

כַּפַּ֙יִם֙3 of 14

“with both hands”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

לְהֵיטִ֔יב4 of 14

“earnestly”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

הַשַּׂ֣ר5 of 14

“the prince”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

שֹׁאֵ֔ל6 of 14

“asketh”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

וְהַשֹּׁפֵ֖ט7 of 14

“and the 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

בַּשִּׁלּ֑וּם8 of 14

“asketh for a reward”

H7966

a requital, i.e., (secure) retribution, (venal) a fee

וְהַגָּד֗וֹל9 of 14

“and the great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

דֹּבֵ֨ר10 of 14

“man he uttereth”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

הַוַּ֥ת11 of 14

“his mischievous”

H1942

by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin

נַפְשׁ֛וֹ12 of 14

“desire”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

ה֖וּא13 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַֽיְעַבְּתֽוּהָ׃14 of 14

“so they wrap it up”

H5686

to interlace, i.e., (figuratively) to pervert

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 7:3 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 7:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 3:11Proverbs 4:16-17Amos 5:12Jeremiah 8:101 Kings 21:9-141 Corinthians 4:5

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