Micah 3:11
"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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

The heads thereof judge for reward,.... That is, the heads or principal men of Zion and Jerusalem; the kings, or sanhedrim, according to Kimchi; but as this prophecy was delivered in the times of Hezekiah, Jer 26:18 , be who was so good a king must be excepted from this charge; perhaps it was delivered in the beginning of his reign, before a reformation was made, and might be the occasion of it: the former reign was a very wicked one; and very likely the public officers, judges, and civil magistrates, were as yet continued, and who went on in the same course

of injustice, giving the cause not on the right side, but to them that gave them most money, or bribed highest, contrary to the law of God, Deu 16:19 ; and the priests thereof teach for hire; for though they had a sufficient and honourable maintenance provided by the law of God for them, yet, not content with this, they took a price of the people for teaching them; and that not such things as were agreeable to the will of God declared in his word, which they ought to have done freely; but such doctrines as were most pleasing to carnal men, and indulged them in their lusts, presumption, and vain confidence: and the prophets thereof divine for money; tell men what should befall them; what good things they should be possessed of; what plenty and prosperity they should enjoy; and this they did according to the sum of money given them, more or less. This must be understood of the false prophets: yet will they lean upon the Lord; on his are, providence, and protection, as if they were filled to these things, and might securely rely and depend upon them; though by their sins and transgressions they had forfeited all the bent fits and privileges thereof. To lean by faith upon the Lord; or in his Word, as the Targum; and to trust in his promises, in his power, and faithfulness, and goodness; when this springs from an honest and upright heart, and is attended with the fruits of righteousness and holiness, it is well pleasing to God, and highly regarded by him, and such may, depend upon his blessing and protection; but to talk of faith in him, and reliance upon him, when the whole course of the conversation is wicked, this is abominable in the sight of God, and displeasing to him: and say, is not the Lord among us? trusting to this, that the temple of the Lord was among them, and that the temple of God were they; that the most holy place was there, where were the symbols of the divine Presence, the ark, cherubim, and mercy seat; and so concluding from hence their safety and security; putting their confidence in outward places and things, in external worship, sacrifices, rites, and ceremonies, when they neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice, truth, and mercy: and so none evil can come upon us: as pestilence, famine, sword, and captivity, the prophets of the Lord had threatened them with.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (20 words)

H7218 רֹאשׁ
Definition:

45head(common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic, SabeanראסPräZMG xxix (1875). 425MordtmHim.Inschr. 31; EthiopicAmharichence (aheightened) Assyrianrêšu(rarelyrâšu), Aramaicרֵישָׁא(Egyptian Aram 45head(common Semitic word; earliest form *ra°š, Arabic, SabeanראסPräZMG xxix (1875). 425MordtmHim.Inschr. 31; EthiopicAmharichence (aheightened) Assyrianrêšu(rarelyrâšu), Aramaicרֵישָׁא(Egyptian Aram

Possible Meanings:
  • chief (semantic_range)
  • sum (semantic_range)
H7810 שַׁחַד
Definition:

2322t.; —bribe, usually to pervert justice, object ofלָקַחExodus 23:8a (E), =Deuteronomy 16:19a,Deuteronomy 10:17;1 Samuel 8:3; 2Chronicles 19:7;Psalm 15:5;Proverbs 17:23; + infinitive, takebribeto do 2322t.; —bribe, usually to pervert justice, object ofלָקַחExodus 23:8a (E), =Deuteronomy 16:19a,Deuteronomy 10:17;1 Samuel 8:3; 2Chronicles 19:7;Psalm 15:5;Proverbs 17:23; + infinitive, takebribeto do

Possible Meanings:
  • present (semantic_range)
H8199 שָׁפַט
Definition:

31+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמֹּטGenesis 16:5,יִשְׁמּוֺטIsaiah 11:3; 3masculine pluralיִשְׁמְּטוּGenesis 31:53+,יִשְׁמּ֫וּטוּExodus 18:26(Kiיִשְׁמּוּט֫וּ; compare Ges§ 47g), etc.;Infinit 31+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמֹּטGenesis 16:5,יִשְׁמּוֺטIsaiah 11:3; 3masculine pluralיִשְׁמְּטוּGenesis 31:53+,יִשְׁמּ֫וּטוּExodus 18:26(Kiיִשְׁמּוּט֫וּ; compare Ges§ 47g), etc.;Infinit

Possible Meanings:
  • judge (semantic_range)
H3548 כֹּהֵן
Definition:

18439t.; pluralכֹּהֲנִיםExodus 19:6272t.; constructכֹּהֲנֵי1 Samuel 5:513t.; suffixכֹּהֲנַיLamentations 1:1922t. suffixes —1priest-king:e.g. MelchizedekGenesis 14:18(E ?), comparePsalm 110:4(the Messi 18439t.; pluralכֹּהֲנִיםExodus 19:6272t.; constructכֹּהֲנֵי1 Samuel 5:513t.; suffixכֹּהֲנַיLamentations 1:1922t. suffixes —1priest-king:e.g. MelchizedekGenesis 14:18(E ?), comparePsalm 110:4(the Messi

H4242 מְחִיר
Definition:

119t.; constructDeuteronomy 23:192t.; suffixמְחִירָהּJob 28:15; plural suffixמְחִירֵיהֶםPsalm 44:13; —1price, oftenבִּמְחִירfor a price; in trade2 Samuel 24:24;1 Kings 10:28; 2Chronicles 1:16; compare 119t.; constructDeuteronomy 23:192t.; suffixמְחִירָהּJob 28:15; plural suffixמְחִירֵיהֶםPsalm 44:13; —1price, oftenבִּמְחִירfor a price; in trade2 Samuel 24:24;1 Kings 10:28; 2Chronicles 1:16; compare

Possible Meanings:
  • hire (semantic_range)
  • placed in front (semantic_range)
  • presented (semantic_range)
  • offered (semantic_range)
H3384 יָרָה
Definition:

15) yara; {yaw-raw'}; a primitive root; 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 aiming the f 15) yara; {yaw-raw'}; a primitive root; 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 aiming the f

Possible Meanings:
  • be stupified (semantic_range)
H5030 נָבִיא
Definition:

7155t.; suffixנְבִיאֶ֑ךָExodus 7:1; pluralנְבִיאִיםNumbers 11:2982t.;נְנִאִיםJeremiah 27:1816t.; suffixנְבִיאַיPsalm 105:15;נְבִיָאו1 Kings 22:22;נְבִיאָו֯2 Kings 17:13, etc.; —1genuineprophetof׳י,נבי 7155t.; suffixנְבִיאֶ֑ךָExodus 7:1; pluralנְבִיאִיםNumbers 11:2982t.;נְנִאִיםJeremiah 27:1816t.; suffixנְבִיאַיPsalm 105:15;נְבִיָאו1 Kings 22:22;נְבִיאָו֯2 Kings 17:13, etc.; —1genuineprophetof׳י,נבי

H3701 כֶּסֶף
Definition:

9silver, money(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenician, Zinjirliכסף; Aramaicכַּסְמָּא; PalmyreneכספאVogNo. 23; Assyriankaspu; probably thepalemetal Thes and others, compare RSJPh xiv,125) —׳כabsoluteGenesis 20:16+ 9silver, money(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenician, Zinjirliכסף; Aramaicכַּסְמָּא; PalmyreneכספאVogNo. 23; Assyriankaspu; probably thepalemetal Thes and others, compare RSJPh xiv,125) —׳כabsoluteGenesis 20:16+

H7080 קָסַם
Definition:

17,יִקְסֹ֑מוּMicah 3:11; 2feminine singularתִּקְסַמְנָהEzekiel 13:23;Imperativefeminine singularקָסֳמִי1 Samuel 28:8Qr (Ktקסומי);Infinitive constructקְסֹםMicah 3:8(Buhlקֶסֶם),קְסָםֿEzekiel 21:26;Ezeki 17,יִקְסֹ֑מוּMicah 3:11; 2feminine singularתִּקְסַמְנָהEzekiel 13:23;Imperativefeminine singularקָסֳמִי1 Samuel 28:8Qr (Ktקסומי);Infinitive constructקְסֹםMicah 3:8(Buhlקֶסֶם),קְסָםֿEzekiel 21:26;Ezeki

Possible Meanings:
  • practise divination (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H8172 שָׁעַן
Definition:

15;Isaiah 10:20; 1pluralנִשְׁעַנּוּ2Chron 14:10, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשָּׁעֵןJob 8:15+, etc.;Imperativemasculine pluralהִשָּׁעֲנוּGenesis 18:4;Infinitive constructהִשָּׁעֵןIsaiah 10:20, 15;Isaiah 10:20; 1pluralנִשְׁעַנּוּ2Chron 14:10, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשָּׁעֵןJob 8:15+, etc.;Imperativemasculine pluralהִשָּׁעֲנוּGenesis 18:4;Infinitive constructהִשָּׁעֵןIsaiah 10:20,

Possible Meanings:
  • lean (semantic_range)
  • support oneself (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H7130 קֶרֶב
Definition:

13+ (only3); constructGenesis 45:6+; suffixקִרְבִּיJoshua 9:7+, 3 feminine pluralקִרְבֶֹּנָהGenesis 41:21,בֶֹּנָה-Genesis 41:21(Ges§ 91i. Köii.1488 N.I), etc.; plural only (suffix)קְרָבַיPsalm 103:1; 13+ (only3); constructGenesis 45:6+; suffixקִרְבִּיJoshua 9:7+, 3 feminine pluralקִרְבֶֹּנָהGenesis 41:21,בֶֹּנָה-Genesis 41:21(Ges§ 91i. Köii.1488 N.I), etc.; plural only (suffix)קְרָבַיPsalm 103:1;

Possible Meanings:
  • war (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H0935 בּוֹא
Definition:

13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti 13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti

Possible Meanings:
  • come in (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • go in (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come in (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H7451 רַע
Definition:

Fromra'a'; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) -- adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure), distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief(-vous), harm Fromra'a'; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) -- adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure), distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief(-vous), harm

Possible Meanings:
  • misery (semantic_range)
  • injury (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

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