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Micah 1

Micah 1 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Micah 1 opens with a serious message from the Lord against Samaria and Jerusalem. The chapter pictures God coming in judgment because of deep sin, false worship, and broken covenant faithfulness. It also shows the prophet mourning over what is coming, including loss, shame, and exile.

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What happens in Micah 1?

The chapter begins by identifying Micah's message during the reigns of several Judah kings and by calling all people to hear God's witness. The Lord is portrayed as coming down from his holy place in judgment, with creation itself shaking before him. Samaria is named as a center of rebellion and is promised destruction, while the idols and wealth tied to false worship will be ruined. Micah then shifts into grief, lamenting the spread of disaster into Judah and naming several towns that will experience shame and loss. The chapter ends with a call to mourn deeply because children will be taken into exile.

Micah 1 introduces the book's opening warning to both the northern and southern kingdoms. It sets the tone for the chapters that follow by showing God's holiness, Israel's sin, and the certainty of judgment. This chapter also begins the movement from announcement of doom toward the later hope for restoration.

Themes to notice

  • Divine JudgmentGod rises to judge real sin, showing that rebellion against him has serious consequences.
  • False WorshipIdols and corrupt practices in Samaria and Judah are exposed and condemned.
  • Mourning and ExileThe prophet grieves over coming loss, shame, and the removal of families from their land.

Questions for Micah 1

  • What does Micah 1 show about the holiness and authority of the Lord?
  • Why are Samaria and Jerusalem held responsible in this chapter?
  • What stands out to you about Micah's mourning over the coming judgment?

Read the full text of Micah 1 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Micah

Micah 1

Judgment to Come

1This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem:

2Hear, O peoples, all of you;

listen, O earth, and everyone in it!

May the Lord GOD bear witness against you,

the Lord from His holy temple.

3For behold, the LORD comes forth

from His dwelling place;

He will come down and tread

on the high places of the earth.

4The mountains will melt beneath Him,

and the valleys will split apart,

like wax before the fire,

like water rushing down a slope.

5All this is for the transgression of Jacob

and the sins of the house of Israel.

What is the transgression of Jacob?

Is it not Samaria?

And what is the high place of Judah?

Is it not Jerusalem?

6Therefore I will make Samaria

a heap of rubble in the open field,

a planting area for a vineyard.

I will pour her stones into the valley

and expose her foundations.

7All her carved images will be smashed to pieces;

all her wages will be burned in the fire,

and I will destroy all her idols.

Since she collected the wages of a prostitute,

they will be used again on a prostitute.

Weeping and Mourning

8Because of this I will lament and wail;

I will walk barefoot and naked.

I will howl like a jackal

and mourn like an ostrich.

9For her wound is incurable;

it has reached even Judah;

it has approached the gate of my people,

as far as Jerusalem itself.

10Do not tell it in Gath; do not weep at all.

Roll in the dust in Beth-leaphrah.

11Depart in shameful nakedness,

O dwellers of Shaphir.

The dwellers of Zaanan

will not come out.

Beth-ezel is in mourning;

its support is taken from you.

12For the dwellers of Maroth pined for good,

but calamity came down from the LORD,

even to the gate of Jerusalem.

13Harness your chariot horses,

O dweller of Lachish.

You were the beginning of sin to the Daughter of Zion,

for the transgressions of Israel were found in you.

14Therefore, send farewell gifts to Moresheth-gath;

the houses of Achzib will prove deceptive

to the kings of Israel.

15I will again bring a conqueror against you,

O dweller of Mareshah.

The glory of Israel will come to Adullam.

16Shave yourselves bald and cut off your hair

in mourning for your precious children;

make yourselves as bald as an eagle,

for they will go from you into exile.

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