Micah 1 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Micah is written mainly in a poetic form. Most of the prophets wrote to either the Northern Kingdom or the Southern Kingdom. Micah wrote to both of them at times without clear distinction, as he did in this chapter.

1. Yahweh comes to judge the nations (1–5)
2. Samaria is destroyed because of its sin (6–7)
3. Micah mourns the coming judgment on Judah (8–16)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Idolatry as prostitution

Samaria’s idols are called a prostitute’s wages, portraying idolatry as unfaithfulness to Yahweh.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

City names

Several times in this chapter, the names of the cities are used to describe their destruction. This sounds unusual in English because of its construction in Hebrew. It contains several “plays on words.” “Lachish will be lashed” is an example of this type of construction. This kind of poetic element rarely carries into other languages but including the information in a footnote may be helpful.