📖 Biblical Definition
Micah was a minor prophet of Judah, contemporary of Isaiah, active during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (~735-700 BC). His seven-chapter book contains some of the Old Testament's sharpest social-justice oracles, the famous summary of true religion (do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God, Mic 6:8), and the prophecy of Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah (Mic 5:2 — cited at Christ's birth, Mt 2:6).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Minor prophet of Judah (~8th c. BC); contemporary of Isaiah; prophet of Bethlehem-Messiah and of true religion.
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Seven chapters; alternating oracles of judgment and hope. Major themes: corruption of leaders (3:9-12), idolatry, social injustice, the coming Bethlehem ruler (5:2), the controversy of the LORD with His people (6:1-8), eschatological gathering of nations to Mount Zion (4:1-3).
Micah 5:2 is cited explicitly in Matthew 2:6 by the chief priests and scribes when Herod asks where Christ should be born. The prophecy traversed seven centuries to its fulfillment.
📖 Key Scripture
Micah 5:2 — "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel."
Micah 6:8 — "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Micah 4:2 — "Many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD."
Micah 7:18 — "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage?"
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often quotes Micah 6:8 sentimentally; in context it is the LORD's indictment against worship-without-justice and a definition of true religion in concise form.
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Micah 6:1-8 is a covenant-lawsuit oracle: the LORD calls the mountains to witness against His people. They have substituted ritual sacrifice for justice and mercy. Micah 6:8 answers the rhetorical question, what doth the LORD require of thee? Not animal multiplication; do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God.
Micah 7:18 ends the book with a wordplay on his own name: who is a God like unto thee? — in Hebrew, mi-kha-El, ‘who is like God?’. The prophet whose name asks the question closes by answering it: there is none like the LORD who pardons iniquity.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Mikhah; who is like Yahweh.
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Hebrew Mikhah — mi (who) plus kah (like) plus implied Yah (Yahweh).
Note: same name as Michael (mi-kha-El, who is like God) and several other Old Testament figures.
Usage
"Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God."
"Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little — the prophecy traversed seven centuries."
"Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity?"