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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Micah 7:3 Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/micah/7-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/33_Mic_07_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Micah 7:3 - Israel's Great Misery" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. 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Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice. <a href="/esv/micah/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together. <a href="/bsb/micah/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. <a href="/kjv/micah/7.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/micah/7.htm">New King James Version</a> That they may successfully do evil with both hands— The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together. <a href="/nasb_/micah/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> As for evil, both hands do it well. The leader asks for a bribe, also the judge, And the great one speaks the capricious desire of his soul; So they plot it together. <a href="/nasb/micah/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> Concerning evil, both hands do it well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, And a great man speaks the desire of his soul; So they weave it together. <a href="/nasb77/micah/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Concerning evil, both hands do it well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, And a great man speaks the desire of his soul; So they weave it together. <a href="/lsb/micah/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Concerning evil, both hands do it well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a payment, And a great man speaks the craving of his soul; So they weave it together. <a href="/amp/micah/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Concerning evil, both of their hands pursue it and do it diligently and thoroughly; The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, And a great man speaks the [evil] desire of his soul. So they twist the course of justice between them. <a href="/csb/micah/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Both hands are good at accomplishing evil: the official and the judge demand a bribe; when the powerful man communicates his evil desire, they plot it together. <a href="/hcsb/micah/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Both hands are good at accomplishing evil: the official and the judge demand a bribe; when the powerful man communicates his evil desire, they plot it together. <a href="/asv/micah/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together. <a href="/cev/micah/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> People cooperate to commit crime. Judges and leaders demand bribes, and rulers cheat in court. <a href="/erv/micah/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the mischief of his soul: thus they weave it together. <a href="/gwt/micah/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Their hands are skilled in doing evil. Officials ask for gifts. Judges accept bribes. Powerful people dictate what they want. So they scheme together. <a href="/gnt/micah/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> They are all experts at doing evil. Officials and judges ask for bribes. The influential people tell them what they want, and so they scheme together. <a href="/isv/micah/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> And speaking of evil, they practice it eagerly—with both hands! Both leader and judge demand a bribe, the famous confess their perverted desires, and they scheme together. <a href="/msb/micah/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. <a href="/net/micah/7.htm">NET Bible</a> They are determined to be experts at doing evil; government officials and judges take bribes, prominent men make demands, and they all do what is necessary to satisfy them. <a href="/nheb/micah/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together. <a href="/wbt/micah/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/micah/7.htm">World English Bible</a> Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe. The powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/micah/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> On the evil [are] both hands to do [it] well, "" The prince is asking—also the judge—for repayment, "" And the great—he is speaking the mischief of his soul, "" And they wrap it up. <a href="/ylt/micah/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> On the evil are both hands to do it well, The prince is asking -- also the judge -- for recompence, And the great -- he is speaking the mischief of his soul, And they wrap it up. <a href="/slt/micah/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For doing evil with the hands to do well, the chief asking, and the judge, for peace; and the great one, he spake the mischief of his soul: and they will entangle it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/micah/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The evil of their hands they call good: the prince requireth, and the judge is for giving: and the great man hath uttered the desire of his soul, and they have troubled it. <a href="/cpdv/micah/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The evil of their hands, they call good. The leader is demanding, and the judge is yielding, and the great is speaking the desire of his soul, and they have confused it. <a href="/nabre/micah/7.htm">New American Bible</a> Their hands succeed at evil; the prince makes demands, The judge is bought for a price, the powerful speak as they please. <a href="/nrsvce/micah/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Their hands are skilled to do evil; the official and the judge ask for a bribe, and the powerful dictate what they desire; thus they pervert justice.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/micah/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Their hands are ready to do evil, and they never do good; the governor asks for gold, and the judge says, Give me a bribe; and the prince speaks the desire of his soul. <a href="/hpbt/micah/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Their hands are ready for evil and they do no good; the Ruler asks for gold and the Judge says, ”Give a bribe” and the Prince speaks the desire of his soul<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/micah/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; The prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; And the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul; Thus they weave it together. <a href="/sep/micah/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> they prepare their hands for mischief, the prince asks a reward, and the judge speaks flattering words; it is the desire of their soul: <a href="/parallel/micah/7-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V9AM9A76_xQ?start=1082" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/micah/7.htm">Israel's Great Misery</a> …2The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. 3<a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: kap·pa·yim (N-fd) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">Both hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: lə·hê·ṭîḇ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">are skilled</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·ra‘ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">at evil;</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: haś·śar (Art:: N-ms) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">the prince</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: wə·haš·šō·p̄êṭ (Conj-w, Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To judge, govern. ">and the judge</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: šō·’êl (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">demand</a> <a href="/hebrew/7966.htm" title="7966: ba·šil·lūm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Requital. Or shillum; from shalam; a requital, i.e. retribution, a fee.">a bribe.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: wə·hag·gā·ḏō·wl (Conj-w, Art:: Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">When the powerful</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dō·ḇêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">utters</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">his</a> <a href="/hebrew/1942.htm" title="1942: haw·waṯ (N-fsc) -- Desire, chasm, destruction. From hava'; desire; also ruin.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">desire,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5686.htm" title="5686: way·‘ab·bə·ṯū·hā (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3fs) -- To wind, weave. A primitive root; to interlace, i.e. to pervert.">they all conspire together.</a> 4The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a> Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Jeremiah 5:28</a> They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. <a href="/ezekiel/22-12.htm">Ezekiel 22:12</a> In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD. <a href="/hosea/4-18.htm">Hosea 4:18</a> When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace. <a href="/amos/5-12.htm">Amos 5:12</a> For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate. <a href="/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3-4</a> Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. / Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law. <a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Isaiah 5:23</a> who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. <a href="/jeremiah/6-13.htm">Jeremiah 6:13</a> “For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit. <a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Ezekiel 22:27</a> Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. <a href="/hosea/9-15.htm">Hosea 9:15</a> All their evil appears at Gilgal, for there I hated them. I will drive them from My house for the wickedness of their deeds. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious. <a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Matthew 23:28</a> In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. <a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-22</a> For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39</a> Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Romans 1:29-31</a> They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. / They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. <a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a> But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a reward; and the great man, he utters his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.do.<a href="/proverbs/4-16.htm">Proverbs 4:16,17</a> For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall… <a href="/jeremiah/3-5.htm">Jeremiah 3:5</a> Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.<a href="/ezekiel/22-6.htm">Ezekiel 22:6</a> Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.the prince.<a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a> 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.<a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a> Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.<a href="/jeremiah/8-10.htm">Jeremiah 8:10</a> Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.the great.<a href="/1_kings/21-9.htm">1 Kings 21:9-14</a> And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: … his mischievous desire.<a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a> For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.<a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Luke 12:1,2</a> In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy… <a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a> Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Accepts</a> <a href="/amos/5-12.htm">Bribe</a> <a href="/psalms/105-25.htm">Conspire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-24.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/daniel/2-11.htm">Demands</a> <a href="/micah/7-1.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/jeremiah/36-17.htm">Dictate</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-24.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/jonah/3-8.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/micah/4-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/micah/1-14.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/micah/5-3.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/micah/5-4.htm">Great</a> <a href="/micah/5-13.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/micah/5-1.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/amos/9-6.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-13.htm">Mischievous</a> <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Money</a> <a href="/amos/5-22.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/micah/2-10.htm">Powerful</a> <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Prince</a> <a href="/jonah/4-7.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-23.htm">Requests</a> <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Right</a> <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/daniel/8-23.htm">Skilled</a> <a href="/micah/7-1.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/micah/5-1.htm">Together</a> <a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/amos/1-2.htm">Uttereth</a> <a href="/amos/1-2.htm">Utters</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Weave</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Wrap</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zephaniah/3-2.htm">Accepts</a> <a href="/acts/24-26.htm">Bribe</a> <a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Conspire</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/john/16-5.htm">Demands</a> <a href="/micah/7-10.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/jeremiah/36-17.htm">Dictate</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-15.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/matthew/19-26.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/nahum/1-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/micah/7-16.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-12.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/micah/7-9.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-8.htm">Mischievous</a> <a href="/matthew/6-3.htm">Money</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-4.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-3.htm">Powerful</a> <a href="/matthew/2-6.htm">Prince</a> <a href="/nahum/2-3.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/matthew/6-8.htm">Requests</a> <a href="/matthew/5-12.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/micah/7-9.htm">Right</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-14.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-10.htm">Skilled</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-4.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/nahum/1-10.htm">Together</a> <a href="/nahum/1-10.htm">Twisted</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-10.htm">Uttereth</a> <a href="/john/3-34.htm">Utters</a> <a href="/exodus/28-39.htm">Weave</a> <a href="/acts/12-8.htm">Wrap</a><div class="vheading2">Micah 7</div>1. <a href="/micah/7-1.htm">The church, complaining of her small number,</a> 3. <a href="/micah/7-3.htm">and the general corruption,</a> 5. <a href="/micah/7-5.htm">puts her confidence not in man, but in God.</a> 8. <a href="/micah/7-8.htm">She triumphs over her enemies.</a> 14. <a href="/micah/7-14.htm">She prays to God.</a> 15. <a href="/micah/7-15.htm">God comforts her by promises of confusion to her enemies;</a> 18. <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">and by his mercies.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/micah/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/micah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/micah/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Both hands are skilled at evil; This phrase highlights the pervasive corruption and moral decay among the people. The use of "both hands" suggests a complete and deliberate commitment to wrongdoing, indicating that evil actions are not accidental but intentional and practiced. This reflects the broader theme of human depravity found throughout the Bible, such as in <a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a>, where humanity's wickedness is described as great on the earth. The imagery of hands being skilled at evil can also be seen as a reversal of the biblical ideal of using one's hands for righteous work, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/31-31.htm">Proverbs 31:31</a>.the prince and the judge demand a bribe. This part of the verse points to systemic corruption within the leadership and judicial systems. Princes and judges, who are supposed to uphold justice and righteousness, are instead exploiting their positions for personal gain. This echoes the warnings against bribery found in <a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a>, where leaders are instructed to judge fairly and not pervert justice. The demand for bribes indicates a society where justice is not accessible to the poor and marginalized, a theme that is frequently addressed by the prophets, including Isaiah and Amos.When the powerful utters his evil desire, The "powerful" refers to those in positions of authority and influence, whose words and desires can shape societal norms and actions. This phrase suggests that the powerful are not only complicit in evil but are also initiators of it. Their desires are not aligned with God's will, contrasting with the biblical call for leaders to be shepherds of the people, as seen in <a href="/ezekiel/34.htm">Ezekiel 34</a>. The influence of the powerful in promoting evil can be compared to the influence of the Pharisees in the New Testament, who are criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and leading others astray (Matthew 23).they all conspire together. This indicates a collective agreement and collaboration in wrongdoing among the leaders and influential figures. The conspiracy suggests a deliberate and organized effort to perpetuate injustice, similar to the conspiracies against the prophets and Jesus Himself, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/11-19.htm">Jeremiah 11:19</a> and <a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">Matthew 26:3-4</a>. This collective action against righteousness highlights the need for divine intervention and justice, a theme that runs throughout the prophetic books and is ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Christ, who brings true justice and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/micah.htm">Micah</a> A prophet in the 8th century BC, Micah delivered messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah and Israel. His prophecies often addressed social injustices and the need for repentance. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah_and_israel.htm">Judah and Israel</a> The divided kingdoms of God's chosen people during Micah's time. Both kingdoms were plagued by corruption and idolatry, leading to their eventual downfall. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_prince.htm">The Prince</a> Represents the ruling class or leaders who were expected to uphold justice but instead engaged in corrupt practices. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_judge.htm">The Judge</a> Symbolizes those in positions of judicial authority who were supposed to administer justice impartially but were swayed by bribes. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_powerful.htm">The Powerful</a> Refers to influential individuals who used their power for personal gain, often at the expense of the vulnerable.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_pervasiveness_of_corruption.htm">The Pervasiveness of Corruption</a> Corruption is not limited to a single individual or group but can permeate all levels of society, from leaders to judges to the powerful. This calls for vigilance and integrity in all areas of life. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_injustice.htm">The Consequences of Injustice</a> When leaders and those in authority engage in corrupt practices, it leads to societal decay and divine judgment. Believers are called to uphold justice and righteousness in their spheres of influence. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_for_righteous_leadership.htm">The Call for Righteous Leadership</a> God desires leaders who are just and righteous. Christians are encouraged to pray for and support leaders who demonstrate these qualities and to hold them accountable. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_believer_in_society.htm">The Role of the Believer in Society</a> Believers are called to be salt and light in a corrupt world, advocating for justice and standing against corruption in all its forms. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a> Personal integrity is crucial in resisting the temptation to engage in or condone corrupt practices. Christians are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness and justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_micah_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Micah 7</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'new_birth'_mean.htm">Who was the biblical prophet Micah?</a> <a href="/q/what's_micah's_main_message.htm">What is the main message of the Book of Micah?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_levite's_status_credible_in_judges_17.htm">In Judges 17:7-13, how credible is the Levite's priestly status, given the requirements found elsewhere in the Old Testament regarding priestly lineage?</a> <a href="/q/is_jesus_in_the_old_testament.htm">Is Jesus mentioned in the Old Testament?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/micah/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) That they may do evil with both hands earnestly.--Literally, well. Dr. Benisch, in his Old Testament newly translated under the supervision of the Rev. the Chief Rabbi of the United Congregations of the British Empire (1852), avoids the oxymoron of doing "evil" "well" by translating the passage, "concerning the evil which their hands should amend," which satisfactorily harmonises with the rest of the passage.So they wrap it up.--Literally, twist it, and pervert the course of justice.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/micah/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - That they may do evil, etc. rather, both hands are upon (equivalent to "busy with") evil to do it thoroughly. This clause and the rest of the verse are very obscure Cheyne supposes the text to be corrupt. Henderson renders, "For evil their hands are well prepared;" so virtually Hitzig, Pusey, and the Septuagint. Caspari agrees rather with the Vulgate (Malum manuum suarum dicunt bonum)," Hands are (busy) upon evil to make (it seem) good," which looks to that extremity of iniquity when men "call evil good, and good evil" (<a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a>). The general meaning is that they are ready enough to do evil, and, as the next clause says, can be bribed to do anything. The prince asketh; makes some nefarious demand of the judge, some perversion of justice at his hands, as in the case of Naboth (<a href="/1_kings/21.htm">1 Kings 21</a>.). The judge asketh (is ready) for a reward. The judge is willing to do what the prince wishes, if he is bribed for it. LXX., Ὁ κριτής εἰρηνικοὺς λόγους ἐλάλησε, "The judge speaks words of peace" (comp. <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a>; <a href="/zephaniah/3-8.htm">Zephaniah 3:8</a>). He uttereth his mischievous desire; or, the mischief of his soul. The rich man speaks out unblushingly the evil that he has conceived in his heart, the wicked design which he meditates. So they wrap it up; better, and they weave it together. The prince, the judge, and the rich man weave their evil plan together, to make it strong and right in others' eyes. The passage is altered in meaning by a different grouping of the Hebrew letters, thus: "The prince demandeth (a reward) to do good; and the judge, for the recompense of a great man, uttereth what he himself desireth. And they entangle the good more than briars, and the righteous more than a thorn hedge." The LXX. carries on the sense to the next verse, Καὶ ἐξελοῦμαι τὰ ἀγαθὰ αὐτῶν ὠς σὴς ἐκτρώγων, "And I will destroy their goods as a consuming moth." <a href="/commentaries/micah/7-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Both hands כַּפַּ֙יִם֙ (kap·pa·yim) Noun - fd <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan are skilled לְהֵיטִ֔יב (lə·hê·ṭîḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> To be good, well, glad, or pleasing at evil; הָרַ֤ע (hā·ra‘) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil the prince הַשַּׂ֣ר (haś·śar) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince and the judge וְהַשֹּׁפֵ֖ט (wə·haš·šō·p̄êṭ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate demand שֹׁאֵ֔ל (šō·’êl) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> To inquire, to request, to demand a bribe; בַּשִׁלּ֑וּם‪‬‪‬ (baš·šil·lūm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7966.htm">Strong's 7966: </a> A requital, retribution, a fee when the powerful וְהַגָּד֗וֹל (wə·hag·gā·ḏō·wl) Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent utters דֹּבֵ֨ר (dō·ḇêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue his ה֖וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are evil הַוַּ֥ת (haw·waṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1942.htm">Strong's 1942: </a> Desire, chasm, destruction desire, נַפְשׁ֛וֹ (nap̄·šōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion they all conspire together. וַֽיְעַבְּתֽוּהָ׃ (way·‘ab·bə·ṯū·hā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5686.htm">Strong's 5686: </a> To interlace, to pervert <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/micah/7-3.htm">OT Prophets: Micah 7:3 Their hands are on that which (Mc Mic. Mi)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/micah/7-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Micah 7:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Micah 7:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/micah/7-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Micah 7:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Micah 7:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>