CINXE.COM

<!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 7:4 The 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/micah/7-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/33_Mic_07_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Micah 7:4 - Israel's Great Misery" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The 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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/micah/7-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/micah/7-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/micah/">Micah</a> > <a href="/micah/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/micah/7-3.htm" title="Micah 7:3">◄</a> Micah 7:4 <a href="/micah/7-5.htm" title="Micah 7:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/micah/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/micah/7.htm">New International Version</a> The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion. <a href="/nlt/micah/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> Even the best of them is like a brier; the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns. But your judgment day is coming swiftly now. Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion. <a href="/esv/micah/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> The best of them is like a brier, the most upright of them a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come; now their confusion is at hand. <a href="/bsb/micah/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The 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. <a href="/kjv/micah/7.htm">King James Bible</a> The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. <a href="/nkjv/micah/7.htm">New King James Version</a> The best of them is like a brier; The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; The day of your watchman and your punishment comes; Now shall be their perplexity. <a href="/nasb_/micah/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The best of them is like a thorn bush, The most upright like a thorn hedge. The day when you post your watchmen, Your punishment is coming. Then their confusion will occur. <a href="/nasb/micah/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> The best of them is like a briar, The most upright like a thorn hedge. The day when you post your watchmen, Your punishment will come. Then their confusion will occur. <a href="/nasb77/micah/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> The best of them is like a briar, The most upright like a thorn hedge. The day when you post a watchman, Your punishment will come. Then their confusion will occur. <a href="/lsb/micah/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The best of them is like a briar, The most upright like a thorn hedge. The day when you post your watchmen, Your punishment will come. At that time their panic will happen. <a href="/amp/micah/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The best of them is [injurious] like a briar; The most upright is [prickly] like a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen [that is, the time predicted by the prophets] And your punishment comes; Now shall be their confusion. <a href="/csb/micah/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is worse than a hedge of thorns. The day of your watchmen, the day of your punishment, is coming; at this time their panic is here. <a href="/hcsb/micah/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is worse than a hedge of thorns. The day of your watchmen, the day of your punishment, is coming; at this time their panic is here. <a href="/asv/micah/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> The best of them is as a brier; the most upright is worse than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen, even thy visitation, is come; now shall be their perplexity. <a href="/cev/micah/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The most honest of them is worse than a thorn patch. Your doom has come! Lookouts sound the warning, and everyone panics. <a href="/erv/micah/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is worse than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen, even thy visitation, is come; now shall be their perplexity. <a href="/gwt/micah/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The best of them is like a briar. The most decent person is sharper than thornbushes. The day you thought you would be punished has come. Now is the time you will be confused. <a href="/gnt/micah/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> Even the best and most honest of them are as worthless as weeds. The day has come when God will punish the people, as he warned them through their watchmen, the prophets. Now they are in confusion. <a href="/isv/micah/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> The best of them is like a thorn, and their most upright like a hedge of thorns. The day announced by your watchmen— and by your own calculations—approaches. Now it's your time to be confused! <a href="/msb/micah/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The 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. <a href="/net/micah/7.htm">NET Bible</a> The best of them is like a thorn; the most godly among them are more dangerous than a row of thorn bushes. The day you try to avoid by posting watchmen--your appointed time of punishment--is on the way, and then you will experience confusion. <a href="/nheb/micah/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The best of them is like a brier. The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen, even your visitation, has come; now is the time of their confusion. <a href="/wbt/micah/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. <a href="/web/micah/7.htm">World English Bible</a> The best of them is like a brier. The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen, even your visitation, has come; now is the time of their confusion. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/micah/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Their best one [is] as a brier, "" The upright one—than a thorn-hedge, "" The day of your watchmen—Your visitation—has come. Now is their perplexity. <a href="/ylt/micah/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Their best one is as a brier, The upright one -- than a thorn-hedge, The day of thy watchmen -- Thy visitation -- hath come. Now is their perplexity. <a href="/slt/micah/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Their good as the thorn, the upright more than the thorn-hedge: the day of thy watchings and thy reviewings came; now shall be their perplexity.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/micah/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> He that is best among them, is as a brier: and he that is righteous, as the thorn of the hedge. The day of thy inspection, thy visitation cometh: now shall be their destruction. <a href="/cpdv/micah/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Whoever is best among them is like a thorny plant, and he who is righteous is like a thorny hedge. The day of your inspection, your visitation, arrives. Now will be their ruination. <a href="/nabre/micah/7.htm">New American Bible</a> The best of them is like a brier, the most honest like a thorn hedge. The day announced by your sentinels! Your punishment has come; now is the time of your confusion. <a href="/nrsvce/micah/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The best of them is like a brier, the most upright of them a thorn hedge. The day of their sentinels, of their punishment, has come; now their confusion is at hand.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/micah/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> They have rejected the best part of them, and have become like rags which are eaten by the moth; the day of your watchmen and your salvation is come; but now it shall be their mourning. <a href="/hpbt/micah/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they have rejected their goodness like a patch of cloth that a moth eats. The day of your Watchmen and of your salvation has come! From now on it shall be the house of their weeping<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/micah/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> The best of them is as a brier; The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge; The day of thy watchmen, even thy visitation, is come; Now shall be their perplexity. <a href="/sep/micah/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> therefore I will take away their goods as a devouring moth, and as one who acts by a rigid rule in a day of visitation. Woe, woe, thy times of vengeance are come; now shall be their lamentations. <a href="/parallel/micah/7-4.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=1095" 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> …3Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. 4<a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·w·ḇām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">The best of them is</a> <a href="/hebrew/2312.htm" title="2312: kə·ḥê·ḏeq (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- A briar. From an unused root meaning to sting; a prickly plant.">like a brier;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: yā·šār (Adj-ms) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">the most upright is sharper</a> <a href="/hebrew/4534.htm" title="4534: mim·mə·sū·ḵāh (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- A hedge. For msuwkah; a hedge.">than a hedge of thorns.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">The day</a> <a href="/hebrew/6822.htm" title="6822: mə·ṣap·pe·ḵā (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. To peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await.">for your watchmen</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ḇā·’āh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">has come,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6486.htm" title="6486: pə·qud·dā·ṯə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Oversight, mustering, visitation, store. Feminine passive participle of paqad; visitation.">the day of your visitation.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: ‘at·tāh (Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: ṯih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">is the time</a> <a href="/hebrew/3998.htm" title="3998: mə·ḇū·ḵā·ṯām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Confusion, confounding. From buwk; perplexity.">of their confusion.</a> 5Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.…<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/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a> Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26-31</a> For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / 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="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a> Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. <a href="/isaiah/59-4.htm">Isaiah 59:4-8</a> No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity. / They hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched. / Their cobwebs cannot be made into clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their deeds are sinful deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. ... <a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Hosea 9:7</a> The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility. <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a> Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. <a href="/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4-6</a> “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. / You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD. <a href="/luke/6-26.htm">Luke 6:26</a> Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way. <a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Isaiah 3:11</a> Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. <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, ... <a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Ezekiel 22:27-29</a> Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. / Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken. / The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice. <a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a> The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. <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="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a> Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. <a href="/amos/5-13.htm">Amos 5:13</a> Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of your watchmen and your visitation comes; now shall be their perplexity.is a.<a href="/2_samuel/23-6.htm">2 Samuel 23:6,7</a> But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: … <a href="/isaiah/55-13.htm">Isaiah 55:13</a> Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.<a href="/ezekiel/2-6.htm">Ezekiel 2:6</a> And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.the day.<a href="/ezekiel/12-23.htm">Ezekiel 12:23,24</a> Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision… <a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Hosea 9:7,8</a> The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred… <a href="/amos/8-2.htm">Amos 8:2</a> And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.thy.<a href="/isaiah/10-3.htm">Isaiah 10:3</a> And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?<a href="/jeremiah/8-12.htm">Jeremiah 8:12</a> Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.<a href="/jeremiah/10-15.htm">Jeremiah 10:15</a> They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.now.<a href="/isaiah/22-5.htm">Isaiah 22:5</a> For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.<a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25</a> And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jonah/1-13.htm">Best</a> <a href="/luke/6-44.htm">Briar</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-24.htm">Brier</a> <a href="/daniel/9-8.htm">Confusion</a> <a href="/micah/4-11.htm">Fate</a> <a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/hosea/2-6.htm">Hedge</a> <a href="/daniel/8-19.htm">Occur</a> <a href="/micah/6-12.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-5.htm">Perplexity</a> <a href="/micah/6-15.htm">Plant</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-2.htm">Post</a> <a href="/micah/6-13.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Sharper</a> <a href="/micah/7-1.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/hosea/10-8.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/hosea/13-14.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/micah/6-9.htm">Time</a> <a href="/jonah/4-6.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/micah/7-2.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Visitation</a> <a href="/job/31-14.htm">Visits</a> <a href="/micah/5-1.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/micah/6-13.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-11.htm">Watchmen</a> <a href="/daniel/1-10.htm">Worse</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/9-3.htm">Best</a> <a href="/luke/6-44.htm">Briar</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Brier</a> <a href="/acts/16-20.htm">Confusion</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Fate</a> <a href="/micah/7-16.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Hedge</a> <a href="/matthew/26-5.htm">Occur</a> <a href="/nahum/3-17.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/mark/6-20.htm">Perplexity</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-13.htm">Plant</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-1.htm">Post</a> <a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Sharper</a> <a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/matthew/7-16.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/nahum/1-10.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/micah/7-10.htm">Time</a> <a href="/nahum/1-7.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/luke/19-44.htm">Visitation</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-12.htm">Visits</a> <a href="/nahum/2-5.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/micah/7-13.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/matthew/27-65.htm">Watchmen</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-15.htm">Worse</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>The best of them is like a brier; This phrase suggests that even the most virtuous individuals among the people are compared to a brier, a thorny plant. In biblical symbolism, briers often represent obstacles or difficulties (<a href="/isaiah/55-13.htm">Isaiah 55:13</a>). This imagery indicates the pervasive corruption and moral decay in society, where even the best are entangled in sin. The prophet Micah is highlighting the lack of true righteousness among the people, echoing the sentiments found in <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a>, where all righteousness is described as "filthy rags."the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. Here, the "most upright" being compared to a hedge of thorns emphasizes the idea that those who are considered morally superior are still harmful and dangerous. Thorns in scripture often symbolize sin and its consequences (<a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18</a>). This reflects the societal breakdown where trust and integrity are compromised, aligning with <a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>, which speaks of the deceitfulness of the heart. The imagery of thorns also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who wore a crown of thorns (<a href="/matthew/27-29.htm">Matthew 27:29</a>), symbolizing the burden of sin He bore.The day for your watchmen has come, Watchmen in biblical times were responsible for warning the people of impending danger (<a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Ezekiel 3:17</a>). This phrase indicates that the time for the watchmen to fulfill their duty has arrived, suggesting imminent judgment. The watchmen's role is crucial in prophetic literature, as they are often tasked with calling the people to repentance. This aligns with the prophetic tradition seen in <a href="/isaiah/21-6.htm">Isaiah 21:6</a>, where watchmen are instructed to be vigilant.the day of your visitation. The "day of visitation" refers to a time when God intervenes in human affairs, often for judgment or deliverance. In this context, it implies a coming judgment upon the people for their sins. This concept is echoed in other prophetic writings, such as <a href="/jeremiah/8-12.htm">Jeremiah 8:12</a>, where the day of visitation is associated with punishment. Theologically, it also points to the ultimate visitation of God in the person of Jesus Christ, who came to bring salvation and judgment (<a href="/luke/19-44.htm">Luke 19:44</a>).Now is the time of their confusion. The phrase "time of their confusion" suggests a period of chaos and disarray resulting from divine judgment. This confusion is a consequence of the people's sin and rebellion against God, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:28</a>, where confusion is a curse for disobedience. Theologically, it underscores the idea that turning away from God leads to disorder and instability, a theme prevalent throughout the prophetic books. This confusion contrasts with the peace and order that come from following God's ways (<a href="/1_corinthians/14-33.htm">1 Corinthians 14:33</a>).<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. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah_and_israel.htm">Judah and Israel</a> The divided kingdoms of God's chosen people, often straying from God's commandments and facing His judgment. 3. <a href="/topical/w/watchmen.htm">Watchmen</a> Symbolic figures representing prophets or leaders who are supposed to warn the people of impending danger or judgment. 4. <a href="/topical/d/day_of_visitation.htm">Day of Visitation</a> A time when God intervenes, either in judgment or deliverance, depending on the context. 5. <a href="/topical/b/brier_and_hedge_of_thorns.htm">Brier and Hedge of Thorns</a> Metaphors for the moral and spiritual corruption of the people, even those considered the best among them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/m/moral_corruption.htm">Moral Corruption</a> Even the best among the people are compared to briers and thorns, indicating deep-seated corruption. We must examine our own lives for areas where we may be falling short of God's standards. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_spiritual_leaders.htm">Role of Spiritual Leaders</a> The watchmen symbolize leaders who are responsible for guiding and warning the people. As Christians, we should pray for and support our leaders to fulfill their roles faithfully. <a href="/topical/g/god's_timing.htm">God's Timing</a> The "day of visitation" reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and His intervention is certain. We should live in readiness, aligning our lives with His will. <a href="/topical/d/discernment.htm">Discernment</a> The imagery of thorns calls for discernment in recognizing true righteousness versus superficial appearances. We must seek wisdom and understanding through prayer and study of the Word. <a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_confusion.htm">Hope Amidst Confusion</a> While the passage speaks of confusion, it also implies that God is in control. In times of uncertainty, we can trust in God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for redemption.<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_occurred_with_mary.htm">What occurred with Mary?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_temple_worship_essential_in_psalm_100_4.htm">Why does the psalm present worship at the temple ('enter his gates,' Psalm 100:4) as essential, when other parts of the Bible emphasize worship outside Jerusalem's temple?</a> <a href="/q/does_proverbs_4_1_ignore_bad_guidance.htm">Does the call to heed a father's instruction in Proverbs 4:1 ignore the possibility of flawed or harmful parental guidance?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_gospel_birth_details_differ.htm">Why do the Gospels disagree on the details of Jesus' birth, such as the visit from the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12) and the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)?</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>(4) The day of thy watchmen--i.e., the time which thy prophets have foreseen, about which they have continually warned thee. "Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken" (<a href="/jeremiah/6-17.htm" title="Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Listen to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not listen.">Jeremiah 6:17</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/micah/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - The best of them is as a briar; hard and piercing, catching and holding all that passes by. The plant intended by the word chedek is a thorny one used for hedges (<a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Proverbs 15:19</a>). Under another aspect thorns are a symbol of what is noxious and worthless (<a href="/2_samuel/23-6.htm">2 Samuel 23:6</a>), or of sin and temptation. The most upright is sharper (worse) than a thorn hedge. Those who seem comparatively upright are more injurious, tangled, and inaccessible than a hedge of thorns. In punishment of all this corruption, the prophet points to the day of judgment. The day of thy watchmen. The day of retribution foretold by the prophets (<a href="/isaiah/21-6.htm">Isaiah 21:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-17.htm">Jeremiah 6:17</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Ezekiel 3:17</a>). And (even) thy visitation; in apposition with the day, the time, and explanatory of punishment. Cometh; is come - the perfect tense denoting the certainty of the future event. Septuagint, Οὐαὶ αἱ ἐκδικήσεις σου ἥκασι, "Woe! thy vengeance is come." Now shall be their perplexity. When this day of the Lord comes, there shall be confusion (<a href="/isaiah/22-5.htm">Isaiah 22:5</a>); it shall bring chastise ment before deliverance. The prophet here, as elsewhere, changes from the second to the third person, speaking of the people gene rally. Septuagint, Νῦν ἔσονται κλαυθμοὶ αὐτῶν "Now shall be their weeping;" so the Syriac. Pusey notes the paronomasia here. They were as bad as a thorn hedge (merucah); they shall fall into perplexity (mebucah). <a href="/commentaries/micah/7-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>The best of them [is] טוֹבָ֣ם (ṭō·w·ḇām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good like a brier; כְּחֵ֔דֶק (kə·ḥê·ḏeq) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2312.htm">Strong's 2312: </a> A prickly plant the most upright [is sharper] יָשָׁ֖ר (yā·šār) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> Straight, right then a hedge of thorns. מִמְּסוּכָ֑ה (mim·mə·sū·ḵāh) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4534.htm">Strong's 4534: </a> A hedge The day י֤וֹם (yō·wm) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day you post your watchmen, מְצַפֶּ֙יךָ֙ (mə·ṣap·pe·ḵā) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6822.htm">Strong's 6822: </a> To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await your punishment פְּקֻדָּתְךָ֣ (pə·qud·dā·ṯə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6486.htm">Strong's 6486: </a> Oversight, mustering, visitation, store will come; בָ֔אָה (ḇā·’āh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go then עַתָּ֥ה (‘at·tāh) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> At this time their confusion מְבוּכָתָֽם׃ (mə·ḇū·ḵā·ṯām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3998.htm">Strong's 3998: </a> Confusion, confounding will arise. תִהְיֶ֖ה (ṯih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/micah/7-4.htm">Micah 7:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/micah/7-4.htm">OT Prophets: Micah 7:4 The best of them is like (Mc Mic. Mi)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/micah/7-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Micah 7:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Micah 7:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/micah/7-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Micah 7:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Micah 7:5" /></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>