Micah 3:5

KJV1611 – Modern English

Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who make my people err, who bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that puts not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה עַל־הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים הַמַּתְעִ֣ים אֶת־עַמִּ֑י הַנֹּשְׁכִ֤ים בְּשִׁנֵּיהֶם֙ וְקָרְא֣וּ שָׁל֔וֹם וַאֲשֶׁר֙ לֹא־יִתֵּ֣ן עַל־פִּיהֶ֔ם וְקִדְּשׁ֥וּ עָלָ֖יו מִלְחָמָֽה׃

Transliteration

Thus ʾāmar YHWH concerning-the-nĕbîʾîm the-mattĕʿîm ʾet-ʿammî the-nōšĕkîm with-šinnêhem and-qārĕʾû šālôm and-who not-yittēn upon-pîhem and-qiddĕšû against-him milḥāmâ

Grammar Details

• *ʾāmar*: 3rd person masculine singular qal perfect - he said
• *YHWH*: divine name - LORD
• *nĕbîʾîm*: masculine plural noun - prophets
• *mattĕʿîm*: masculine plural hiphil participle - those causing to err
• *ʿammî*: masculine singular noun with 1st person singular suffix - my people
• *nōšĕkîm*: masculine plural qal participle - biters/those who bite
• *šinnêhem*: feminine plural noun with 3rd person masculine plural suffix - their teeth
• *qārĕʾû*: 3rd person plural qal perfect - they proclaimed
• *šālôm*: masculine singular noun - peace
• *yittēn*: 3rd person masculine singular qal imperfect - he gives
• *pîhem*: masculine singular noun with 3rd person masculine plural suffix - their mouth
• *qiddĕšû*: 3rd person plural piel perfect - they sanctified/prepared
• *milḥāmâ*: feminine singular noun - war

Word Meanings

• *ʾāmar*: he said/spoke
• *nĕbîʾîm*: prophets/spokesmen
• *mattĕʿîm*: those causing to err/leading astray/deceiving
• *nōšĕkîm*: those who bite/gnaw
• *qārĕʾû*: they proclaimed/called out
• *šālôm*: peace/welfare/prosperity
• *yittēn*: he gives/puts/places
• *qiddĕšû*: they sanctified/consecrated/prepared
• *milḥāmâ*: war/battle/fighting

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  This is what the LORD says: "As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim peace when they have something to eat but prepare for war against those who do not feed them.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Thus saith{H559} Jehovah{H3068} concerning the prophets{H5030} that make my people{H5971} to err;{H8582} that bite{H5391} with their teeth,{H8127} and cry,{H7121} Peace;{H7965} and whoso putteth{H5414} not into their mouths,{H6310} they even prepare{H6942} war{H4421} against him:

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Thus saith{H559}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068} concerning the prophets{H5030} that make my people{H5971} err{H8582}{(H8688)}, that bite{H5391}{(H8802)} with their teeth{H8127}, and cry{H7121}{(H8804)}, Peace{H7965}; and he that putteth{H5414}{(H8799)} not into their mouths{H6310}, they even prepare{H6942}{(H8765)} war{H4421} against him.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  And as concernynge the prophetes that disceaue my people, thus the LORDE sayeth agaynst them: When they haue eny thinge to byte vpon, then they preach that all shalbe well: but yf a man put not some thinge in to their mouthes, they preach of warre agaynst him.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Thus saith the Lorde, Concerning the prophets that deceiue my people, and bite them with their teeth, and cry peace, but if a man put not into their mouthes, they prepare warre against him,

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Thus saith the Lorde concerning the prophetes that deceaue my people and bite them with their teeth, and crye peace: but if a man put not into their mouthes, they prepare warre against him.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Thus says Yahweh concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; for those who feed their teeth, they proclaim, "Peace!" and whoever doesn't provide for their mouths, they prepare war against him:

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  Thus said Jehovah concerning the prophets Who are causing My people to err, Who are biting with their teeth, And have cried `Peace,' And he who doth not give unto their mouth, They have sanctified against him war.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Thus saith Jehovah concerning the prophets that make my people to err; that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and whoso putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him:

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Thus saith Jehovah concerning the prophets that make my people to err; that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and whoso putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him:

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  This is what the Lord has said about the prophets by whom my people have been turned from the right way; who, biting with their teeth, say, Peace; and if anyone puts nothing in their mouths they make ready for war against him.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Thus says Yahweh concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; for those who feed their teeth, they proclaim, "Peace!" and whoever doesn't provide for their mouths, they prepare war against him:

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  This is what the LORD has said about the prophets who mislead my people,“If someone gives them enough to eat, they offer an oracle of peace. But if someone does not give them food, they are ready to declare war on him.

Referenced Verses

• Jer 14:14-15 : 14 Then the LORD said to me, 'The prophets prophesy lies in My name; I have not sent them, nor commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision and divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.' 15 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, and I have not sent them, yet they say, 'Sword and famine shall not be in this land'—by sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed.
• Isa 9:15-16 : 15 The elder and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teaches lies, he is the tail. 16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed.
• Matt 7:15 : 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
• Jer 23:32 : 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, says the LORD, and who tell them and cause my people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all, says the LORD.
• Jer 28:15-17 : 15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah to Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD has not sent you; but you make this people to trust in a lie. 16 Therefore thus says the LORD; Behold, I will cast you from off the face of the earth: this year you shall die, because you have taught rebellion against the LORD. 17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
• Jer 29:21-23 : 21 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall slay them before your eyes. 22 And because of them a curse will be used by all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, 'The LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;' 23 Because they have done outrageous things in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; indeed I know, and am a witness, says the LORD.
• Ezek 13:10-16 : 10 Because, indeed, they have seduced my people, saying, 'Peace,' when there was no peace; and one builds up a wall, and others daub it with untempered mortar. 11 Say to those who daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. 12 Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the daubing with which you have daubed it?' 13 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: I will rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; there shall be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. 14 So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and you shall be consumed in its midst; and you shall know that I am the LORD. 15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall and upon those who daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say to you, 'The wall is no more, nor are those who daubed it.' 16 This is concerning the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and see visions of peace for her, when there is no peace, says the Lord GOD.
• Ezek 13:18-19 : 18 And say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the women who sew cushions on all armholes and make veils for the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people and save the souls alive that come to you? 19 Will you profane me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people who hear your lies?
• Ezek 22:25-29 : 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in its midst, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in its midst. 26 Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned My holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and unholy, neither have they shown difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hidden their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in its midst are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. 28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, Thus says the Lord GOD, when the LORD has not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppression, and committed robbery, and have wronged the poor and needy: yes, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
• Mic 2:11 : 11 If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood lies, saying, I will prophesy to you of wine and strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
• Mic 3:11 : 11 The leaders judge for reward, and the priests teach for hire, and the prophets divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.
• Mal 2:8 : 8 But you have turned out of the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts.
• Matt 15:14 : 14 Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
• Rom 16:18 : 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites; and by smooth talk and flattering words deceive the hearts of the innocent.
• Isa 3:12 : 12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.
• Isa 56:9-9 : 9 All you beasts of the field, come to devour, yes, all you beasts in the forest. 10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yes, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his territory. 12 Come, they say, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
• Jer 6:14 : 14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
• Jer 23:9-9 : 9 My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake. I am like a drunken man, and like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness. 10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourns; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their power is not right. 11 For both prophet and priest are profane. Yes, in my house I have found their wickedness, says the LORD. 12 Therefore their way shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall in it; for I will bring disaster upon them, the year of their punishment, says the LORD. 13 And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria: they prophesied by Baal and caused my people Israel to err. 14 I have also seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that none returns from his wickedness. They are all to me as Sodom, and the inhabitants of it as Gomorrah. 15 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness has gone forth into all the land. 16 Thus says the LORD of hosts, Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you vain; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. 17 They still say to those who despise me, 'The LORD has said, You shall have peace.' And they say to everyone who walks after the imagination of his own heart, 'No evil shall come upon you.'
• Jer 23:27 : 27 who think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which everyone tells to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.