WHO WROTE:  Micah.

 

 

WHAT TIME PERIOD IS COVERED:  According to Micah 1:1, Micah prophesied “in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah,” equaling B.C. 779 - B.C. 733.

 

 

WHEN WRITTEN:  After B.C. 779 to B.C. 733.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:  Micah is a shortened form of “Micaiah,” meaning, “Who is like Jehovah,” with “Micaiah” meaning, “Who is like El [God].”  If we reckon from the beginning of Jotham’s reign to the end of Hezekiah’s (the listed kings in which Micah ministered), then he ministered for about fifty-nine years.  However, if we reckon from the death of Jotham to the accession of Hezekiah, his ministry lasted only sixteen years.  Thus, we have a larger possibility for years of service.

 

The following references to this Book in the New Testament are:

 

Micah 5:2 -- compare to Matthew 2:6 & John 7:42;

Micah 7:6 -- compare to Matthew 10:21 & 35 & 36;

Micah 7:20 -- compare to Luke 1:72 & 73.

 

Jeremiah (26:18) mentions one of Micah’s prophecies, thus acknowledging the prophetic embodiment of Micah.

 

The thrice repeated phrase, “Hear ye,” Micah 1:2; 3:1; 6:1, gives credence to the dividing of the whole Book into three parts.  Also, if we compare Micah 4:1 with Isaiah 2:2, Bible commentators have struggled to figure out who first originated the phrase, including an older prophet, especially since Micah 4:4 seems to add to the phrase.

 

He calls his native city, in Micah 1:14, “Moreshethgath,” because it was situated near the Philistine city of Gath.  According to Jerome and Eusebius, this place was situated not far eastward from “Eleutheropolis.”

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