Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Micah addresses Judah during a period of institutional collapse, immediately after declaring that the godly have perished and violence is widespread. He speaks to a community where leadership has abandoned justice and conspiracy has replaced integrity.
The words — The Hebrew כַּפַּיִם (kapayim) means "both hands," paired with לְהֵיטִיב (leheitiv), literally "to do well" or "to skillfully execute." Together they describe how every person actively practices evil rather than merely committing isolated wrongs.
The thread — This pattern of corrupted leadership and bribery recurs in Micah 3:11, where officials judge for a price, and echoes Proverbs 4:16, which notes the wicked cannot rest until they cause harm. Jeremiah 8:10 similarly documents the societal consequences when corruption spreads across all ranks.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that systemic evil thrives when those entrusted with authority actively collude rather than resist it. It requires the reader to identify and reject complicity in any structure that normalizes bribery and violence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Micah 3:11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”
- Proverbs 4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
- Jeremiah 8:10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.
- Amos 5:12 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.
- 1 Kings 21:9 In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people.
- Isaiah 1:23 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.
- Isaiah 26:21 For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.
- Jeremiah 3:5 Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.”
- Ezekiel 22:6 See how every prince of Israel within you has used his power to shed blood.
- Ezekiel 22:27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.