Micah 3:2

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Micah 3:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “ye who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

ye who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;
Micah 3:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Micah 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2ye who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who hate the good, and love the evil, etc.] Instead of knowing and doing what was just and right; or, directly contrary to their light and knowledge, and the duty of their office, they hated that which is good, which is agreeable to the law, nature, and will of God, and loved that which is evil, which is contrary thereunto; or they hated to do good, and loved to do evil, as the Targum; as men do who are averse to good, and prone to evil; or they hated a good man, as Aben Ezra, and loved the evil man; not only delighted in committing sin themselves, but took pleasure in those that did it; and could not endure the company and conversation of holy and good men: who pluck off their skin from off…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“pluck off their skin . . . flesh--rob their fellow countrymen of all their substance (Psa 14:4; Pro 30:14).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who hate the good and love the evil - that is, they hate, for its own sake, that which is good, and love that which is evil. The prophet is not here speaking of their “hating good” men, or “loving evil” men, but of their hating goodness and loving wickedness . : “It is sin not to love good; what guilt to hate it! it is faulty, not to flee from evil, what ungodliness to love it!” Man, at first, loves and admires the good, even while he cloth it not; he hates the evil, even while he does it, or as soon as he has done it. But man cannot bear to he at strife with his conscience, and so he ends it, by excusing himself and telling lies to himself. And then, he hates the truth or good with a bitter…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The good - Ye who hate not only to do good, but the good which is done, and those that do it. The evil - Chuse, and delight in, both evil works and evil workers. Who pluck it off - Ye who use the flock as cruelly as the shepherd, who instead of shearing the fleece, would pluck off the skin and flesh. Micah 3:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:2-3 The leaders, like wild animals, destroyed their own people.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“hate: Kg1 21:20, Kg1 22:6-8; Amo 5:10-14; Luk 19:14; Joh 7:7, Joh 15:18, Joh 15:19, Joh 15:23, Joh 15:24; Act 7:51, Act 7:52; Rom 12:9; Ti2 3:3 love: Ch2 19:2; Psa 15:4, Psa 139:21, Psa 139:22; Pro 28:4; Joh 18:40; Rom 1:32 pluck: Psa 53:4; Isa 3:15; Eze 22:27, Eze 34:3; Amo 8:4-6; Zep 3:3; Zac 11:4, Zac 11:5 Micah 3:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification