Micah 3:3
New International Version
who eat my people’s flesh, strip off their skin and break their bones in pieces; who chop them up like meat for the pan, like flesh for the pot?”

New Living Translation
Yes, you eat my people’s flesh, strip off their skin, and break their bones. You chop them up like meat for the cooking pot.

English Standard Version
who eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and break their bones in pieces and chop them up like meat in a pot, like flesh in a cauldron.

Berean Standard Bible
You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”

King James Bible
Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

New King James Version
Who also eat the flesh of My people, Flay their skin from them, Break their bones, And chop them in pieces Like meat for the pot, Like flesh in the caldron.”

New American Standard Bible
Who eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Smash their bones, And chop them up as for the pot, And as meat in a cauldron!”

NASB 1995
Who eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones And chop them up as for the pot And as meat in a kettle.”

NASB 1977
And who eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones, And chop them up as for the pot And as meat in a kettle.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And who eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones, And spread them out as for the pot And as meat in a caldron.”

Amplified Bible
You who eat the flesh of my people, Strip off their skin from them, Break their bones And chop them in pieces as for the pot, Like meat in a kettle.”

Christian Standard Bible
You eat the flesh of my people after you strip their skin from them and break their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You eat the flesh of my people after you strip their skin from them and break their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”

American Standard Version
who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

Contemporary English Version
break their bones, cook it all in a pot, and gulp it down.

English Revised Version
who also eat the flesh of my people; and they flay their skin from off them, and break their bones: yea, they chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You eat my people's flesh. You strip off their skin. You break their bones to pieces. You chop them up like meat for a pot, like stew meat for a kettle.

Good News Translation
You eat my people up. You strip off their skin, break their bones, and chop them up like meat for the pot.

International Standard Version
You eat the flesh of my people, flaying their skin from them. You break their bones, chopping them in pieces like meat for a pot, like meat destined for a soup kettle.'

Majority Standard Bible
You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.?

NET Bible
You devour my people's flesh, strip off their skin, and crush their bones. You chop them up like flesh in a pot--like meat in a kettle.

New Heart English Bible
who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

World English Bible
who also eat the flesh of my people, and peel their skin from off them, and break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as meat within the cauldron.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And who have eaten the flesh of My people, "" And their skin from off them have stripped, "" And their bones they have broken, "" And they have spread [them] out as in a pot, "" And as flesh in the midst of a cauldron.”

Young's Literal Translation
And who have eaten the flesh of My people, And their skin from off them have stript, And their bones they have broken, And they have spread them out as in a pot, And as flesh in the midst of a caldron.

Smith's Literal Translation
And who ate the flesh of my people, and they stripped off their skin from off them; and they brake their bones in pieces, and separated as for the pot, and as flesh in the midst of the kettle.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who have eaten the flesh of my people, and have flayed their skin from off them: and have broken, and chopped their bones as for the kettle, and as flesh in the midst of the pot.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They have devoured the flesh of my people, and have stripped their skin from over them, and they have shattered and chopped their bones, as if for the kettle, and like flesh in the middle of the pot.

New American Bible
Who eat the flesh of my people, flay their skin from them, and break their bones; Who chop them in pieces like flesh in a kettle, like meat in a pot.

New Revised Standard Version
who eat the flesh of my people, flay their skin off them, break their bones in pieces, and chop them up like meat in a kettle, like flesh in a caldron.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who oppress my people and flay their skin from off them and break their bones and chop them in pieces, as if they were to be put in the pot, like meat in a caldron.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who have consumed the flesh of my people and they stripped their skin from them and their bones they have broken, and they threw it as if into a pot, and like meat into pots
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who also eat the flesh of my people, And flay their skin from off them, And break their bones; Yea, they chop them in pieces, as that which is in the pot, And as flesh within the caldron.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
even as they devoured the flesh of my people, and stripped their skins off them, and broke their bones, and divided them as flesh for the caldron, and as meat for the pot,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rulers and Prophets Condemned
2You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. 3 You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.” 4Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. At that time He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 34:2-4
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Jeremiah 23:1-2
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 56:11
Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

Zechariah 11:4-5
This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter, / whose buyers slaughter them without remorse. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion on them.

Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.

Jeremiah 22:17
“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”

Isaiah 3:14-15
The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. / Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Amos 8:4
Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land,

Matthew 23:14
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

Matthew 23:25-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. / Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. ...

Luke 11:39-42
Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. / You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well? / But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you. ...

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

John 10:12-13
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.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

2 Peter 2:1-3
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.


Treasury of Scripture

Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

eat.

Psalm 14:4
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

and chop.

Ezekiel 11:3,6,7
Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh…

Jump to Previous
Bones Break Broken Caldron Cauldron Chop Crushing Cutting Eat Eaten Flay Flesh Food Inside Kettle Meat Midst Pan People's Pieces Pot Skin Skinning Spread Strip Within
Jump to Next
Bones Break Broken Caldron Cauldron Chop Crushing Cutting Eat Eaten Flay Flesh Food Inside Kettle Meat Midst Pan People's Pieces Pot Skin Skinning Spread Strip Within
Micah 3
1. The cruelty of the princes.
5. The falsehood of the prophets.
8. The false security of them both.














You eat the flesh of my people
This phrase uses vivid imagery to describe the exploitation and oppression by the leaders of Israel. The metaphor of cannibalism highlights the severity of their actions, as they devour the very people they are supposed to protect. This reflects the broader biblical theme of leaders failing in their duty, as seen in Ezekiel 34:2-3, where shepherds are condemned for feeding themselves instead of the flock. The phrase underscores the moral corruption and greed prevalent among the leaders.

after stripping off their skin
The act of stripping skin symbolizes the complete dehumanization and brutal treatment of the people. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, skinning was a method of torture and humiliation. This imagery emphasizes the leaders' ruthless exploitation, akin to the stripping away of dignity and protection. It also echoes the stripping away of spiritual covering, as seen in Genesis 3:21, where God provides garments for Adam and Eve, symbolizing His care and protection.

and breaking their bones
Breaking bones signifies the total destruction and powerlessness inflicted upon the people. In biblical times, bones represented strength and structure, as seen in Ezekiel 37:1-14, where dry bones are brought to life, symbolizing restoration. Here, the breaking of bones indicates the leaders' complete disregard for the well-being and integrity of the nation, leaving the people vulnerable and shattered.

You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot
This phrase continues the metaphor of cannibalism, illustrating the leaders' view of the people as mere resources to be consumed for their gain. The cooking pot imagery suggests preparation for consumption, indicating premeditated exploitation. This reflects the leaders' systematic and calculated oppression, contrasting with the biblical ideal of leaders serving and nurturing their people, as exemplified by Jesus in John 10:11, where He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

like meat in a cauldron
The cauldron imagery reinforces the idea of the people being reduced to mere commodities. In ancient cultures, a cauldron was used for communal meals, symbolizing unity and provision. Here, it is twisted to represent the leaders' perversion of their role, turning what should be a source of nourishment into an instrument of destruction. This distortion of leadership is a recurring theme in the prophets, as seen in Isaiah 1:23, where rulers are described as companions of thieves, seeking bribes and neglecting justice for the fatherless and widows.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Micah
A prophet from Moresheth, active during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, who spoke against the corruption and injustices of Israel and Judah.

2. Leaders of Jacob and Rulers of Israel
The corrupt leaders and rulers of the people, whom Micah addresses in this chapter, condemning their exploitation and injustice.

3. Israel and Judah
The divided kingdoms of God's chosen people, who are the primary audience of Micah's prophecies.

4. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, often a focal point in prophetic literature for its religious and political significance.

5. Prophetic Judgment
The event of God's judgment pronounced through the prophet Micah against the leaders for their injustices.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Corruption
Micah 3:3 highlights the severe consequences of corrupt leadership. Leaders are called to serve justly and righteously, and failure to do so leads to God's judgment.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Micah serve as God's mouthpiece to call out injustice and call people back to righteousness. Their messages are relevant for all generations.

Justice and Compassion
God desires leaders who act with justice and compassion, reflecting His character. Believers are called to advocate for justice in their communities.

Spiritual Leadership
Spiritual leaders are held to a high standard. They must lead with integrity and care for their people, avoiding exploitation and self-interest.

Repentance and Restoration
While Micah's message is one of judgment, it also implies the possibility of repentance and restoration. Turning back to God can restore right relationships and justice.Verse 3. - The idea of the last verse is repeated here with more emphasis. The people are treated by their rulers as cattle made to be eaten, flayed, broken up, chopped into pieces, boiled in the pot (comp Psalm 14:4). (For an analogous figure, see Ezekiel 34:3-5.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You eat
אָכְלוּ֮ (’ā·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 398: To eat

the flesh
שְׁאֵ֣ר (šə·’êr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7607: Flesh, as living, for, food, food of any kind, kindred by blood

of my people
עַמִּי֒ (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

after stripping off
הִפְשִׁ֔יטוּ (hip̄·šî·ṭū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid

their skin
וְעוֹרָם֙ (wə·‘ō·w·rām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5785: Skin, hide, leather

and breaking
פִּצֵּ֑חוּ (piṣ·ṣê·ḥū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6476: To cause to break or burst forth, break forth with

their bones.
עַצְמֹֽתֵיהֶ֖ם (‘aṣ·mō·ṯê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

You chop them up
וּפָרְשׂוּ֙ (ū·p̄ā·rə·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

like [meat]
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

for the cooking pot,
בַּסִּ֔יר (bas·sîr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 5518: A pot, a thorn, a hook

like meat
וּכְבָשָׂ֖ר (ū·ḵə·ḇā·śār)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

in
בְּת֥וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

a kettle.”
קַלָּֽחַת׃ (qal·lā·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7037: A caldron


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OT Prophets: Micah 3:3 Who also eat the flesh of my (Mc Mic. Mi)
Micah 3:2
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