Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.

MICAH 1:16KJV
Know the Bible

Micah 1:16 (KJV)

What does Micah 1:16 mean?

Micah 1:16 describes a call to mourning and grief, telling the people to shave their heads and mourn deeply because their beloved children are being taken away into captivity. The verse uses the image of making oneself bald like an eagle to show the depth of sorrow over this loss.

The prophet Micah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the coming exile as a result of their unfaithfulness to God. Shaving the head was a traditional sign of mourning in the ancient Near East, and Micah uses strong language to urge the people to express their grief openly, since their children—those most precious to them—will be taken from them.

The Hebrew behind Micah 1:16

  • "bald" (קָרַח, qāraḥ): This word means to make oneself bald, a visible sign of mourning or distress in ancient Israelite culture. Micah’s command to "make thee bald" emphasizes the seriousness of the coming disaster.
  • "poll" (גָּזַז, gazaz): This word means to cut or shear hair. The use of both "bald" and "poll" intensifies the image of deep mourning, showing that the grief should be extreme and unmistakable.
  • "delicate" (עָנֹג, ‘ānōg): This word refers to something tender, pampered, or precious. Calling the children "delicate" highlights their vulnerability and the tragedy of their loss.
  • "eagle" (נֶשֶׁר, nesher): The eagle here is likely a vulture, known for its bald head. The comparison suggests a complete and visible mourning, not just a small gesture.

Why Micah 1:16 matters

  • Micah 1:16 clears up that the shaving of the head is not just a symbolic act but a public, dramatic display of grief over the loss of the next generation to exile.
  • The verse emphasizes the depth of the coming tragedy by focusing on the children, described as "delicate," showing how the consequences of the people’s actions will affect even the most vulnerable.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Micah 1, where the prophet warns of judgment and exile, urging the people to recognize the seriousness of their situation and respond with genuine sorrow.

Where else these words appear

“bald” Hebrew H7139 · used in 5 verses

  • Leviticus 21:5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
  • Jeremiah 16:6 Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
  • Ezekiel 27:31 And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.

“delicate” Hebrew H8588 · used in 5 verses

  • Proverbs 19:10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
  • Song of Solomon 7:6 How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

“baldness” Hebrew H7144 · used in 11 verses

  • Leviticus 21:5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
  • Isaiah 15:2 He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.
  • Jeremiah 48:37 For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.

“poll” Hebrew H1494 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 31:19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
  • 1 Samuel 25:2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
  • 2 Samuel 13:24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.