Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.

MICAH 3:9KJV
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Micah 3:9 (KJV)

What does Micah 3:9 mean?

Micah 3:9 is a warning from the prophet Micah to the leaders of Jacob and Israel, accusing them of hating justice and twisting what is right. The verse calls out those in authority for corrupting judgment and fairness in their society.

Micah is speaking directly to the heads (leaders) and princes (officials) of the people, confronting them for their abuse of power. The setting is one of public rebuke, where leaders who should uphold justice are instead despising it and making decisions that harm fairness. This verse highlights the seriousness of corrupt leadership in ancient Israel and sets the stage for the consequences Micah will describe.

The Hebrew behind Micah 3:9

  • "Abhor" (תָּעַב, ta'av): This word means to deeply hate or detest. Micah uses it to show that the leaders are not just neglecting justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat), but actively despising it.
  • "Pervert" (עִקֵּשׁ, iqqesh): This word means to twist or make crooked. The leaders are accused of taking what should be straight and fair (יָשָׁר, yashar—"equity") and corrupting it, making justice unrecognizable.

Why Micah 3:9 matters

  • Micah 3:9 makes clear that the problem is not ignorance or incompetence, but a willful rejection of justice by those in power.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme in Micah of holding leaders accountable for the moral and social health of the community.
  • Understanding the strong language Micah uses helps readers see the depth of the leaders' corruption and why judgment is coming in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“pervert” Hebrew H6140 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
  • Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
  • Proverbs 28:18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

“princes” Hebrew H7101 · used in 12 verses

  • Joshua 10:24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
  • Proverbs 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
  • Isaiah 3:7 In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.

“abhor” Hebrew H8581 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.
  • Job 19:19 All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
  • Psalms 107:18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

“equity” Hebrew H3477 · used in 119 verses

  • Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
  • Psalms 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.