Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

MICAH 6:6KJV
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Micah 6:6 (KJV)

What does Micah 6:6 mean?

Micah 6:6 describes someone asking what they should bring when approaching the LORD, wondering if burnt offerings or young calves are the right way to honor God. The verse shows a person questioning what kind of sacrifice or ritual would truly please the "high God."

The speaker in Micah 6:6 is likely representing the people of Israel, speaking to God in a time when they felt uncertain about how to make things right with Him. The verse is part of a larger conversation where God, through the prophet Micah, challenges the people to think about what He really wants from them—not just rituals, but something deeper. This question sets up the following verses, which clarify what God truly desires.

The Hebrew behind Micah 6:6

  • "before" (קָדַם, qādam): This word means to come before or approach, often with a sense of meeting someone important. Here, it highlights the seriousness of coming into God's presence.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God used in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a direct relationship rather than a distant deity.
  • "bow" (כָּפַף, kāphaph): This word means to bow down or humble oneself, showing respect or submission. It points to an attitude of humility, not just an outward act.
  • "high" (מָרוֹם, marom): This word means exalted or lofty, underlining God's greatness and majesty.
  • "offerings" (עֹלָה, olah): This refers to burnt offerings, a common type of sacrifice in ancient Israel meant to express devotion or seek forgiveness. The mention of "calves of a year old" stresses bringing something valuable and unblemished.

Why Micah 6:6 matters

  • Micah 6:6 helps clear up the idea that God is only interested in outward sacrifices or rituals; the verse sets up the question so the following verses can reveal what God truly wants.
  • The verse connects to a larger conversation in Micah 6, where God challenges His people to consider their relationship with Him, not just their religious practices.
  • By focusing on the act of coming "before the LORD" and "bowing" before the "high God," the verse emphasizes both God's holiness and the need for sincere humility when approaching Him.

Where else these words appear

“bow” Hebrew H3721 · used in 5 verses

  • Psalms 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
  • Psalms 145:14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
  • Psalms 146:8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

“before” Hebrew H6923 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 23:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
  • Psalms 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
  • Psalms 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

“calves” Hebrew H5695 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 32:4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Samuel 28:24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:
  • Isaiah 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

“high” Hebrew H4791 · used in 52 verses

  • Judges 5:18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
  • Psalms 92:8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
  • Isaiah 37:23 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.