Micah – Chapter 6

Old Testament • 16 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 6 of Micah begins: "Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice." The chapter centers on Aaron, Ahab and Moses. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and God's protection and deliverance. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.

2Let the mountains hear the judgment of the Lord, and the strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord will enter into judgment with his people, and he will plead against Israel.

3O my people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I molested thee? answer thou me.

4For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and delivered thee out of the house of slaves: and I sent before thy face Moses, and Aaron, and Mary.

5O my people, remember, I pray thee, what Balach, the king of Moab, purposed: and what Balaam, the son of Beor, answered him, from Setim to Galgal, that thou mightest know the justice of the Lord.

6What shall I offer to the Lord that is worthy? wherewith shall I kneel before the high God? shall I offer holocausts unto him, and calves of a year old?

7May the Lord be appeased with thousands of rams, or with many thousands of fat he goats? shall I give my firstborn for my wickedness, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8I will shew thee, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requireth of thee: Verily to do judgment, and to love mercy, and to walk solicitous with thy God.

9The voice of the Lord crieth to the city, and salvation shall be to them that fear thy name: hear O ye tribes, and who shall approve it?

10As yet there is a fire in the house of the wicked, the treasures of iniquity, and a scant measure full of wrath.

11Shall I justify wicked balances, and the deceitful weights of the bag?

12By which her rich men were filled with iniquity, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue was deceitful in their mouth.

13And I therefore began to strike thee with desolation for thy sins.

14Thou shalt eat, but shalt not be filled: and thy humiliation shall be in the midst of thee: and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not save: and those whom thou shalt save, I will give up to the sword.

15Thou shalt sow, but shalt not reap: thou shalt tread the olives, but shalt not be anointed with oil: and the new wine, but shalt not drink the wine.

16For thou hast kept the statutes of Amri, and all the works of the house of Achab: and thou hast walked according their wills, that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing, and you shall bear the reproach of my people.

Important Verses in Micah 6

“Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.”

Micah 6:1

“O my people, remember, I pray thee, what Balach, the king of Moab, purposed: and what Balaam, the son of Beor, answered him, from Setim to Galgal, that thou mightest know the justice of the Lord.”

Micah 6:5

“I will shew thee, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requireth of thee: Verily to do judgment, and to love mercy, and to walk solicitous with thy God.”

Micah 6:8

“Shall I justify wicked balances, and the deceitful weights of the bag?”

Micah 6:11

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Micah was written with israel and Judah, told what the Lord requires: justice, mercy, and humility in view. Chapter 6 of 7 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Aaron, Ahab, Moses and Mary appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice." It concludes: "For thou hast kept the statutes of Amri, and all the works of the house of Achab: and thou hast walked according their…" Read against its original backdrop, A contemporary of Isaiah from a small country town, Micah denounced land-grabbing elites, corrupt judges, and prophets for hire in both kingdoms. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Micah around About 740-700 BC.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Micah of Moresheth

When It Was Written

About 740-700 BC

Catholic Commentary

This chapter presents divine statutes and cultic norms that shaped Israel's worship and moral life. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice." The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

Catholic exegesis reads Micah 6 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Micah's prophecy of Bethlehem is fulfilled in Christ (CIC 437). St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 74).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that What does the Lord require? Justice, mercy, humility. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Micah 6 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • ✓The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

People in This Chapter

Aaron1 mentionAhab1 mentionMoses1 mentionMary1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Micah Chapter 6 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Micah's prophecy of Bethlehem is fulfilled in Christ (CIC 437). The passage calls believers to grasp that What does the Lord require? Justice, mercy, humility.

Let Micah Chapter 6 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Micah Chapter 6 about?

Micah 6 contains 16 verses. It opens with "Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice." and closes with "For thou hast kept the statutes of Amri, and all the works of the house of Achab: and thou hast walked according their…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles.

What is a key verse in Micah 6?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Micah Chapter 6?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Ahab, Moses, Mary.

Who wrote Micah and when?

The prophet Micah of Moresheth. About 740-700 BC.

Related Chapters

Exodus 15Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 20Shares people and themes with this chapterLeviticus 9Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison🙏Prayers for Protection🙏Prayer to St. Michael

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