4318. Mikah
Lexical Summary
Mikah: Micah

Original Word: מִיכָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Miykah
Pronunciation: mee-KAH
Phonetic Spelling: (mee-kaw')
KJV: Micah, Micaiah, Michah
NASB: Micah, Micah's, Micaiah
Word Origin: [an abbrev. of H4320 (מִיכָּיָה - Micaiah)]

1. Micah, the name of seven Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Micah, Micaiah, Michah

An abbrev. Of Miykayah; Micah, the name of seven Israelites -- Micah, Micaiah, Michah.

see HEBREW Miykayah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
an abb. for Mikayah
Definition
the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Micah (28), Micah's (3), Micaiah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מִיכָה proper name, masculine 1. Micha, the Ephraimite (ᵐ5 Μειχαίας), Judges 17:5,8,9,10,12 (twice in verse); Judges 17:13; Judges 18:2 ff. (12 t.), called מִיכָֽיְהוּ Judges 17:1,4.

2 the prophet Micah (ᵐ5 Μειχαίας), Micah 1:1 (Jeremiah 26:18 Kt מִיכָיָה).

3 1 Chronicles 5:5.

4 son of Meribbaal (Mephibosheth) 1 Chronicles 8:34f. (ᵐ5 Μιχια), 1 Chronicles 9:40f. (ᵐ5 Μειχα), called מִיכָא 2 Samuel 9:12.

5 2 Samuel 23:20 (ᵐ5 Μειχας), 2 Samuel 24:24,25 (ᵐ5 Μειχα).

62Chronicles 18:14 ( = מִיכָֽיְהוּ 2).

72Chronicles 34:20 ("" 2 Kings 22:12 מִיכָיָה).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

מִיכָה (Micah) occurs about thirty-three times in the Hebrew Scriptures as the shortened form of several longer names that mean “Who is like Yahweh.” The occurrences fall into three natural groups: (1) The eighth-century prophet from Moresheth, (2) an Ephraimite associated with the idolatry of Judges 17–18, and (3) a cluster of lesser-known persons recorded in the historical and genealogical books. Together these usages illustrate the name’s popularity in Israel and provide striking contrasts between fidelity and apostasy, humility and presumption.

Occurrences and Distribution

Judges 17–18 – 21×

Micah 1:1; 6:8; 7:18 – 3×

Jeremiah 26:18 – 1×

1 Chronicles 3:19; 5:5; 8:34; 9:40; 23:20; 24:24 – 6×

2 Chronicles 34:20 – 1×

Total ≈ 33

Principal Individuals Bearing the Name

1. Micah of Moresheth (eighth century B.C.) – Canonical prophet and author of the Book of Micah (Micah 1:1).
2. Micah of Ephraim – Householder who fashioned a private shrine and hired a Levite as priest (Judges 17–18).
3. Micah son of Merib-Baal (Mephibosheth), a descendant of Jonathan (1 Chronicles 8:34; 9:40).
4. Micah son of Zicri, a Reubenite chief in the days of Tiglath-Pileser (1 Chronicles 5:5).
5. Micah son of Shechaniah, listed among the descendants of Zerubbabel (1 Chronicles 3:19).
6. Micah son of Uzziel, a Merarite overseer in David’s organization of the Levites (1 Chronicles 23:20; 24:24).
7. Micah (Micaiah) the royal official sent by King Josiah after the discovery of the Law (2 Chronicles 34:20).

Micah of Moresheth: Voice for Covenant Faithfulness

Historical setting

His ministry spanned the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah, overlapping with Isaiah and Hosea. He addressed both Samaria and Jerusalem, exposing social oppression and religious hypocrisy.

Central themes
• Judgment upon covenant violation: “Therefore I will make Samaria a heap in the open field” (Micah 1:6).
• Salvation through a remnant: “The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, like dew from the LORD” (Micah 5:7).
• True worship: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

Messianic prophecy

Micah 5:2 pinpoints Messiah’s birthplace: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah … out of you shall come forth for Me One who will be ruler over Israel.” Matthew 2:5–6 cites this verse in reference to Jesus Christ.

Influence on later revelation

Jeremiah 26:18 notes that the elders of Judah recalled Micah’s warning (Micah 3:12) a century later, demonstrating the enduring authority of his word and its role in sparing Jerusalem during Hezekiah’s reforms.

Ethical and pastoral impact

Micah’s blend of piercing judgment and steadfast hope models faithful preaching—holding sin to account while magnifying divine mercy: “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity … You delight in loving devotion” (Micah 7:18).

Micah of Ephraim: Private Religion and National Apostasy

Narrative summary (Judges 17–18)

An Ephraimite named Micah steals silver from his mother, returns it, then fashions an idol and installs his own son as priest. Later he hires a wandering Levite, only to have the idol and the Levite seized by Danite raiders, who establish the graven image at Laish–Dan.

Theological lessons
• Spiritual relativism: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).
• The inadequacy of self-made worship: Micah’s personal shrine could not withstand the covenant community’s disintegration, underscoring that true worship is defined by God, not personal preference.
• The lure of syncretism: Even Levites were enticed into illicit service, warning leaders of every age against compromising position for gain.

Micah in Royal and Priestly Service

Chronicles records multiple Micahs in genealogies and temple administration, situating the name within legitimate covenant structures, in contrast to the idolatrous Micah of Judges. Noteworthy is the Levite Micah under King David (1 Chronicles 23:20), representing ordered worship, and the royal servant Micah during Josiah’s reformation (2 Chronicles 34:20), associated with the rediscovery of Torah.

Spiritual Themes Associated with the Name

Covenant loyalty vs. self-rule

The parallel accounts of Micah the prophet and Micah the idolater place two paths before God’s people: submission to Yahweh’s revealed will or the creation of a faith that serves personal ends.

Justice, mercy, humility

Micah 6:8 has become a shorthand summary of ethical monotheism—demanding integrity toward neighbor, loyal-love toward the vulnerable, and reverent dependence on God.

Divine uniqueness

The name itself asks, “Who is like Yahweh?” Micah’s closing doxology answers: none—He pardons sin while upholding righteousness (Micah 7:18).

Messianic hope

From Bethlehem’s ruler (Micah 5:2) to universal peace (Micah 4:3–4), the prophet looks ahead to the consummated kingdom, reaffirming the trustworthiness of the prophetic word.

Lessons for Ministry Today

1. Proclaim both judgment and hope; God’s holiness and grace are complementary, not conflicting.
2. Guard worship from cultural accommodation; private piety detached from divine revelation breeds idolatry.
3. Remember the power of faithful testimony—Micah’s words rescued Jerusalem in Jeremiah’s day and still call nations to repentance.
4. Center ethics on God’s character: justice, steadfast love, and humility remain non-negotiable marks of genuine discipleship.
5. Hold fast to the messianic promise; Bethlehem’s fulfillment in Jesus confirms every other pledge God has made.

Thus the various bearers of the name Micah together furnish a panoramic lesson: the incomparable LORD summons His people to pure worship, righteous living, and confident hope in the coming King.

Forms and Transliterations
לְמִיכָ֔ה למיכה מִ֠יכָה מִיכָ֑ה מִיכָ֔ה מִיכָ֖ה מִיכָ֗ה מִיכָ֜ה מִיכָ֣ה מִיכָ֥ה מִיכָ֥יְהוּ מִיכָֽה׃ מִיכָה֙ מיכה מיכה׃ מיכיהו lə·mî·ḵāh lemiChah ləmîḵāh mî·ḵā·yə·hū mî·ḵāh miChah miChayehu mîḵāh mîḵāyəhū
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Judges 17:5
HEB: וְהָאִ֣ישׁ מִיכָ֔ה ל֖וֹ בֵּ֣ית
NAS: And the man Micah had a shrine
KJV: And the man Micah had an house
INT: and the man Micah had an house of gods

Judges 17:8
HEB: עַד־ בֵּ֥ית מִיכָ֖ה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃
NAS: of Ephraim to the house of Micah.
KJV: to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
INT: against to the house of Micah made his journey

Judges 17:9
HEB: וַיֹּאמֶר־ ל֥וֹ מִיכָ֖ה מֵאַ֣יִן תָּב֑וֹא
NAS: Micah said to him, Where
KJV: And Micah said unto him, Whence
INT: said Micah Where come

Judges 17:10
HEB: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ ל֨וֹ מִיכָ֜ה שְׁבָ֣ה עִמָּדִ֗י
NAS: Micah then said to him, Dwell
KJV: And Micah said unto him, Dwell
INT: said Micah Dwell against

Judges 17:12
HEB: וַיְמַלֵּ֤א מִיכָה֙ אֶת־ יַ֣ד
NAS: So Micah consecrated the Levite,
KJV: And Micah consecrated the Levite;
INT: accomplish Micah able the Levite

Judges 17:12
HEB: וַיְהִ֖י בְּבֵ֥ית מִיכָֽה׃
NAS: and lived in the house of Micah.
KJV: and was in the house of Micah.
INT: and lived the house of Micah

Judges 17:13
HEB: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מִיכָ֔ה עַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתִּי
NAS: Then Micah said, Now
KJV: Then said Micah, Now know
INT: said Micah Now know

Judges 18:2
HEB: עַד־ בֵּ֣ית מִיכָ֔ה וַיָּלִ֖ינוּ שָֽׁם׃
NAS: to the house of Micah, and lodged
KJV: to the house of Micah, they lodged
INT: against to the house of Micah and lodged there

Judges 18:3
HEB: עִם־ בֵּ֣ית מִיכָ֔ה וְהֵ֣מָּה הִכִּ֔ירוּ
NAS: the house of Micah, they recognized
KJV: When they [were] by the house of Micah, they knew
INT: were near the house of Micah they recognized

Judges 18:4
HEB: עָ֥שָׂה לִ֖י מִיכָ֑ה וַיִּשְׂכְּרֵ֕נִי וָאֱהִי־
NAS: and so has Micah done
KJV: dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired
INT: and so done has Micah has hired have

Judges 18:13
HEB: עַד־ בֵּ֥ית מִיכָֽה׃
NAS: and came to the house of Micah.
KJV: and came unto the house of Micah.
INT: against to the house of Micah

Judges 18:15
HEB: הַלֵּוִ֖י בֵּ֣ית מִיכָ֑ה וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ־ ל֖וֹ
NAS: to the house of Micah, and asked
KJV: [even] unto the house of Micah, and saluted
INT: the Levite to the house of Micah and asked of his welfare

Judges 18:18
HEB: בָּ֚אוּ בֵּ֣ית מִיכָ֔ה וַיִּקְחוּ֙ אֶת־
NAS: went into Micah's house
KJV: And these went into Micah's house,
INT: went house Micah's and took the graven

Judges 18:22
HEB: הִרְחִ֖יקוּ מִבֵּ֣ית מִיכָ֑ה וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר
NAS: from the house of Micah, the men
KJV: from the house of Micah, the men
INT: had gone the house of Micah the men who

Judges 18:22
HEB: עִם־ בֵּ֣ית מִיכָ֔ה נִֽזְעֲק֔וּ וַיַּדְבִּ֖יקוּ
NAS: near Micah's house
KJV: that [were] in the houses near to Micah's house
INT: near house Micah's assembled and overtook

Judges 18:23
HEB: פְּנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ לְמִיכָ֔ה מַה־ לְּךָ֖
NAS: and said to Micah, What
KJV: and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?
INT: around and said to Micah What that

Judges 18:26
HEB: לְדַרְכָּ֑ם וַיַּ֣רְא מִיכָ֗ה כִּי־ חֲזָקִ֥ים
NAS: on their way; and when Micah saw
KJV: their way: and when Micah saw
INT: their way saw Micah for strong

Judges 18:27
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ עָשָׂ֣ה מִיכָ֗ה וְֽאֶת־ הַכֹּהֵן֮
NAS: what Micah had made
KJV: And they took [the things] which Micah had made,
INT: what had made Micah and the priest who

Judges 18:31
HEB: אֶת־ פֶּ֥סֶל מִיכָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה
NAS: So they set up for themselves Micah's graven image
KJV: And they set them up Micah's graven image,
INT: set graven Micah's which had made

1 Chronicles 5:5
HEB: מִיכָ֥ה בְנ֛וֹ רְאָיָ֥ה
NAS: Micah his son, Reaiah
KJV: Micah his son, Reaia
INT: Micah his son Reaiah

1 Chronicles 8:34
HEB: הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־ מִיכָֽה׃ ס
NAS: became the father of Micah.
KJV: and Meribbaal begat Micah.
INT: and Merib-baal became of Micah

1 Chronicles 8:35
HEB: וּבְנֵ֖י מִיכָ֑ה פִּית֥וֹן וָמֶ֖לֶךְ
NAS: The sons of Micah [were] Pithon,
KJV: And the sons of Micah [were], Pithon,
INT: the sons of Micah Pithon Melech

1 Chronicles 9:40
HEB: הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־ מִיכָֽה׃
NAS: became the father of Micah.
KJV: and Meribbaal begat Micah.
INT: and Meribbaal became of Micah

1 Chronicles 9:41
HEB: וּבְנֵ֖י מִיכָ֑ה פִּית֥וֹן וָמֶ֖לֶךְ
NAS: The sons of Micah [were] Pithon,
KJV: And the sons of Micah [were], Pithon,
INT: the sons of Micah Pithon Melech

1 Chronicles 23:20
HEB: בְּנֵ֖י עֻזִּיאֵ֑ל מִיכָ֣ה הָרֹ֔אשׁ וְיִשִּׁיָּ֖ה
NAS: of Uzziel [were] Micah the first
KJV: of Uzziel; Michah the first,
INT: the sons of Uzziel Micah the first and Isshiah

33 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4318
33 Occurrences


lə·mî·ḵāh — 1 Occ.
mî·ḵāh — 31 Occ.
mî·ḵā·yə·hū — 1 Occ.

4317
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