Micah

• DatesMinistry about 740–700 BC (debated)
• GenreMinor Prophets
• AuthorshipMicah of Moresheth
• TimelineDivided Kingdom
• Key textsMicah 1; Micah 5:2; Micah 6:6–8
• Read the textMicah in the World English Bible
• Covered in classSession 3

What the sources say, and how sure we are

• The text says

  Micah prophesied in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, in the same period as Isaiah. A century later, elders quoted Micah 3:12 to defend Jeremiah.Mic 1:1; Jer 26:17–19

• Outside evidence

  Micah 1:10–15 names several Judean towns, including Lachish and Moresheth-gath, in the area attacked by Sennacherib’s army in 701 BC.Mic 1:13–14; Sennacherib Prism

• Debated

  Some scholars hold that chapters 4–7 or parts of them come from after the exile. Others hold that the whole book comes from Micah’s time.

• Christian conclusion

  Matthew cites Micah 5:2 to show that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.Mic 5:2; Matt 2:4–6