Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "to do it well" here isn't about skillful execution in a neutral sense, but a chilling dedication where their "excellence" and skill are found in doing evil itself, weaving it together like a craft. This highlights how deeply corrupted their intentions are—evil isn't just a lapse, it's their practiced art.
Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Micah laments the deep corruption within Judah, where leaders have turned from justice to wickedness. In this passage, he describes how princes and judges are not upholding the law but are actively seeking bribes and furthering their own selfish desires, illustrating a complete breakdown of righteousness. This verse captures the intricate collusion of the powerful—leaders and the wealthy—who weave together their wicked plans to oppress the innocent.
Ever notice how some people can make bad choices look almost... good? This verse dives into that unsettling reality.
Micah paints a grim picture of hearts so consumed by evil that they become experts at it. The phrase "to do it well" isn't about doing good, but about performing evil with a chilling proficiency. It suggests a deliberate cultivation of wickedness, where wrongdoings are not accidental slips but practiced arts. This isn't just about making mistakes; it's about mastering the craft of sin.
Think about it:
When power and justice collide, who usually wins? This verse shows a dangerous partnership at play.
Micah exposes a corrupt system where those in authority – the prince and the judge – are not guardians of justice but participants in its downfall. They aren't just passively allowing evil; they are actively seeking gain from it.
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This creates a chilling 'weaving together' of corruption, where the highest levels of society conspire to exploit and oppress.
How does widespread evil take root and become seemingly unstoppable? This verse reveals the process.
The final phrase, 'thus they weave it together,' is incredibly powerful. It implies a deliberate, intricate process of making their evil plans work. It's not just a series of isolated bad acts; it's a coordinated effort.
Understand the original words
šōḥaḏ · Hebrew Noun
A gift, reward, or payment given to influence the judgment of an official, strictly forbidden in the Law as it corrupts justice and perverts the cause of the innocent.
Micah's prophecy against corruption in leadership highlights the deep-seated societal decay that preceded both the fall of the Northern Kingdom and the near-fall of Jerusalem.
c. 8th Century BC— this verse
Micah's Prophetic Ministry
Micah prophesied during a tumultuous period in the history of Israel and Judah, warning of impending judgment due to widespread sin and injustice.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrian Empire, serving as a stark warning to Judah of the consequences of persistent disobedience and corruption.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah and besieged Jerusalem, highlighting the vulnerability of the Southern Kingdom and the need for repentance.
This passage directly echoes Micah's complaint by condemning those who 'call evil good, and good evil,' highlighting the moral inversion described in Micah 7:3 where wickedness is skillfully executed and even disguised.
Psalm 2:1-4This psalm depicts rulers conspiring against the Lord and His Anointed, mirroring the unholy alliance of princes, judges, and the 'great man' in Micah who use their power for evil rather than justice.
Proverbs 17:23This proverb speaks directly to the corruption of justice, stating that a wicked man 'takes a bribe from the hidden pocket to pervert the ways of justice,' which perfectly illustrates the actions of the prince and judge described in Micah 7:3.
1 Kings 21:8-13The story of Naboth's vineyard shows a 'great man' (Jezebel) manipulating princes and judges through false accusations and legal trickery to seize what was rightfully another's, a practical example of how 'they weave it together' for wicked gain.
Matthew 23:25-26Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for 'cleaning the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside, they are full of greed and self-indulgence,' a spiritual parallel to Micah's accusation that corrupt leaders focus on appearances while their hearts are filled with evil desires.
barnesMicah 7:3: "That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up."
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly - (Literally, upon evil both hands to do well,) that is, "both their hands are upon evil to do it well," or "earnestly" , as our translation gives the meaning; only the Hebrew expresses more, that evil is their good, and their good or excellence is in evil. Ba…
cambridgeMicah 7:3: "That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up."
3 . That they may do evil …] This verse and the first half of the following verse are extremely obscure, and it is most improbable that the text as it stands is correct. In any case, the A.V. rendering of the first clause cannot be maintained; a better one is, ‘(Their) hands are (only) for evil, to do (it)…
The phrase "to do it well" here isn't about skillful execution in a neutral sense, but a chilling dedication where their "excellence" and skill are found in doing evil itself, weaving it together like a craft. This highlights how deeply corrupted their intentions are—evil isn't just a lapse, it's their practiced art.
The prophet Micah laments the deep corruption within Judah, where leaders have turned from justice to wickedness. In this passage, he describes how princes and judges are not upholding the law but are actively seeking bribes and furthering their own selfish desires, illustrating a complete breakdown of righteousness. This verse captures the intricate collusion of the powerful—leaders and the wealthy—who weave together their wicked plans to oppress the innocent.
The prophet Micah laments the deep corruption within Judah, where leaders have turned from justice to wickedness. In this passage, he describes how princes and judges are not upholding the law but are actively seeking bribes and furthering their own selfish desires, illustrating a complete breakdown of righteousness. This verse captures the intricate collusion of the powerful—leaders and the wealthy—who weave together their wicked plans to oppress the innocent.
"Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together." — The phrase "to do it well" here isn't about skillful execution in a neutral sense, but a chilling dedication where their "excellence" and skill are found in doing evil itself, weaving it together l…
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Last reviewed October 2026