Micah 1:11 - Pass on, inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan won’t come out. The wailing of Beth Ezel will take from you his protection.

Generated Verse: Micah 1:11

What does "Micah 1:11" mean?


Micah 1 is a prophecy foretelling the destruction of various cities in Judah due to their idolatry and sin. Verse 11 describes the specific fate of three of those cities: Shaphir, Zaanan, and Beth Ezel. To understand the verse, let's break it down:

"Pass on, inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame."
"Pass on" means to depart, go into exile, or simply move on due to disaster.
"Shaphir" means "beautiful" or "pleasant." The irony is that this city, known for its beauty, will be forced to leave in "nakedness and shame," likely as captives of war, stripped of their dignity and possessions. This is a severe humiliation.

"The inhabitant of Zaanan won’t come out."
"Zaanan" possibly means "place of departure" or "moving." The inhabitants are told not to leave as to not be taken captive. The prophecy suggests that Zaanan will be so fearful of the approaching enemy that its inhabitants will be paralyzed by fear and unable or unwilling to leave for safety or provide assistance.

"The wailing of Beth Ezel will take from you his protection."
"Beth Ezel" means "house of joining" or "house of root."
The "wailing of Beth Ezel" likely refers to the cries and lamentations coming from that city due to its impending destruction. This verse suggests that the disaster and mourning in Beth Ezel will deprive Zaanan of the help or protection it might have hoped for from Beth Ezel. It highlights the widespread nature of the coming devastation - everyone is in trouble and unable to help one another.

Overall Meaning:

The verse paints a picture of widespread panic, devastation, and helplessness in the face of an impending invasion. Each city experiences a different aspect of the coming calamity:

Shaphir: Humiliation and exile.
Zaanan: Fear and paralysis.
Beth Ezel: Overwhelmed by its own suffering, unable to provide aid.

Micah is using these specific examples to warn the entire kingdom of Judah about the consequences of their sins and their departure from God's covenant. It's a vivid and unsettling prophecy designed to jolt the people into repentance. The lack of shared support amongst these cities emphasizes how isolated and alone the Israelites will be when the wrath of God arrives.