Mic 3:5, 7 | JFB | STEP | 5. Here he attacks the false prophets, as before he had attacked the "princes." make my people err —knowingly mislead My people by not denouncing their sins as incurring judgment. bite with . . . teeth, and cry, Peace —that is, who, so long as they are supplied with food, promise peace and prosperity in their prophecies. he that putteth not into their mouths, they . . . prepare war against him —Whenever they are not supplied with food, they foretell war and calamity. prepare war —literally, "sanctify war," that is, proclaim it as a holy judgment of God because they are not fed (see on ; compare ).

Micah 3:5

5. Here he attacks the false prophets, as before he had attacked the "princes."

make my people err—knowingly mislead My people by not denouncing their sins as incurring judgment.

bite with . . . teeth, and cry, Peace—that is, who, so long as they are supplied with food, promise peace and prosperity in their prophecies.

he that putteth not into their mouths, they . . . prepare war against him—Whenever they are not supplied with food, they foretell war and calamity.

prepare war—literally, "sanctify war," that is, proclaim it as a holy judgment of God because they are not fed (see on Jer 6:4; compare Isa 13:3; Joe 1:14).

Micah 3:7

7. cover their lips—The Orientals prided themselves on the moustache and beard ("upper lip," Margin). To cover it, therefore, was a token of shame and sorrow (Le 13:45; Eze 24:17, 22). "They shall be so ashamed of themselves as not to dare to open their mouths or boast of the name of prophet" [CALVIN].

there is no answer of God—They shall no more profess to have responses from God, being struck dumb with calamities (Mic 3:6).