Who was Micah in the Bible?

The name of a prophet and four other Old Testament Israelites

Hebrew name: מִיכָה (mikhah)

Name meaning: “Who is like God?”

a. Son of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:12)

Micah was the son of Mephibosheth and the father of Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. In some translations, Micah is also referred to as Mica or Micaiah.

b. An Ephraimite (Judges 17-18)

Micah is portrayed was a priest from Ephraim who set up his own shrine with household idols and consecrated one of his sons to be his personal priest (Judges 17:5). This action went against the commandments of God, which prohibited the worship of idols and the establishment of unauthorized places of worship.

c. A Reubenite (1 Chronicles 5:5)

Micah is listed as a son of Joel, a descendant of Reuben, son of Jacob.

d. A Levite (1 Chronicles 23:20)

Micah was from the tribe of Levi. He was the son of Uzziel and the brother of Mishael, Elizaphan, Sithri, and Isshiah. Micah was the father of Shamir. The tribe of Levi was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah. The Levites were set apart by God for special service in the tabernacle and later the temple. They were responsible for the care of the tabernacle, including the transport of the sacred items, and for assisting the priests in their duties.

e. A prophet (Micah 1:1 ff.)

Micah’s prophetic ministry took place during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Micah 1:1). His prophecies are recorded and preserved in the book of Micah. He was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea, and his prophecies primarily focused on the sins of Israel and Judah, as well as the coming judgment of God upon them. Micah’s prophecies often highlighted social injustices, idolatry, and the oppression of the poor and vulnerable. He called the people to repentance and warned of the consequences of their disobedience. Micah also prophesied about the coming Messiah and the restoration of Israel.