Book of Micah - Chapter 3 - Verse 5

In this verse, the LORD is denouncing false prophets who lead His people astray with deceptive messages of peace while they themselves are hungry for personal gain and power. These prophets are depicted as wolves, "biting with their teeth," preying on the vulnerable. Instead of delivering the true word of God, they speak comforting and soothing words to deceive and manipulate the people. By withholding support from these prophets, they turn against those who do not comply with their demands, even going as far as to incite conflict and war against them. This passage serves as a warning against false prophets who use religion for their own selfish purposes and highlights the importance of discerning true teachings from distorted ones.

One theological interpretation of this verse focuses on the role of false prophets within the community of believers. The LORD condemns those prophets who lead his people astray with deceptive messages of peace while simultaneously acting aggressively towards those who do not support them. This verse highlights the importance of discerning true prophetic voices from those that seek to manipulate and exploit the trust of the people for personal gain. It also serves as a warning against blindly following charismatic leaders who do not align with the true message of God. In addition to the theological implications, a word study reveals that the phrase "bite with their teeth" can be understood as symbolizing the way in which these false prophets harm and exploit their followers. By withholding the spiritual nourishment that comes from God's true message, they create a sense of spiritual famine and ultimately prepare for conflict with those who resist their deceitful teachings.