Micah 1:11
Micah 1:11
“Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The lament continues town by town, each name turned into a sign of shame, flight, and loss as the invader advances.
What Does Micah 1:11 Mean?
Micah keeps naming towns whose names carry meaning. Shaphir, which suggests beauty, is led away in shame; Zaanan, which echoes 'going out,' cannot go out; the mourning spreads from place to place. Each town's very name becomes a verdict.
The wordplay is not mere cleverness; it shows that nothing can hide from what is coming, not even behind a fair name. Reputation and pleasant appearances offer no shelter from the consequences of sin. The only safety is to turn back to the Lord while the road still lies open.