Lexical Summary romah: Spear, javelin Original Word: רוֹמָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance haughtily Feminine of rowm; elation, i.e. (adverbially) proudly -- haughtily. see HEBREW rowm NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rum Definition haughtily NASB Translation haughtily (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רוֺמָה adverb haughtily, ׳לֹא תֵלְכוּ ר Micah 2:3. Topical Lexicon Word Overview רוֹמָה appears once in the Hebrew Scriptures, in Micah 2:3. There it characterizes a style of walking that is “lofty,” “exalted,” or, in practical effect, “proud.” The prophet employs the term to expose the arrogant self-confidence of covenant violators in Israel. Canonical Context Micah prophesied during the eighth century BC, addressing social oppression and religious hypocrisy in both kingdoms but concentrating on Judah. In chapter 2 he indicts land-grabbers who “covet fields and seize them” (Micah 2:2). Verse 3 announces the divine judgment: “Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.’” (Berean Standard Bible) By using רוֹמָה Micah depicts a lifestyle of swaggering self-assurance that will be humbled by the Lord’s direct intervention. Thematic Significance 1. Humbling the Proud: Micah’s oracle reiterates a consistent biblical pattern—God opposes those who exalt themselves (Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 2:11; Luke 14:11). Historical Background Archaeological and textual evidence confirms that the late eighth century saw aggressive land accumulation by elites in Judah, creating a two-tier society. Such estates were often financed by collusion between corrupt officials and powerful families. Micah, himself from rural Moresheth-gath, gives voice to the dispossessed. רוֹמָה captures the demeanor of these oppressors who flaunted their status in public processions and legal courts. Theological Insights • God’s Sovereign Opposition to Pride: The single use of רוֹמָה is enough to demonstrate that arrogance provokes divine action. Application for Believers • Personal Conduct: Followers of Christ must examine attitudes, ambitions, and speech for traces of רוֹמָה. James 4:6 reminds, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” New Testament Resonance Though רוֹמָה itself does not appear in Greek, its principle surfaces repeatedly. The Magnificat celebrates the Lord who “has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts” (Luke 1:51). The apostolic exhortations to “walk in a manner worthy” (Ephesians 4:1) underline that Christian conduct must be marked by humility, the antithesis of Micah’s condemned swagger. Worship and Ministry Reflection In public worship the single occurrence of רוֹמָה invites confession of pride and a recommitment to humble obedience. Liturgical readings can pair Micah 2:3 with Micah 6:8 to move the congregation from warning to response, culminating in songs that exalt God alone (Psalm 115:1). Summary רוֹמָה functions as a mirror held up to human arrogance. Its fleeting appearance in Micah intensifies its message: any stride of pride is unsustainable under the scrutinizing gaze of the Holy One. The antidote is the gospel way of lowliness, modeled by the Servant-King who “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death” (Philippians 2:8). Forms and Transliterations רוֹמָ֔ה רומה rō·w·māh roMah rōwmāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Micah 2:3 HEB: וְלֹ֤א תֵֽלְכוּ֙ רוֹמָ֔ה כִּ֛י עֵ֥ת NAS: And you will not walk haughtily, For it will be an evil KJV: neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time INT: cannot walk haughtily for time 1 Occurrence |
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