Jeremiah 26:18
New International Version
“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: “’Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.’

New Living Translation
They said, “Remember when Micah of Moresheth prophesied during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. He told the people of Judah, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field; Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins! A thicket will grow on the heights where the Temple now stands.’

English Standard Version
“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “‘Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.’

Berean Standard Bible
“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and told all the people of Judah that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.’

King James Bible
Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

New King James Version
“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, And the mountain of the temple Like the bare hills of the forest.” ’

New American Standard Bible
“Micah of Moresheth used to prophesy in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘This is what the LORD of armies has said: “Zion will be plowed like a field, And Jerusalem will become heaps of ruins, And the mountain of the house like the high places of a forest.”’

NASB 1995
“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus the LORD of hosts has said, “Zion will be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem will become ruins, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest."’

NASB 1977
“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus the LORD of hosts has said, “Zion will be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem will become ruins, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.”’

Legacy Standard Bible
“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus Yahweh of hosts has said, “Zion will be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, And the mountain of the house will become the high places of a forest.”’

Amplified Bible
“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Zion will be plowed like a field, And Jerusalem will become [heaps of] ruins, And the mountain of the house [of the LORD—Mount Moriah, on which stands the temple, shall become covered not with buildings, but] like a densely wooded height.”’

Christian Standard Bible
“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah and said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become ruins, and the temple’s mountain will be a high thicket.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and said to all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the LORD of Hosts says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become ruins, and the temple mount a forested hill.’

American Standard Version
Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Zion shall be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

Contemporary English Version
years ago when Hezekiah was king of Judah, a prophet named Micah from the town of Moresheth had said: "I, the LORD All-Powerful, say Jerusalem will be plowed under and left in ruins. Thorns will cover the mountain where the temple now stands."

English Revised Version
Micaiah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Zion shall be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Micah from Moresheth prophesied at the time of Judah's King Hezekiah and said to all the people of Judah, 'This is what the LORD of Armies says: Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a pile of rubble, and the temple mountain will become a worship site covered with trees.'

Good News Translation
"When Hezekiah was king of Judah, the prophet Micah of Moresheth told all the people that the LORD Almighty had said, 'Zion will be plowed like a field; Jerusalem will become a pile of ruins, and the Temple hill will become a forest.'

International Standard Version
"Micah of Moresheth prophesied during the reign of Hezekiah king of Judah to all the people of Judah, 'This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Zion will be a plowed field, and Jerusalem a ruin. The Temple Mount will be a wooded hill."'

Majority Standard Bible
“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and told all the people of Judah that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.’

NET Bible
"Micah from Moresheth prophesied during the time Hezekiah was king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, 'The LORD who rules over all says, "Zion will become a plowed field. Jerusalem will become a pile of rubble. The temple mount will become a mere wooded ridge."'

New Heart English Bible
"Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Zion shall be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest."'

Webster's Bible Translation
Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

World English Bible
“Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies says: “‘Zion will be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem will become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Micah the Morashtite has been prophesying in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and he says to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus said YHWH of Hosts: Zion is a plowed field, and Jerusalem is heaps, "" And the mountain of the house is for high places of a forest.

Young's Literal Translation
'Micah the Morashtite hath been prophesying in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and he saith unto all the people of Judah, saying: Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Zion is a plowed field, and Jerusalem is heaps, And the mountain of the house is for high places of a forest.

Smith's Literal Translation
Micah the Morasthite was prophesying in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and he will say to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus said Jehovah of armies: Zion shall be ploughed a field, and Jerusalem shall be ruins, and the mountain of the house for the heights of a forest.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Micheas of Morasthi was a prophet in the days of Ezechias king of Juda, and he spoke to all the people of Juda, saying: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Sion shall be ploughed like a field, and Jerusalem shall be a heap of stones: and the mountain of the house the high places of woods.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Micah from Moresheth was a prophet in the days of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying: ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: Zion will be ploughed like a field. And Jerusalem will be a pile of stones. And the mountain of the house will be like the forests of high places.’

New American Bible
“Micah of Moresheth used to prophesy in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and he said to all the people of Judah: Thus says the LORD of hosts: Zion shall be plowed as a field, Jerusalem, a heap of ruins, and the temple mount, a forest ridge.

New Revised Standard Version
“Micah of Moresheth, who prophesied during the days of King Hezekiah of Judah, said to all the people of Judah: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Micah the Morashite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah, Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the temple like a forest.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Micah the Marshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah, King of Judea, and said to all the people of Judea, ‘Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts, God of Israel: Zion the open country shall be led away captive and Jerusalem will be a desolation, and the Mount of the House for the place of a forest!’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying: Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Zion shall be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem shall become heaps, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Michaeas the Morathite lived in the days of Ezekias king of Juda, and said to all the people of Juda, Thus saith the Lord; Sion shall be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become a desolation, and the mountain of the house shall be a thicket of trees.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah Spared from Death
17Some of the elders of the land stood up and said to the whole assembly of the people, 18“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and told all the people of Judah that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.’ 19Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!”…

Cross References
Micah 3:12
Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.

2 Kings 21:13
I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes out a bowl—wiping it and turning it upside down.

2 Chronicles 36:19
Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value.

Lamentations 5:18
because of Mount Zion, which lies desolate, patrolled by foxes.

Isaiah 64:10-11
Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation. / Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins.

Matthew 23:37-38
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate.

Luke 13:34-35
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

2 Kings 25:9
He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.

Nehemiah 2:3
and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

Psalm 79:1
A Psalm of Asaph. The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

Isaiah 1:7-9
Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your fields before you—a desolation demolished by strangers. / And the Daughter of Zion is abandoned like a shelter in a vineyard, like a shack in a cucumber field, like a city besieged. / Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Mark 13:2
“Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...

1 Kings 9:7-8
then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’


Treasury of Scripture

Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus said the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

Jump to Previous
Armies Field Forest Heaps Hezekiah High Hosts House Jerusalem Judah Micah Morashtite Morasthite Mountain Places Plowed Prophesied Zion
Jump to Next
Armies Field Forest Heaps Hezekiah High Hosts House Jerusalem Judah Micah Morashtite Morasthite Mountain Places Plowed Prophesied Zion
Jeremiah 26
1. Jeremiah by promises and threats exhorts to repentance.
8. He is therefore apprehended,
10. and arraigned.
12. His apology.
16. He is quit in judgment, by the example of Micah,
20. and of Urijah,
24. and by the care of Ahikam.














Micah the Moreshite
This phrase identifies the prophet Micah, who hailed from Moresheth, a town in Judah. The Hebrew root for "Moreshite" indicates a person from Moresheth, emphasizing Micah's origins and grounding his prophecy in a specific cultural and geographical context. Historically, Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, and his prophecies were directed towards both Israel and Judah, calling them to repentance and warning of impending judgment.

prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah
This phrase situates Micah's prophecy during the reign of Hezekiah, a king known for his religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh. The historical context is significant because Hezekiah's reign was marked by both spiritual revival and political turmoil, including the threat from the Assyrian empire. The Hebrew word for "prophesied" (נָבָא, naba) implies speaking under divine inspiration, highlighting the authority and divine origin of Micah's message.

and said to all the people of Judah
This phrase underscores the audience of Micah's prophecy: the people of Judah. It reflects the communal nature of prophetic messages in ancient Israel, where prophets addressed the entire nation or community. The Hebrew term for "people" (עַם, am) often denotes a collective identity, emphasizing the shared responsibility and destiny of the nation in response to God's word.

This is what the LORD of Hosts says
This phrase introduces the divine message with authority. "LORD of Hosts" (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, Yahweh Tseva'ot) is a title that emphasizes God's sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies. It conveys a sense of power and majesty, reminding the audience that the prophecy comes from the ultimate authority in the universe. This title is often used in contexts of judgment and deliverance, reinforcing the seriousness of the message.

Zion will be plowed like a field
This phrase uses agricultural imagery to describe the impending destruction of Zion, the hill upon which Jerusalem was built. The Hebrew word for "plowed" (חָרַשׁ, charash) suggests complete devastation, as a field is turned over and prepared for new planting. This imagery conveys the totality of the judgment that would leave no stone unturned, symbolizing the thoroughness of God's impending judgment due to the people's sins.

Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble
This phrase continues the theme of destruction, with "heap of rubble" (עִי, i) indicating ruins or desolation. The historical context of Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC provides a vivid backdrop for this prophecy. The imagery of a once-great city reduced to ruins serves as a powerful warning of the consequences of turning away from God.

and the temple mount a wooded ridge
This phrase concludes the prophecy with a stark image of the temple mount, the site of the holy temple, becoming overgrown and abandoned. The Hebrew term for "wooded ridge" (יָעַר, ya'ar) suggests a return to a natural, untamed state, symbolizing the loss of divine presence and the reversal of the land's sanctity. This imagery would have been particularly shocking to the original audience, as the temple was the center of religious life and identity for the people of Judah.

(18) Micah the Morasthite.--On the general history and work of this prophet, see Introduction to Micah. The Hebrew text gives Micaiah, the two forms being (as in Judges 17:1; Judges 17:4, compared with 5, 12), in the Hebrew interchangeable. The epithet indicated his birth in Moresheth-gath in Philistia (Micah 1:14). As Micah had prophesied under Jotham and Ahaz (Micah 1:1), the prediction here referred to must have been delivered towards the close of his ministry. The words cited are from Micah 3:12, and immediately precede the prediction of an ultimate restoration of Judah in the last days in Micah 4:1-2, which we find in identical terms in Isaiah 2:2-3. Here, then, was a case, is the implied argument of the elders, in which a threat did its work, and therefore was not fulfilled. It did good, and not evil. The phrase "mountain of the house" is not found elsewhere in Jeremiah as a description of the Temple. . . . Verses 18, 19. - Micah the Morasthite, etc. The "elders" appeal for a precedent to the case of Micah (called after his native place, Moresheth-Gath, to distinguish him from other Micahs), who had been equally explicit in his declarations of woe to Jerusalem, without incurring the charge of blasphemy. The prediction referred to is in Micah 3:12, the form of which agrees verbally with our passage.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Micah
מִיכָה֙ (mî·ḵāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4320: Micaiah -- 'Who is like Yah?' the name of several Israelites

the Moreshite
הַמּ֣וֹרַשְׁתִּ֔י (ham·mō·w·raš·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4183: Moresheth -- inhabitants of Moresheth-gath

prophesied
נִבָּ֔א (nib·bā)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration

in the days
בִּימֵ֖י (bî·mê)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of Hezekiah
חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ (ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2396: Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelites

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
עַם֩ (‘am)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֨ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

that this is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָא֗וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
לֵאמֹ֜ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Zion
צִיּ֞וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

will be plowed
תֵֽחָרֵשׁ֙ (ṯê·ḥā·rêš)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise

like a field,
שָׂדֶ֤ה (śā·ḏeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

Jerusalem
וִירוּשָׁלַ֙יִם֙ (wî·rū·šā·la·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

will become
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a heap of rubble,
עִיִּ֣ים (‘î·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5856: A ruin, heap of ruins

and the temple
הַבַּ֖יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

mount
וְהַ֥ר (wə·har)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

a wooded
יָֽעַר׃ (yā·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3293: A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb

ridge.?
לְבָמ֥וֹת (lə·ḇā·mō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1116: An elevation


Links
Jeremiah 26:18 NIV
Jeremiah 26:18 NLT
Jeremiah 26:18 ESV
Jeremiah 26:18 NASB
Jeremiah 26:18 KJV

Jeremiah 26:18 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 26:18 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 26:18 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 26:18 French Bible
Jeremiah 26:18 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 26:18 Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days (Jer.)
Jeremiah 26:17
Top of Page
Top of Page