one of the twelve minor prophets of Scripture, was born in Moresheth of Gath, and, according to the inscription of the book, prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (n.c. 757-696), and was consequently contemporary with Isaiah. The genuineness and authenticity of the prophecy of Micah is unquestionable; although it is a matter of dispute whether the passage in chap. iv. 1-3 is borrowed from Isaiah ii. 2, 4, or that in Isaiah borrowed from Micah, or whether both be not derived from a common and more ancient source. Hengstenberg (Christology) strongly maintains Micah's originality; while De Wette (Einleitung) observes that we have the best reason for regarding the last years of Ahaz as the period of Micah's prophetic glory. The period of Micah's predictions, however, is fully attested by Jeremiah (chap. xxvi. 18, 19), where Micah is said to have foretold the destruction of Jerusalem in the reign of Hezekiah.

The most remarkable predictions contained in this prophet have been pointed out by Jahn, and are as follows:—1. The destruction of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah (iii. 12; vii. 13). 2. The Babylonian captivity, delivered 150 years before the event (iv. 10, 11; vii. 7, 8, 13). 3. The return from the captivity, and the tranquility of the Jews under the Persian and Grecian monarchies, referring to events from 200 to 500 years distant (iv. 18; vii. 11; xiv. 12). 4. The heroic exploits of the Maccabees (iv. 13). 5. The establishment of the royal residence in Zion (iv. 8). 6. The birth and reign of the Messiah (v. 2). The style of Micah is remarkable for sublimity and vehemence, besides abounding in rapid transitions, elegant tropes, and piquant plays upon words. There are also several specimens of animated dialogue in this prophecy, especially in the second part, where the Lord is represented as conversing with his people, reproving their morals, threatening chastisement, and offering consolation by the promise of a return from their exile.

Micah is the third of the minor prophets, according to the arrangement of the Septuagint; the sixth according to the Hebrew; and the fifth according to the date of his prophecies. (See De Wette's Einleitung; Pocock's Commentary on Micah; Grossschopf's Micah Uebersetzt; and the Introductions of Jahn and of Eichhorn.)