מִיכָה (mi.khah)
mi.khah
Micah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 30 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Mîykâh means "who is like God" and appears thirty times in Scripture as a personal identifier for several distinct individuals. It functions as an abbreviated form of names ending in Yahweh, reflecting a common Hebrew naming pattern that affirms divine sovereignty. The most prominent bearer is the eighth-century prophet from Moresheth-Gath, whose book challenges Israel’s leadership and promises future restoration.
However, the name also belongs to figures from earlier and later periods. In Judges, Micah of Ephraim establishes a private shrine with a carved idol and a hired priest, illustrating the religious confusion of the era before the monarchy. Other bearers include a descendant of King Saul in 1 Chronicles and a Levite named Michah who served in Solomon’s temple.
Translators sometimes render this name as Micaiah or Michah depending on the context, particularly when distinguishing the prophet from the royal court prophet in 2 Chronicles 18. This variation highlights how ancient scribes tracked lineage and office through similar-sounding names. The recurrence of the name across different social strata shows its enduring popularity among Israelites who valued the rhetorical question embedded in its meaning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Micah carries a simple but powerful question: "Who is like God?" It appears thirty times in Scripture, attached to several different men who lived in very different circumstances. Some were priests serving in the temple, while others were leaders of tribes or prophets speaking truth to power. This variety shows that the name was not reserved for one type of person but was a reminder to all Israelites that God stands above every human authority.
One of the most well-known bearers of this name is the prophet from Moresheth-Gath. His message challenged the leaders of his day to seek justice and promised that God would eventually restore His people. Even though he lived centuries before Jesus, his words point to a God who cares deeply about how we treat one another. The name invites us to pause and remember that no earthly power can compare with the Creator.
When you encounter this name in your reading, it serves as a quiet anchor. It reminds us that our faith is built on the character of a God who is unique and unmatched. This assurance brings peace, knowing that the One we trust is greater than any challenge we face today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 30 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Micah31×
- to/ Micah1×
- O Micah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִיכָ֔ה7×
- מִיכָה֙5×
- מִיכָ֑ה5×
- מִיכָ֖ה4×
- מִיכָֽה\׃3×
- מִיכָ֜ה2×
- מִיכָ֗ה2×
- מִיכָֽה\׃\ \ס1×
- מִיכָ֥ה1×
- מִיכָ֣ה1×
- מִ֠יכָה1×
- לְ/מִיכָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 17:5
The man Micah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
This verse introduces Micah of Ephraim, whose private shrine and hired priest illustrate the religious confusion of the time before the monarchy.
-
Judges 18:23
As they called to the children of Dan, they turned their faces, and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you come with such a company?”
Here Micah confronts the tribe of Dan, asking what is wrong with their large company, which highlights his personal loss when they steal his idols and priest.
-
I Chronicles 5:5
Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,
This genealogy lists Micah as a son of Joel, showing the name's use among tribal leaders in the lineage of Reuben.
-
I Chronicles 23:20
The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second.
Micah is identified here as the chief among the sons of Uzziel, demonstrating his role in the organized temple service under David.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Micah mean?
Is there only one person named Micah in the Bible?
How is Micah different from Micaiah?
Why is this name significant for Christians today?
Every Occurrence (30 verses across 6 books)
Judges 17 verses
The man Micah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his…
Judges 17:8The man departed out of the city, out of Bethlehem Judah, to live where he could find a place, and he came to the hill…
Judges 17:9Micah said to him, “Where did you come from?” He said to him, “I am a Levite of Bethlehem Judah, and I am looking for a…
Judges 17:10Micah said to him, “Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you ten pieces of silver per…
Judges 17:12Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
Judges 17:13Then Micah said, “Now I know that Yahweh will do good to me, since I have a Levite as my priest.”
Judges 18:2The children of Dan sent five men of their family from their whole number, men of valor, from Zorah and from Eshtaol,…
Judges 18:3When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite; so they went over there and said…
Judges 18:4He said to them, “Thus and thus has Micah dealt with me, and he has hired me, and I have become his priest.”
Judges 18:13They passed from there to the hill country of Ephraim, and came to the house of Micah.
Judges 18:15They went over there and came to the house of the young Levite man, even to the house of Micah, and asked him how he…
Judges 18:18When these went into Micah’s house, and took the engraved image, the ephod, the teraphim, and the molten image, the…
Judges 18:22When they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house gathered together…
Judges 18:23As they called to the children of Dan, they turned their faces, and said to Micah, “What ails you, that you come with…
Judges 18:26The children of Dan went their way; and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to…
Judges 18:27They took that which Micah had made, and the priest whom he had, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting,…
Judges 18:31So they set up for themselves Micah’s engraved image which he made, and it remained all the time that God’s house was…