The word of the Lord
(Yahweh) that came to
Micah (Hebr. Michah), from Moresheth
[who conveyed these prophetic words] in those days
[758-698 BC] when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah
(Hebr. Jechizqijah) were kings of Judah
[the southern kingdom]. This is what he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
[Mic. came from the town of Moreshet Gat in southwestern Judah, see also . It is not entirely clear which town this is, but Jerome (347-419 CE) writes that it is located just over a kilometer east of Beit Guvrin, which makes Tell Goded a good candidate. Micah "saw" these prophecies concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Interestingly, from the top of Tell Goded you can see many of the cities that Micah mentions, such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Lachish, etc. The three kings mentioned are:
• Jotham (did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, see ) reigned 758-743 BC.
• His son Ahaz (was an evil king, see ) reigned from 743 to 727 BC.
• Hezekiah (did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, see ) reigned from 726 to 697 BC.]