Micah, meaning "who is like
Yahweh", was a prophet who prophesied from approximately 737–696 BC in
Judah and is the author of the
Book of Micah. He was a contemporary of the prophets
Isaiah,
Amos and
Hosea and is considered one of the twelve
minor prophets of the
Tanakh (
Old Testament). Micah was from
Moresheth-Gath, in southwest Judah. He prophesied during the reigns of kings
Jotham,
Ahaz, and
Hezekiah of Judah. Micah’s messages were directed chiefly toward
Jerusalem. He prophesied the future destruction of Jerusalem and Samaria, the destruction and then future restoration of the Judean state, and he rebuked the people of Judah for dishonesty and idolatry. His prophecy that the
Messiah would be born in the town of
Bethlehem is cited in the
Gospel of Matthew.