The Prophet Micah’s Critique of Nepotism: A Hermeneutical Perspective on the Theology of Social Justice
Abstract
This article examines the Prophet Micah’s critique of nepotism through the lens of social justice theological hermeneutics. The historical background of eighth-century BCE Judah reveals systemic abuses of power, land confiscation, and political patronage that undermined the social order. Micah exposes this corruption through sharp prophetic rhetoric, portraying leaders as betrayers of their divine mandate. This analysis finds that modern nepotism shares structural similarities with the injustices of Micah’s era, namely the erosion of meritocracy and the weakening of social solidarity. The novelty of this research lies in positioning nepotism as an independent theological category within the interpretation of the Book of Micah. The research results affirm that the struggle against nepotism encompasses three crucial dimensions: (1) as an ethical agenda in social life; (2) as a prophetic calling to embody God's justice (mishpat) in the public sphere; and (3) as a theological calling to restore the integrity of public spirituality centered on faith loyalty and the rejection of exclusive privileges. Consequently, this article grounds Micah's message as an instrument of socio-political transformation relevant to the context of modern leadership in Indonesia.
References
Ademiluka, Solomon Olusola. 2023. “‘They Covet Fields and Houses … and Seize Them’: Interpreting Micah 2:2 in Light of Economic Deprivation for Holding on to Power in Nigeria.” Journal for Semitics 31 (2). https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6573/10682.
Allen, Leslie C. 1976. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Boloje, Blessing Onoriode. 2019. “Economic Piracy and Land Confiscation (Micah 2:1–5): Micah’s Portrayal of Evil-Doers, Evil-Doing, and Yahweh’s Action.” Journal for Semitics 28 (1). https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6573/5650.
Brunner, Emil. 1952. The Divine Imperative. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.
Choi, Dongbin. 2021. The Use and Function of Scripture in 1 Maccabees. Library of Second Temple Studies. London New York Oxford New Delhi Sydney: T&T Clark.
CSsR, Mateus Mali. n.d. Konsep Berpolitik Orang Kristiani. PT Kanisius.
Mayopu, Yusup Amasia, and Yosua Marsorin Simanjuntak. 2025. “Dosa Suap Dalam Ulangan 16: 19 Dan Implikasinya Terhadap Etika Kepemimpinan Di Era Modern.” GRAFTA: Journal of Christian Religion Education and Biblical Studies 4 (2): 78–88.
OMPONG, Wilhelmus. 2024. “Menilai Praktik Korupsi di Indonesia dari Perspektif Moral Kristiani.” Undergraduate, IFTK Ledalero. http://repository.iftkledalero.ac.id/2190/.
Pardede, Harold, Martin Lumingkewas, and Amran Simangunsong. 2023. “TEOLOGI KEADILAN (MISHPAT) DALAM KITAB MIKHA DAN RELEVANSINYA TERHADAP KEADILAN SOSIAL BAGI ORANG KRISTEN DI INDONESIA.” EKKLESIA: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristiani 2 (1): 83–101. https://doi.org/10.63576/ekklesia.v2i1.39.
Putra, Andreas Maurenis. 2024. “SEJUMLAH SKANDAL PEMIMPIN POLITIK DI INDONESIA: SIGNIFIKANSI TERHADAP KELUARAN 18: 21.” Track: Jurnal Kepemimpinan Kristen, Teologi, dan Entrepreneurship 03 (2): 3–30.
Rangkang, Oktapianus, Afriatus Agus, Esron Mangatas Siregar, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi, and Makedonia Ngabang. 2025. “Prinsip Oikumenis Dan Keadilan Sosial: Analisis Berdasarkan Kitab Mikha 6:8.” ICHTUS: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristiani 6 (1): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.63830/HM2VRF15.
Silalahi, Bonnarty Steven. 2024. “Korupsi Ditinjau Dari Kitab Amsal.” Student Evangelical Journal Aiming At Theological Interpretation 1 (2): 82–100. https://doi.org/10.69668/sejati.v1i2.59.
Simundson, Daniel J, Joel Hosea, Obadiah Amos, and Micah Jonah. 2005. “Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries. Nashville.” Abingdon Press.
Sipahutar, Roy Charly. 2019. “Kajian Ekoteologis Tentang Konsep Tanah Dalam Perjanjian Lama Dan Implikasinya Bagi Pemeliharaan Tanah.” BIA’: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristen Kontekstual 2 (2): 166–78. https://doi.org/10.34307/b.v2i2.95.
Smith, R. 1984. Word Biblical Commentary: Micah-Malachi. Word Biblical Commentary. Word Books, Publisher.
Tory, Tingka Febry, and Rizkia Amelia Hanum. 2025. Nepotisme Dan Korupsi Di Pemerintahan Dalam Perspektif Etika. 3.
Walter Brueggemann. 2018. The Prophetic Imagination. Edited by Davis Hankins. Fortress Press.
Waltke, B K. 2008. A Commentary on Micah. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Wang, Yi. 2015. “Redemptive-Historical Hermeneutics and Applications.” Westminster Seminary California.
Copyright (c) 2025 Saut Maruli P. Panggabean, Regueli Daeli, Iman Kristina Halawa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a 