מיכה, פרק ו׳, פסוק י׳

A sharp rebuke is directed at a society deeply entrenched in economic corruption and social injustice. The prophetic voice expresses profound shock that people continue their harmful practices without any fear of divine punishment.

The primary approach among commentators understands this challenge as a question of whether ill-gotten wealth still remains in the homes of the corrupt. There is a sense of utter amazement that, even after hearing God's clear warnings, individuals continue to hoard treasures gathered through robbery and extortion without showing any signs of repentance [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. An alternative reading suggests the focus is specifically on the respected, prominent men of the city, questioning if they too continue to cling to their dishonest wealth [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. Another perspective shifts the focus from the present stubbornness of the corrupt to their future expectations, asking if the wicked genuinely believe their houses and stolen treasures will endure for a long time [רש״י, שטיינזלץ].

The critique then narrows to the specific tools used to carry out this exploitation. The wealthy use a reduced, deficient unit of measure to cheat their buyers. This deceitful practice not only steals money but directly causes starvation and physical wasting among the vulnerable poor [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, שטיינזלץ]. Because this rigged system of measurement relies on exploiting the helpless, it deeply awakens God's anger and is entirely condemned by Him [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].

A unique institutional perspective offers a different understanding of these unjust measurements. Rather than referring to the physical wasting of the poor, the critique is aimed directly at government officials and ministers. In this view, the flawed measure is actually the official standard set by the authorities themselves. This state-sanctioned standard is just as condemned in God's eyes, revealing a deeply rooted corruption where the lawmakers and leaders are the very ones establishing laws of injustice and deceit [מלבי״ם].