Micah 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Wo to them that devise iniquity - Who lay schemes and plans for transgressions; who make it their study to find out new modes of sinning; and make these things their nocturnal meditations, that, having fixed their plan, they may begin to execute it as soon as it is light in the morning. Because it is in the power of their hand - They think they may do whatever they have power and opportunity to do.
Open source ↗DENUNCIATION OF THE EVILS PREVALENT: THE PEOPLE'S UNWILLINGNESS TO HEAR THE TRUTH: THEIR EXPULSION FROM THE LAND THE FITTING FRUIT OF THEIR SIN: YET JUDAH AND ISRAEL ARE HEREAFTER TO BE RESTORED. (Mic 2:1-13) devise . . . work . . . practise--They do evil not merely on a sudden impulse, but with deliberate design. As in the former chapter sins against the first table are reproved, so in this chapter sins against the second table. A gradation: "devise" is the conception of the evil purpose; "work" (Psa 58:2), or "fabricate," the maturing of the scheme; "practise," or "effect," the execution of it. because it is in the power of their hand--for the phrase see Gen 31:29; Pro 3:27. Might, not right, is what regulates their conduct. Where they can, they commit oppression; where they do not, it is because they cannot.
Open source ↗Woe to them that devise iniquity,.... Any kind of iniquity; idolatry, or worshipping of idols, for the word is used sometimes for an idol; or the sin of uncleanness, on which the thoughts too often dwell in the night season; or coveting of neighbours' goods, and oppressing the poor; sins which are instanced in Mic 2:2; and every thing that is vain, foolish, and wicked, and in the issue brings trouble and distress: now a woe is denounced against such that think on such things, and please themselves with them in their imaginations, and contrive ways and means to commit them: and work evil upon their beds; when, the senses being less engaged, the thoughts are more free; but should not be employed about evil; but either in meditating on the divine goodness, and praising the Lord for his mercies; or in examining a man's heart, state, and case, and mourning over his sins, and applying to God for the remission of them; but, instead of this, the persons here threatened are said to "work evil on their beds", when they should be asleep and at rest, or engaged in the above things; that is, they plot and contrive how to accomplish the evil they meditate; they determine upon doing it, and are as sure of effecting it as if it was actually done; and do act it over in their own minds, as if it was real; see Psa 36:4; when the morning is light, they practise it; they wish and wait for the morning light, and as soon as it appears they rise; and, instead of blessing God for the mercies of the night, and going about their lawful business, they endeavour to put in practice with all rigour and diligence, and as expeditiously as they can, what they have projected and schemed in the night season; because it is in the power of their hand; to commit it; and they have no principle of goodness in…
Open source ↗The violent acts of the great men would be punished by God with the withdrawal of the inheritance of His people, or the loss of Canaan. Mic 2:1. "Woe to those who devise mischief, and prepare evil upon their beds! In the light of the morning they carry it out, for their hand is their God. Mic 2:2. They covet fields and plunder; them, and houses and take them; and oppress the man and his house, the man and his inheritance." The woe applies to the great and mighty of the nation, who by acts of injustice deprive the common people of the inheritance conferred upon them by the Lord (cf. Isa 5:8). The prophet describes them as those who devise plans by night upon their beds for robbing the poor, and carry them out as soon as the day dawns. חשׁב און denotes the sketching out of plans (see Psa 36:5); and פּעל רע, to work evil, the preparation of the ways and means for carrying out their wicked plans. פּעל, the preparation, is distinguished from עשׁה, the execution, as in Isa 41:4, for which יצר and עשׂה are also used (e.g., Isa 43:7). "Upon their beds," i.e., by night, the time of quiet reflection (Psa 4:5; cf. Job 4:13). "By the light of the morning," i.e., at daybreak, without delay. כּי ישׁ וגו, lit., "for their hand is for a god," i.e., their power passes as a god to them; they know of no higher power than their own arm; whatever they wish it is in their power to do (cf. Gen 31:29; Pro 3:27; Hab 1:11; Job 12:6). Ewald and Rckert weaken the thought by adopting the rendering, "because it stands free in their hand;" and Hitzig's rendering, "if it stands in their hand," is decidedly false. Kı̄ cannot be a conditional particle here, because the thought would thereby be weakened in a manner quite irreconcilable with the context. In Mic 2:2 the evil which they plan by night, and c…
Open source ↗Here is, I. The injustice of man contriving the evil of sin, Mic 2:1, Mic 2:2. God was coming forth against this people to destroy them, and here he shows what was the ground of his controversy with them; it is that which is often mentioned as a sin that hastens the ruin of nations and families as much as any, the sin of oppression. Let us see the steps of it. 1. They eagerly desire that which is not their own - that is the root of bitterness, the root of all evil, Mic 2:2. They covet fields and houses, as Ahab did Naboth's vineyard. "Oh that such a one's field and house were mine! It lies convenient for me, and I would manage it better than he does; it is fitter for me than for him." 2. They set their wits on work to invent ways of accomplishing their desire (Mic 2:4); they devise iniquity with a great deal of cursed art and policy; they plot how to do it effectually, and yet so as not to expose themselves, or bring themselves into danger, or under reproach, by it. This is called working evil! they are working it in their heads, in their families, and are as intent upon it, and with as much pleasure, as if they were doing it, and are as confident of their success (so wisely do they think they have laid the scheme) as if it were assuredly done. Note, It is bad to do mischief upon a sudden thought, but much worse to devise it, to do it with design and deliberation; when the craft and subtlety of the old serpent appear with his poison and venom, it is wickedness in perfection. They devised it upon their beds, when they should have been asleep; care to compass a mischievous design held their eyes waking. Upon their beds, where they should have been remembering God, and meditating upon him, where they should have been communing with their own hearts and examining them, they…
Open source ↗2:1-2 Power had corrupted the wealthy, who should have been ready to help their fellow Israelites (cp. Gen 4:9; Josh 1:14). • Thinking up evil plans . . . because you have the power to do so indicates a corrupt heart, mind, and character (Gen 6:5). • When you want: They possessed the property of others in a way that amounted to stealing and broke God’s law that forbids coveting (Exod 20:17). A family’s inheritance was a sacred gift from the Lord, intended as a permanent possession (Lev 25:8-55; cp. 1 Kgs 21; Isa 5:8). God looked for righteousness among his people, but instead he found oppression (1 Kgs 10:9; Isa 5:7; 2 Pet 2:13).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מִשְׁכָּב (mishkâb, H4904) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗חָמַד (châmad, H2530) — to delight in שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) גָּזַל (gâzal, H1497) — to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative עָשַׁק (ʻâshaq, H6231) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מוּשׁ (mûwsh, H4185) — to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive) צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רוֹמָה (rôwmâh, H7317) — elation, i.e. (adverbially) proudly עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מָשָׁל (mâshâl, H4912) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage,… נָהָה (nâhâh, H5091) — to groan, i.e. bewail; hence (through the idea of crying aloud), to assemble (as if on… נִהְיָה (nihyâh, H5093) — lamentation נְהִי (nᵉhîy, H5092) — an elegy אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁדַד (shâdad, H7703) — properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by… מוּר (mûwr, H4171) — to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מוּשׁ (mûwsh, H4185) — to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to…
Open source ↗שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗נָטַף (nâṭaph, H5197) — to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak… נָסַג (nâçag, H5253) — to retreat כְּלִמָּה (kᵉlimmâh, H3639) — disgrace
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָצַר (qâtsar, H7114) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially… מַעֲלָל (maʻălâl, H4611) — an act (good or bad) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אֶתְמוֹל (ʼethmôwl, H865) — heretofore; definitely yesterday עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… אֶדֶר (ʼeder, H145) — amplitude, i.e. (concrete) a mantle; also (figuratively) splendor מוּל (mûwl, H4136) — properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially… שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, H8008) — a dress עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… בֶּטַח (beṭach, H983) — properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… גָּרַשׁ (gârash, H1644) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce תַּעֲנוּג (taʻănûwg, H8588) — luxury בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עוֹלֵל (ʻôwlêl, H5768) — a suckling לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) הָדָר (hâdâr, H1926) — magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מְנוּחָה (mᵉnûwchâh, H4496) — repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony);… טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2930) — to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated) חָבַל (châbal, H2254) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to… מָרַץ (mârats, H4834) — properly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to be pungent or vehement; to irritate חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or…
Open source ↗לוּא (lûwʼ, H3863) — a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that! אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) כָּזַב (kâzab, H3576) — to lie (i.e. deceive), literally or figuratively נָטַף (nâṭaph, H5197) — to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak… יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication שֵׁכָר (shêkâr, H7941) — an intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) בׇּצְרָה (botsrâh, H1223) — an enclosure, i.e. sheep fold בׇּצְרָה (Botsrâh, H1224) — Botsrah, a place in Edom עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre דֹּבֶר (dôber, H1699) — a pasture (from its arrangement of the flock) הוּם (hûwm, H1949) — to make an uproar, or agitate greatly
Open source ↗פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.
The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
From you, O Nineveh, comes forth a plotter of evil against the LORD, a counselor of wickedness.
slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
I have power to do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.