Micah 2

King James Version

Full text for Micah Chapter 2

1¶ Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

2And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

3Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time [is] evil.

4In that day shall [one] take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, [and] say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed [it] from me! turning away he hath divided our fields.

5Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.

6¶ Prophesy ye not, [say they to them that] prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, [that] they shall not take shame.

7O [thou that art] named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? [are] these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

8Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.

9The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.

10Arise ye, and depart; for this [is] not [your] rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy [you], even with a sore destruction.

11If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, [saying], I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

12¶ I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of [the multitude of] men.

13The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Micah 2 begins with a woe against those who plot evil, covet land, and oppress the innocent, for which the Lord promises judgment and dispossession. The people silence true prophets and embrace false ones who promise material comforts. However, the chapter concludes with a promise of future restoration, where the Lord will gather the remnant of Israel and lead them forth.

Medium Summary

The prophet Micah pronounces a woe upon those who devise iniquity and commit acts of violence, seizing fields and houses from their rightful owners. For these transgressions, the Lord declares that He will devise a calamity against them, from which they cannot escape, leading to their utter spoilage and loss of heritage. The people are also condemned for silencing true prophets, preferring those who speak of material prosperity. They are accused of acting as enemies, stripping the garments from peaceful travelers and expelling women and children from their homes, thus polluting the land. Therefore, they are told to depart, for their current state is not their rest. Yet, amidst this judgment, the chapter concludes with a divine promise to gather the remnant of Jacob and Israel, leading them forth as a flock with a "breaker" and their King, the Lord, at their head.

Long Summary

Micah 2 opens with a stern denunciation against those who plot evil and commit injustice, even upon their beds, rising to execute their wicked schemes when morning comes. These individuals are characterized by their covetousness, violently seizing fields and houses, thereby oppressing men and dispossessing them of their heritage. In response to these transgressions, the Lord declares that He will devise a calamity against "this family," a judgment so severe that they will not escape it, nor will they walk haughtily. A lamentation will be taken up against them, acknowledging their utter spoilage and the division of their lands, signifying their loss of place in the congregation of the Lord. The prophet then confronts the people for their rejection of true prophecy, commanding the prophets to cease speaking, as they do not wish to be shamed. The Lord questions whether His Spirit is limited or if His words are not beneficial to the upright, highlighting the people's spiritual blindness. Furthermore, the people are accused of rising up as an enemy, stripping garments from peaceful passersby and casting women from their pleasant homes, taking away God's glory from their children. Consequently, they are commanded to "Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest," because the land is polluted and will bring about their destruction. They prefer false prophets who speak only of wine and strong drink. Despite these pronouncements of judgment, the chapter abruptly shifts to a message of hope and restoration. The Lord promises to surely assemble all of Jacob and gather the remnant of Israel, bringing them together like a flock in their fold. A "breaker" will come up before them, leading them through a gate, and their king, with the Lord at their head, will pass before them, signifying a triumphant return and new beginning.

Core Concepts

  • Devising IniquityThe act of plotting evil and injustice, even in private, with the intention of executing it. The chapter condemns those who "devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds."
  • Oppression and DispossessionThe violent seizure of property, such as fields and houses, from the rightful owners, leading to the oppression and loss of heritage for the innocent. This is a key sin highlighted in verses 1-2.
  • Divine JudgmentThe Lord's direct response to the people's sins, promising a calamity from which they cannot escape, resulting in their spoilage and loss of their place in the congregation. This is a consequence of their actions.
  • Rejection of True ProphecyThe people's refusal to listen to God's true prophets, preferring those who speak pleasant falsehoods about material prosperity. They tell the prophets, "Prophesy ye not."
  • Pollution of the LandThe idea that the people's sinful actions, particularly their violence and injustice, have defiled their land, making it unfit for them to dwell in. They are told to "depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted."
  • Promise of RestorationDespite the severe judgment, the chapter concludes with a future hope where the Lord will gather the scattered remnant of Israel and lead them forth triumphantly. This is a sudden shift from judgment to grace.
  • The Breaker and KingA figure, possibly a deliverer or the Messiah, who will lead the gathered remnant through a gate, with their king and the Lord at their head, symbolizing divine leadership and liberation.