Bible Commentaries
Micah 2

Verses 1-11

Micah 2:1-11 . Social Injustice and its Penalty.— The prophet denounces those for whom might is right ( Psalms 36:4; “ and work evil” seems a thoughtless scribal addition), who acquire property by illegal or inequitable process ( Isaiah 5:8). Against such plans Yahweh declares His own— to bring “ this family” ( i.e. Israel as a whole, Amos 3:1) under the foreign yoke ( Jeremiah 27:12). A lament shall be made over Israel, whose land shall be given to the heathen ( Micah 2:4, mg. 1 ; but text is doubtful here, and often to end of Micah 2:8). The unjust shall no longer acquire land in Israel (so, perhaps, Micah 2:5, where “ by lot” should be “ upon an allotment” ; cf. Psalms 16:5 f.). Those who are rebuked sneer at the prophetic message: “ Talk not” , so they talk, “ they shall not talk of these things” (BDB; cf. Isaiah 30:10, Amos 2:12; Amos 5:10), “ their reproaches are unceasing” ( Micah 2:6, mg. 2 ). In Micah 2:7 a, these evildoers appear to express their (false) confidence in Yahweh’ s patience; in Micah 2:7 b, Micah 2:8, they are answered that Yahweh is with the upright, not with the oppressors of the innocent; but the text is corrupt and obscure, and requires considerable emendation to make it even plausible (see, e.g. Smith, ICC). These men evict widows ( cf. Isaiah 10:2), and rob their children of their share in Yahweh’ s land and worship (“ my glory” ). Now, they must themselves go forth, the land no longer being their resting-place; because they have defied it ( cf. Zechariah 13:2), they shall be destroyed ( Micah 2:10 mg.) .

Micah 2:11 (connecting with Micah 2:6, rather than with its own context, and probably a gloss) declares that the false prophets ( mg.) who promise prosperity have the popular ear (rather than Micah, who denounces the evil-doer).

Verses 12-13

Micah 2:12 f. A Promise of Restoration.— This is a later insertion in Micah’ s prophecy, analogous to Micah 4, and presupposing the Jewish exile and dispersion. Yahweh will shepherd ( Psalms 23:1) the remaining flock of Israel (N. and S.) into the fold (of Palestine); their numbers will be shown by the noise of their return. Yahweh will break through the barrier of their present captivity. “ like the ram of the flock” (J. M. P. Smith), and will lead them out through the gate so made, as their king.

Micah 2:12 . of Bozrah means rather “ into a fold” .

Micah 2:13 . their king refers to “ the Lord” , by Heb. parallelism ( cf. Isaiah 33:22). The perfects of this verse are prophetic.