Bible Commentaries

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).

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.