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.
iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 . Not the same word as in Micah 3:10 . Note the incrimination in verses: Micah 2:1 , Micah 2:2 . See the Structure, p. 1253.
work = plan.
evil = wickedness. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
is = exists. Hebrew. yesh. See note on Proverbs 8:21 .
in the power of their hand. A Pentateuchal idiom. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 31:29 ). Compare Proverbs 3:27 . Nehemiah 5:5 . Does not occur elsewhere.
2.
And 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.
covet fields. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 6:4 .Deuteronomy 5:21; Deuteronomy 5:21 ). App-92 .
they oppress, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:13 , where the words are the same). App-92 .
man = a human being Hebrew. geber. App-14 .
even. So in some codices, with four early printed editions; but many codices, with six early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, omit the word "even".
man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
3.
Therefore 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.
4.
In 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.
take up a parable. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 23:7 , Numbers 23:18 ; Numbers 24:3 , Numbers 24:15 , Numbers 24:20 , Numbers 24:23 ). Twice in Job (Job 27:1 ; Job 29:1 ); once in Isaiah (Isaiah 14:4 ); once in Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:6 ). Not elsewhere. App-92 . Note the Figure of speech Chleuasmos ( App-6 ).
lament with a doleful lamentation. Note the Figures of speech P olyptoton and Paronomasia ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Hebrew venahah nehi nihyah = wail a wailing of woe.
changed = changed [for the worse]. Hebrew. mur ; not halaph = changed [for the better]. See note on Leviticus 27:10 .
turning away = to a heathen: i.e. our enemy the Assyrian.
5.
Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.
cast a cord by lot. Referring to the custom, by which, round every village in Palestine, the land was divided by lot every year to the various families; hence, the expression in Psalms 16:6 , "cord" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the portion of land marked out by it. It therefore = divide your inheritances. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 26:55 , Numbers 26:56 ). App-92 .
congregation = assembly. Compare Deuteronomy 23:1-3 , Deuteronomy 23:8 .
6.
Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.
Prophesy = Do not sputter.
say they to them that prophesy = so they sputter.
they shall not prophesy. Not the usual word for prophesy, but Hebrew. nataph.
they: i.e. these false prophets.
them = as to these things: i.e. these doings of Jehovah.
that, &c. Supply, "[saying], must He put away these suppressers".
7.
O 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?
Jacob. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .
is the Spirit, &c. ? Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 11:23 , the same word). App-92 .
Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
do not = are not?
My. Septuagint reads "His", as in preceding clause: or = are not My words pleasant [saith Jehovah]?
do good = pleasant.
8.
Even 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.
Even of late = Only yesterday, or recently: this highway robbery was a new and recent evil.
9.
The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.
for ever: i.e. not to be restored for the rest of their lives.
10.
Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.
Arise ye, &c. Usually misquoted in a good sense; but the Structure shows it to be part of the lamentation (p. 1253).
this = this [land]. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 12:9 ). App-92 .
it: i.e. this [land].
it is polluted. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 18:27 , Leviticus 18:28 , the same word). App-92 .
it shall destroy. Reference to Pent (Leviticus 18:28 ; Leviticus 20:22 ; Leviticus 26:38 ). Compare Ezekiel 36:12-14 .
11.
If 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.
wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .
strong drink. Hebrew. shekar. App-27 .
prophet = sputterer; as in Micah 2:6 . Literally dropper [of words].
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.
I will, &c. See the Structure, p. 1253.
Israel. See note on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .
of Bozrah: or, with Septuagint, in tribulation. The member (verses: Micah 2:12 , Micah 2:13 ) does not speak of mercy, but of judgment, corresponding with the member (Micah 1:2-4 ). Not "a complete change", and no "promise to a remnant" Compare Isaiah 34:6 . Amos 1:12 .
make great noise = be in commotion.
men = human beings. Heb 'adam. App-14 .
13.
The 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.
The breaker = One making a breach. The Assyrian. Hebrew. paratz, as in Exodus 19:22 , Exodus 19:24 ; 2 Samuel 5:20 . 1Ch 14:11 ; 1 Chronicles 15:13 . Generally in a bad sense.
broken up = broken in.
gone out = gone forth . . . [into captivity].
shall pass = hath passed through.
on = at: for it is Jehovah's judgment. Compare Micah 1:2-4 .