Micah 2 1

Micah 2:1 kjv

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.

Micah 2:1 nkjv

Woe to those who devise iniquity, And work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, Because it is in the power of their hand.

Micah 2:1 niv

Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.

Micah 2:1 esv

Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.

Micah 2:1 nlt

What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night,
thinking up evil plans.
You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out,
simply because you have the power to do so.

Micah 2 verses

Micah 2 1 Meaning

Micah 2:1 is a prophetic declaration of divine judgment against those who intentionally plot evil deeds in secret and then diligently carry them out openly. This "woe" pronounces impending calamity upon individuals who devote their private time to concocting schemes of injustice, greed, and oppression. Their depravity is further highlighted by their eagerness to execute these wicked plans as soon as daybreak arrives, fueled simply by the awareness of their own power and ability to inflict harm without restraint or fear of consequences. The verse identifies the deliberate nature and unchecked arrogance of their sin.

Micah 2 1 Context

h2Context

Micah 2:1 initiates a series of "woes" (Micah 2:1-5) directly confronting the widespread social injustice and oppression prevalent in Judah and Israel during the prophet Micah’s time (735-700 BC). Following Chapter 1’s broad pronouncements of God's coming judgment against the capital cities and nations, Chapter 2 narrows its focus to the specific sins committed by the elite and powerful within society. These transgressions include devising and executing schemes to unlawfully seize land, evicting people from their homes, and exploiting the vulnerable, which the subsequent verses of the chapter explicitly detail. Historically, this period was marked by Assyrian threats, which likely exacerbated internal socio-economic pressures, leading to increased greed, corruption, and the abuse of authority by those in power. Micah addresses these practices as a betrayal of the covenant and a distortion of divine justice.

Micah 2 1 Word analysis

h2Word analysis

• Woe (Heb. הוֹי, hoy): An exclamation of distress, lament, or impending doom. It serves as a strong prophetic interjection signaling a divine curse or warning of inevitable calamity. This "woe" is a declaration of severe judgment, often pronounced against those guilty of moral or social transgressions that violate God's law and justice.
• to those who devise (Heb. חֹשְׁבֵי, khoshevey, from חָשַׁב, khashav): Implies deep thought, careful planning, and premeditation. It describes individuals who are not merely contemplating, but actively calculating and designing evil deeds. This is not a spontaneous act but a deliberately conceived plot, reflecting an intentional perversion of will.
• iniquity (Heb. אָוֶן, aven): Signifies wickedness, trouble, or vanity. It refers to moral evil, destructive actions, and often highlights the harm or calamity resulting from such deeds. In this context, it speaks to acts of injustice and oppression.
• and work (Heb. וּפֹעֲלֵי, u-po'aley, from פָּעַל, pa'al): Denotes carrying out, performing, or actively engaging in the deeds. It emphasizes the active effort put into executing the evil schemes. The verb suggests putting the conceived plan into effect.
• evil (Heb. רָע, ra’): A broad term for moral wrong, wickedness, or anything harmful or calamitous. Here, it describes the nature of the "work" or actions that are being carried out – actions that are inherently wicked and damaging to others.
• upon their beds! (Heb. עַל מִשְׁכְּבֹתָם, 'al mishkevo'tâm): The bed is typically a private, personal space for rest, reflection, or intimacy. Its defilement by plotting evil underscores the deep-seated and secret nature of their sin. This imagery suggests a calculated malice cultivated in solitude, where no one else observes their intentions.
• When the morning is light (Heb. בַּבֹּקֶר אוֹר, ba-bōḳer or): Refers to the break of day. This phrase marks the transition from nocturnal plotting to daytime execution. It suggests the eager haste with which they move from conceiving evil in secret to putting it into action at the earliest opportunity. The morning light, meant to reveal truth, instead becomes the stage for their wicked acts.
• they practice it (Heb. וַיַּעֲשׂוּהָ, wa-ya'asuhah, from עָשָׂה, 'asah): Reinforces the actual doing and performing of the wicked plan. This signifies the full implementation and materialization of their intentions, bringing their dark designs to fruition.
• because it is in the power of their hand. (Heb. כִּי יֶשׁ לְאֵל יָדָם, kî yêsh le'êl yadâm): Literally, "for it is in the strength of their hand." This phrase signifies their capability, might, or unchecked authority. Their motivation for acting is not necessity or survival, but merely the ability to do so. This reveals arrogance, self-reliance, and a fundamental lack of moral or divine restraint, implying that they act without fear of God or man, relying solely on their own oppressive power.

Micah 2 1 Bonus section

h2Bonus section

• The structure of Micah 2:1 effectively mirrors the progression of sin: from evil thought ("devise iniquity") to malicious planning ("upon their beds") to deliberate action ("work evil" and "practice it").
• This verse stands as a powerful polemic against the complacent wickedness of those who, assured of their own power and perceived invincibility, exploit the vulnerable without a second thought. It underscores the biblical truth that accountability extends beyond visible actions to the hidden intentions of the heart.
• The phrase "in the power of their hand" reveals a critical spiritual blindness: these oppressors relied on their own might, completely ignoring God's ultimate sovereignty and His justice that would surely hold them accountable. This reliance on human power rather than divine guidance is a recurrent theme of prophetic condemnation.
• Micah's pronouncement against these secret schemers would have deeply resonated with an ancient Israelite audience familiar with the concepts of covenant fidelity and the abhorrence of exploiting the poor and landless.

Micah 2 1 Commentary

h2Commentary

Micah 2:1 serves as a devastating indictment against the powerful and wealthy of Israel and Judah, exposing the deliberate and pervasive nature of their injustice. The prophetic "woe" is not merely a curse but a solemn declaration of God's righteous judgment against those whose very thoughts are consumed by malevolence. Their sin begins "upon their beds," highlighting that their wickedness is not impulsive but deeply premeditated and privately cultivated, polluting moments meant for peace with schemes of oppression. This deliberate planning culminates "when the morning is light" as they eagerly and immediately translate their evil intentions into action. The chilling justification, "because it is in the power of their hand," reveals a profound abuse of authority and resources. This power—whether wealth, influence, or physical might—is used to inflict harm, reflecting an unchecked arrogance and disregard for both divine law and human dignity. This verse vividly portrays how unchecked human power, when divorced from godliness, inevitably leads to exploitation and injustice, inviting divine wrath. For example, a corrupt official might devise ways to appropriate community resources during his night hours, and upon morning, he immediately enacts legal loopholes or policies that grant him control, because he knows he has the authority to sign them.