Micah 7 2

Micah 7:2 kjv

The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

Micah 7:2 nkjv

The faithful man has perished from the earth, And there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; Every man hunts his brother with a net.

Micah 7:2 niv

The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets.

Micah 7:2 esv

The godly has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among mankind; they all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts the other with a net.

Micah 7:2 nlt

The godly people have all disappeared;
not one honest person is left on the earth.
They are all murderers,
setting traps even for their own brothers.

Micah 7 verses

Micah 7 2 meaning

Micah 7:2 describes a lamentable state of utter moral corruption and societal breakdown. The prophet observes that genuinely righteous and faithful individuals have virtually disappeared from the land. Instead, humanity is characterized by an pervasive readiness to commit violence, treachery, and exploitation against one another. People actively scheme and lay traps to harm and ensnare their own fellows, metaphorically hunting them down with destructive intent.

Micah 7 2 Context

Micah 7:2 is situated within a lament by the prophet Micah over the pervasive sin and moral corruption that gripped Judah. The entire chapter oscillates between despair over the present state of affairs (vv. 1-6) and expressions of confident hope in God's future deliverance and restoration (vv. 7-20). Verses 1-6 graphically depict a society where righteousness is absent, justice is perverted, and interpersonal relationships are marked by deceit, violence, and exploitation. The prophet uses the analogy of a harvested fruit season, implying that all the "good fruit" (righteous people) has been gathered or has disappeared, leaving only depravity. Historically, this describes the societal condition of Judah in the late 8th century BC, leading up to and during the period of Assyrian expansion, a time marked by political intrigue, idolatry, and social injustice among the people, their leaders, and even within families. The prophetic laments serve as both an indictment and a desperate cry to God in a period of severe spiritual apostasy and moral decline.

Micah 7 2 Word analysis

• הָאֲסִיף֙ (ha-a-sif): (Often taken as a metaphorical understanding of Mic 7:1 to extend into Mic 7:2. In 7:1 it means 'the summer fruit'). Its connection implies a full removal or ending of good.
• נֶאֱסַ֤ף (ne-e-saf): In 7:1 it refers to the 'gathered' summer fruits. Its nuance signifies the utter lack or absence of such 'fruits' in the present context.
• אָבַד (a-vad): "has perished," "is lost," "is destroyed." This Hebrew verb implies a complete vanishing, not just death, but cessation of existence or presence. Here, it denotes the absolute absence of righteous individuals. Significance: It portrays a societal void, a deep spiritual emptiness where godly character is simply gone.
• חָסִיד (chasid): "the godly man," "the pious one," "devout." This term signifies someone faithful, loyal, and in covenant relationship with God, characterized by Hesed (lovingkindness/covenant loyalty). It implies not just moral uprightness but a spiritual devotion. Significance: Its disappearance indicates a breach in the foundational covenant relationship with God.
• מִן־הָאָ֖רֶץ (min-ha-a-retz): "from the earth/land." This indicates the land of Judah/Israel, the covenant land. Significance: It specifies the tragic situation within God's chosen people and their territory, emphasizing their internal decay.
• וְיָשָׁ֥ר (ve-ya-shar): "and upright," "righteous," "straight." This word describes moral integrity and justice, contrasting with deceit or crookedness. Significance: The absence of integrity underscores widespread corruption in judgment and daily conduct.
• בָּאָדָֽם (ba-a-dam): "among men/mankind." This is a general term for humanity. Significance: It highlights the universal nature of the corruption, affecting everyone, not just specific groups.
• כֻּלָּם (kul-lam): "all of them," "everyone." A collective pronoun emphasizing totality. Significance: Underscores the complete, pervasive nature of the depravity described, with virtually no exceptions.
• לְדָמִ֣ים (l'da-mim): "for blood," "to shed blood." This refers to their motive and readiness for violent acts or murder. Significance: It vividly portrays murderous intent, often associated with covetousness or power-grabbing.
• יֶאֱרֹ֔בוּ (ye-e-ro-vu): "they lie in wait," "they ambush." From the root אָרַב (a-rav), meaning to lurk or set an ambush. Significance: Implies premeditation, cunning, and treachery in their destructive actions.
• אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אָחִ֔יו (ish et-a-chiv): "each man his brother." Refers to fellow Israelite or close neighbor. Significance: Highlights the devastating breakdown of community and family bonds; people are preying on their own kin.
• יָצֽוּדוּ (ya-tsoo-doo): "they hunt," "they pursue." From the root צוּד (tzud), meaning to hunt, trap, or capture. Significance: Depicts malicious pursuit and active entrapment, seeing others as prey.
• בַּחֵ֥רֶם (ba-ch-herem): "with a net," "with the ban/devotion to destruction." In a hunting context, חֶרֶם (ḥerem) specifically refers to a hunting net or mesh trap. While חֶרֶם elsewhere denotes a holy war ban, here the hunting context strongly suggests "net." Significance: Denotes the deceptive and entrapping methods used to ensnare and destroy others, revealing a calculated malevolence.

Micah 7 2 Bonus section

• The absence of the "chasid" (godly man) and "yashar" (upright man) points to both spiritual devotion and moral rectitude being utterly lacking, a double blow to a covenant community.
• This verse captures a recurring prophetic theme: the "good shepherd" lamenting the loss of the flock, or conversely, the flock being utterly corrupt and beyond redemption by human means.
• The progression from absence of good to active malevolence is crucial. It's not just that good people are missing; wicked people are actively destroying each other.
• The specific mention of "each man his brother" with "a net" underscores the betrayal from within and the calculated nature of the destruction, rather than impulsive violence. This reveals a breakdown of trust at the most fundamental level of human interaction.

Micah 7 2 Commentary

Micah 7:2 delivers a profound lament over a society devoid of true piety and integrity. The prophet is grief-stricken, finding no one faithful to God or morally upright. This moral vacuum is filled by predatory behavior, where people, instead of living in peace and justice, are driven by an eager desire for violence and exploitation. The imagery of "lying in wait for blood" and "hunting one's brother with a net" vividly illustrates a cynical world where cunning and malice are directed even against one's own community members. This pervasive internal treachery highlights the complete erosion of covenant relationships and ethical standards, demonstrating how deeply human depravity can penetrate the very fabric of society when God's ways are abandoned. The verse powerfully articulates the tragic consequences of widespread sin, setting the stage for the desperate hope Micah must place in God's unique character and eventual redemption (Micah 7:7-10).