The Pulpit Commentary on Micah 2:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The prophet, himself one of the people, first inveighs against the sins of injustice and oppression of the poor. Devise … work … practise. A gradation. They are not led into these sins by others; they themselves conceive the evil purpose in their own heart; then they prepare and mature their scheme by reflection; then they proceed to execute it. Work evil; i.e. prepare the means for carrying out their conception (comp Isaiah 41:4). Upon their beds. At night, the natural time for reflection (comp. Job 4:13; Psalms 4:4; Psalms 36:4). Is light. Far from shrinking from the light of day in putting into effect their evil projects, they set about their accomplishment as soon as ever the morning allows them. Because it is in the power of their hand. Their might makes their right. (For the phrase, comp. Genesis 31:29; Proverbs 3:27.) As the word el may be taken to mean "God" as well as "power," some render here, "For their hand is their god," comparing the boast of Mezentius in Virgil, 'AEneid,' 10:773—

"Dextra mihi Deus et telum quod missile libro."

The Vulgate has, Quoniam contra Deum est manus eorum; LXX; διότιοὐκ ἦραν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν χεῖρας αὐτῶν, Because they lifted not up their hands unto God." So the Syriac, with the omission of the negative.

More for Micah 2:1

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryMatthew Henry on Micah 2:1-5Woe to the people that devise evil during the night, and rise early to carry it into execution! It is bad to do mischief on a sudden thought, much worse to do it with design and forethought. It is of great moment to imp…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Sins of the People. (b. c. 740.)THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE. (B. C. 740.) Here is, I. The injustice of man contriving the evil of sin, Micah 2:1-2. God was coming forth against this people to destroy them, and here he shows what was the ground of his contr…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Micah 2:1-3Deliberate sins bringing predestined punishments. We see here— I. THE GENESIS OF CRIME. Three stages are described. 1. Sinful desires are cherished in the heart. These sinners "devise iniquity," think over it (Psalms 7:…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Micah 2:1-11Delineations of deep transgression, righteous retribution, and Divine equity. We have in these verses three pictures, drawn by a master hand, and very suggestive of practical teaching. I. A PICTURE OF DEEP TRANSGRESSION…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Micah 2:1-4Avarice. "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," etc. The prophet, in the preceding chapter, foretold the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Micah 2:1-13EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Micah 2:1-5§ 6. The prophet justifies his threat by recounting the sins of which the grandees and guilty.Joseph S. Exell and contributors