Micah 2 Study Notes
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2:1-13 Rich and powerful landlords had destroyed the Israelite community through their greed. According to Micah’s declaration in this section, they believed that God’s land (Lv 25:23) belonged to anyone with the power to take it.
2:1-5 Micah pronounced a “woe oracle” against wealthy men who devised wicked schemes to seize houses and lands from the weak. Their own lands would be seized by the Assyrians. Their covetousness led them to seize . . . take, and deprive people of their rightful inheritance (Gn 31:14; Lv 25:23-34; 1Kg 21:4). God’s law prohibited such acts, even in cases where it was deemed legal (Lv 19:13). Thus the Lord was planning a disaster against this corrupt nation. With the exile, God would distribute their land to other wicked people, and no one would be left to divide the land by casting lots, as in the time of Joshua (Jos 14:2; 18:8,10).
2:6-7 Popular false prophets rejected Micah’s message of God’s judgment. They told him to quit your preaching, because shame will not overtake us. Focusing only on God’s love and patience, they lost sight of God’s holiness and judgment (Ex 34:6-7). God responded that his word brings blessing to the one who walks uprightly, but not to those who are complacent in their sin.
gazal
| Hebrew pronunciation | [gah ZAL] |
| CSB translation | rob, snatch |
| Uses in Micah | 2 |
| Uses in the OT | 30 |
| Focus passage | Micah 2:2 |
Originally this root probably meant “snatch away violently.” Gazal particularly denotes steal (Lv 6:4) and rob (Lv 19:13). Abimelech’s servants seized a well Abraham had dug (Gn 21:25). Laban might have taken Jacob’s wives back by force (Gn 31:31). Something is taken away not to be returned (Dt 28:31). Benjaminites as kidnappers caught women (Jdg 21:23). Benaiah snatched a spear from an enemy’s hand (2Sm 23:21). Infants were snatched as debt repayment (Jb 22:16). People deprive others of justice (Is 10:2). They seize fields (Mc 2:2) and houses (Jb 20:19), figuratively tearing off others’ skin (Mc 3:2). Dry ground and heat snatch away melted snow (Jb 24:9). The passive participle connotes victim of robbery (Jr 21:12). Gazel (6x) denotes robbery (Ps 62:10) and perversion of justice (Ec 5:8). Gezelah (6x) indicates what is stolen (Lv 6:4) or plunder (Is 3:14). Gazal gezelah implies commit robbery (Ezk 18:7).
2:8-11 Greedy oppressors were an enemy of the people, attacking innocent passersby, evicting women from their homes, and taking from them God’s material blessing. God ordered these oppressors to get up and leave, a reference to the exile. With intense sarcasm Micah said the people deserved the false prophecy they received—lies of an easy life of wine and beer from God. They wanted a religion that satisfied their self-indulgence, not one that demanded righteousness and holiness.
2:12-13 False prophets preached that God’s judgment would not fall, but Micah promised salvation beyond the judgment for a righteous remnant. God would gather them like a good shepherd (Is 40:11). Their King . . . the Lord himself would lead them from exile and take them home (Ex 14:29-31; Dt 1:30-33; Is 63:9).