Micah 2:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
חֹֽשְׁבֵי
to them that devise
H2803
חֹֽשְׁבֵי
to them that devise
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
אָ֛וֶן
iniquity
H205
אָ֛וֶן
iniquity
Strong's:
H205
Word #:
3 of 14
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
וּפֹ֥עֲלֵי
and work
H6466
וּפֹ֥עֲלֵי
and work
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
4 of 14
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָ֑ם
upon their beds
H4904
מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָ֑ם
upon their beds
Strong's:
H4904
Word #:
7 of 14
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
בְּא֤וֹר
is light
H216
בְּא֤וֹר
is light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
8 of 14
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
הַבֹּ֙קֶר֙
when the morning
H1242
הַבֹּ֙קֶר֙
when the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
יַעֲשׂ֔וּהָ
they practise
H6213
יַעֲשׂ֔וּהָ
they practise
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֶשׁ
it because it is
H3426
יֶשׁ
it because it is
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
12 of 14
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
Cross References
Psalms 36:4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.Isaiah 32:7The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.Nahum 1:11There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.Genesis 31:29It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.Isaiah 59:3For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.Proverbs 3:27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.Proverbs 4:16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.Jeremiah 18:18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.Romans 1:30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,Acts 23:12And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
Historical Context
Micah addressed Judah's leadership class (landowners, judges, rulers) who exploited the poor during the 8th century BC. The covenant protected vulnerable through laws against oppression (Exodus 22:21-27, Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:14-15), but corrupt leaders ignored these, seizing property through legal manipulation and economic pressure. Amos and Isaiah contemporaneously denounced similar injustice (Amos 2:6-7, Isaiah 3:14-15, 5:8). These sins contributed to Judah's eventual exile. The principle remains: societies permitting the powerful to exploit the weak face divine judgment. God hears the oppressed's cries (Exodus 3:7-9, James 5:4) and will vindicate them.
Questions for Reflection
- Do I scheme to use my power or position for self-interest regardless of who gets hurt?
- How do I respond to systemic injustice where the powerful exploit the vulnerable with legal but immoral practices?
Analysis & Commentary
Micah pronounces woe on oppressors: '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.' The Hebrew emphasizes premeditation: 'hosheve aven' (devisers of wickedness) lying awake plotting evil, then executing it at dawn. 'Because it is in the power of their hand' (ki yesh le-el yadam) literally means 'because it is in the might of their hand'—they do evil simply because they can, with no restraint from conscience or fear of God. This describes the powerful exploiting the weak (v. 2: coveting fields and houses, oppressing homeowners). Such calculated injustice provokes divine judgment (v. 3). Power without moral restraint produces tyranny; James 4:17 applies: 'to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.'