Micah 2:4

Authorized King James Version

In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בַּיּ֨וֹם
In that day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#2
הַה֜וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#3
יִשָּׂ֧א
shall one take up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#4
עֲלֵיכֶ֣ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
מָשָׁ֗ל
a parable
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
#6
וְנָהָ֨ה
against you and lament
to groan, i.e., bewail; hence (through the idea of crying aloud), to assemble (as if on proclamation)
#7
נְהִ֤י
lamentation
an elegy
#8
נִֽהְיָה֙
with a doleful
lamentation
#9
אָמַר֙
and say
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
נְשַׁדֻּ֔נוּ
We be utterly
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
#11
נְשַׁדֻּ֔נוּ
We be utterly
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
#12
חֵ֥לֶק
the portion
properly, smoothness (of the tongue)
#13
עַמִּ֖י
of my people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#14
יָמִ֑יר
he hath changed
to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of
#15
אֵ֚יךְ
how? or how!; also where
#16
יָמִ֣ישׁ
how hath he removed
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
#17
לִ֔י
H0
#18
לְשׁוֹבֵ֥ב
apostate, i.e., heathenish or (actually) heathen
#19
שָׂדֵ֖ינוּ
our fields
a field (as flat)
#20
יְחַלֵּֽק׃
he hath divided
to be smooth (figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection