Micah 2:7

Authorized King James Version

O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֶאָמ֣וּר
O thou that art named
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
בֵּֽית
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#3
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#4
הֲקָצַר֙
straitened
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
#5
ר֣וּחַ
is the spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#6
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#8
אֵ֖לֶּה
these or those
#9
מַעֲלָלָ֑יו
are these his doings
an act (good or bad)
#10
הֲל֤וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
דְבָרַ֨י
do not my words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#12
יֵיטִ֔יבוּ
do good
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
#13
עִ֖ם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#14
הַיָּשָׁ֥ר
uprightly
straight (literally or figuratively)
#15
הוֹלֵֽךְ׃
to him that walketh
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Micah, this passage highlights salvation through rhetorical questioning that engages the reader. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Micah.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Micah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection