Micah 2:10

KJV

Arise ye, and depart; for this [is] not [your] rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy [you], even with a sore destruction.

KJV (with Strong's)

Arise {H6965} ye, and depart {H3212}; for this is not your rest {H4496}: because it is polluted {H2930}, it shall destroy {H2254} you, even with a sore {H4834} destruction {H2256}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Get up and go! You can't stay here! Because [the land] is now unclean, it will destroy you with a grievous destruction."

Berean Standard Bible

Arise and depart, for this is not your place of rest, because its defilement brings destruction— a grievous destruction!

American Standard Version

Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your resting-place; because of uncleanness that destroyeth, even with a grievous destruction.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Micah 2:10 is a stark prophetic declaration of divine judgment against the people of Judah, particularly its corrupt leaders and wealthy elite, who had defiled the land through their pervasive injustice and idolatry. It serves as a command for them to "Arise and depart," signifying a forced exile from the land of Israel, because it is no longer a place of "rest" or secure dwelling. The verse warns that the land, having been polluted by their sin, will itself "destroy" them with a severe and devastating consequence, culminating in their removal from the covenant land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Micah 2:10 concludes a powerful indictment against the oppressors in Judah, which begins in [Micah 2:1-2](/micah/2-1-2 "Micah 2:1-2 - Woe to the Oppressors") with a denunciation of those who plot evil and seize property. The prophet then declares God's judgment, stating that these wicked individuals will face a calamity from which they cannot escape ([Micah 2:3-5](/micah/2-3-5 "Micah 2:3-5 - God's Judgment on the Wicked")). The people's rejection of true prophecy and embrace of false prophets who promise peace (Micah 2:6-7, 11) further exacerbates their guilt. Micah 2:8-9 specifically highlights their violent acts against the poor, women, and children, stripping them of their garments and homes. Thus, [Micah 2:10](/micah/2-10 "Micah 2:10 - No Rest for the Wicked") functions as the climactic pronouncement of the consequence: expulsion from the land that was meant to be their secure inheritance, directly linking their moral pollution to their impending displacement.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Micah prophesied during the 8th century BC, a tumultuous period for both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned in Judah, facing the rising threat of the Assyrian Empire. Internally, Judah was plagued by severe social and economic disparities. The wealthy elite exploited the poor, seizing their land, homes, and even their freedom, violating the Mosaic Law's provisions for justice and care for the vulnerable. Idolatry and syncretistic practices were also rampant, defiling the covenant relationship with Yahweh. The concept of "rest" (Hebrew: _menuchah_) was deeply tied to the land of Israel, promised by God as a secure and peaceful dwelling place for His covenant people after their wanderings (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:9-10](/deuteronomy/12-9-10 "Deuteronomy 12:9-10 - The Promised Rest in the Land")). The pollution of the land through sin, particularly bloodshed and sexual immorality, was understood to make the land "vomit out" its inhabitants, a motif found in [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Defilement of the Land"). Micah's prophecy reflects the culmination of these societal and spiritual failures, leading to the inevitable consequence of exile.

* **Key Themes:** [Micah 2:10](/micah/2-10 "Micah 2:10 - The Consequences of Defilement") powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Micah and the prophetic corpus. The most prominent is **Divine Judgment** against sin, particularly social injustice and spiritual apostasy. God's righteous character demands a response to the oppression of the weak and the defilement of His covenant. Another crucial theme is the **Loss of Covenant Blessings**, specifically the forfeiture of the "rest" associated with the Promised Land. This rest was conditional upon obedience, and its withdrawal signifies the breaking of the covenant relationship. The verse also highlights the **Consequences of Pollution/Defilement**, emphasizing that widespread moral and ritual impurity has tangible, devastating effects, leading to the land's rejection of its inhabitants. Finally, it serves as a **Prophetic Warning**, a severe pronouncement of what happens when a people persistently disobeys God and corrupts the blessings He has bestowed, echoing warnings found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rest (Hebrew, _mᵉnûwchâh'_):** From H4496, this word signifies repose, peacefulness, or a secure dwelling place. In the context of Israel, it refers to the tranquil and settled existence in the Promised Land, a gift from God. The declaration "this is not your rest" indicates a profound loss of this divinely granted security and peace due to their actions, implying their forced removal from the land.
* **Polluted (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** From H2930, this primitive root means to be foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense, signifying contamination or defilement. Here, it underscores the extent of Israel's moral and spiritual impurity, which has rendered the very land itself unclean. This defilement makes the land unfit for God's holy presence and necessitates the expulsion of its inhabitants, as the land cannot sustain such pervasive sin.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _châbal'_):** From H2254, this root means to wind tightly, bind, or figuratively, to pervert or destroy. It also carries connotations of writhing in pain, like parturition. Coupled with its cognate **destruction (Hebrew, _chebel'_ from H2256),** which can mean a rope, measuring line, or a throe of pain/ruin, the phrase "it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction" emphasizes a severe, inescapable, and painful ruin. The land itself, acting as God's instrument, will bring about their undoing, a judgment that is both comprehensive and agonizing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Arise ye, and depart":** This is an urgent, imperative command, signaling an immediate and necessary action. It is not an invitation but a divine decree for the inhabitants, or at least the wicked among them, to prepare for forced displacement. It conveys the end of their comfortable, settled existence in the land.
* **"for this is not your rest":** This clause provides the foundational reason for the command to depart. The land of Israel, which was promised as a place of secure and peaceful rest under God's covenant, has ceased to be that for them. Their actions have invalidated their claim to this divine blessing and forfeited the security it once offered.
* **"because it is polluted":** This explains _why_ the land is no longer their rest. The pervasive sin—social injustice, violence, and idolatry—has morally and ritually defiled the land. This defilement is so profound that the land can no longer tolerate its inhabitants, echoing the motif of the land "vomiting out" those who pollute it.
* **"it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction":** This is the severe consequence of the land's pollution. The land itself, acting as an agent of divine judgment, will bring about their ruin. The repetition of the root for "destroy" (châbal/chebel) emphasizes the totality and painful intensity of the impending judgment, which would manifest as exile, famine, and war, leading to their utter undoing.

#### Literary Devices
Micah 2:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. The opening phrase, "**Imperative** Command," "Arise ye, and depart," creates a sense of urgency and directness, confronting the audience with an unavoidable reality. The phrase "this is not your rest" uses **Litotes** (understatement for emphasis) by stating what the land _isn't_ to highlight what it _should_ be and what they have lost. More significantly, the verse utilizes **Personification** and **Metonymy** when it states, "it shall destroy you." The land itself is depicted as an active agent, capable of "destroying" its inhabitants, rather than merely being the place from which they are expelled. This is a powerful **Motif** in biblical literature, where the land reacts to the sin of its people (e.g., [Leviticus 18:28](/leviticus/18-28 "Leviticus 18:28 - The Land Vomiting Out Its Inhabitants")). The phrase "even with a sore destruction" employs **Pleonasm** or **Intensification**, using a cognate noun (_chebel_) with its verb (_châbal_) to emphasize the absolute and grievous nature of the impending ruin, leaving no doubt about the severity of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Micah 2:10 serves as a stark reminder of the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings, particularly the promise of rest in the land of Israel. The land was not merely a geographical location but a sacred space, a symbol of God's presence and covenant faithfulness. When the people defiled this sacred space through their unrighteousness, they forfeited their right to dwell securely within it. This passage underscores the biblical principle that sin has tangible, destructive consequences, not only for individuals but for entire communities and even the physical environment. It highlights God's unwavering holiness and justice, demonstrating that His patience has limits and that persistent rebellion will inevitably lead to judgment. The loss of "rest" here foreshadows the ultimate spiritual unrest and alienation from God that sin perpetuates, emphasizing the profound need for a true and lasting rest found only in Him.

* [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Defilement and Expulsion from the Land")
* [Deuteronomy 28:63-64](/deuteronomy/28-63-64 "Deuteronomy 28:63-64 - Consequences of Disobedience and Exile")
* [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of God's Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Micah 2:10, though rooted in an ancient context, carries profound and timeless lessons for believers today. It confronts us with the sobering reality that sin, especially when it becomes systemic and unrepentant, has devastating consequences. Just as the physical land was defiled by the injustice and idolatry of Judah, our lives, communities, and even our spiritual "dwelling places" can become polluted by unconfessed sin, bitterness, greed, or apathy. This pollution inevitably leads to a loss of true peace and rest, disrupting our fellowship with God and others. The command to "Arise and depart" can be understood as a spiritual imperative for us to separate ourselves from all forms of evil and compromise. It calls us to a radical repentance, a willingness to leave behind comfortable sins or destructive patterns that prevent us from experiencing God's true rest. Our ultimate rest is not found in earthly security or possessions, but in a right relationship with God through Christ. When we cling to that which pollutes, we forfeit the peace and security that only He can provide, leading to spiritual "destruction" in the form of brokenness and alienation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "pollution" in my own life or community might be preventing me from experiencing God's true rest?**
* **In what areas am I being called to "arise and depart" from unrighteousness or spiritual complacency?**
* **How does understanding the consequences of sin in Micah 2:10 motivate me to pursue holiness and justice in my daily life?**
* **Where do I primarily seek my "rest" and security—in worldly comforts or in my relationship with God?**

### FAQ

**What does "this is not your rest" mean in the context of Micah 2:10?**

Answer: In Micah 2:10, "this is not your rest" signifies that the land of Israel, which God had promised as a secure and peaceful dwelling place for His covenant people (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:9-10](/deuteronomy/12-9-10 "Deuteronomy 12:9-10 - The Promised Rest")), had ceased to be that for the inhabitants of Judah. Due to their pervasive sin—social injustice, idolatry, and violence—they had forfeited their right to this divinely granted security. The land, having been defiled, could no longer provide the promised "rest" or protection, and thus, they would be expelled from it, facing exile and displacement.

**How can a "land" be polluted and destroy people?**

Answer: In biblical thought, especially in the Old Testament, the land was seen as intrinsically linked to the moral and spiritual condition of its inhabitants. It was considered holy, belonging to God, and therefore sensitive to human behavior. When the people engaged in widespread injustice, idolatry, and bloodshed, it was believed to "pollute" or "defile" the land (e.g., [Numbers 35:33-34](/numbers/35-33-34 "Numbers 35:33-34 - Defilement of the Land by Bloodshed")). This defilement would then cause the land to "vomit out" its inhabitants, a metaphorical expression for God's judgment manifesting as famine, plague, war, or exile, which would effectively "destroy" the people by removing them from their home and security. The land acts as an instrument of divine justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Micah 2:10, with its pronouncement of judgment and the loss of earthly "rest" due to sin, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in Jesus Christ. The "rest" that Israel forfeited due to their defilement of the land is perfectly embodied and offered anew in Christ. He is the true Sabbath rest for God's people, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). While Micah's prophecy speaks of a physical expulsion from a polluted land, Christ offers spiritual purification and a new, eternal inheritance in a kingdom that cannot be shaken ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes away the sin that pollutes, not just the land, but the human heart, making us clean and fit for God's presence ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing from All Sin")). The "sore destruction" threatened in Micah 2:10, the consequence of sin, is overcome by Christ's victory over death and sin, offering eternal life and true security to those who believe ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")). Thus, the call to "Arise and depart" from a polluted land finds its spiritual echo in the New Testament's call to "depart from iniquity" and live a life transformed by the Spirit, finding our ultimate and unshakeable "rest" in Christ alone ([2 Timothy 2:19](/2_timothy/2-19 "2 Timothy 2:19 - Depart from Iniquity")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 12:9

For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.

Psalms 106:38

And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

Hebrews 4:1

¶ Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Hebrews 4:9

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

2 Kings 17:6

In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

Deuteronomy 30:18

I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, [and that] ye shall not prolong [your] days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

Psalms 95:11

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.