Micah 2:2

And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

And they covet {H2530} fields {H7704}, and take them by violence {H1497}; and houses {H1004}, and take them away {H5375}: so they oppress {H6231} a man {H1397} and his house {H1004}, even a man {H376} and his heritage {H5159}.

They covet fields and seize them; they take over houses as well, doing violence to both owner and house, to people and their inherited land.

They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.

And they covet fields, and seize them; and houses, and take them away: and they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

Context

Micah 2:2 is a powerful indictment against the social injustices prevalent in Judah during the 8th century BC, a time when the prophet Micah ministered. He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, addressing a society where the wealthy and powerful often exploited the vulnerable. In ancient Israel, land was not merely property; it was a sacred inheritance (nachalah) from God, defining a family's identity, security, and future within the covenant community. Laws like the Jubilee year were designed to prevent permanent loss of family land. This verse highlights the flagrant disregard for these divine principles and the rampant abuse of power by those who should have upheld justice.

Key Themes

  • Covetousness and Greed: The verse begins with "And they covet fields, and houses," pinpointing the root sin as an insatiable desire for what belongs to others. This directly violated the Tenth Commandment, which forbids coveting. This unchecked desire led to concrete acts of injustice.
  • Injustice and Oppression: The coveting quickly escalates to violent action: "and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away." This was not legal acquisition but forceful seizure, robbing people of their livelihoods. The phrase "so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage" underscores the systemic nature of this exploitation, where the powerful used their influence to defraud and dispossess the less fortunate.
  • Violation of Heritage: The attack on a man's "heritage" (nachalah) was particularly grievous. It represented the loss of ancestral land, a divine gift, and the foundation of a family's economic and social standing. This act of disinheritance was a profound assault on an individual's identity and future generations, echoing the tragic story of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 21.
  • Abuse of Power: Micah condemns those in authority or with wealth who leveraged their position to unjustly enrich themselves at the expense of the poor and defenseless.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "covet" is chamad (חמד), which denotes a strong, often illicit desire or longing. "Violence" comes from gazal (גזל), meaning to pluck off, seize, rob, or spoil, emphasizing the forceful and illicit nature of the taking. "Oppress" is ashaq (עשק), implying to oppress, extort, or defraud through unjust pressure. The term "heritage" is nachalah (נחלה), signifying an inheritance or patrimony, highlighting the foundational importance of land to Israelite identity and divine blessing.

Practical Application

Micah 2:2 resonates powerfully today as a timeless warning against greed, injustice, and the abuse of power. It challenges individuals and societies to examine their own desires and actions. The verse calls believers to:

  • Guard Against Covetousness: Recognize that unchecked desire for material possessions can lead to unethical and oppressive behavior.
  • Advocate for Justice: Speak out against and actively resist systems and practices that exploit the poor, dispossess the vulnerable, or deny people their rightful heritage and security.
  • Uphold Ethical Conduct: Conduct business and personal affairs with integrity, respecting the property and rights of others, especially those with less power or influence.
  • Remember Divine Accountability: Understand that God sees and judges all acts of oppression and injustice, and His call for righteousness applies to all spheres of life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 5:8

    ¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, [that] lay field to field, till [there be] no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

  • Amos 8:4

    ¶ Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,

  • Jeremiah 22:17

    But thine eyes and thine heart [are] not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do [it].

  • Ezekiel 18:12

    Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,

  • 1 Samuel 12:3

    Behold, here I [am]: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

  • 1 Samuel 12:4

    And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.

  • Exodus 20:17

    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back