Micah 2:5

KJV

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast {H7993} a cord {H2256} by lot {H1486} in the congregation {H6951} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, you will have no one in the assembly of ADONAI to stretch out a measuring line and restore the land assigned by lot.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, you will have no one in the assembly of the LORD to divide the land by lot.

American Standard Version

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast the line by lot in the assembly of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Micah 2:5 is a pronouncement of divine judgment against the oppressive elite in ancient Israel who unjustly seized land and exploited the vulnerable. It declares a stark reversal of fortune: those who dispossessed others will themselves be dispossessed, losing their right to a portion of land and their standing within the sacred community of God's people, symbolizing a profound loss of covenant blessing and inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Micah 2:5 concludes a powerful prophetic oracle of judgment that begins in [Micah 2:1](/micah/2-1 "Micah 2:1 - Woe to Oppressors"). The preceding verses ([Micah 2:1-2](/micah/2-1-2 "Micah 2:1-2 - Coveting and Seizing Land")) explicitly condemn the wealthy and powerful for their premeditated evil, their coveting of fields and houses, and their violent seizure of property from the poor and defenseless. [Micah 2:3-4](/micah/2-3-4 "Micah 2:3-4 - God's Judgment Against Them") then details the impending calamity God will bring upon them—a "disaster" from which they cannot escape, leading to a lamentation over their lost inheritance and the division of their fields among others. Micah 2:5 serves as the climactic consequence of these wicked actions, directly linking their unethical acquisition of property to their own future exclusion from the divinely sanctioned land distribution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, land was not merely property but a foundational element of covenant identity, economic security, and spiritual blessing. Each family's inheritance was divinely apportioned, tracing back to the original division of Canaan under Joshua ([Joshua 18](/joshua/18 "Joshua 18 - Division of Land")). The Law of Moses protected these inheritances, forbidding their permanent sale ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - Land is the LORD's")) and emphasizing justice for the poor and vulnerable. However, during Micah's time (8th century BCE), the wealthy elite, particularly in Samaria and Jerusalem, had become corrupt, using their power to dispossess small landowners, accumulate vast estates, and disregard the Mosaic Law. This verse speaks directly to this systemic injustice, highlighting God's response to the violation of the covenant's social and economic principles.
* **Key Themes:** Micah 2:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Micah. It underscores **Divine Judgment**, revealing God's unwavering commitment to justice and His active intervention against those who exploit the vulnerable. The verse vividly portrays a **Reversal of Fortune**, where the oppressors, who gained through unjust means, will suffer a similar, ironic fate, losing their own rightful inheritance. This reflects the biblical principle that "whatever a person sows, that he will also reap" ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")). Furthermore, it emphasizes the profound **Loss of Inheritance**, which for an Israelite meant exclusion from the communal and divinely sanctioned division of land, signifying a deep loss of standing, identity, and blessing within the "congregation of the LORD," the assembly of God's covenant people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cast (Hebrew, _shâlak'_):** This primitive root means "to throw out, down or away." In this context, it refers to the act of throwing lots to determine the division of land. The negative phrasing "shalt have none that shall cast" emphasizes the complete absence of this crucial act for the condemned, signifying their utter exclusion from the land distribution.
* **cord (Hebrew, _chebel'_):** This word refers to a rope or measuring line. It was used in ancient times to measure out the boundaries of an allotted portion of land. Figuratively, _chebel_ itself can also denote the "allotted portion" or "inheritance" itself. Thus, the absence of someone to "cast a cord" means not only the lack of the ritual but, more significantly, the lack of an inheritance to measure.
* **lot (Hebrew, _gôwrâl'_):** Properly, a pebble or small stone used for casting lots to determine destiny or portion. The practice of casting lots was a recognized method for divine allocation, particularly in the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel ([Joshua 18:10](/joshua/18-10 "Joshua 18:10 - Joshua Casts Lots")). Therefore, to "cast a cord by lot" was the established, divinely sanctioned method of receiving one's inheritance. The verse's declaration signifies that the oppressors will have no such divinely appointed share.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thou shalt have none":** This opening phrase establishes the direct consequence of the wicked actions described in the preceding verses. The "therefore" links the judgment to the greed and violence of the oppressors. "Thou" refers to the unjust elite. The pronouncement "shalt have none" signifies a complete and absolute deprivation, a total reversal of their ill-gotten gains.
* **"that shall cast a cord by lot":** This clause describes the specific action that will be denied to the oppressors. As explained in the Key Word Analysis, "casting a cord by lot" was the ancient, divinely ordained method for distributing land inheritance in Israel. The denial of this ritual means that the condemned will receive no portion, no share, no inheritance in the land. This is a direct, ironic punishment for those who previously seized land unjustly.
* **"in the congregation of the LORD.":** This phrase specifies the context and community from which the oppressors will be excluded. The "congregation of the LORD" (Hebrew: _qâhâl Yᵉhôvâh_) refers to the assembly or community of God's covenant people, Israel. To be excluded from the land distribution "in the congregation of the LORD" implies not just a material loss, but a spiritual and communal disenfranchisement. It signifies a loss of standing, identity, and blessing within the very people of God, highlighting the profound spiritual dimension of their judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Micah 2:5 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is central, as those who unjustly seized land will themselves be denied a portion, experiencing the very dispossession they inflicted upon others. This serves as a powerful instance of divine **retribution**, where the punishment perfectly fits the crime. The phrase "cast a cord by lot" functions as a **metonymy**, where the ritual act stands for the entire process of land distribution and, by extension, the inheritance itself. Furthermore, the "cord" and "lot" are **symbols** of a divinely ordered, just allocation of resources, which the oppressors have violated. Their exclusion from this process within the "congregation of the LORD" symbolizes their ultimate spiritual and communal alienation from God's covenant blessings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Micah 2:5 profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and His active opposition to social and economic oppression. It reveals that the Lord, as the ultimate owner of the land and the covenant keeper, will not tolerate the exploitation of the vulnerable, particularly when it involves the divinely apportioned inheritance of His people. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true blessing and security are not found in ill-gotten gains but in righteous living and adherence to God's covenant principles. The loss of inheritance in the "congregation of the LORD" signifies a spiritual judgment, highlighting that sin not only has material consequences but also impacts one's standing and relationship within the divine community. This prophetic word points to a universal principle: God will ultimately right all wrongs, ensuring that those who sow injustice will reap its bitter fruit.

* [Deuteronomy 19:14](/deuteronomy/19-14 "Deuteronomy 19:14 - Do Not Move Your Neighbor's Boundary Stone")
* [Proverbs 22:22-23](/proverbs/22-22-23 "Proverbs 22:22-23 - Do Not Exploit the Poor")
* [Isaiah 5:8](/isaiah/5-8 "Isaiah 5:8 - Woe to Those Who Join House to House")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Micah 2:5 serves as a timeless and urgent call for believers to examine their hearts and actions regarding wealth, property, and justice. While we may not divide land by casting lots today, the underlying principles of covetousness, exploitation, and the pursuit of gain at the expense of others remain potent temptations. This verse challenges us to consider how our economic practices, our pursuit of success, and our use of resources align with God's heart for justice and compassion. It reminds us that true security and inheritance are not found in earthly possessions, especially those acquired unjustly, but in our relationship with God and our participation in His righteous kingdom. We are called to be champions of justice, to stand against systems and actions that oppress the poor and vulnerable, and to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and His commitment to right all wrongs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "covet fields and take them by violence" in a modern context, even subtly or indirectly?**
* **How does my pursuit of financial security or material gain align with God's call to justice and care for the vulnerable?**
* **What practical steps can I take to champion justice and advocate for the marginalized in my community or sphere of influence?**
* **How does the concept of a "spiritual inheritance" in Christ reframe my understanding of earthly possessions and their ultimate value?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "cast a cord by lot" in this verse?**

Answer: To "cast a cord by lot" refers to the ancient Israelite practice of dividing land by divine allocation. A "lot" (like a pebble or dice) was cast to determine which portion of land would be assigned to an individual or family, and then a "cord" or measuring line was used to physically mark out the boundaries of that allotted inheritance. This method was famously used by Joshua to divide the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel ([Joshua 18:10](/joshua/18-10 "Joshua 18:10 - Joshua Casts Lots for Land")). Therefore, the phrase in Micah 2:5 signifies that the wicked oppressors will be entirely excluded from any future land distribution or inheritance within the community of God's people.

**Why is being excluded from the "congregation of the LORD" significant?**

Answer: The "congregation of the LORD" (Hebrew: _qâhâl Yᵉhôvâh_) refers to the assembly or community of God's covenant people, Israel. In ancient Israel, this was not just a social gathering but a sacred assembly where God's presence was manifested and His covenant blessings were enjoyed. To be excluded from the land distribution "in the congregation of the LORD" meant more than just losing property; it implied a profound loss of identity, status, and blessing within the very people of God. It signified spiritual disenfranchisement and a severing of one's share in the covenant inheritance, emphasizing the spiritual gravity of the judgment against their injustice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Micah 2:5, with its pronouncement of lost inheritance for those who unjustly seize land, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the radical redefinition of "inheritance" and "congregation" in the New Covenant. While the Old Testament promise of land pointed to a physical inheritance, Christ inaugurates a spiritual inheritance that is infinitely more profound and eternal. Those who cling to earthly possessions, especially those gained through injustice, are precisely those who forfeit their true, spiritual inheritance in Christ. Jesus Himself warned against storing up "treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:19](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), contrasting it with the imperishable treasures of heaven. The "congregation of the LORD" is now expanded to include all who are "in Christ," Jew and Gentile alike, forming the Church, His body ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with God's People")). Our true "lot" or inheritance is not a piece of land, but rather "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has secured for His people a spiritual inheritance that cannot be lost by human injustice or covetousness, but only by rejecting the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, Micah's judgment foreshadows the ultimate spiritual dispossession of those who reject God's justice and His Son, while simultaneously highlighting the glorious, secure inheritance available to all who are found in Christ.

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

Joshua 18:4

Give out from among you three men for [each] tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come [again] to me.

Deuteronomy 32:8

When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Joshua 18:10

And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.

Hosea 9:3

They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean [things] in Assyria.

Psalms 16:6

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant [places]; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

Nehemiah 7:61

And these [were] they which went up [also] from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they [were] of Israel.

Deuteronomy 23:2

A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.