The good [man] is perished out of the earth: and [there is] none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
The good {H2623} man is perished {H6} out of the earth {H776}: and there is none upright {H3477} among men {H120}: they all lie in wait {H693} for blood {H1818}; they hunt {H6679} every man {H376} his brother {H251} with a net {H2764}.
The godly have been destroyed from the land, there is no one upright among humankind. They all lie in wait for blood, each hunts his brother with a net.
The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.
The godly man is perished out of the earth, and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
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Psalms 12:1
¶ To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. -
Isaiah 57:1
¶ The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come]. -
Psalms 14:1
¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good. -
Psalms 14:3
They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. -
Isaiah 59:7
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths. -
Jeremiah 5:26
For among my people are found wicked [men]: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. -
Proverbs 1:11
If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
Micah 7:2 offers a profound lament from the prophet Micah, capturing the deep moral decay and pervasive corruption that characterized Judah during his time. This verse paints a bleak picture of a society where righteousness has seemingly vanished, and mutual trust is replaced by predatory behavior.
Context
Prophet Micah ministered in Judah during the late 8th century BC, a period marked by significant social injustice, political instability, and spiritual apostasy. His prophecies often condemned the rich and powerful for exploiting the poor, the corrupt leaders, and the false prophets who misled the people. Chapter 7, in particular, reflects Micah's personal anguish and isolation as he observes the overwhelming wickedness of his own nation. He feels like a solitary righteous voice in a land devoid of integrity, echoing a sentiment similar to Jeremiah's search for an upright man in Jerusalem.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word translated "good [man]" is chasid (חָסִיד), which denotes someone who is pious, godly, and faithful, particularly in their covenant relationship with God and their ethical conduct towards others. Its "perishing" signifies not merely death, but the disappearance of such character from society. The phrase "lie in wait for blood" speaks to a murderous or violent intent, while "hunt every man his brother with a net" uses a powerful metaphor of a hunter trapping prey, emphasizing the deceitful and predatory nature of human relationships in that era.
Practical Application
Micah 7:2 serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of widespread moral decay and the consequences of abandoning divine standards. It challenges us to examine our own societies and hearts, asking if integrity and compassion are truly valued, or if self-interest and exploitation prevail. The verse reminds believers of the importance of standing firm in righteousness, even when surrounded by corruption, and to be a beacon of God's truth and love. It also points to the ultimate need for divine intervention and redemption, as perfectly exemplified in the truth that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, highlighting humanity's inherent need for a Savior.