Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

MICAH 2:1KJV
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Micah 2:1 (KJV)

What does Micah 2:1 mean?

Micah 2:1 warns people who plan and carry out evil, describing how they lie awake at night thinking up wrongdoing and then act on those plans as soon as they are able. The verse highlights that these people do wrong simply because they have the power to do so.

Micah, a prophet speaking to the people of Israel, is calling out leaders and landowners who use their authority to harm others for their own gain. The verse paints a picture of people who are not just accidentally doing wrong, but who carefully plot evil and take action whenever the opportunity arises.

The Hebrew behind Micah 2:1

  • "Woe" (הוֹי, hoy): This word is an expression of deep sorrow or warning, often used by prophets to announce judgment or disaster coming to those addressed.
  • "Devise" (חָשַׁב, chashav): This word means to plan or plot, emphasizing that the wrongdoing is intentional and carefully thought out, not accidental.
  • "Iniquity" (אָוֶן, aven): This word refers to wickedness or moral evil, highlighting the seriousness of what is being planned.
  • "Power" (אֵל, el): Although often used for "God," here it means strength or might, stressing that these people act because they have the ability or authority, not because it is right.

Why Micah 2:1 matters

  • Micah 2:1 makes clear that the problem is not just evil actions, but the deliberate planning of evil, showing a deeper level of corruption.
  • The verse highlights how having power can lead people to abuse it if their hearts are not right, a theme that runs through much of the book of Micah.
  • This verse sets up the rest of the chapter, where Micah describes the consequences that will come to those who use their power to harm others.

Where else these words appear

“beds” Hebrew H4904 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
  • Judges 21:11 And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.
  • Job 33:19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

“Woe” Hebrew H1945 · used in 48 verses

  • Ruth 4:1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
  • Isaiah 29:1 Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
  • Ezekiel 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

“work” Hebrew H6466 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
  • Psalms 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

“iniquity” Hebrew H205 · used in 78 verses

  • Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
  • Psalms 41:6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
  • Proverbs 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.