Introduction to Micah 2:3
Micah 2:3 occurs in a judgment oracle against Israel’s wealthy oppressors. The verse contains a divine pronouncement, using the participle חֹשֵׁב (“planning”) to describe YHWH’s active intent to bring disaster upon the unjust. The prophetic formula “כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה” (“Thus says YHWH”) introduces a decree of irreversible judgment, while the negation לֹֽא־תָמִ֨ישׁוּ (“you will not remove”) emphasizes the inescapable nature of the punishment.
This study will analyze the participial form, the grammatical function of negation, and the prophetic structure of divine retribution.
לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה הִנְנִ֥י חֹשֵׁ֛ב עַל־הַמִּשְׁפָּחָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את רָעָ֑ה אֲ֠שֶׁר לֹֽא־תָמִ֨ישׁוּ מִשָּׁ֜ם צַוְּארֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם וְלֹ֤א תֵֽלְכוּ֙ רֹומָ֔ה כִּ֛י עֵ֥ת רָעָ֖ה הִֽיא׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה (laken koh amar YHWH)
– Root: אָמַר (“to say”)
– Translation: “Therefore, thus says YHWH”
– Function: Introduces a divine pronouncement, a common prophetic formula.
2. הִנְנִ֥י חֹשֵׁ֛ב (hineni ḥoshev)
– Root: חָשַׁב (“to think, to plan”)
– Form: Hifil participle masculine singular
– Translation: “Behold, I am planning”
– Function: Expresses an imminent divine action, emphasizing certainty.
3. עַל־הַמִּשְׁפָּחָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את רָעָ֑ה (al-hamishpaḥah hazot ra’ah)
– Root: מִשְׁפָּחָה (“family, group”), רָעָה (“evil, disaster”)
– Translation: “Against this family, disaster”
– Function: Identifies the target of judgment—a collective group under divine punishment.
4. אֲ֠שֶׁר לֹֽא־תָמִ֨ישׁוּ מִשָּׁ֜ם צַוְּארֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם (asher lo-tamishu misham tzavveroteikhem)
– Verb: תָמִישׁוּ (“you will not remove”) – Hifil imperfect 2nd masculine plural
– Translation: “From there, you will not remove your necks”
– Function: The negation of escape, indicating inescapable subjugation.
5. וְלֹ֤א תֵֽלְכוּ֙ רֹומָ֔ה (velo telekhu romah)
– Verb: תֵֽלְכוּ (“you will walk”) – Qal imperfect 2nd masculine plural
– Translation: “And you will not walk proudly”
– Function: Reverses the previous arrogance of the oppressors.
6. כִּ֛י עֵ֥ת רָעָ֖ה הִֽיא (ki et ra’ah hi)
– Translation: “For it is a time of disaster”
– Function: The rationale for judgment, confirming its inevitability.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Participial Verb חֹשֵׁ֛ב (“Planning”)
– Hifil participle expresses continuous or imminent action.
– Contrast with past judgments → This disaster is actively being devised.
– Divine intent: Unlike human plans, YHWH’s planning ensures fulfillment.
The Use of לֹא with Imperfect Verbs
The negative particle לֹא (“not”) appears twice, governing two imperfect verbs:
1. לֹֽא־תָמִ֨ישׁוּ (“you will not remove”) → Denial of escape.
2. וְלֹ֤א תֵֽלְכוּ֙ רֹומָ֔ה (“you will not walk proudly”) → Denial of dignity.
– Imperfect aspect indicates future consequence.
– Parallelism:
– Neck in bondage = loss of freedom.
– No proud walking = loss of status.
The Phrase כִּ֛י עֵ֥ת רָעָ֖ה הִֽיא (“For it is a time of disaster”)
– כִּי (“for, because”) introduces the reason for judgment.
– עֵת רָעָה (“time of disaster”) refers to a period of calamity, possibly military conquest or exile.
Theological Implication of Divine Judgment in Micah 2:3
1. Inevitability of Judgment
– The participle חֹשֵׁב (“I am planning”) emphasizes God’s active role in judgment.
2. Loss of Freedom and Pride
– The oppressors who once walked proudly will now be subdued and humiliated.
3. Theological Irony
– Human injustice is countered by divine justice.
– The wealthy elite, once secure, will find themselves powerless.
The Role of the Participle in Prophetic Declarations
Micah 2:3 uses the participle to depict God’s ongoing judgment, reinforcing the certainty of punishment. The grammatical structure heightens the contrast between past arrogance and future humiliation.
Thus, Micah’s message is clear: those who exploit others will inevitably face divine reckoning, with no escape from the consequences of their actions.
