The godly has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among mankind; they all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts the other with a net.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is the specific kind of person who has vanished: the one described by the Hebrew word that means "loving and kind," actively showing God's steadfast love to others. This isn't just a general "good person," but someone who reflects God's own character, and their disappearance highlights the deep moral decay that has set in, where everyone is now predatory, even towards their own kin.
The godly has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among mankind; they all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts the other with a net.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Micah begins by lamenting the utter lack of goodness and integrity in his land, feeling like someone searching for scarce summer fruit after the harvest. This lament transitions into a stark depiction of societal decay, where the truly godly have vanished and no upright individuals remain. Instead, everyone is consumed by violence and deceit, actively plotting against and ensnaring their own family and neighbors.
Micah paints a grim picture: the godly have disappeared, leaving a void. What does it mean when the 'good' are no longer seen?
Micah uses the term 'good man' (Hebrew: chasid). This isn't just someone who is nice; it describes a person characterized by active love and kindness, especially towards others, flowing from a deep commitment to God.
A Rare Find
The prophet laments that such individuals have 'perished from the earth.' This phrase suggests they are either gone entirely or are so few and isolated that they are impossible to find. It highlights a profound societal breakdown where genuine godliness and uprightness have become scarce commodities.
More Than Just Nice
This isn't merely about people being absent; it's about the absence of a specific quality. When the chasid vanishes, so does active love, mercy, and faithfulness, leaving a vacuum filled by something far more sinister.
With the good gone, what fills the void? Micah describes a terrifying scene of people preying on each other. What does this 'hunt' reveal about a godless society?
When genuine uprightness is absent, society descends into a brutal and treacherous environment. Micah vividly portrays this with two powerful images:
Lying in Wait for Blood
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This phrase points to a pervasive culture of violence and bloodshed. It's not just about accidental harm, but a deliberate, sinister intent to cause death and destruction. People are actively seeking opportunities to inflict violence, driven by malice or greed.
Hunting with a Net
The image of hunting 'with a net' adds another layer: treachery and deceit. A net is a tool of entrapment, suggesting that people are not only violent but also cunning and deceitful in their pursuit of others. They set hidden traps, ambushing their 'brothers'—their own kin or fellow Israelites—with calculated cruelty.
A Society Undone
This combination of overt violence ('blood') and hidden treachery ('net') paints a picture of complete moral collapse. Family ties and social bonds are shattered as individuals become predators, viewing their own people as prey.
Understand the original words
ḥāsîḏ · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to those who are devout, pious, and loyal to God's covenant, manifesting steadfast love and moral integrity in their lives.
yāšār · Hebrew Adjective
Describes one who is straight, level, or morally honest in accordance with God's law; someone whose life aligns with the path of righteousness.
Micah's lament in chapter 7, particularly verse 2, reflects the deep social and moral decay within Judah during a time of extreme national crisis, marked by the terrifying Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib. The prophet portrays a land where basic human decency has vanished, and even family ties are corrupted by violence and treachery, amplifying the sense of impending judgment.
Late 8th century BC
Reign of King Hezekiah
Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) saw attempts at religious reform and a significant siege by the Assyrian king Sennacherib.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian army under Sennacherib campaigned in Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event brought immense fear and upheaval, leading to judgment and devastation.
Late 8th - Early 7th century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Kingdom
While Micah's focus is primarily Judah, the Northern Kingdom (Israel) had already been conquered and exiled by the Assyrians (c. 722 BC). This backdrop of national catastrophe colors his message.
This passage echoes Micah's lament, describing a world where the righteous perish and no one seems to notice or care, highlighting a societal decay that parallels Micah's observation.
Psalm 12:1This psalm expresses a similar despair over the disappearance of godly people and the prevalence of deceit, amplifying the sense of loss and corruption described in Micah.
Jeremiah 9:4-6Jeremiah describes a people who are quick to lie and betray their neighbors, even calling them brothers, mirroring Micah's depiction of internal treachery and violence.
Proverbs 1:11-18This proverb describes the wicked who plot to shed blood and lie in wait for their victims, drawing a direct parallel to Micah's imagery of people hunting each other with nets.
cambridgeMicah 7:2: "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."
2 . The good man ] More fully rendered, ‘The pious man,’ he who makes love his rule of action—love to God and love to man. ‘The idea of khâsîdh is not passive [he who experiences grace or love], for God Himself is called khâsîdh , Psalm 145:17 , but he who exercises khesedh ( Proverbs 11:17 ), i.e. makes men, according to God’s…
clarkeMicah 7:2: "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 man is perished out of the earth - A similar sentiment may be found, Psalm 12:1 ; Isaiah 57:1 . As the early fig of excellent flavor cannot be found in the advanced season of summer, or a choice cluster of grapes after vintage, so neither can the good and upright man be discovered by searching in Israel. This comparison…
What's easy to miss here is the specific kind of person who has vanished: the one described by the Hebrew word that means "loving and kind," actively showing God's steadfast love to others. This isn't just a general "good person," but someone who reflects God's own character, and their disappearance highlights the deep moral decay that has set in, where everyone is now predatory, even towards their own kin.
The prophet Micah begins by lamenting the utter lack of goodness and integrity in his land, feeling like someone searching for scarce summer fruit after the harvest. This lament transitions into a stark depiction of societal decay, where the truly godly have vanished and no upright individuals remain. Instead, everyone is consumed by violence and deceit, actively plotting against and ensnaring their own family and neighbors.
The prophet Micah begins by lamenting the utter lack of goodness and integrity in his land, feeling like someone searching for scarce summer fruit after the harvest. This lament transitions into a stark depiction of societal decay, where the truly godly have vanished and no upright individuals remain. Instead, everyone is consumed by violence and deceit, actively plotting against and ensnaring their own family and neighbors.
"The godly has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among mankind; they all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts the other with a net." — What's easy to miss here is the specific kind of person who has vanished: the one described by the Hebrew word that means "loving and kind," actively showing God's steadfast love to others. This isn'…
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Last reviewed October 2026