Micah 7:2-3
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. Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that the problem isn't just a lack of good people, but that the very essence of goodness, often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy," has "perished." This implies a deep, systemic corruption where the impulse to show active kindness and love towards others, mirroring God's own character, has vanished, leaving only a society that preys on its own.
Micah begins by lamenting the complete absence of righteous people in the land, feeling as if he's searching through empty fields after the harvest. This leads into his description of the nation's pervasive wickedness, where no one can be found who is honest or upright. Instead, the people are characterized by their violent plots and deceitful traps, hunting their own brothers.
Micah opens with a stark declaration: the 'good man' is gone. What does it mean for a society when these vital people vanish, and who are they, really?
The prophet uses the term 'khasid,' which speaks of a person overflowing with steadfast love and kindness, actively showing mercy. It's not just a passive state of being good, but an active demonstration of love for God and neighbor.
Who is the 'Khasid'?
Micah doesn't just say people are bad; he paints a vivid, disturbing picture of how they treat each other. What does this 'hunting with a net' reveal about their hearts?
The latter part of the verse shifts from absence to active corruption. The people remaining aren't just morally vacant; they are predatory.
The Brutal Ambush:
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.
šōḥaḏ · Hebrew Noun
A gift, reward, or payment given to influence the judgment of an official, strictly forbidden in the Law as it corrupts justice and perverts the cause of the innocent.
Micah's lament in chapter 7 reflects the deep social decay and pervasive lack of integrity that characterized his era, a time when the surrounding empires of Assyria were at their peak, threatening and impacting both Israel and Judah. The utter corruption and violence he describes painted a stark picture of a people ripe for divine judgment.
c. 740-700 BC— this verse
Prophetic Ministry of Micah
Micah, a prophet from the town of Moresheth in Judah, delivers his prophecies during a tumultuous period in both the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). His words address the social injustice, corrupt leadership, and impending judgment facing the people.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Conquest
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Neo-Assyrian Empire under King Sargon II. Many Israelites are exiled, and the land is repopulated with foreigners, marking a significant loss of national and religious identity for the northern tribes.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem itself is miraculously spared (as prophesied by Isaiah), the land suffers greatly, and King Hezekiah is forced to pay heavy tribute.
This passage echoes Micah's lament about the disappearance of the righteous, highlighting a similar societal breakdown where no one seems to notice or care about the loss of godly individuals.
Psalm 12:1This Psalm shares the distress of Micah, crying out because 'the godly has vanished from the land' and 'faithful ones disappear from among mankind,' painting a grim picture of a world devoid of uprightness.
Proverbs 1:11-14Similar to Micah's description of people hunting each other, this Proverbs passage vividly portrays wicked individuals plotting to ambush the innocent and seize their wealth, showing a consistent theme of treacherous schemes.
Jeremiah 5:26This verse describes wicked people who, like hunters, lie in wait to capture and exploit others, mirroring Micah's imagery of individuals ensnaring their 'brothers' through deceit and violence.
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…
The verse highlights that the problem isn't just a lack of good people, but that the very essence of goodness, often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy," has "perished." This implies a deep, systemic corruption where the impulse to show active kindness and love towards others, mirroring God's own character, has vanished, leaving only a society that preys on its own.
Micah begins by lamenting the complete absence of righteous people in the land, feeling as if he's searching through empty fields after the harvest. This leads into his description of the nation's pervasive wickedness, where no one can be found who is honest or upright. Instead, the people are characterized by their violent plots and deceitful traps, hunting their own brothers.
Micah begins by lamenting the complete absence of righteous people in the land, feeling as if he's searching through empty fields after the harvest. This leads into his description of the nation's pervasive wickedness, where no one can be found who is honest or upright. Instead, the people are characterized by their violent plots and deceitful traps, hunting their own brothers.
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"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. Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince a…" — The verse highlights that the problem isn't just a lack of good people, but that the very essence of goodness, often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy," has "perished." This implies a deep…
