King James Version

What Does Micah 2:7 Mean?

Micah 2:7 in the King James Version says “O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? straitened: or, shortened? uprightly: Heb. upright?”

Micah 2:7 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

5

Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.

6

Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame. Prophesy ye: or, Prophesy not as they prophesy: Heb. Drop, etc

7

O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? straitened: or, shortened? uprightly: Heb. upright?

8

Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war. of late: Heb. yesterday with the: Heb. over against a

9

The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever. women: or, wives

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? (הֶאָמוּר בֵּית יַעֲקֹב הֲקָצַר רוּחַ יְהוָה, he-amur beit Ya'aqov ha-qatsar ruach YHWH). God responds to censorship demands (v. 6) with rhetorical questions. "Named the house of Jacob" acknowledges their covenant identity. קָצַר (qatsar, short/limited/straitened) asks: is God's רוּחַ (ruach, spirit/patience/power) limited? Can His patience run out? The question implies affirmative answer—yes, persistent rebellion exhausts even divine longsuffering.

Are these his doings? (אִם־אֵלֶּה מַעֲלָלָיו, im-eleh ma'alalav). מַעֲלָל (ma'alal, deeds/actions) asks whether judgment fits God's character. The implied answer: yes, these judgments are entirely consistent with His righteous nature. God isn't capricious; judgment necessarily follows persistent covenant violation. Numbers 14:18 states: "The LORD is longsuffering... but will by no means clear the guilty."

Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? (הֲלוֹא דְבָרַי יֵיטִיבוּ עִם הַיָּשָׁר הוֹלֵךְ, halo devarai yettivu im hayyashar holekh). God's דְּבָרִים (devarim, words) do יֵיטִיבוּ (yettivu, good/benefit) to הַיָּשָׁר (hayyashar, the upright). The contrast is clear: God's words bless the righteous but convict the wicked. The problem isn't God's word but hearers' hearts. Hebrews 4:12 describes Scripture as "living, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword... a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Those walking uprightly welcome such discernment; the wicked resent exposure.

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Historical & Cultural Context

God's patience has limits—a consistent biblical theme. Genesis 6:3 states: "My spirit shall not always strive with man." God waited 120 years before sending the flood. He endured Israel's wilderness rebellion but eventually barred that generation from Canaan (Numbers 14:29-35). Despite prophetic warnings, Israel persisted in apostasy until Assyrian exile (722 BC). Judah similarly rejected prophets until Babylonian exile (586 BC).

The rhetorical questions challenge Israel's presumption. They assumed covenant status guaranteed protection regardless of behavior—what Bonhoeffer later called "cheap grace." God responds: My patience isn't infinite, and judgment aligns with My character. Romans 2:4-5 warns against presuming on God's goodness: "Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath." Judgment doesn't contradict grace; it's grace's necessary corollary when persistently rejected.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the question 'Is the spirit of the LORD straitened?' challenge presumption that divine patience is unlimited regardless of persistent sin?
  2. What does God's assertion that His words 'do good to him that walketh uprightly' teach about why the wicked resent biblical preaching?
  3. In what ways might modern Christians presume on God's grace while ignoring His warnings about the limits of patience toward unrepentant sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הֶאָמ֣וּר1 of 15

“O thou that art named”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בֵּֽית2 of 15

“the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יַעֲקֹ֗ב3 of 15

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

הֲקָצַר֙4 of 15

“straitened”

H7114

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

ר֣וּחַ5 of 15

“is the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 15

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אִם7 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֵ֖לֶּה8 of 15
H428

these or those

מַעֲלָלָ֑יו9 of 15

“are these his doings”

H4611

an act (good or bad)

הֲל֤וֹא10 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

דְבָרַ֨י11 of 15

“do not my words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יֵיטִ֔יבוּ12 of 15

“do good”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

עִ֖ם13 of 15
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַיָּשָׁ֥ר14 of 15

“uprightly”

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

הוֹלֵֽךְ׃15 of 15

“to him that walketh”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Micah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Micah 2:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Micah 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 84:11Psalms 15:2Jeremiah 15:16Psalms 119:92-93Proverbs 28:18Proverbs 10:9

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