King James Version

What Does Micah 6:14 Mean?

Micah 6:14 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but ...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword.”

Micah 6:14 · KJV

Context

12

For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

13

Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.

14

Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword.

15

Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

16

For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people. For the: or, For he doth much keep the, etc desolation: or, astonishment

Read Micah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee. God details covenant curses. "Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied" (תֹּאכַל וְלֹא תִשְׂבָּע, tokhal ve-lo tisba) describes frustration—consuming food without satiation. This echoes Leviticus 26:26: "Ye shall eat, and not be satisfied." Haggai 1:6 applies it to post-exilic Jews: "Ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled." When God withdraws blessing, material abundance brings no satisfaction. Augustine observed humanity has "a God-shaped vacuum" only He can fill; seeking satisfaction elsewhere brings perpetual hunger.

"Thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee" (וְיֶשְׁחֲךָ בְּקִרְבֶּךָ, ve-yeshchakha be-kirbecha)—the Hebrew yeshech is obscure, possibly meaning "emptiness," "darkness," or "shame." The sense is internal desolation—emptiness within despite external possessions. "And thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword." Efforts to secure possessions and rescue loved ones will fail. In siege warfare, parents couldn't protect children; wealth couldn't buy safety. Jeremiah 9:21 depicts death climbing through windows, cutting off children from streets. When judgment comes, human schemes fail.

This exposes the futility of life apart from God. Ecclesiastes explores this: "Vanity of vanities...all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Solomon tested pleasure, wealth, wisdom, achievement—all left him empty. Only fearing God and keeping His commandments matters (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Jesus warned: "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36). Lasting satisfaction comes only from God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's siege by Babylon fulfilled this prophecy literally. Lamentations 4:4-10 describes horrific famine: children begging bread, nobles scavenging garbage, mothers cannibalizing their infants. Despite eating, they weren't satisfied—food couldn't sustain life under covenant curse. Efforts to escape or protect family failed: Zedekiah tried fleeing but was captured, his sons killed before him, then his eyes gouged out (2 Kings 25:6-7). Jeremiah 38:23 warned: "Thou shalt not escape...thou shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire." Human wisdom cannot circumvent divine judgment. Only repentance averts wrath.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your life do you "eat but not be satisfied"—pursuing things that cannot ultimately fulfill the soul?
  2. How does recognizing that satisfaction comes only from God reorder your priorities and pursuits?
  3. What are you trying to "take hold" of (secure, protect, achieve) through human effort that only God can provide or preserve?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אַתָּ֤ה1 of 13
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תֹאכַל֙2 of 13

“Thou shalt eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְלֹ֣א3 of 13
H3808

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

תִשְׂבָּ֔ע4 of 13

“but not be satisfied”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

וְיֶשְׁחֲךָ֖5 of 13

“and thy casting down”

H3445

hunger

בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָ6 of 13

“shall be in the midst”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וְתַסֵּג֙7 of 13

“of thee and thou shalt take hold”

H5253

to retreat

וְלֹ֣א8 of 13
H3808

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

תְּפַלֵּ֖ט9 of 13

“and that which thou deliverest”

H6403

to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver

וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תְּפַלֵּ֖ט11 of 13

“and that which thou deliverest”

H6403

to slip out, i.e., escape; causatively, to deliver

לַחֶ֥רֶב12 of 13

“to the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֶתֵּֽן׃13 of 13

“will I give up”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

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 6:14 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 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 4:10Isaiah 65:13Leviticus 26:26Haggai 1:6Isaiah 30:6Amos 2:14-16

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