King James Version

What Does Micah 7:1 Mean?

Micah 7:1 in the King James Version says “Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no clus...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. when: Heb. the gatherings of summer”

Micah 7:1 · KJV

Context

1

Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. when: Heb. the gatherings of summer

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. good: or, godly, or, merciful

3

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. his: Heb. the mischief of his soul

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. Micah laments social and moral desolation using agricultural metaphor. אַלְלַי־לִי (allai-li, "Woe is me!") expresses deep anguish. כִּי הָיִיתִי כְּאָסְפֵּי־קַיִץ כְּעֹלְלֹת בָּצִיר (ki hayiti khe-ospei-qayits khe-olelot batsir, "for I am as gatherings of summer fruit, as gleanings of vintage") describes arriving after harvest when fields are stripped bare.

אֵין אֶשְׁכּוֹל לֶאֱכוֹל (ein eshkol le'ekhol, "there is no cluster to eat"). אֶשְׁכּוֹל (eshkol) is a grape cluster. The harvest imagery depicts complete depletion—no fruit remains. בִּכּוּרָה אִוְּתָה נַפְשִׁי (bikkurah ivvetah nafshi, "the early fig my soul desired"). בִּכּוּרָה (bikkurah) is the first-ripe fruit, especially prized (Hosea 9:10; Nahum 3:12). Micah's soul longs for righteous people (the "first-fruits") but finds none.

This agricultural metaphor illustrates spiritual reality: godly people have been "harvested" (removed through death, exile, or apostasy), leaving moral wasteland. Isaiah used similar imagery: "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint" (Isaiah 1:5). When righteousness disappears from society, the faithful feel isolated desolation. Paul later quoted this sentiment: "All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" (Philippians 2:21).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Micah 7:1-6 depicts late 8th century BC Judah's moral collapse. The northern kingdom had fallen to Assyria (722 BC); Judah faced similar threats. Social fabric disintegrated—leaders oppressed the poor (3:1-3), prophets deceived for profit (3:5-7), courts perverted justice (7:3). Even family relationships fractured (7:6). The righteous felt isolated in a sea of corruption. This mirrors later periods: Jeremiah's era (Jeremiah 5:1-5), Ezekiel's generation (Ezekiel 22:23-31), and Paul's description of end-times apostasy (2 Timothy 3:1-5). When society's moral foundation erodes, the faithful experience profound loneliness—"first-fruits" are rare, righteousness scarce. Yet God always preserves a remnant (1 Kings 19:18; Romans 11:4-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers respond to living in a morally depleted society where righteousness seems scarce?
  2. What does it mean to long for 'first-fruits' of righteousness—how do we cultivate this desire?
  3. How can the faithful avoid despair when godliness appears to have vanished from the land?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אַ֣לְלַי1 of 14

“Woe”

H480

alas!

לִ֗י2 of 14
H0
כִּ֤י3 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הָיִ֙יתִי֙4 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּאָסְפֵּי5 of 14

“is me! for I am as when they have gathered”

H625

a collection (of fruits)

קַ֔יִץ6 of 14

“the summer fruits”

H7019

harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season

כְּעֹלְלֹ֖ת7 of 14

“as the grapegleanings”

H5955

only in plural gleanings; by extension gleaning-time

בָּצִ֑יר8 of 14

“of the vintage”

H1210

clipped, i.e., the grape crop

אֵין9 of 14
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אֶשְׁכּ֣וֹל10 of 14

“there is no cluster”

H811

a bunch of grapes or other fruit

לֶאֱכ֔וֹל11 of 14

“to eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בִּכּוּרָ֖ה12 of 14

“the firstripe fruit”

H1063

the early fig

אִוְּתָ֥ה13 of 14

“desired”

H183

to wish for

נַפְשִֽׁי׃14 of 14

“my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

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 7:1 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 7:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 28:4Hosea 9:10Isaiah 24:13Isaiah 17:6Jeremiah 4:31Isaiah 24:16

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