Micah 6:15

15 "You will sow but you will 1not reap. You will tread the olive but will not anoint yourself with oil; And the grapes, but you will 2not drink wine.

Micah 6:15 Meaning and Commentary

Micah 6:15

Thou shall sow, but thou shalt not reap
Either that which is sown shall not spring up, but rot in the earth; or if it does spring up, and come to maturity, yet, before that, they should be removed into captivity, or slain by the sword, and their enemies should reap the increase of their land, their wheat and their grain: thou shall tread the olives;
in the olive press, to get out the oil: but thou shalt not anoint with oil;
as at feasts for refreshment, and at baths for health, this becoming another's property; or, it being a time of distress and mourning, would not be used, it being chiefly at festivals, and occasions of joy, that oil was used: and sweet wine;
that is, shalt tread the grapes in the winepress, to get out the sweet or new wine: but shalt not drink wine;
for, before it is fit to drink, the enemy would have it in his possession; see ( Leviticus 26:16 ) ( Deuteronomy 28:30 ) ; these are the punishments or corrections of the rod they are threatened with for their sins.

Micah 6:15 In-Context

13 "So also I will make you sick, striking you down, Desolating you because of your sins.
14 "You will eat, but you will not be satisfied, And your vileness will be in your midst. You will try to remove for safekeeping, But you will not preserve anything, And what you do preserve I will give to the sword.
15 "You will sow but you will not reap. You will tread the olive but will not anoint yourself with oil; And the grapes, but you will not drink wine.
16 "The statutes of Omri And all the works of the house of Ahab are observed; And in their devices you walk. Therefore I will give you up for destruction And your inhabitants for derision, And you will bear the reproach of My people."

Cross References 2

  • 1. Deuteronomy 28:38-40; Jeremiah 12:13
  • 2. Amos 5:11; Zephaniah 1:13
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