Micah 6:15

15 You shall sow, but not reap; you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; you shall tread grapes, but not 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 Therefore I have begun to smite you, making you desolate because of your sins.
14 You shall eat, but not be satisfied, and there shall be hunger in your inward parts; you shall put away, but not save, and what you save I will give to the sword.
15 You shall sow, but not reap; you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine.
16 For you have kept the statutes of Omri, and all the works of the house of Ahab; and you have walked in their counsels; that I may make you a desolation, and your inhabitants a hissing; so you shall bear the scorn of the peoples."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.