Micah 2:1

Woe to them. In verses 1 and 2 Micah condemns the injustice toward and oppression of the poor.

Upon their beds. That is, at nighttime they devise the plan they hope to execute the following day (see Job 4:13; Psalm 4:4; 36:4). So intent were these evildoers upon accomplishing their purpose that as soon as “the morning” became “light” they carried it out.

In the power. They operated on the wicked principle that “might makes right.” When men take advantage of their power, they are almost certain to abuse it. The Septuagint reading, “for they have not lifted up their hands to God,” is probably due to a misunderstanding of the Hebrew idiom here employed. The word here translated “power” is ’el, a word frequently translated “God.” However, in this idiomatic expression it seems clearly to have the meaning “power.” For other occurrences of the idiom see Genesis 31:29; Deuteronomy 28:32; Nehemiah 5:5; Proverbs 3:27.