BibleWord.ai› Bible› Micah› Chapter 6› Verse 15

Micah 6:15

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Micah 6:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou shalt sow, but shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but shalt not anoint thee with oil; and the vintage, but shalt not drink the wine.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou shalt sow, but shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but shalt not anoint thee with oil; and the vintage, but shalt not drink the wine.
Micah 6:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Micah 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
13Therefore I also have smitten thee with a grievous wound; I have made thee desolate because of thy sins.
14Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy humiliation shall be in the midst of thee: and thou shalt put away, but shalt not save; and that which thou savest will I give up to the sword.
15Thou shalt sow, but shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but shalt not anoint thee with oil; and the vintage, but shalt not drink the wine.
16For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I may make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing: and ye shall bear the reproach of my people.
← Micah 6:14Micah 6:16 →
← Full Chapter 6 Micah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shall sow, but thou shalt not reap, etc.] 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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“sow . . . not reap--fulfilling the threat (Lev 26:16; Deu 28:38-40; Amo 5:11).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap - Micah renews the threatenings of the law Leviticus 26:16; Deuteronomy 28:30, Deuteronomy 28:38-41, which they had been habitually breaking. Those prophecies had been fulfilled before, throughout their history; they have been fulfilled lately in Israel for the like oppression of the poor Amos 5:11. Their frequent fulfillment spoke as much of a law of God’s righteousness, punishing sin, as the yearly supply in the ordinary course of nature spoke of His loving Providence. It is the bitterest punishment to the covetous to have the things which they coveted, taken away before their eyes; it was a token of God’s Hand, that He took them away, when just…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt not reap - An enemy shall reap it. Sweet wine - Thou shalt tread the grapes which afford sweet wine. Micah 6:16”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lev 26:20; Deu 28:38-40; Isa 62:8, Isa 62:9, Isa 65:21, Isa 65:22; Jer 12:13; Joe 1:10-12; Amo 5:11; Zep 1:13; Hag 1:6 Micah 6:16”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Micah 6 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification