The second chapter begins with a woe oracle (2:1–5). The roots of the woe oracle genre are found in funeral laments, expressing sorrow over the loss of the deceased. The prophets, however, adapt the form to their own purposes. No sympathy may be heard in Micah’s voice; rather, threat of sure judgment. The use of the woe threat signifies that the object of the oracle is as good as dead.

The object of the oracle is described in general terms in verse 1 and then more specifically in verse 2. They are those who stay up at night contemplating …