AMBIGUITY AND MULTIVALENCE IN MICAH 2,12-13

The central theme of Mic 2,12-13 is a topic of longstanding scholarly debate. This article contributes to the discussion not by proposing a new theme but rather by exposing the pericope's ambiguous and multivalent nature. In so doing, the article demonstrates the ways in which the words, formulation, and design of the pericope support and develop the diverse meanings in the verses. After demonstrating the intentional ambiguity of the pericope, the article suggests that its unique characteristics reflect crucial circumstances in the reality from which the verses emerged and the nature of the future that will be born of it. As suggested at the end of the article, these characteristics also have a bearing on the role of the recipients in deciphering the contents of the pericope and on the actions the recipients might take based on its perceived message.