“Shave your heads.” The people in the East had many customs when it came to mourning the dead, and Micah 1:16 mentions shaving the head. Other verses that mention shaving the head in mourning for the dead include Isaiah 15:2; Jeremiah 16:6, 47:5; 48:37; Ezekiel 7:18, and Micah 1:16. Other signs of mourning include cutting off the beard (cp. Jer. 41:5), putting on sackcloth (cp. Jer. 48:37), having a time of silence (Jer. 47:5), and cutting oneself (see commentaries on Jeremiah 41:5 and 1 Kings 18:28). It was also customary for people to bring food and have a mourning feast (Jer. 16:5-8).

“they have been taken from you into captivity!” The destruction of Jerusalem and deportation of its people is mentioned here in Micah 1:15-16; 3:12 and 4:10 (see commentary on Micah 4:10).