Micah
Micah front
Introduction to Micah
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of Micah
- God promises to punish the northern and southern kingdoms (1:1–16)
- Those who take advantage of others are guilty (2:1–3:12)
- Rich people who oppress poor people (2:1–11)
- Promise to be delivered and restored (2:12–13)
- Rulers, priests, and prophets condemned (3:1–12)
- Yahweh’s victory for all Israel (4:1–5:15)
- Yahweh will rule over all the nations (4:1–10)
- Israel will be destroyed, then will be victorious over its enemies (4:11–13)
- Messiah will shepherd his flock and devastate the nations who fought against him (5:1–6)
- Messiah will destroy everything that harmed his people (5:7–15)
- Yahweh’s case against Israel (6:1–16)
- Yahweh reminds Israel when he led them out of slavery in Egypt (6:1–5)
- Israel punished; true repentance (6:6–16)
- Israel miserable and Israel restored (7:1–20)
- Israel broken and miserable (7:1–7)
- Israel will rise again (7:8–13)
- Yahweh restores and gives grace (7:14–20)
What is the Book of Micah about?
This book contains many of Micah’s prophecies. Micah repeated many similar prophecies as found in Isaiah. Micah warned the kingdoms of Israel and Judah that the Assyrians would soon attack them. Micah condemned those who acted unjustly and immorally. He spoke against those who did not work for a living. He also spoke against the false prophets in Israel and Judah. These false prophets were telling the people that Yahweh would never let a foreign kingdom harm or conquer them.
Micah called the people to please Yahweh by living righteous and holy lives. However, the sinful way they lived and the unjust way they treated their fellow countrymen proved that they no longer wanted to obey and honor Yahweh. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess, just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification, righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness and holy, holiness, unholy, sacred and faith)
How should the title of this book be translated?
Translators may decide to translate the traditional title “The Book of Micah” or just “Micah” in a way that is clearer to the readers. They may decide to call it “The Sayings of Micah.” (See: How to Translate Names)
Who wrote Micah?
The prophet Micah probably wrote this book. Micah lived at the same time as Isaiah and Hosea. This was sometime between 750 and 700 B.C., during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. He began prophesying when he lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. Then he moved to the kingdom of Judah.
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
Who is the deliverer Micah mentions?
Micah frequently mentioned a king who would deliver the people. It is clear that Micah meant the Messiah, the descendant of David who would rule forever, though he never referred to him as the Messiah. (See: deliver, deliverer, deliverance, delivered and Christ, Messiah)
Were the Israelites required to offer sacrifices or live holy lives to please Yahweh?
Many of the Old Testament writers were concerned with offering sacrifices according to the law of Moses. However, Micah explained to the people that Yahweh was pleased only when they offered these sacrifices in faith. Without faith, the sacrifices had no meaning. (See: law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God and just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
Why does Micah 1:10–16 sound unusual?
This passage sounds unusual because of how it is constructed in Hebrew. It includes what is called a play on words. The names of the cities were used to describe how they would be destroyed. For example, in Hebrew “Lachish” sounds like “to the chariots.” This is a poetic form that might not be the actual way they would be punished.
What does a translator need to know before translating Micah?
Micah did not often explain how his prophecies were historically situated. This may result in the translator failing to understand implicit information unless they understand Micah’s time. It is therefore suggested that translators understand well the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)
How do I translate passages where the speaker or addressee is not mentioned explicitly?
Micah did not usually say who was speaking or who was being addressed. Reading the verses before and after the quote will often help the reader to understand who is speaking or being addressed. It is acceptable to make this information explicit so the reader can more easily understand it. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
How should the text of Micah be formatted?
The ULT uses a poetic language style like the Hebrew text. Many languages can do this but some languages will not be able to do this. The ULT also sets apart the poetic portions of the text by setting the poetic lines farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. With the exception of the first verse, the entire book is indented because the prophecies were written as a series of poems.
Micah 1
Micah 1 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Micah is written mainly in a poetic form. Most of the prophets wrote to either the Northern Kingdom or the Southern Kingdom. Micah wrote to both of them at times without clear distinction, as he did in this chapter.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
City Names
This passage sounds unusual in English because of its construction in Hebrew. It contains several “puns” or “plays on words.” The names of the cities are used to describe their destruction. “Lachish will be lashed” is an example of this type of construction. This poetic element might metaphors describing the actual way they will be punished. (See: Metaphor)
Micah 1:1
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismGeneral Information:
God speaks through Micah to the people of Israel using poetry.
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Quote: the word of Yahweh that came (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This idiom is used to explain that a God gave a message to someone. Alternate translation: “the message that Yahweh spoke”
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Quote: Yahweh (0)This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
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Quote: the Morashtite (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This means he is from Moresheth which is a town in Judah.
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Quote: in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (0)Alternate translation: “when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah”
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Quote: which he saw (0)Alternate translation: “which he heard in a vision”
Micah 1:2
General Information:
Micah 1:2–7 is about God’s judgment on Samaria.
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Quote: Listen, all you peoples. Listen, earth, and all that is in you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
This begins Micah’s prophecy. Micah speaks to the people of Samaria as if all the people of the earth and even the earth itself were able to hear him.
Micah 1:3
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Quote: he will come down and tread on the high places of the earth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah speaks as if Yahweh were a mighty soldier coming down from heaven and beginning to march on top of the mountains.
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Quote: he will … tread (0)Alternate translation: “he will … march”
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Quote: the high places of the earth (0)Alternate translation: “the high mountains”
Micah 1:4
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Quote: The mountains will melt under him; the valleys will break apart, like wax before fire, like waters that are poured down a steep place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah speaks as if Yahweh were a hot, solid object that melted the earth as it moved. Alternate translation: “He will crush the mountains and the valleys as he marches over them; he will destroy them, and they will completely disappear”
Micah 1:5
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Quote: because of the sins of the house of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house, in this case the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “because the people of Israel have sinned against me”
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Quote: All this is (0)Alternate translation: “The Lord will come and judge”
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Quote: What is Jacob’s transgression? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The name “Jacob” is a metonym for those of his descendants who live in the northern kingdom of Israel.
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Quote: Is it not Samaria? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “Samaria” is a metonym for the evil activities that take place there. Alternate translation: “You know that it is Samaria.”
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Quote: What is Judah’s high place? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “high place” is a synecdoche for the entire system of idol worship. Alternate translation: “Where do the people of Judah go to worship idols?”
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Quote: Is it not Jerusalem? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “Jerusalem” is a metonym for the evil activities that take place there. Alternate translation: “You know that it is Jerusalem.”
Micah 1:6
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Quote: I will make (0)Here “I” refers to Yahweh.
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Quote: Samaria … her stones … her foundations (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of Samaria as if the city were a woman. Alternate translation: “Samaria … its stones … the foundations of the buildings in the city”
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Quote: I will pour her stones (0)Here “her” refers to the city of Samaria.
Micah 1:7
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Quote: her carved figures … her gifts that she received … her idols (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of Samaria as if the city were a woman. Alternate translation: “the carved figures in the city … the gifts that people gave to the temple in the city … the idols in the city”
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Quote: All her carved figures will be broken to pieces (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will break all her carved figures to pieces”
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Quote: all her gifts … will be burned with fire (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will burn with fire all the gifts that she received”
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Quote: she received (0)Alternate translation: “people gave her”
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Quote: Since she gathered her gifts from the wages of prostitutes, they will become the wages of prostitutes again (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of the people giving gifts to idols as if the people were hiring prostitutes.
Micah 1:8
General Information:
Micah 1:8–16 is about God’s judgment on Judah.
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Quote: I will lament (0)Here “I” refers to Micah.
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Quote: I will lament and wail (0)“Lament” refers to the inner feeling of sadness, and “wail” refers to the activity of making a loud, sad sound.
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Quote: I will go barefoot and naked (0)This is a sign of extreme mourning and distress. Another possible meaning is “I will look like someone has taken off my clothes; I will be naked”
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Quote: naked (0)probably wearing only a loincloth
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Quote: like the jackals … like owls (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Jackals and owls live in wastelands, and their loud cries sound like people wailing or weeping.
Micah 1:9
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Quote: For her wound is incurable (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “her” refers to the city of Samaria. This means nothing can stop the enemy army from destroying the people who live there.
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Quote: for it has come to Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah uses contagious disease as a metaphor for the army that Yahweh has sent to judge Samaria. Here “it” refers to the “wound,” that is, to the army that God will use to punish Samaria.
Micah 1:10
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Quote: Beth Leaphrah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
You may want to make a footnote saying, “The name of this city means ‘house of dust.’”
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Quote: I roll myself in the dust (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
People under God’s judgment are expressing their grief in a strong way. Alternate translation: “I roll myself on the ground” or “I roll myself in the mud”
Micah 1:11
General Information:
The meanings of the names of the villages is important to Micah here. You may want to include the meanings of the names of the places in a footnote.
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Quote: Shaphir (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The name of this city sounds like one meaning “beautiful.” It contrasts with “nakedness and shame.”
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Quote: in nakedness and shame (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This idiom makes explicit that the people will be totally naked. Alternate translation: “totally naked and ashamed”
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Quote: Zaanan (0)The name of this city means “go out.” They are too afraid to go out and help.
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Quote: Beth Ezel (0)The name of this city means “house of taking away.”
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Quote: for their protection is taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “for I have taken away everything that might protect them”
Micah 1:12
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Quote: Maroth (0)The name of this city means “bitterness.”
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Quote: disaster has come down from Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract noun disaster is spoken of here as a solid object rolling down a hill. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word disaster, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has caused bad things to happen”
Micah 1:13
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Quote: Lachish (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The name “Lachish” sounds like “to the chariots” in Hebrew. The people are hitching their chariots to flee, not fight. Lachish was the most important city after Jerusalem in Judah.
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Quote: the daughter of Zion (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “daughter” is a metonym for the people of the city. Alternate translation: “the people of Zion” or “the people who live in Zion”
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Quote: for the transgressions of Israel were found in you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This idiom can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “for you disobeyed like the people of Israel did”
Micah 1:14
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Quote: Akzib (0)You may want to add a footnote saying “The name of this town sounds almost the same as the Hebrew expression for ‘deceitful thing.’”
Micah 1:15
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Quote: I will again bring (0)Here “I” refers to Yahweh.
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Quote: Adullam (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a royal city in Philistia.
Micah 1:16
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Quote: Shave your head and cut off your hair (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Israelites who were mourning would shave bald spots on their heads. This could mean: (1) “Shave larger spots than usual on your heads” or (2) “Cut off all your hair and shave your heads,” stating the events in the order in which they were to occur.
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Quote: eagles (0)This word can also be translated “vultures.”
Micah 2
Micah 2 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter continues using poetic forms in communicating that people who take advantage of others are guilty of sin and injustice. (See: guilt, guilty and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)
Special concepts in this chapter
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Context
Micah does not frequently explain the historical context of his prophecies. This may result in the translator failing to understand implicit information. Additional research may be needed regarding the time period of Micah’s ministry. Therefore, translators have a good understanding of the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Micah 2:1
General Information:
Micah speaks against the leaders in Israel who are taking advantage of the poor and not following God’s commands.
Micah 2:2
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Quote: They oppress a man (0)“They oppress any man they choose to oppress.” This is a generalization. Micah is not speaking of one individual man here.
Micah 2:3
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Quote: Look (0)Alternate translation: “Listen carefully” or “Pay attention”
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Quote: disaster (0)See how you translated this in Micah 1:12.
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Quote: this clan (0)This “clan” refers to the entire community of Israel, whose rich people are oppressing the poor. The sins of the leaders are coming back on the whole nation.
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Quote: from which you will not remove your necks (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of punishing the people as if he were putting a yoke around their necks. Alternate translation: “from which you will not be able to escape”
Micah 2:4
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Quote: sing a song about you (0)Alternate translation: “sing a song to make fun of you”
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Quote: lament with a wailing lamentation (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony
“they will cry loudly.” They are pretending to mourn, as if those they love have died.
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Quote: We Israelites … to traitors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony
This is the song that the enemies will sing to make fun of the Israelites and laugh as the Israelites suffer.
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Quote: How can he remove it from me? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The enemy mocks the surprise the rich leaders of Israel feel because God has taken their land and given it to someone else just as they had taken the land from the poor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “How wrong he is to take it from me!”
Micah 2:5
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Quote: Therefore, you rich people will have no descendants to divide up the territory by lot in the assembly of Yahweh (0)This could mean: (1) Micah looks forward to a time after the exile when those who return will divide up the land or (2) he is speaking of a custom of his time when the tribe or clan would divide up their land and give it to individuals.
Micah 2:6
General Information:
Micah speaks to false prophets, as well as to the rich who have abused their power.
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Quote: Do not prophesy (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
The speakers are speaking to Micah and to others, so this is plural.
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Quote: they say (0)Alternate translation: “the people of Israel say”
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Quote: They must not prophesy (0)Alternate translation: “The prophets must not prophesy”
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Quote: reproaches must not come (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Reproach is spoken of as if it were a robber chasing a person. Alternate translation: “we will not allow you to reproach us”
Micah 2:7
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Quote: Should it really be said & “Is the Spirit … his deeds?” (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Micah is scolding the Israelites by using this question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that you do not need to ask … ‘Is the Spirit … his deeds?’”
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Quote: house of Jacob (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jacob’s descendants. Alternate translation: “descendants of Jacob”
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Quote: said & “Is the Spirit of Yahweh angry? Are these really his deeds?” (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This could mean: (1) the people really do not know if they are seeing Yahweh act. Alternate translation: “asked … ‘Is the Spirit of Yahweh angry? Are these really his deeds?’” or (2) the people do not believe that Yahweh is really punishing them. These rhetorical questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “said … ‘The Spirit of Yahweh is not really angry. These are not really his deeds.’”
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Quote: Do not my words do good to anyone who walks uprightly? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Micah uses a question to teach the people. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “My message does good to those who walk uprightly.”
Micah 2:8
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Quote: my people (0)Here, my people could mean: (1) Micah’s people or (2) Yahweh’s people.
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Quote: You strip the robe, the garment, from those who pass by unsuspectingly (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This could mean: (1) the wicked rich people are literally stealing robes from the poor or (2) creditors are keeping the outer garments of the poor who come to borrow money and give the garment as assurance they will repay.
Micah 2:9
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Quote: you take my blessing from their young children forever (0)This refers, in general, to blessings God has given to his people. It could refer to (1) being landowners in Israel, (2) a promising future or (3) to the children’s fathers, farmers who worked hard to establish the nation.
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Quote: my blessing (0)Micah speaks as if he were Yahweh.
Micah 2:10
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Quote: it is destroyed with complete destruction (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will completely destroy it”
Micah 2:11
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Quote: comes to you … will prophesy to you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Micah is speaking to the people of Judah, so both instances of “you” are plural.
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Quote: he would be considered (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people would consider him” or “you would consider him”
Micah 2:12
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Quote: all of you, Jacob (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Micah is speaking to some of the descendants of Jacob, so the word “you” is plural.
Micah 2:13
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Quote: Someone who breaks open their way … Yahweh will be at their head. (0)This is a picture of a king leading his people out of an enclosed city.
Micah 3
Micah 3 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Justice
An unjust society was considered to be against the law of Moses. If these kingdoms did not have justice, they were not obedient to Yahweh. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Metaphors
There are vivid pictures used in this chapter which show how the leaders of the people were treating the Israelites. These situations are absurd unless taken as a metaphor. (See: Metaphor)
Micah 3:1
General Information:
Chapter 3 focuses on the corrupt leaders in Israel.
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Quote: I said (0)Here “I” refers to Micah.
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Quote: Is it not right for you to understand justice? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Micah is scolding the leaders. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You act as though you think it is wrong for you to understand justice.”
Micah 3:2
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Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)Connecting Statement:
Micah begins to compare the leaders of Israel to butchers.
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Quote: hate good and love evil (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
These nominal adjectives can be translated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “hate everything that is good and love everything that is evil”
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Quote: you who tear off their skin, their flesh from their bones (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A butcher cutting up animals into meat is a metaphor for the leaders being cruel to the poor.
Micah 3:3
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Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)Connecting Statement:
Micah finishes comparing the leaders of Israel to butchers.
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Quote: just like meat in a cauldron (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A butcher cutting up animals into meat is a metaphor for the leaders being cruel to the poor.
Micah 3:4
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Quote: cry out to Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “shout to Yahweh for help”
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Quote: he will not answer you (0)Alternate translation: “he will not do what you ask him to do”
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Quote: He will hide his face from you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Hiding the face is a metaphor for refusing to listen. Alternate translation: “He will turn his face away from you and cover it”
Micah 3:5
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Quote: who lead my people astray (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Walking on a good path is a metaphor for obeying God. Going astray from the path is a metaphor for disobeying God, in this case perhaps without knowing it. Alternate translation: “who lead my people to disobey me”
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Quote: if one gives them something to eat, they proclaim, ‘Peace.’ (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah is using a metaphor to describe a situation that actually happens. Alternate translation: “they tell people who pay them even a small amount that things will go well for those people.”
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Quote: if he puts nothing in their mouths, they dedicate themselves to wage war on him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah is using a metaphor to describe a situation that actually happens. Alternate translation: “they do all they can to destroy people who pay them too little”
Micah 3:6
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Quote: it will be night for you … the day will be dark on them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Darkness is a metaphor for Yahweh not speaking to the prophets.
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Quote: no vision for you (0)Alternate translation: “you will no longer see visions”
Micah 3:7
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Quote: The seers will be put to shame, and the diviners will be confused (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will cause the seers to be ashamed, and I will confuse the diviners”
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Quote: All of them will cover their lips (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “lips” represents speaking. Alternate translation: “They shall no longer speak”
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Quote: there is no answer from me (0)Alternate translation: “I will be silent”
Micah 3:8
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Quote: But as for me (0)Here “me” refers to Micah, a true prophet, setting himself apart from the false prophets.
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Quote: I am full of power by the Spirit of Yahweh, and am full of justice and might (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah speaks of himself as if he were a container into which Yahweh were pouring a liquid. Alternate translation: “the Spirit of Yahweh has given me power, justice, and might” or “the Spirit of Yahweh has enabled me to be strong, to declare what justice is, and to be mighty”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “Jacob” and “Israel” are metonyms for Jacob’s descendants. Alternate translation: “to declare to Jacob’s descendants that they have broken Yahweh’s law; I am telling the people of Israel that they have all sinned”
Micah 3:9
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Quote: house of Jacob (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jacob’s descendants. Alternate translation: “descendants of Jacob”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the house of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Israel’s descendants, who had become the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “descendants of Israel”
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Quote: detest (0)strongly dislike
Micah 3:10
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Quote: You build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“Blood” here is a metonym for murder, and “Zion” and “Jerusalem” are spoken of as if they were buildings. Alternate translation: “You commit murder and other horrible sins as you work to make Zion and Jerusalem great”
Micah 3:11
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Quote: Is not Yahweh with us? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The leaders strongly believe that Yahweh is with them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We know that Yahweh is with us!” or “We know that Yahweh will help us do what we want to do!”
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Quote: evil (0)See how you translated “disaster” in Micah 1:12.
Micah 3:12
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Quote: because of you (0)Here “you” refers to the priests, prophets, and leaders (Micah 3:11).
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Quote: Zion will become a plowed field … and the hill of the temple will become a thicket (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“Zion” and “the hill of the temple” refer to the same place. When a farmer plows a field, he turns over all the dirt and uproots all the plants that are growing there. A thicket is so full of bushes that no one can use it for anything. These two metaphors cannot be literally true at the same time, but they emphasize that Yahweh will allow the invaders to completely destroy the temple area.
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Quote: a plowed field (0)Alternate translation: “a field that a farmer has plowed”
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Quote: a thicket (0)a place where many small woody plants grow
Micah 4
Micah 4 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter continues the poetic form to communicate that God will one day restore Israel. (See: restore, restoration)
Special concepts in this chapter
Remanant
Micah speaks about a future hope and a remnant who will return to their homeland. Verses 1–8 are a vision of the future when God will restore Israel to its former glory. These verses will give hope to those about to be removed from their homeland. (See: remnant)
Micah 4:1
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Quote: the mountain … other mountains (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh making the temple mount higher than all other mountains and hills is a metaphor for making his temple the most important place on earth.
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Quote: the mountain of Yahweh’s house will be established (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will establish the mountain on which his temple is built”
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Quote: over the other mountains (0)Mount Zion will be the most important of all the mountains. It might also mean that this mountain will become the highest in the world, and not only in the region where it is located.
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Quote: It will be exalted above the hills (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will exalt it above the hills” or “Yahweh will make it higher than the hills”
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Quote: peoples will stream to it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A stream flows continually to one place from many directions. Many people come to the temple mount from different directions. Alternate translation: “the people of the nations will flow like a stream to it” or “the people of the nations will go to it”
Micah 4:2
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Quote: Many nations (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “nations” is a metonym for the people of the nations. Alternate translation: “The people from many nations”
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Quote: Come (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
This is plural.
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Quote: He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “his ways” and “his paths” refer to what God wants the people to do. “Walk” means they will obey what he says.
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Quote: from Zion the law will go out, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The law and the word going out is a metaphor for people hearing it and then being messengers to tell other people about it in other places. Alternate translation: “people will listen to the law in Zion and go out and tell others; they will listen to the word of Yahweh in Jerusalem and go out and tell others”
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Quote: and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The words “will go out” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “and the word of Yahweh will go out from Jerusalem”
Micah 4:3
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Quote: plowshares (0)a blade that people use to dig into soil so they can plant seeds
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Quote: pruning hooks (0)a metal tool that people use to cut off branches or stems from plants
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Quote: will not lift up sword (0)will not threaten to start a war
Micah 4:4
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Quote: they will sit every person under his vine and under his fig tree (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Both the “vine” and the “fig tree” are symbols of prosperity. This phrase describes actions in which people live prosperously and in peace. If grapevines or fig trees are unknown you can translate this more generally. Alternate translation: “they will sit peacefully in their own gardens and fields”
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Quote: for the mouth of Yahweh of hosts has spoken (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The mouth is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “for Yahweh of hosts has spoken”
Micah 4:5
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Quote: the peoples walk … in the name of their god … we will walk in the name of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Walking on a path is a metaphor for living one’s life. Walking in the name of someone is a metaphor for worshiping and obeying. Alternate translation: “the peoples … worship and obey their god … we will worship and obey Yahweh”
Micah 4:6
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Quote: the lame (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This refers to those who cannot walk well. Being lame is a synecdoche for having any form of disability.
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Quote: gather the outcast (0)Alternate translation: “gather those whom I drove out of Jerusalem”
Micah 4:7
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Quote: the ones driven away into a strong nation (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
The phrase “the ones driven away” can be translated with an active verb. Alternate translation: “I will turn the ones I drove away into a strong nation”
Micah 4:8
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Quote: As for you, watchtower for the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion—to you it will come, your former dominion (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
Micah speaks to the people of Jerusalem by speaking to the temple mount as if it could hear him. You may need to make explicit that Micah is giving his message to the people. Alternate translation: “As for the temple mount, the place from which Yahweh watches over you, his sheep, the place that Jerusalem’s people are most proud of—its former dominion will return”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: watchtower for the flock (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The people of Jerusalem protecting the other people in surrounding areas is spoken of as if they were a shepherd in a watchtower watching over his flock.
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Quote: daughter of Zion … daughter of Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The people who live in a place are spoken of as if the place is a mother and they are the daughter. Alternate translation: “people who live in Zion … people who live in Jerusalem”
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Quote: hill (0)Some modern versions understand this Hebrew word to mean “fortress” or “stronghold” here.
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Quote: to you it will come, your former dominion (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word dominion, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “you will rule over the nations as you did before” or “I will make you rule over the nations as you did before”
Micah 4:9
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Quote: Now, why do you shout so loudly? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Micah is mocking the people, trying to make them think about why God is dealing with them in this way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Look at how you are shouting loudly.”
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Quote: Is there no king among you? Has your counselor died? Is this why pain grips you like that of a woman in labor? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Micah continues to mock the people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind these questions as statements. Alternate translation: “You have a king, but he is useless to you. All your wise people are still alive, but they have nothing wise to say to you. This is why you are weeping loudly like a woman who is giving birth to a baby.”
Micah 4:10
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Quote: Be in pain … like a woman in labor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Micah compares the suffering the people will experience when enemies force them away from their cities to the pain a woman experiences when giving birth to a baby.
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Quote: There you will be rescued. There Yahweh will rescue you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
Yahweh says the same thing in both active and passive forms to emphasize that he will do what he has said he will do. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “There Yahweh will rescue you. There he will rescue you”
Micah 4:11
General Information:
Jerusalem will defeat her enemies.
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Quote: Let her be defiled (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Let us defile her”
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Quote: let our eyes gloat over Zion (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The eye is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “let us gloat over Zion” or “let us enjoy watching the invaders destroy Zion”
Micah 4:12
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Quote: for he has gathered them like bundles of grain prepared for the threshing floor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
The writer speaks of Yahweh being ready to destroy the nations as if Yahweh were a farmer who has put his bundles of grain on his threshing floor and is now ready to thresh them.
Micah 4:13
General Information:
Yahweh presents the imagery of the threshing floor (Micah 4:12).
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Quote: Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion … your horn … your hooves … You will crush (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
All instances of “your” and “you,” as well as the commands, refer to the “daughter of Zion” and so are singular and feminine.
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Quote: Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn to be iron, and I will make your hooves to be bronze (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of the people of Zion as if they were strong oxen about to thresh wheat and their enemies were the wheat.
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Quote: their unjust wealth (0)Alternate translation: “the wealth they got by acting unjustly” or “the things they stole from other people”
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Quote: their wealth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wealth, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “the things that they own”
Micah 5
Micah 5 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Messiah
This chapter contains a prophecy explaining that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. This meaning is made clear in the New Testament. (See: Micah 5:2, prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and Christ, Messiah)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Change in Personal Pronouns
Extra care must be taken in translating pronouns in this chapter. Sometimes “I” is a reference to the author and other times it is a reference to Yahweh. There is also a noticable shift where the author stops speaking about the people as “you” and begins speaking about them as “we” or “us.”
Micah 5:1
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Quote: daughter of soldiers (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The people of a city are spoken of as if they were a woman. The soldiers are attacking the city. Alternate translation: “people of the city, whom soldiers are attacking”
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Quote: With a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The rod is a metonym for a greater man punishing a lesser man with a rod. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will punish the judge of Israel by having the invaders insult the judge of Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the judge of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony
This irony describes the king as having lost so much of his power and authority that he is really only a judge.
Micah 5:2
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Quote: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
Yahweh speaks to the people of Judah, and especially to the people of Bethlehem, as if he were speaking to the town of Bethlehem itself.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ephrathah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is either the name of the area in which Bethlehem was situated or it is just another name for Bethlehem or it distinguishes this Bethlehem from another. Bethlehem is about six miles south of Jerusalem. It was the hometown of King David. Translators may add this footnote: “The name ‘Ephrathah’ means ‘to be fruitful.’”
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Quote: even though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come (0)Alternate translation: “even though other clans in Judah have more people in them, it is one of your people who will come”
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Quote: will come to me (0)Here “me” refers to Yahweh.
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Quote: whose beginning is from ancient times, from everlasting (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
This refers to the ruler descending from the ancient family of King David. The phrases “from ancient times” and “from everlasting” mean basically the same thing and emphasize how old this family line is.
Micah 5:3
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Quote: Therefore (0)Alternate translation: “Because what I have just said is true” or “Because this ruler will come later”
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Quote: will give them up (0)will abandon the people of Israel
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Quote: until the time when she who is in labor bears a child (0)This refers to the time when the ruler is born, a limited time.
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Quote: the rest of his brothers (0)“the rest of the ruler’s fellow Israelites,” who are in exile
Micah 5:4
General Information:
These verses continue describing the ruler from Bethlehem.
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Quote: He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A shepherd, who feeds and protects his sheep, is a metaphor for the ruler, who will provide for and protect the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will give him the strength to lead his people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The person’s name is a metonym for person’s authority. Alternate translation: “and people will honor him because Yahweh his God has given him the authority to rule”
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Quote: They will remain (0)the people of Israel will remain
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Quote: remain (0)Alternate translation: “live in safety”
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Quote: he will be great to the ends of the earth (0)All people from every nation will give honor to Israel’s ruler.
Micah 5:5
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Quote: seven shepherds and eight leaders over men (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “shepherds” is a metonym for “rulers,” another way of saying “leaders over men.” Alternate translation: “enough, even more than enough, rulers”
Micah 5:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in its entrances (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sword is a metonym for killing in war. Alternate translation: “They will make war against the people of Assyria, and they will rule the cities of the land of Nimrod”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: and the land of Nimrod (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The words “they will shepherd” are understood from the beginning of the sentence. They can be repeated. Alternate translation: “and they will shepherd the land of Nimrod”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: land of Nimrod (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is another name for the land of Assyria. Nimrod was a hunter and early ruler. Translators may add this footnote: “The name ‘Nimrod’ means ‘rebellion.’”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He will rescue (0)The ruler will rescue
Micah 5:7
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Quote: like dew from Yahweh, like showers on the grass (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Dew and rain showers refresh the land and cause things to grow. The Israelites will cause the people among whom they live to live will.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: grass, that do not wait for a man, and they do not wait for the children (0)“grass. It is not for a man that they wait, nor is it for the children.” It is Yahweh alone who causes dew and rain showers.
Micah 5:8
General Information:
Yahweh promises that the Israelites who are alive after Yahweh has punished his people with war will completely defeat and rule over their enemies.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: remnant of Jacob (0)descendants of Jacob who survive the war
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Quote: among the nations, among many peoples (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the “remnant of Jacob” will live in many different nations.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Lions are able to kill and eat any wild animal of the forest, and they easily kill sheep. Alternate translation: “like the fiercest of wild animals, like a wild animal that kills helpless livestock”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: When he goes through them (0)when the young lion goes through the flocks of sheep
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Quote: will trample over them and tear (0)Alternate translation: “will jump on them so they fall down, and then he will tear”
Micah 5:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Your hand … your enemies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
The writer is speaking to Yahweh, so both instances of “your” are masculine singular.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Your hand will be lifted against your enemies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The hand is a metonym for the power that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “You will completely defeat your enemies”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: it will destroy them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The hand is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “you will destroy them”
Micah 5:10
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Quote: I will destroy your horses from among you and will demolish your chariots (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The people of Israel used horses and chariots only in battle, and they may have traded for them with the godless nations around them. God did not want the people to trust in their weapons of war to protect them more than they trusted in him.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your horses … among you … your chariots (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
Micah 5:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your land … your strongholds (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
Micah 5:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the witchcraft in your hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Being in the “hand” represents the actions that the person does. Alternate translation: “the witchcraft that you do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your hand … you will (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
Micah 5:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your carved … your stone … among you. You will … your hands (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the workmanship of your hands (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word workmanship, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “make.” Alternate translation: “what your hands have made”
Micah 5:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your Asherah … among you … your cities (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: will uproot your Asherah poles (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of Asherah poles as if they were trees that he would pull out of the ground. Alternate translation: “will pull your Asherah poles out of the ground”
Micah 6
Micah 6 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter is written as a court case or lawsuit by Yahweh against His people. (See: people of God)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Names in Lawsuit
Moses, Aaron and Miriam are mentioned as witnesses for Yahweh and against Israel. Ahab and Omri are mentioned as kings who were evil and did not follow Yahweh. Obedience to the law of Moses is contrasted with disobedience to the law. (See: testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence and evil, wicked, unpleasant and law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God)
Micah 6:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now listen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
Micah speaks to the people of Israel as if he were speaking to mountains that can hear him, so both instances of “listen” are plural.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Arise … state (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Micah speaks to the people of Israel as if they were one man, so the commands and the word “your” are singular.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Arise and state your case before the mountains; let the hills hear your voice (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Yahweh speaks as if he is in court and the mountains and hills are the judges. He commands the people of Israel to tell the judges why they have done what they did.
Micah 6:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Listen to Yahweh’s lawsuit (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
Micah speaks to the people of Israel as if he were speaking to mountains that can hear him, so both instances of “listen” are plural.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you mountains … you enduring foundations of the earth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Micah is speaking to these things as if they are humans. Micah is using the mountains, hills, and foundations of the earth as an eternal witness against his people’s idolatry.
Micah 6:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: My people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Testify against me! (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
God uses questions to emphasize that he is a good God, and he has done nothing to cause the people to stop worshiping him. Alternate translation: “My people, I have been good to you. I have done nothing to make you tired of me. If you think I have, testify against me, now.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to you … wearied you? Testify (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Yahweh speaks to the people as if they were one man, so all instances of “you” and all the commands are masculine singular.
Micah 6:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: brought you … rescued you … Miriam to you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Yahweh speaks to the people as if they were one man, so all instances of “you” and all the commands are masculine singular.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: house of bondage (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A house is a metaphor for a place in which one lives for a long time. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word bondage, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “to be slaves.” Alternate translation: “the place where you were slaves for a long time”
Micah 6:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: remember … you went … you may know (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Yahweh speaks to the people as if they were one man, so all instances of “you” and all the commands are masculine singular.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what Balak … devised (0)“the plans Balak … made to harm you
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: how Balaam … answered him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This could mean: (1) Balaam obeyed Balak by coming when Balak called him, Alternate translation: “how Balaam … did what Balak asked him to do” or (2) Balaam explained to Balak why Balaam had blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them as Balak had commanded. Alternate translation: “what Balaam told Balak”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Beor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of Balaam’s father.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Shittim (0)This is the name of a place in Moab.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh refers to himself by his own name. Alternate translation: “so that you may remember the righteous things that I, Yahweh, have done for you”
Micah 6:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What should I bring to Yahweh … God? Should I come … old? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Micah speaks as if he were a person who truly wanted to know what God expects him to do. This could mean: (1) he asks questions and then in verse 8 answers the questions he has asked or (2) he is using questions to teach the people. Alternate translation: “I know that I do no need to bring to Yahweh … God, or come … old”
Micah 6:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Will Yahweh be pleased … oil? Should I give … sin? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Micah continues to speaks as if he were a person who truly wanted to know what God expects him to do. This could mean: (1) he asks questions and then in verse 8 answers the questions he has asked or (2) he is using questions to teach the people. Alternate translation: “I know that Yahweh will not be pleased … oil or if I give … sin.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: thousands of rams … ten thousand rivers of oil (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“rams in groups of 1,000 … 10,000 rivers of oil” (See also: Numbers)
Micah 6:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He has told you (0)Alternate translation: “Yahweh has told you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: good, and what Yahweh requires from you: Act … God (0)Many versions read, “good. And what does Yahweh require from you? He wants you to act … God.” or “good. And what does Yahweh require from you but to act … God?”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: love kindness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word kindness, you can express the same idea with an adjective such as “kind.” Alternate translation: “love being kind to people”
Micah 6:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: even now wisdom acknowledges your name (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Wisdom is spoken of as a person and is a metonym for the wise person. Alternate translation: “and the wise person will fear you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Pay attention to the rod, and to the one who has put it in place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “rod” refers to the enemy army with which Yahweh, who “has put it in place,” will discipline his people.
Micah 6:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: There is wealth in the houses of the wicked that is dishonest (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Dishonest wealth is a metonym for wealth that people have gained by acting dishonestly. Alternate translation: “Wicked people have acted dishonestly to gain wealth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: false measures (0)incorrect weights that people use with scales to increase their wealth by deceiving those with whom they trade
Micah 6:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Should I consider a person to be innocent … weights? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I certainly will not consider a person innocent … weights.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: deceptive weights (0)weights with which sellers deceive buyers
Micah 6:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The rich men are full of violence (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Rich men are spoken of as if they were containers, and people treating each other violently is spoken of as if it were a liquid that could be put into a container. Alternate translation: “The rich men act violently toward everyone”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: their tongue in their mouth is deceitful (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The tongue is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “Everything they say is a lie”
Micah 6:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will strike you with a terrible blow (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh striking his people with blows is a metaphor for him punishing them. Alternate translation: “I have punished you severely”
Micah 6:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your emptiness will remain inside you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A person or thing being hungry is spoken of as if it were something that could be put in a container, and the people are spoken of as if they were containers. Alternate translation: “You will be hungry, and you will not be able to eat enough to satisfy yourself”
Micah 6:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The regulations made by Omri have been kept, and all the deeds of the house of Ahab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form, and you may need to supply the words that the ellipsis omitted. Alternate translation: “You have done what Omri commanded, and you have done the same things the house of Ahab did”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Omri … Ahab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Both of these men were kings over the northern kingdom of Israel. God considered both of them to be very wicked.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: house of Ahab (0)The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Ahab”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You walk by their advice (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Walking on a path is a metaphor for how a person lives his life. Alternate translation: “You do what Omri and Ahab told the people to do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will make you, city, a ruin, and you inhabitants an object of hissing (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
Micah speaks to the people of the city, who can hear him, as if he were speaking to the city itself, which cannot hear him. You may need to make explicit the words that the ellipsis omits. Alternate translation: “I will make your city a ruin, and I will make you inhabitants an object of hissing”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you will bear the reproach of my people (0)Alternate translation: “you will suffer because my people will reproach you”
Micah 7
Micah 7 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Last days
This chapter looks forward to the hope of the coming savior for the faithful remnant. This is the future restoration of Israel when true peace will come. (See: Savior, savior, faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy and remnant and restore, restoration)
Prophet
The prophet was able to speak to God on behalf of the people. Often in this chapter, the prophet speaks in Israel’s place and offers repentance to Yahweh. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and repent, repentance)
Micah 7:1
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Quote: I have become like the gathering of summer fruit, and like the grapes that have been gleaned (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah speaks of looking for faithful people but being unable to find any as if he were a person looking for food after the harvesters have taken it all. Alternate translation: “I have become like someone looking for fruit after the gathering of summer fruit, like a gleaner after the grapes have been gleaned”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: no grape cluster … no ripe early fig (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah speaks of faithful, upright people as if they were fruit that is good to eat.
Micah 7:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The faithful ones have disappeared … land; there is no upright person … They all lie in wait … blood; each one hunts (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
These are exaggerations. Alternate translation: “I feel as though faithful people have disappeared … land and there is no upright person … I feel as though they all lie in wait … blood, and each one hunts”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to shed blood (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Blood is a metaphor for the death of innocent people. Alternate translation: “to kill innocent people”
Micah 7:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Their hands are very good (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The hand is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “The people are very good”
Micah 7:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The best of them is like a brier, the most upright is worse than a thorn hedge (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Briers and thorns are good for nothing and harm those who touch them. The Israelite rulers and judges did nothing good and harmed people.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the most upright (0)Alternate translation: “those of them who try hardest to do what is good”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It is the day foretold by your watchmen, the day of your punishment (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
Micah speaks to the people of Israel, so both instances of “your” are plural. Alternate translation: “Their prophets have told them that Yahweh would punish them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now is the time of their confusion (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word confusion, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Now is when they do not understand what is happening”
Micah 7:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Do not trust any neighbor (0)Micah continues to show that there is no longer anyone good, honest, and loyal to God among God’s people. Here he emphasizes that they cannot even trust friends or family.
Micah 7:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: people of his own house (0)Micah continues to show that there is no longer anyone good, honest, and loyal to God among God’s people. Here he emphasizes that they cannot even trust friends or family.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The words “rises up” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “a daughter-in-law rises up against her mother-in-law”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his own house (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. Alternate translation: “his own family”
Micah 7:7
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorGeneral Information:
In verse 8 Micah begins speaking as if he were one woman speaking to her enemy, another woman. This is perhaps the daughter of Zion (Micah 1:13), who represents the people of Israel, speaking to the “daughter of soldiers” (Micah 5:1), who represents the nations which attacked Israel.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: But as for me (0)Here “me” refers to Micah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will wait for the God of my salvation (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word salvation, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “I will wait for the God who saves me” or “I will wait for God, who saves me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: will hear me (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “hear” represents hearing and acting. Alternate translation: “will act to help me”
Micah 7:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fall … rise (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
These words are metaphors for suffering from disaster and then recovering.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: sit in darkness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
These words are a metaphor for suffering from disaster.
Micah 7:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will bear his rage (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Rage is spoken of as if it were a solid object that Yahweh was forcing Micah to carry. Alternate translation: “I will suffer because he is angry with me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: until he pleads my cause, and executes judgment for me (0)Yahweh will punish the people of the other nations who harmed the people of Israel.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he pleads my cause (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is spoken of as if he were defending Micah in court. Alternate translation: “he defends me against those who harm me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: executes judgment for me (0)Alternate translation: “brings about justice for me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He will bring me to the light (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Bringing Micah from darkness (Micah 7:8) to light is a metaphor for ending the suffering from disaster and enabling him to live well.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: rescue me in his justice (0)Alternate translation: “bring justice to me and rescue me”
Micah 7:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my enemy … the one who said … your God … My eyes (0)The words “enemy,” “one,” “your,” and “my” here refer to the women in the poem and so are feminine singular.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Where is Yahweh your God? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The enemy uses a question to mock the people of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Yahweh your God cannot help you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: My eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This phrase here refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “I” or “We”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: she will be trampled down (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “her enemies will trample her down”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: like the mud in the streets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
People who walk on mud without thinking they are doing anything bad are compared with those who will destroy Israel’s enemies without thinking they are doing anything evil.
Micah 7:11
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youGeneral Information:
Micah speaks to the people of Israel as if he were speaking to one man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: A day to build your walls will come (0)Here “walls” refers to the walls around their cities, which provided safety and security from their enemies.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the boundaries will be extended very far (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will greatly extend the boundaries of your land” or “Yahweh will greatly increase the size of your kingdom”
Micah 7:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the River (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to make explicit the name of river. Alternate translation: “the Euphrates River”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from sea to sea (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to make explicit the names of the seas. “from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Dead Sea in the east”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from mountain to mountain (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“from one mountain to another.” Micah does not speak of any particular mountain.
Micah 7:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the land will be desolate (0)Alternate translation: “the land will be empty” or “no one will live in the land”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: because of the fruit of their actions (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fruit is a metaphor for the results of an earlier action. Alternate translation: “because of the results of what they have done”
Micah 7:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Shepherd your people with your rod, the flock of your inheritance (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah is praying to Yahweh, asking him to protect his people of Israel again. Here “rod” refers to God’s leadership and guidance, as a shepherd uses a stick to guide and protect his sheep.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They live alone in a thicket, in the midst of a pastureland (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Micah speaks of his people as if they were wild animals hiding in bushes instead of livestock grazing in fields with much grass to eat.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a thicket (0)a place where many small woody plants grow
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Bashan and Gilead (0)These regions are known as rich land for growing food.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: as in the old days (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Bashan and Gilead had been part of Israel long ago, when David was king.
Micah 7:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As in the days … them wonders (0)Yahweh speaks to the people.
Micah 7:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The nations (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The word “nations” is a metonym for the people who live in many nations. Alternate translation: “The people of the nations nearby”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They will put their hands on their mouths (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
They do this to show that they are ashamed of what they have done.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: their ears will be deaf (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Nothing anyone says will have any effect on them.
Micah 7:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: their dens (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The people are spoken of as if they were animals, because animals live in “dens.” Alternate translation: “their homes” or “their hiding places”
Micah 7:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who is a God like you—who takes … inheritance? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Micah is emphasizing that there is no God like Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know that there is no God like you, who takes … inheritance.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the remnant of his inheritance (0)Alternate translation: “those of his chosen people who have survived his punishment”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you … of the remnant of his inheritance? He does not keep his anger forever, because he delights in his covenant faithfulness. (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Here the words “his” and “he” can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: “you … of the remnant of your inheritance, who do not keep your anger forever, because you delight in your covenant faithfulness?” or “you … of the remnant of your inheritance? You do not keep your anger forever, because you delights in your covenant faithfulness.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he delights in his covenant faithfulness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word faithfulness, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “faithful.” Alternate translation: “he delights in being faithful to his covenant” or “he delights in being faithful to his people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: passes over (0)ignores
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: does not keep his anger (0)Alternate translation: “does not stay angry”
Micah 7:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You will (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you
Here “you” refers to Yahweh.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: on us (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
Here “us” refers to Micah and the people, but not to Yahweh.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you will trample our iniquities under your feet. You will throw all our sins into the depths of the sea (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Iniquity and sin are spoken of as if they were solid objects. Alternate translation: “You will treat our iniquities and sins as if they were not important”
Micah 7:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You will give truth to Jacob and covenant faithfulness to Abraham (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the names of Jacob and Abraham are metonyms for their descendants, the people of Israel to whom Micah was speaking. Alternate translation: “You will show the descendants of Jacob and Abraham that your are trustworthy and faithful to your covenant”