6:2a–b
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
2a “Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment,
2b
you enduring foundations of the earth.
There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:2b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:2a. For example:
2b
⌊hear⌋ you enduring foundations of the earth ⌊the LORD’s indictment⌋.
In these parallel lines, Micah began conducting the case of the LORD against Israel. He first called/summoned the mountains and the foundations of the earth to be witnesses in the case.
6:2a
Hear: This is the same Hebrew word as in 6:1a.
O mountains: Here Micah addressed the mountains directly, as if they could hear and understand him. Some versions have added the word “you” or O to make it clear that O mountains, is a term of address (vocative).
Use a term of address (vocative) that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of listeners. In some languages, it may be helpful to use a simile here. For example:
Mountains, I call on you as witnesses to listen to the accusation of the LORD.
the LORD’s indictment: In Hebrew, the word for indictment is a form of the same word as “plead my case” in 6:1b. See the note there for more detail.
6:2b
you enduring foundations of the earth: This phrase may refer to the bottoms of the mountains. It indicates the very old, unchanging parts of the land that had witnessed Israel’s entire history.
Here are some other examples:
You firm foundations of the earth! (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Listen, you strong foundations of the earth. (God’s Word)
Micah addressed the enduring foundations of the earth directly. For more information on how to translate the vocative you see “O mountains” in 6:2a.
6:2c–d
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
2c For the LORD has a case against his people,
2d and He will argue it against Israel :
These lines give the reason why Micah asked the mountains and foundations of the earth to hear. The reason was to hear the lawsuit.
For: This word introduces a reason.
Here are some ways to introduce this clause:
• Use a conjunction such as For or “because.” For example:
because the Lord has a case against His people (New American Standard Bible)
• Leave implied that the clause is a reason. For example:
The Lord has a case against his people. (Good News Translation)
Use a natural way in your language to introduce a reason.
has a case against…will argue it against: These parallel phrases are very similar in meaning. The word case against means an “argument.” Here both phrases refer to the legal case that the LORD (through Micah) was about to argue against the people of Israel.
Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:
He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The Lord has a legal case against his people, and he will accuse Israel. (New Century Version)
-or-
The Lord has filed a lawsuit against his people. He is arguing his case against Israel. (God’s Word)
against His people…Israel: Here the word against introduces the defendants in the case. The defendants in the LORD’s case were his people, Israel.
Both of the terms His people and Israel refer to the people of Israel. However, Micah may have used the phrase His people to remind them that they were obligated to live according to their covenant with the LORD. The phrase may also indicate that the LORD had the right to make this case against them.
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