7:6a–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6a
For a son dishonors his father,

6b
a daughter rises against her mother,

6c
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

6d
A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

In this verse Micah gave the reason for his warnings to the people in 7:5 not to trust even the people close to them. It was because members of their own households were their enemies.

Micah gives three examples. In each example he describes a relationship between a member of a family to another member. In each relationship the younger member behaves in a way that dishonors and opposes the authority of an older family member. Each was an example of a serious offense in that society.

The examples use singular forms: “son,” “daughter,” “daughter-in-law,” etc. However, each phrase represents a large group of people: “sons,” “daughters,” “daughters-in-law,” etc. In some languages it will be more natural to use plural forms. For example:

Sons refuse to respect their own fathers, daughters rebel against their own mothers, daughters-in-law despise their mothers-in-law. (Contemporary English Version)

7:6a

For: This word introduces a reason for Micah’s warnings in 7:5. See the previous note for more explanation.

Some versions indicate the connection of this verse to the previous ones in a different way. For example, the Good News Translation refers back to the time period that is described in 7:1–5:

In these times sons treat their fathers like fools (Good News Translation)

Some other versions do not have an explicit connecting word or phrase. Instead they leave the connection implied. For example:

A son treats his father with contempt (God’s Word)

a son dishonors his father: In Hebrew, the word dishonors is related to the word for “fool.” In this clause the word means that the son insults and/or dishonors his father by treating him like a fool.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

A son will not honor his father (New Century Version)
-or-
For son insults father (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
For a son thinks his father is a fool (NET Bible)

7:6b

a daughter rises against her mother: In Hebrew, the phrase rises against is an expression that means “to rebel and be defiant.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

A daughter will turn against her mother (New Century Version)
-or-
daughter rebels against mother (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a daughter challenges her mother (NET Bible)
-or-
The daughter defies her mother (New Living Translation (2004))

7:6c

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in this verse part. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 7:6b. For example:

6c and a daughter-in-law ⌊rises⌋ against her mother-in-law

The description of the expression “rises against” in 7:6b applies to this verse part also.

In that society a daughter-in-law normally joined her husband’s family. The daughter-in-law was expected to respect the authority of her mother-in-law. Here she did not show that respect.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and a daughter-in-law will be against her mother-in-law (New Century Version)
-or-
The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a daughter-in-law rebels against her mother-in-law (God’s Word)

7:6d

A man’s enemies are the members of his own household: There are three main interpretations of the referent of the phrase members of his own household :

(1) The phrase refers to family members. For example:

People’s enemies are the members of their own families. (God’s Word)

(Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, New Century Version)

(2) The phrase refers to all the males in a household. For example:

A man’s enemies are the men of his own household (New American Standard Bible)

(King James Version, New American Standard Bible)

(3) The phrase refers to the servants in a household. For example:

a man’s enemies are his own servants (NET Bible)

(NET Bible)

Some versions are ambiguous. They translate the word household literally which leaves implied the referents of the word. However, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It best fits the context of the three relationships described in this verse.

This line is probably a summary statement that refers to the relationships described in 7:6a–c.

enemies: This word refers to people hostile towards others, “foe.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

a person’s enemies will be members of his own family (New Century Version)
-or-
Your family is now your enemy (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 7:5–6

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the verses. For example, in reverse order 7:6 describes the situation first and 7:5 then gives advice on how to respond to the situation.

7:6 Sons disrespect their fathers, daughters rebel against their mothers, and daughters-in-law defy their mothers-in-law. Your enemies are in your own house! 7:5 So don’t trust anyone, not your friends and not even your own wife!

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