This verse is a pivot between the three verses that precede it and the four that follow. On the one hand it goes closely with verses 5-7, since it gives the evidence that Micah himself is a true prophet, in contrast with the false prophets. On the other hand, by saying that the role of the true prophet is to denounce sin, it naturally leads into verses 9-12, where Israel’s sins are denounced. Because of these links both backwards and forwards, some translations include this verse in one paragraph with verses 5-7 (Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible), and others include it in one paragraph with verses 9-12 (New English Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version). In the Hebrew, the close parallel in language between verse 9 and verse 1 suggests that verse 9 is indeed the beginning of a new section, and that verse 8 is better taken with verses 5-7. However, if a translator feels that the flow of thought in his language will be made smoother by taking verses 8-12 together, he can of course do so.
The opening words of the verse, But as for me, mark a strong contrast between Micah and the false prophets. This type of contrast will be expressed in many different ways in other languages, so the translator’s main concern here should be the meaning rather than the words. For example, some languages might say “But I am not like them. Instead, I am filled….”
The passive form of Revised Standard Version “I am filled” is turned into an active in Good News Translation, with the implied actor expressed: the LORD fills me. In some languages it may not seem possible or natural to use the word for fills in the way it is used in this verse. The meaning is that God caused Micah to have these qualities in a very strong or special way, and it should be possible to find an expression that has this meaning.
Micah is filled with four things. The first is rendered power in both Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version, and implies not only physical strength but moral strength as well.
The second appears in Revised Standard Version as “the Spirit of the LORD.” The spelling of “Spirit” with a capital “S” implies the Holy Spirit, but it is perhaps out of keeping with Micah’s time to see here a reference to a doctrine that is developed in depth only in the New Testament. The Hebrew word has a wider meaning than the English word “spirit” and also covers the area of meaning for which English uses the words “wind” and “breath.” Probably something more general than a filling by the personal Spirit of God is intended here, and the Hebrew word is translated spirit with a small “s” in Good News Translation, and “breath” in Jerusalem Bible. To be filled with the Lord’s spirit in this sense means to share in his character, so as to be able to see contemporary society and events from the point of view of what the Lord wants people to do.
The third thing with which Micah was filled was “justice” (Revised Standard Version), which is interpreted more fully in this context by Good News Translation as a sense of justice. This means the ability to tell what things are wrong in the society, and what needs to be done to make them right.
The fourth thing is courage, and this is linked closely with the task for which the prophet is sent, to tell the people of Israel what their sins are. Revised Standard Version once again gives the literal form of two synonymous and parallel expressions, “to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.” This repetitiveness is cut out in the single clause of Good News Translation, and many translators will wish to follow this example. The false prophets failed to rebuke the sins of their patrons and even encouraged them. But the true prophet who really was sent by the Lord opposed the sins of his time and society, even though such opposition was almost certain to bring unpopularity (1 Kgs 22.8) or even persecution (2 Chr 24.21-22).
Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. et al. A Handbook on Micah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1978, 1982, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .