Section 7:1–7

Micah lamented about the wickedness of God’s people

This section is a lament of Micah that expresses his sorrow about the lack of righteous people in the land. In 7:1–6, he talked about the wickedness of the people using a combination of figures of speech and direct speech. In 7:7, he concluded the lament by expressing his own hope in the LORD.

Some scholars and versions place 7:7 in the next section. However, expressions of both sorrow and hope are features in some other laments, such as in the Psalms. Also, both 7:1 and 7:7 have first-person pronouns and verbs that enclose third-person descriptions in 7:2–6. This change of word forms probably indicates the start and end of the lament.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

The Total Corruption of the People (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Israel’s Misery (New International Version)
-or-
Misery Turned to Hope (New Living Translation (2004))

Paragraph 7:1–7

7:1

This verse begins Micah’s lament. He uses similes to describe his disappointment that he cannot find any fruit at harvest time.

There are two main interpretations of the situation depicted by the similes:

(1) There was no fruit left to pick after the fruit and grapes were harvested. For example:

I am depressed! indeed, it is as if the summer fruit has been gathered, and the grapes have been harvested. There is no grape cluster to eat, no fresh figs that I crave so much. (NET Bible)

(2) There was no harvest of fruit and grapes. For example:

Woe is me! For I am like the fruit pickers, like the grape gatherers. There is not a cluster of grapes to eat, Or a first-ripe fig which I crave. (New American Standard Bible)

(God’s Word, New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has support from most commentators and versions.

7:1a

Woe is me!: This expression indicates despair. Here are some other ways to express the meaning:

I am depressed! (NET Bible)
-or-
It’s hopeless! (Good News Translation)
-or-
I feel very sad

7:1b–e

The English Standard Version has been used as the source line for 7:1b–c because it maintains both similes and follows the recommended interpretation.

Notice the two sets of parallel lines that follow the underlined part. The lines in bold have similar meaning and the lines in italics have similar meaning:

1b For I have become as when the summer fruit has been gathered, (English Standard Version)

1c
as when the grapes have been gleaned : (English Standard Version)

1d
there is no cluster to eat, (English Standard Version, Berean Standard Bible)

1e
no early fig that I crave. (Berean Standard Bible)

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 7:1c. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 7:1b. For example:

1c
⌊I have become⌋ as when the grapes have been gleaned :

There are two similes in 7:1b–e. The lines are arranged as a chiasm. Lines 7:1b and 7:1e are parts of a simile about summer fruit. Lines 7:1c and 7:1d are parts of a simile about grapes.

In each simile, Micah compares himself to a person who looks for fruit that is left behind after the fruit harvests are done. In the first simile he looks for summer fruit. In the second simile he looks for grapes.

Some versions combine the two similes into one. See the General Comment on 7:1 for examples.

7:1b

For: The word For introduces the reason why Micah is in despair. He explains the reason in the verses that follow, 7:1b–6.

(English Standard Version) I have become as…: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “I have become like harvests of summer fruit…” The implied meaning of the phrase is that Micah compared himself to a person who found no fruit to eat following a harvest. The way they are similar is that both feel despair.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Keep the simile. For example:

I am like the fruit pickers (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I am like a hungry person who… (Good News Translation)
-or-
I am like those gathering… (God’s Word)

• Change the simile into a metaphor. For example:

How wretched I am, a harvester… (New Jerusalem Bible)

(English Standard Version) when the summer fruit has been gathered: This line describes the setting or situation of the simile. The harvest of summer fruit has already been completed.

The phrase summer fruit may refer to fruit that grew in the summer season or it may refer to ripe fruit in general. Some versions leave the word summer implied.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

and all the summer fruit has been picked (New Century Version)
-or-
when the fruit is gathered (New American Bible)

7:1c

(English Standard Version) as when the grapes have been gleaned: This line is more literally “like gleanings of [the] grape harvest.” It describes the setting or situation of the second simile. The harvest of grapes has already been completed.

The word gleaned means that the grapes have been picked a second time after the main harvest.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

and the grapes have been harvested (NET Bible)
-or-
as when the vines have been gleaned (New American Bible)

7:1d

there is no cluster to eat: This line is the final part of the simile about the grape harvest. The person looks for grapes to eat, but he does not find any.

The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cluster means “a cluster/bunch of grapes.”

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

• Make the word “grapes” explicit along with cluster. For example:

not a cluster of grapes (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate the word “grapes” instead of cluster. For example:

there are no grapes left to eat (New Century Version)

1:11a

Depart in shameful nakedness, O dwellers of Shaphir: Grammatically, Micah’s words Depart in shameful nakedness… are a command. However, his intention is not to command them to do something, but to predict what will happen to them. The people of Shaphir will be forced to leave their city in shame. In some languages, it may be clearer to express this as a future event. For example:

You inhabitants of Shaphir! You will depart naked and ashamed.

There is implied information in this verse. An enemy army will capture the people in Shaphir and take them away as slaves or as prisoners of war.

Here are some ways to make this implied information explicit:

You people of Shaphir, go into exile, naked and ashamed. (Good News Translation)
-or-
You people of Shaphir, go as captives into exile —naked and ashamed. (New Living Translation (2004))

Depart:
In Hebrew, the verb phrase used here means that the people in Shaphir will leave their city. Here are some other ways to translate it:

Pass on your way (English Standard Version)
-or-
Take to the road (Revised English Bible)

in shameful nakedness: In Hebrew, both these words are nouns (“nakedness and shame” (New Revised Standard Version)). In many languages, it may be clearer to translate these nouns as adjectives or verbs. The Berean Standard Bible took a mixed approach. For example:

naked and ashamed (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Your captors will strip off your clothes and humiliate you.

When the enemy army captures the people in Shaphir, they will strip off the people’s clothes and lead the people away as captives. That is why the people will be naked and ashamed.

Shaphir: This name means “beautiful” or “pleasant” in Hebrew. But what will happen there will not be pleasant. It will be horrible. You may want to use a footnote to explain the implied information in 1:11a. For example:

1:11a Shaphir means “pleasant.” (New Living Translation (2004) footnote)
-or-
The place name Shaphir means “pleasant” in Hebrew. (NET Bible footnote)

See the third meaning line in the Display for a way to explain the meaning of the pun in the translation itself.

1:11b

The dwellers of Zaanan will not come out: In 1:11a, Micah talked to the people in Shaphir. But here in 1:11b, he talked about the people in Zaanan.

Zaanan: The name Zaanan sounds like the Hebrew word that means “come out” or “come forth.” But even though the name of their town sounds like “come out,” the people there will not come out. They will remain inside their town.

You may want to use a footnote to make explicit the pun in 1:11b. For example:

[Zanaan] This name sounds like the Hebrew word for “come out.” (New Century Version footnote)

In some languages, it may be better to make this meaning explicit in the translation itself. For example:

As for the people in Zaanan, ⌊the name of their town sounds like “come out,” but⌋ they will not go out of their town.

will not come out: Zaanan probably had a wall around the town. The phrase will not come out means that the people will not go outside the wall. Hebrew and most English versions do not supply a reason for their staying inside. The implied reason is that an enemy army will be outside, so the people will be unable or unwilling to face them. In some languages, it may be helpful to make a reason explicit. For example:

Those who live in Zaanan do not dare to come out of their city. (Good News Translation)
-or-
The residents of Zaanan can’t leave their city. (NET Bible)

1:11c

Beth-ezel is in mourning; its support is taken from you: There are at least three ways to interpret this sentence:

(1) Beth-ezel will no longer help protect the people of Judah. It will withdraw its support, because it is in mourning. For example:

Beth Ezel is in mourning; it no longer protects you. (New International Version (2011))
-or-
When you hear the people of Bethezel mourn, you will know that there is no refuge there. (Good News Translation)

(2) Beth-ezel’s foundations will be destroyed. For example:

Beth-Ezel is torn from its foundations, from its strong supports. (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004))

(3) Verse 1:11c is a direct quote. It is what the people in Beth-ezel will say :

The lamentation of Beth-ezel: “He will take from you its support.” (New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.

Beth-ezel: The name of this town is spelled in several ways in different versions. For example:

Beth-ezel (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

Beth Ezel (New International Version)

Beth-Ezel (New Jerusalem Bible)

Bethezel (Good News Translation)

You may want to use a spelling that fits the phonetic rules of your language or a spelling that is used in a language of wider communication in your country.

The literal meaning of Beth-ezel in Hebrew is probably “house of nearness,” meaning “nearby house” or “house next door.” We do not know for sure whether Micah used a pun here. If he did, the probable meaning is that people in nearby towns hoped that the inhabitants of Beth-ezel would help them if an enemy attacked.

It may be helpful to use a footnote to help your readers understand the meaning of the possible pun. For example:

[Beth Ezel] This name means “house by the side of another,” suggesting help or support. (New Century Version footnote)
-or-
The place name Beth Ezel means “house of nearness” or “house of proximity” in Hebrew. (NET Bible footnote)

If you do not use footnotes, you may decide to include the meaning of the place and possible pun in your translation. For example:

The people in Beth-ezel will wail. ⌊The name of their city means “nearby house,” but⌋ they will no longer be nearby to protect/help you.

its support is taken from you:
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

its protection is taken from you (New International Version)
-or-
they will not give you any support (New Century Version)
-or-
you will know that there is no refuge there (Good News Translation)

Notice that the Berean Standard Bible and the New International Version use a present tense verb. Remember that Micah spoke about a disaster that would happen to these cities in the future. When Micah spoke these words, this disaster had not yet happened. You should translate all the verses in 1:10–16 in a way that makes this meaning clear.

from you: The pronoun you is plural in Hebrew. It probably refers to the people of Judah in general.

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

7:12a

On that day: This phrase refers to the same day, or time period, as in 7:11a and 7:11b. See the note on the same phrase under 7:11b for other translation examples.

they will come to you: In Hebrew, the word come means either come or “return.” In Hebrew, the word they is literally indefinite “someone/he.” In this verse the word refers collectively to people from various locations. There are three main interpretations of who the people are:

(1) The reference is to Gentiles and/or to Jewish exiles. For example:

In that day people will come to you. (NET Bible)

(2) The reference is to Jewish exiles. For example:

At that time your people will come back to you (New Century Version)

(3) The reference is to Gentiles. For example:

The day when others come to you. (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). All the versions listed under interpretation (1) leave the identity of the people implied. These versions translate the word they either as they or as “people.” The implied reference could be either “Gentiles,” “Jewish exiles,” or both groups.

to you: The referent of you in this phrase is probably the city of Jerusalem as in the phrase “your walls” in 7:11a. See the note there for more details.

7:12b–e

Notice the similarity between these parallel lines:

12b
from Assyria and the cities of Egypt,

12c even from Egypt to the Euphrates,

12d
from sea to sea

12e and mountain to mountain.

Each of these four lines describes a separate large region. Travelers from each of these regions will journey to Jerusalem. If readers are unfamiliar with these places, it may be helpful to include a map.

from…to: In Hebrew, these words, used together, are an expression that indicates the boundaries of an area. In Hebrew, the word from means “from/from out of” a place. In Hebrew, the word to means “to/as far as” a place. The place names of each boundary are also part of the expression, as shown in each of the examples above.

7:12b

from Assyria and the cities of Egypt:
There is a textual issue regarding this phrase:

(1) Some scholars think that the original text was “from Assyria to Egypt.” For example:

from Assyria to Egypt (Revised English Bible)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text was “from Assyria and [from] Egypt.” For example:

all the way from Assyria, from Egypt (New Jerusalem Bible)

(3) The Masoretic Text has “from Assyria and the cities of Egypt.” For example:

From Assyria and the towns of Egypt (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It is the best match to the parallel line 12c.

The nation of Assyria was northeast of Jerusalem. The nation of Egypt was southwest of Jerusalem. In some languages it may be helpful to include these directions. For example:

from Assyria in the east, from Egypt in the south (Good News Translation)

7:12c

even from Egypt to the Euphrates: There is a textual issue regarding this phrase:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “and from Egypt and to [the] River.” For example:

and from Egypt to the River (English Standard Version)

(2) The LXX and the Peshitta have “from Tyre as far as the river.” For example:

from Tyre even to the River (New American Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with the majority of versions. This line refers to the entire region from Egypt to the Euphrates river.

Here is another way to translate this referent:

From [every land from] Egypt to the Euphrates (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

the Euphrates: This phrase is literally “the river.” It may be helpful to make this referent explicit in your translation as in the Berean Standard Bible. Here is another example:

the Euphrates River (NET Bible)

7:12d

from sea to sea and mountain to mountain: These phrases are more literally “and sea from sea and mountain the mountain.” These phrases probably do not refer to specific seas or mountains. Rather they refer to any seas and any mountains. Most versions supply extra words to make these phrases sound more natural. For example:

from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain (English Standard Version)
-or-
from the seacoasts and the mountains (NET Bible)
-or-
from distant seas and far-off mountains (Good News Translation)

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

6:7

In this verse, the people continued to ask Micah what offerings would please the LORD. However, the amounts and kinds of offerings they asked about were extreme. These questions suggest that the people thought devotion to the LORD was limited to the offering of sacrifices.

6:7a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

7a
Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

7b
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:7b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:7a. For example:

7b
⌊Would the LORD be pleased⌋ with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

In these lines, the people asked if large numbers of offerings would please the LORD. These amounts indicate costly gifts that were far beyond the ability of most worshipers to give.

thousands…ten thousand: The numbers thousands and ten thousand were figures of speech (hyperbole) that indicated a very large number.

In some languages, it may be more natural to use a different word or phrase in place of one or both of these numerical expressions. For example:

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? (New American Bible)
-or-
Will the LORD be pleased if I bring him large herds of sheep or endless rivers of olive oil?

6:7a

rams: rams were animals used for sin offerings. See Leviticus 5:15. A ram is a male sheep. In your language group, you may want to add a picture. In some language groups, it may also be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

Will the Lord be pleased with a thousand male sheep? (New Century Version)

6:7b

rivers of oil: This phrase refers to large amounts of olive oil. Olive oil was used to accompany other offerings, such as grain offerings. See Numbers 15:1–16. In Hebrew, the word rivers refers to a large amount of water that fills a dry river bed or ravine in the rainy season.

If olive oil is unknown in your language, you may want to choose a word that refers to oil used in cooking. Also choose a word or expression in your language that suggests a large amount of liquid. For examples, see the note on “thousands…ten thousand” above.

General Comment on 6:7a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these parallel lines. For example:

Will the LORD be pleased if I bring him sheep and oil in amounts beyond what a person can measure?

6:7c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

7c
Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression,

7d
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:7d. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:7c. For example:

7c
⌊Shall I present⌋ the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

This question was about the sacrifice of a firstborn child. Would that sacrifice be enough to atone for sin? This question shows that the people did not truly know the will of the LORD. Human sacrifice was forbidden by the LORD. See Deuteronomy 18:10.

It is possible that some readers may misinterpret this question to be about the dedication of a child to the LORD or something similar. Make sure that the meaning of human sacrifice is clear in your translation. For example:

Shall I kill my firstborn child as an offering?

my firstborn…the fruit of my body: Both phrases refer to a person’s oldest son. A firstborn son was a person’s most valuable possession.

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

my eldest son…the child of my own body (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
my firstborn child…my offspring—my own flesh and blood (NET Bible)

for my transgression…for the sin of my soul: Both phrases refer to making a payment to atone for sin. The meaning of the phrases is similar. The word transgression means to do wrong by acts that break relationships in a community or with God. The word sin means to disobey God’s will and/or to disregard the rights of other people.

The word soul means “person as a whole: self or body.” The phrase sin of my soul probably means “my own personal sin.”

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

as payment for my rebellion…for my sin (NET Bible)
-or-
for my wrongdoing…for the sin I have committed (Revised English Bible)
-or-
for the evil I have done…for my sin (New Century Version)

General Comment on 6:7c–d

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these parallel lines. For example:

Shall I offer him my first-born child to pay for my sins? (Good News Translation)
-or-
Should I sacrifice to the Lord my first-born child as payment for my terrible sins? (Contemporary English Version)

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 1:1

Heading/Introduction

The first verse of the book of Micah serves as an introductory summary for the entire book. It identifies the prophet’s name, the subject of his message, and the time period during which he lived and prophesied. Most English versions have a separate book title, such as “Micah,” followed directly by 1:1. There are two main ways to show the relationship of 1:1 to the rest of the book:

• Place a section heading before 1:1. Here are some other examples of section headings:

The beginning of the book
-or-
The LORD revealed his words to Micah

• Do not place any heading before 1:1. Instead, place the first heading before 1:2. See the examples in the note on Section 1:2–7. The Notes and many English versions follow this approach. You may follow either approach in your translation.

Micah 1:1 is similar to the first verses of books by other prophets. For example see Hosea 1:1, Joel 1:1, Zephaniah 1:1, Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 1:1, and Isaiah 1:1. If you have already translated some of these verses, consider using a similar style here.

1:1

This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem: This book contains the words spoken by Micah. Because of that, some translators have translated this verse using the pronouns “I” or “me.” For example:

I am Micah from Moresheth. And this is the message about Samaria and Jerusalem that the Lord gave to me when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah. (Contemporary English Version)

This translation is not recommended, because some scholars believe that an editor added this verse after Micah’s messages had been written down. For more details, see “The author, the date, and Micah’s audience” in the introduction.

1:1a

This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite: This verse part indicates that Micah’s messages were from the LORD. In Hebrew, the phrase the word of the LORD is emphasized by its position at the beginning of the verse. Try to keep this emphasis in your translation.

In the Hebrew, this clause is more literally, “the word of the LORD which was to Micah the Moreshite.” In some languages, it may be more natural to translate this verse as a complete sentence, as in the Berean Standard Bible. Here are some other ways to translate this:

The Lord spoke his word to Micah, who was from Moresheth… (God’s Word)
-or-
This is the prophetic message that the Lord gave to Micah of Moresheth. (NET Bible)

word: In some languages, it may be more natural to use plural forms. For example:

These are the words of the Eternal One (Voice)
-or-
The Lord gave these messages to Micah of Moresheth… (New Living Translation (1996))

LORD: The word LORD represents the Hebrew word “Yahweh,” the personal name of God. In Hebrew, this is a proper name, not a title or general noun. See the discussion of Yahweh, the LORD, in the Introduction.

came: In Hebrew, this word is a form of the verb “to be.” It is more literally “became” or “happened.” It indicates here that Micah experienced messages from the LORD as powerful events that occurred in his life. In some languages, it may be possible to translate this idea with a word or expression other than came, “gave,” or “spoke.” For example:

happened to Micah
-or-
Micah experienced

Micah: This is the name of the prophet who spoke these messages to the people. Micah is a shortened form of Micaiah, which means “Who is like the LORD?” in Hebrew.

the Moreshite: Micah’s home town is named Moresheth. Most scholars think that it was a small town about 35 kilometers southwest of Jerusalem. Translate this phrase in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Micah, who was from the town of Moresheth (Good News Translation)
-or-
Micah the Moresheth person.

1:1b

in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah: Micah proclaimed messages from the LORD at various times during the rule of these three kings. They ruled one after the other. They did not rule at the same time. If this is not clear in your translation, you may want to make this information explicit. For example:

⌊He told/spoke these messages⌋ during the time that King Jotham ruled in Judah, until the time that King Ahaz ruled, and then during the time that King Hezekiah ruled.

in the days of: In this context, the Hebrew phrase in the days of refers to the period of time during which these particular kings ruled. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this information clearer. Here are some possible ways to do this:

• Use a noun other than days. For example:

…during the reigns/governing of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

…during the time of…

…during the years of….

• Use a verb. For example:

…when kings Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah ruled/reigned in Judah.

Use an expression that is natural in your language.

Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah: If it is more natural in your language, you can use the title “king” with each name, “King Jotham, King Ahaz, and King Hezekiah in Judah.”

Judah: The name Judah here refers to the southern kingdom of Judah. In some languages, it may be helpful to identify Judah more explicitly. For example:

land of Judah
-or-
country of Judah

1:1c

what he saw: There are two ways to interpret the referent of this relative clause:

(1) The words what he saw refer to “The word of the LORD that came to Micah.” (1:1a). This (referring back) is what Micah saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. For example:

he received it in visions about Samaria and Jerusalem (Revised English Bible)

(2) The words what he saw refer forward to Micah’s vision about Samaria and Jerusalem. There is no explicit connection with “The word of the LORD…” For example:

The visions he saw concerned both Samaria and Jerusalem. (New Living Translation (2004))
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.

It is important to understand the sense in which Micah saw the word that came to him from the LORD. There are different ways to interpret the meaning of the word in this context:

(1) The word saw indicates that Micah saw the messages in the form of visions.

“…the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.” (New International Version)
-or-
His visions about Samaria and Jerusalem. (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The word saw indicates in a general way that Micah received the messages. In other words, the LORD revealed them to Micah in some way that is not stated.

“The Lord revealed to Micah all these things about Samaria and Jerusalem.” (Good News Translation)
-or-
These words/messages were made known to Micah about Samaria and Jerusalem.

(3) The word saw indicates that Micah “prophesied.”

“…who prophesied concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.” (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(4) The word saw indicates that Micah “heard” the messages. No versions follow this interpretation, but it supported by several commentaries.

The Display will follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. You may follow either interpretation (1) or (2). There is little difference in meaning between them.

regarding Samaria and Jerusalem:

• Micah talked about those two cities. He said that Samaria would be destroyed (1:6–7). He said that Jerusalem would be destroyed (3:12).

• Micah also talked to the people who lived in those two cities. He accused them of sinning. He warned them that the LORD would punish them. He also told them that the LORD would bless them again in the future.

• Samaria was the capital of Israel (the northern kingdom). Jerusalem was the capital of Judah (the southern kingdom). So Micah’s message was for all the people in those two countries.

You will probably want to translate the names Samaria and Jerusalem literally. For example:

about Samaria and Jerusalem
-or-
the cities of Samaria and Jerusalem

General Comment on 1:1a–d

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder the parts of this verse. Here are two ways to do this:

• Put the time phrase (1:1b) at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

1b During the time when kings Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah ruled over ⌊the nation of⌋ Judah, 1a the LORD gave the following message to Micah from ⌊the village of⌋ Moresheth. 1c This is the message that the LORD showed him ⌊in a vision⌋ about ⌊the cities of⌋ Samaria and Jerusalem.

• Put the time phrase (1:1b) at the end of the sentence. For example:

1a These are messages from the LORD that Micah from Moresheth experienced. 1c He saw them ⌊in a vision⌋ and he spoke/prophesied concerning Samaria and Jerusalem 1b during the reigns of Kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah.

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

7:2a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

2a
The godly man has perished from the earth ;

2b
there is no one upright among men.

These parallel lines explain why Micah was in despair. The lack of fruit he described in the similes of 7:1 represented the lack of faithful people in the land.

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. (New International Version)
-or-
The faithful are gone from the earth, among men the upright are no more! (New American Bible)
-or-
The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. (New Living Translation (2004))

The godly…upright: In Hebrew, the words godly and upright are two ways to describe a person who followed the standards of Yahweh’s covenant.

The word godly means “a person who obeys God and shows mercy toward others.” The phrase the godly means “faithful people.”

The word upright means “a person who is morally straight and deals fairly with others.”

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

faithful…honest (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
godly people…fair-minded (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
loyal to God…does right (Contemporary English Version)

has perished from the earth…there is no one upright among men: Both phrases mean that there are no faithful, upright people. These phrases do not specify the way that the people disappeared, only that there are none.

7:2a

from the earth: There are two main interpretations of the referent of earth in this phrase:

(1) The referent of the word earth is left implied. Here it probably refers to the land of Israel. For example:

the faithful have vanished from the land (Revised English Bible)

(2) The referent of the word earth is the earth. For example:

The godly has perished from the earth (English Standard Version)

Either interpretation is acceptable. Interpretation (1) fits well with the similes in 7:1 that depict a local, agricultural setting of fig and grape harvests, and with the description of Micah’s contemporaries in 7:3–6. However, interpretation (2) fits well with the parallel line that may have an application beyond Israel. (See the next note).

7:2b

there is no one upright among men: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “and an upright [person] among humankind there [is] not.” The phrase may refer to the absence of upright people among humans. Or, it may be a figure of speech (hyperbole) that refers to the people of Israel. It is acceptable to translate the phrase either way.

Here are some examples:

• Translate the phrase more literally. For example:

there is no one upright among mankind (English Standard Version)

• Leave implied the words “among humankind.” For example:

no one does right (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
not one honest person is to be found (Revised English Bible)

7:2c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

2c
They all lie in wait for blood ;

2d
they hunt one other with a net.

In these parallel lines Micah gives examples of the people’s evil behavior to show that the people in the land are not faithful or upright.

They all…they: The phrase They all and the word they refer to the same people. The reference is probably to every person in the land. Micah highlights especially the officials, judges and powerful people in 7:3. It may be that the corruption began in these groups and spread to the entire population.

Here are some other ways to translate these pronouns:

Everyone…everyone (New Century Version)
-or-
All people…They (God’s Word)
-or-
All of them…every man (New Jerusalem Bible)

lie in wait for blood…hunt one another with a net: These parallel expressions are both figures of speech. The expression lie in wait for blood means “to attack and kill someone.” The expression hunt one another with a net is more literally “each hunts his brother [with] a net.” It compares how a person captured a fellow Israelite to the way a hunter trapped and killed animals.

These expressions describe the behavior of the people of Israel at that time. The expressions may refer to people who killed others for personal gain. It is also possible that they are hyperboles (exaggerations) that refer to people who took advantage of others to benefit themselves in various ways.

Here are some ways to translate these expressions:

• Keep the figures of speech. For example:

They all wait in ambush so they can shed blood…they hunt their own brother with a net (NET Bible)

• Translate the meaning of the expressions more directly. The first example shows that the meaning is evil behavior, but not necessarily murder. The second example regards the meaning to be actual murder. For example:

Everyone is brutal and eager to deceive everyone else. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Everyone is waiting for a chance to commit murder. Everyone hunts down their own people. (Good News Translation)

blood: In Hebrew, this word means “blood that is shed through violence.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

shed blood (New International Version)
-or-
commit murder (Good News Translation)

net: In Hebrew, this word means “a device with holes that is used to capture fish or other animals.”

Here are some ways to translate this word:

• Translate as net or something similar. For example:

net (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
trap (New Century Version)

• Translate as behavior associated with the use of a net. For example:

hunts down (Good News Translation)
-or-
ensnares (New American Bible)

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

1:12a

For the dwellers of Maroth pined for good: Micah spoke here about the inhabitants of Maroth, another town in Judah.

For: In Hebrew, this word probably emphasizes here the certainty of the terrible disaster that would happen. It does not introduce a reason. One way to express this certainty is to begin the verse with a word such as “Indeed.” For example:

Indeed, the residents of Maroth hope for something good to happen. (NET Bible)

Many English versions begin this verse with no connecting word. For some examples, see the New International Version, Good News Translation, and Contemporary English Version quoted below.

Maroth: The name Maroth means “bitterness.” In Hebrew, bitterness was a symbol of sadness or unpleasant experiences. We do not know for sure whether Micah used a pun here. If he did, the probable meaning is that the people in Maroth “pined for good,” but what would happen to them would be bitter, that is, unpleasant.

The situation with the possible pun and its probable meaning is similar to the one with Beth-ezel in 1:11c. Consider using a similar approach here.

It may be helpful to use a footnote to help your readers understand the meaning of the possible pun. For example:

Maroth sounds like the Hebrew term for “bitter.” (New Living Translation (2004) footnote)
-or-
The name Maroth means “bitter.” Eating bitter things is unpleasant. Similarly, unpleasant things will happen to the people in Maroth.

If you do not use footnotes, you may decide to include the meaning of the place and possible pun in your translation. For example:

The inhabitants of Maroth ⌊The name of their town means “bitter.”⌋ will wait anxiously for someone to help them. Nothing good will happen to them.

pined: In Hebrew, this verb phrase can be interpreted in at least three ways:

(1) It means “wait anxiously.” The people of Maroth were worried. They were afraid that no one would help them. For example:

The people of Maroth anxiously wait for relief (Good News Translation)

(2) It means “writhe while waiting.” They twisted or contorted their bodies as they waited in extreme fear. For example:

Those who live in Maroth writhe in pain, waiting for relief… (New International Version)

(3) It means “hope.” The people hoped that someone would help them and that good would result. For example:

the residents of Maroth hope for something good to happen (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries. Interpretation (2) also implies that the people are extremely anxious, but the translation “writhe” requires an unusual form of the original word. The meaning “writhe” is not supported by any commentaries or other versions.

To “pine” means to wait for something to happen and to be anxious (worried and afraid) that it will not happen. In some languages, the expression pined may need to be translated as two clauses or as a direct quote. For example:

The inhabitants of Maroth wait for something good to happen, but they are worried/afraid that nothing good will happen.
-or-
The inhabitants of Maroth wait and wait. They say, “Will anything good ever happen?”

for good: The implied information here is that an enemy army will attack Judah. The people in “Maroth” wait anxiously for good news to come or for something good to happen. Here are some other ways to translate “wait anxiously for good”:

will be anxious for good news to come (New Century Version)
-or-
wait for something good to happen (NET Bible)

See also the Good News Translation (quoted above).

1:12b

but calamity came down from the LORD, even to the gate of Jerusalem: This verse part also begins with the Hebrew word ki. In 1:12a, this word indicated certainty. Here in 1:12b, there are at least two ways to interpret its function:

(1) It indicates either the reason that the people of Maroth wait anxiously or else the reason that nothing good will happen. For example:

because trouble will come from the Lord, all the way to the gate of Jerusalem (New Century Version)

(2) It indicates contrast or concession. The people of Maroth wait anxiously, but/yet although that is the case, nothing good will happen. The reason is that even Jerusalem, the capital city, faced disaster and would need help. For example:

though the Lord has sent disaster against the city of Jerusalem (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. More commentaries follow interpretation (2), but this use of ki is extremely rare. The meaning “because” is much more common.

In some languages, the meaning of ki (“because”) may be clear without giving an explicit conjunction. For example:

From the Lord disaster will come on the gates of Jerusalem. (God’s Word)

Use a natural way in your language to make the correct relationship clear.

came down from the LORD: The verb came down is the same verb in Hebrew that Micah used in 1:3b (“the LORD…will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth”). Here in 1:12b, it means that the LORD will cause the disaster and that this disaster will soon happen.

In some languages, it may not be natural to say that a disaster came down. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the Lord has sent disaster against the gate of Jerusalem (NET Bible)
-or-
The LORD will cause a disaster to happen in front of the gate of Jerusalem.
-or-
trouble will come from the Lord, all the way to the gate of Jerusalem (New Century Version)

to the gate of Jerusalem: In 1:9c, Micah said that the disaster would come “to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem.” Here in 1:12b, he used a shorter phrase, to the gate of Jerusalem. This phrase refers to the main gate in the wall around the city. An enemy army would normally come to the gate in order to break it down and enter the city. Several years after Micah said this, an enemy army did come to Jerusalem and attacked the city. For more details, see 2 Chronicles 32:1–22 and Isaiah 36:1–37:38.

General Comment on 1:12a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to reverse the order of 1:12a and 1:12b. For example:

12b The LORD will cause disaster to come to the gate of Jerusalem. 12a That is why the people in the town of Maroth will wait anxiously for help ⌊but no help will come⌋.

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

7:13a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

13a Then the earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants,

13b
as the fruit of their deeds.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 7:13b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 7:13a. For example:

13b
⌊the earth will become desolate⌋ as the fruit of their deeds.

These lines talk about a future desolation of the earth. The reason for the desolation is because of the doings/actions of the people. This verse is probably a description of a future judgment from the LORD, since only he has authority and power to know and to judge people’s actions in this way. The first line is a summary statement. The second line gives more detail.

7:13a

Then the earth will become desolate: In Hebrew, the word become indicates the action of change from its present condition into a desolate condition.

Then…will become: In Hebrew, this word is more literally “and it will become.” The function of the Hebrew word form is to introduce the next event after the preceding event.

Here are some ways to translate this word:

• Use a word or phrase that introduces contrast between this verse and the preceding material. For example:

But the earth will be desolate (English Standard Version)
-or-

In contrast, the earth will become a desolate wasteland

• Use a word that introduces the next event and leaves contrast implied. For example:

And the earth will become desolate (New American Standard Bible)
-or-

Then the earth will be ruined

• Let the context imply that this is the next event. For example:

The earth will become desolate (New International Version)
-or-
The earth will become a wasteland (God’s Word)

the earth: In Hebrew, this word has various meanings. Here it follows the list of regions in 7:12. In this context, the word earth probably refers to the various regions of the earth outside of Israel. Most versions translate this word as the earth or “the land.”

desolate: In Hebrew, this word means “desolation,” “ruin,” “wasteland.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

a desolation (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
a wasteland (God’s Word)
-or-
a disaster (Contemporary English Version)

because of its inhabitants: In this clause part, the word because introduces the reason why the earth will become desolate. It is on account of its inhabitants. In 7:13a, the details of what the inhabitants have done to deserve desolation is left implied.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

Because of those who dwell in it (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
by reason of its inhabitants (New Jerusalem Bible)

7:13b

as the fruit of their deeds: This clause makes more explicit what the inhabitants did to deserve punishment. Here the word as introduces the reason. It is because of the fruit of their doings. The phrase fruit of their deeds refers to the consequences of their “actions.” Here the phrase refers to their evil deeds.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

as the fruit of their misdeeds (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
because of their deeds (New Century Version)
-or-
as their deeds deserve (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 7:13a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these lines. For example:

But the land will become empty and desolate because of the wickedness of those who live there. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The earth will become desolate because of what its inhabitants have done. (NET Bible)

© 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.