In verse 6 the Lord states his judgment on the false prophets. This is given in picture language in four clauses, as seen in Revised Standard Version, and is more conveniently discussed in Revised Standard Version order. The first two clauses are put in the second sentence in Good News Translation. They are parallel to each other and speak of the imminent end of the prophets’ influence, using the figure of night coming on. Just as one cannot see in the dark, so the prophets will lose their spiritual vision.

The second two clauses are parallel to each other, and may both suggest the figure of the sunset. They are understood this way, for instance, by Jerusalem Bible and New English Bible. However, the last clause is perhaps an expansion of the idea of loss of light using the figure of an eclipse of the sun. This has the effect of strengthening the picture. Not only will the night bring no visions or dreams, but even the day itself will be a time of darkness. The figure of sunset and eclipse is similar to the language used in Amos 5.18-20 to describe the day of the Lord.

Revised Standard Version gives a clear idea of the poetic parallelism of the Hebrew, but even if the figures of the sunset and possibly of eclipse are meaningful in other languages, the structural parallelism may not be. It is not very natural in English and has been recast considerably in Good News Translation to give a flow of thought that is easier to follow. The four figurative references to darkness have all been understood to refer to sunset. They have been combined into two clauses to avoid repetition that would be clumsy in English, and they have been placed together at the beginning of the verse: Prophets, your day is almost over; the sun is going down on you. The meaning of this figure is stated by the two clauses at the end of the verse, you will have no more prophetic visions, and you will not be able to predict anything. The figure and its explanation are linked by the repetition of the charge against the false prophets in the words Because you mislead my people. These words explain the meaning of the “Therefore” of Revised Standard Version.

Your day is almost over is an idiom in English meaning “your time of importance is about to end.” Translators should be especially careful with the English the sun is going down on you. In English this is just another way of saying “your day is almost over,” but a literal translation in other languages could sound as if the sun itself was falling on the prophets’ heads.

Prophetic visions refer to special revelations from God, often like a dream that the prophet seemed to see with his eyes. In this verse visions probably includes dreams, since Micah is speaking about nighttime. The parallel term “divination” (Revised Standard Version) in the second clause is a term with strong pagan overtones. It is never used in the Bible for the activities of true prophets but rather describes such practices as telling the future by observing the flight of birds or examining the entrails of sacrificed animals.

Good News Translation undoubtedly conveys the essential meaning of the verse clearly in English. However, it must be emphasized that Good News Translation is just one example of how to restructure a complex sentence in a situation where a literal translation would sound unnatural. Many translators will need to follow Good News Translation in its general method of approach to the problem. Few, if any, will produce the best translation in their language if they simply follow the exact wording of Good News Translation.

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 .