7:17a–b
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
17a
They will lick the dust like a snake,
17b
like reptiles slithering on the ground.
There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 7:17b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 7:17a. For example:
17b
⌊They will lick the dust⌋ like reptiles slithering on the ground.
In these lines, Micah continued to pray about the effect of the LORD’s marvelous deeds on the nations. These lines are parallel similes. In each simile Micah compared the nations to animals that slid or crawled on the ground. The similarity is that the nations and the animals would both “lick the dust.”
Some versions translate these lines in a way that more clearly indicates a prayer. For example:
Let them lick dust like snakes, like crawling things on the ground! (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
They will lick the dust: In Hebrew, the phrase lick the dust was a figure of speech that meant humiliation in defeat. The leader of a defeated enemy would lie prostrate and kiss the feet of the one who defeated him. In this way he showed his acceptance of the victor’s power over him.
a snake…reptiles slithering on the ground: In Hebrew, the word snake is literally “the snake.” This phrase refers to snakes/serpents of any kind. In Hebrew, the word translated as reptiles slithering means “to crawl or glide like a snake.” The phrase reptiles slithering on the ground may refer to a snake, reptile, or worm. The prostrate position of the defeated leaders was similar to the position of these animals that drag their bellies on the ground.
Here are some other ways to translate 7:17a–b:
• Keep the simile if it is understood. For example:
May they lick the dust like snakes, like creatures that crawl on the ground. (Revised English Bible)
• Substitute a different expression or action that has the same meaning in your language. Include a footnote that describes the Hebrew expression. For example:
May they cry out “I surrender,” like an animal caught in a trap
footnote: In Hebrew: “They shall lick dust like a snake, like the crawling things of the earth.”
• Translate the meaning directly. For example:
Let them be humiliated by their defeat
7:17c–e
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning (these lines are from the New Revised Standard Version, which follows the interpretation that the Notes recommend for understanding the structure of these lines):
17c
They shall come trembling out of their fortresses
17d
they shall turn in dread to the Lord our God ;
17e
and they shall stand in fear of you.
In these lines, Micah prayed that the nations would fear and submit themselves to the LORD. The first line implies that the nations would present themselves before him. The second and third lines talk about their submission to him. Each line says in a different way that the nations would fear him.
Some versions translate these lines in a way that more clearly indicates a prayer. For example:
Let them come trembling out of their strongholds to the Lord our God; Let them fear and dread You! (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
There is an interpretation issue in 17c–d about the line to which the phrase “to the Lord our God” belongs. The parallel lines are more literally “they will quake from their strongholds to Yahweh our God. They will be in dread and they will be afraid from you.” These are the two interpretations:
(1) The phrase “to the Lord our God” belongs to 17d. The LORD is the one they will dread. For example:
To the Lord our God they will come in dread (New American Standard Bible)
(2) The phrase “to the Lord our God” belongs to 17c. The LORD is the one they come to from their fortresses. For example:
Let them come trembling from their strongholds to the Lord our God. (Revised English Bible)
The Display will follow interpretation (1). However, either interpretation is acceptable and makes good sense in this context. There is almost no meaning difference and each one implies the other.
7:17c
(New Revised Standard Version) they shall come trembling out of their fortresses: In this line, Micah continued the similes from 7:17a–b to describe the defeated nations that would present themselves to the LORD. He compared the nations to the snakes and crawling things that would come out from their holes or other places where they lived.
(New Revised Standard Version) trembling: This word means “shake,” “tremble.” The reason the nations would tremble is because of their fear and dread of the LORD.
(New Revised Standard Version) fortresses: In this context, this word refers to a strong fortification or hiding place. In this simile, the word referred both to the nations and to the crawling things. With reference to the nations, it meant the strong places where the people thought they were secure from their enemies. With reference to the snakes and crawling things, it meant the holes and hiding places where they lived.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
• As part of a simile. For example:
Then they will come trembling out of their strongholds like snakes from their holes
• Use a word that can refer to either people or animals. For example:
They will come out of their hiding places trembling. (God’s Word)
7:17d–e
(New Revised Standard Version) they shall turn in dread…they shall stand in fear: In Hebrew, this is two phrases which are more literally “they will be in dread…and they will be afraid.” The Hebrew words for dread and fear both mean “be afraid.”
Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:
• Leave implied the intensity of emotion and the attitude that accompanies the fear and dread. For example:
Let them fear and dread you (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
• Supply words that indicate the intensity of the fear and dread. Optionally, indicate an attitude of respect and/or submission. The first example below indicates intensity. The second and third examples indicate attitudes that accompany the fear. For example:
They will be terrified of you (NET Bible)
-or-
Let them approach with awe and fear (Revised English Bible)
-or-
They will turn in fear to the Lord our God. (Good News Translation)
(New Revised Standard Version) to the Lord our God…of you: These parallel phrases both refer to the LORD.
In some languages, it may sound unnatural for Micah to address the LORD using the third-person phrase the Lord our God. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
• Translate the phrases literally even if it sounds unnatural. For example:
To the Lord our God; Let them fear and dread you! (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
• Use a vocative or other device that sounds more natural in a prayer to the LORD. For example:
O Lord our God. They will be afraid of you (God’s Word)
-or-
trembling in fear of you (the Lord, our God) (New American Bible)
General Comment on 7:17a–e
In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these lines. For example:
17a–b Like snakes crawling from their holes, 17c–e they will come out to meet the Lord our God. They will fear him greatly, trembling in terror at his presence. (New Living Translation (2004))
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