SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:8

Section 7:8–13

The LORD will restore his people

In this section, the speaker expressed his trust that the LORD would restore and bless his people again after a time of suffering for their sin. Their borders would be enlarged and people would come there from other nations.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Penitence and Trust in God (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Israel Will Rise (New International Version)
-or-
The Lord Brings Salvation (Good News Translation)

Paragraph 7:8–10

This paragraph talks about confession of sin, faith in the LORD, and victory over enemies. The pronouns “I” and “me” are used to refer to the speaker, whose identity is not made explicit. Most versions also leave the speaker implied. However, in some languages it may be necessary to make the referent of “I” and “my” explicit. The majority of commentators propose that the city of Jerusalem/Zion was figuratively speaking here (personification). It is also possible that Micah spoke here as a representative of the godly remnant of the people of Israel. The Notes will follow the majority opinion.

Since a city has many residents, it may be more natural in some languages to translate the first-person pronouns in this paragraph as plurals, “we,” “our,” and “us.” See the second and/or third meaning lines in the Display for examples.

7:8a

Do not gloat over me, my enemy!: In Hebrew, the phrase gloat over me means “rejoice arrogantly, exult.”

In this clause the speaker addressed an enemy directly. Some versions have added the word “O” to make it clear that my enemy is a term of address (vocative). Use a vocative that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Translate as a command. For example:

Enemy, don’t laugh at me. (New Century Version)
-or-
Do not gloat over me, my enemies! (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate as a statement. For example:

Our enemies have no reason to gloat over us. (Good News Translation)

my enemy: In Hebrew, the words my and enemy are singular. However, both words have a collective reference to a group of people. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate these words with plural forms. See the Good News Translation example above.

Based on 7:8b, the enemy was probably a literal city or nation whose army had defeated the city of Jerusalem. In Hebrew, the word enemy is feminine. However, use the gender that is natural in your language to refer to an enemy city or nation.

7:8b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

8b
Though I have fallen, I will arise;

8c
though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

In each line, the underlined part states a negative situation. The part in bold print states a positive outcome. Together, these lines give the reason why the speaker (Jerusalem) tells the enemy not to rejoice. It is because the city will not remain destroyed. The LORD will bring restoration and salvation.

Though I have fallen…though I sit: In this verse, both phrases refer to a past event, the defeat of the city by an enemy. However, the same phrases can apply to other, future negative situations also.

Here are some ways to translate these phrases:

• Translate in a way that refers to the situation in Jerusalem at that time. Leave implied that the same phrases can also apply to other negative situations. For example:

Although I’ve fallen…although I sit in the dark (God’s Word)
-or-
We have fallen…We are in darkness now (Good News Translation)

• Translate in a way that has general application to any negative situation. Leave implied that these phrases refer initially to the city’s defeat at that time. For example:

when I fall…when I sit in darkness (English Standard Version)
-or-
Though I fall…Though I dwell in darkness (New American Standard Bible)

7:8b

Though I have fallen, I will arise: These phrases are metaphors that compare defeat in war and recovery from defeat to a person who falls and then stands up. The word fallen means “experience calamity.” Here the word arise means “come back to life.”

Here are some ways to translate these phrases. If possible, keep the references to falling and rising in your translation, as in the first two bulleted options below. The strong contrast may give the translation greater impact:

• Keep the metaphors. For example:

Though I have fallen, I will rise. (New International Version)

• Change the metaphors into a simile. For example:

I am like a person who has fallen but will stand again.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

Although I have been defeated, I will recover.

7:8c

though I sit in darkness: This clause is the first of two metaphors about darkness and light. This metaphor compares the difficult situation of distress and humiliation to a person sitting in a dark place, like a prisoner confined to a dark cell.

the LORD will be my light: This clause part is the second metaphor about darkness and light. It compares deliverance/salvation by the LORD to light.

Here are some ways to translate 7:8c. If possible, keep the references to darkness and light in your translation, as in the first two bulleted options below. The strong contrast may give the translation greater impact.

• Keep the metaphors. For example:

Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. (New International Version)

• Change the metaphors into similes. For example:

I am like a person who sits in a dark place. But the LORD will be like light that dispels the darkness.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

Although I am now in despair, the LORD will deliver me.

© 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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:12

6:12a

For the wealthy of the city are full of violence: This clause is an accusation of the LORD against the rich people of Jerusalem.

This clause is more literally “that/which its rich are full [of] violence.” The word “that/which” refers back to the city or city and nation. However, its function here is unclear. Here are some ways to translate this word:

• As a relative pronoun that refers back to the city or city and nation. For example:

Whose rich men are full of lawlessness (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

• As a word that introduces more information about the wicked people described in 6:10–11. For example:

For the rich men of the city are full of violence (New American Standard Bible)

Many versions leave this word implied. For example:

Your rich men are full of violence (English Standard Version)

Translate the connection of this clause to the previous verses in a natural way in your language.

the wealthy of the city: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “its(fem) rich.” This phrase refers to the wealthy men and women of high status in the city or the city and nation.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The city’s rich men (NET Bible)
-or-
The rich among you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Your rich people (Good News Translation)

full of violence: This phrase is a figurative expression that means there was much violence throughout the city. In Hebrew, the word violence refers to wrongful actions motivated by sin. It may include physical force, brutality, and violation of the personal rights of others. Here it may refer particularly to the brutal exploitation of the weak in Israelite society by the ruling class and rich landowners.

The phrase full of violence may be unnatural in some languages. Here are some other ways to translate it:

become wealthy through extortion and violence (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
do cruel things (New Century Version)

6:12b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

12b and its residents speak lies;

12c
their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.

In these lines, the LORD accused the inhabitants of Jerusalem of speaking lies.

speak lies…their tongues are deceitful in their mouths: The phrase speak lies means to lie, deceive or defraud instead of speaking truth. The phrase their tongues are deceitful in their mouths is another way to say that they speak lies. However, the longer phrase uses a figure of speech (metonymy) about the tongue and mouth. This figure of speech gives emphasis to how utterly corrupt their speech is. Try to keep this figure of speech in your translation if possible.

If this figure of speech is unnatural in your language or it gives the wrong meaning, here are some other ways to translate it:

• Translate the figure of speech using an expression in your language that has the same meaning.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

they do not tell the truth (New Century Version)
-or-
and their words are deceitful

General Comment on 6:12b–c

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

12b–c and everyone tells lies (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:13

6:13a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

13a Therefore I am striking you severely,

13b
to ruin you because of your sins.

In these parallel lines, the LORD gave his response to the people’s sin. He would punish them.

6:13a

Therefore: In Hebrew, the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore is literally “and I on my part.” It introduces and gives emphasis to the LORD’s response to the sins described in 6:10–12.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

I, in turn (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
As for me (New Century Version)

I am striking you severely: There is a textual issue with this clause:

(1) The LXX has “I will begin to strike you.” For example:

I will begin to strike you (New American Bible)

(2) The Masoretic Text has “I have made sick by striking you.” For example:

So also I will make you sick, striking you down (New American Standard Bible)

(King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. This clause is probably an idiom that meant “I will strike you severely.”

In Hebrew, this clause can be understood either as past or future. Either time frame makes sense in this context.

you: The referent is probably the people of Jerusalem and Judah.

6:13b

to ruin you: This phrase means “make deserted” or “appalled.” It refers to physical destruction of a place. This phrase is connected to the verb “strike you” in 6:13a. It describes how Jerusalem and Judah would be struck down. It would happen by making them desolate.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

destroy you (NET Bible)
-or-
bringing you to ruin (Revised English Bible)

because of your sins: This phrase indicates the reason for the punishment. It was because of the people’s sins as described in 6:10–12.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:14

6:14–15

Verses 14 and 15 consist of a series of curses. Each curse describes a hypothetical situation in which a normal activity, such as eating or farming, has an unexpected, undesirable outcome.

These curses are figures of speech that add emphasis to the previous statements in 6:13. The curses indicate how complete and serious the punishment from the LORD will be.

Each curse is addressed to “you(sing),” which continues to refer collectively to the people of Jerusalem and Judah as in 6:9–13. In some languages, it will be more natural to use “you(plur) ” for a group of people.

6:14a–b

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

14a
You will eat but not be satisfied,

14b
and your hunger will remain with you.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:14b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:14a. For example:

14b
⌊you shall eat,⌋ and your hunger will remain with you.

Together, these parallel lines are a curse about hunger. The underlined part describes the normal activity of eating food. The parts in bold print describe the unexpected, undesirable result.

6:14a

You will eat but not be satisfied: This clause probably means that a person will remain hungry after eating.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

You will eat, but you won’t become full (New Century Version)
-or-
You will eat but never have enough. (New Living Translation (2004))

6:14b

and your hunger will remain with you: The phrase your hunger will remain with you is another way to describe a lack of satisfaction from the food.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

So you will always be hungry. (God’s Word)
-or-
your stomach will still be empty (New International Version)

General Comment on 6:14a–b

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

You will eat, but still be hungry (Contemporary English Version)

6:14c–d

The Revised English Bible has been used as the source line for 6:14c–d because it allows for the recommended interpretation.

6:14c

(Revised English Bible) you will come to labour: There is a combined textual and interpretation issue with the Hebrew word that the Revised English Bible translates as you will come to labour. Here are the two main options:

(1) The Hebrew word is a form of nāśag, “to reach,” or “attain to.” Here it means to reach the time for a child to be conceived or born. For example:

You have been conceiving without bearing young, and what you bore I would deliver to the sword. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Revised English Bible)

(2) The Hebrew word is a form of sûg, “to remove, carry away.” Here it means “put away” as in storing food or property for safekeeping. For example:

you will store up but never keep safe; what you do keep safe I shall hand over to the sword (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option/interpretation (1). It has good support from commentators, both traditional and modern. Option/interpretation (2) assumes an unattested meaning for the Hebrew word.

This phrase is part of a curse on childbirth. It describes the process of pregnancy that normally would result in childbirth.

(Revised English Bible) but not bring forth: This phrase is more literally “and/but not you will bring to safety.” There is an interpretation issue with the Hebrew word that the Revised English Bible translates as bring forth. The same Hebrew word also occurs in 6:14d. Both occurrences are underlined below. Here are the main interpretations:

(1) The word means “bring an infant to safety” as in a safe delivery from a womb. For example:

14c You will come to labour, but not bring forth ; 14d even if you bear a child I shall give it to the sword (Revised English Bible)

(Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Revised English Bible)

(2) The word means “bring something to store in safety” as in storing food or treasures in a safe place. For example:

14c you will store up but never keep safe; 14d what you do keep safe I shall hand over to the sword (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has good support from commentators. See also Job 21:10.

This phrase describes the undesirable outcome of the pregnancy. The child is not safely born. Some language groups may have euphemisms to refer to miscarriage or to a stillborn child. Translate this phrase in a culturally appropriate way.

6:14d

(Revised English Bible) even if you bear a child I shall give it to the sword: This clause continues the curse on childbirth from 6:14c. This is a conditional clause. When the condition, you bear a child, is true, the result is that the LORD will give it to the sword.

Verse 6:14c says that no more children will be born. This verse part, 6:14d, describes an imagined situation in which someone was still able to give birth to children. Even if that could happen, the children would nevertheless be killed. See Hosea 9:11–12, 16 for similar curses.

(Revised English Bible) give it to the sword: This expression means to give the child to an enemy to be killed.

(Revised English Bible) the sword: This phrase refers to violence and destruction in war. Some versions make the context of war explicit without using the word sword. For example:

I will give it to those who conquer you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I will destroy in war (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:15

6:15a

You will sow but not reap: This is a curse on farming. It describes the normal activity of a farmer sowing and reaping. He will be able to sow, but the unexpected outcome is that he will not reap a harvest.

sow: This word means to plant seeds to grow a crop. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

plant (God’s Word)
-or-
plant crops (New Living Translation (2004))

reap: This word means to harvest a crop. For example:

harvest (New Century Version)

The word reap can refer in general to the gathering-in of grain or other agricultural products. However, in this context it may refer specifically to the spring harvest. If your language has specific words for harvests at different times of the year, consider using your word for a springtime harvest or the first harvest of the year.

6:15b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

15b
you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil;

15c
you will tread grapes but not drink wine.

These parallel lines highlight two agricultural products that were important to the people. These lines either express two curses on these products or they are two parts of one curse on the autumn harvest. Each line describes the normal activity of producing oil or wine. The people will be able to produce them, but the unexpected, undesirable outcome is that they will not use the oil or drink the wine.

press olives…tread grapes: These words are more literally “tread olives…and new wine.” In Hebrew, the verb tread refers to both olives and new wine/grapes. There is an interpretation issue with this verb. There are two main interpretations:

(1) The Hebrew word means “press” when the referent is olives and “tread/crush” when the referent is grapes. For example:

you will press olives but not use the oil, you will crush grapes but not drink the wine (New International Version (2011))

(2) The Hebrew word means “tread/crush” for both olives and grapes. For example:

you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine (English Standard Version)

(English Standard Version, God’s Word, New American Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has majority commentary support and good version support. There is no conclusive evidence from the Old Testament that people tread olives to make oil.

The way olive oil was extracted at that time was to squeeze olives in an oil press under a heavy beam or to turn them into pulp with a millstone.

The way wine was made was to stomp with bare feet on grapes in a vat. The juice was collected and fermented to make wine.

In this verse the Hebrew word for “new wine” is a figure of speech (metonymy) for grapes. Most modern versions translate this word as grapes.

Here are some ways to translate these phrases:

• Use a generic word that refers to extracting liquid from fruit, if you have such a word in your language. For example:

You will squeeze oil from the olives…you will squeeze juice from the grapes (NET Bible)

• Use a separate word for each process. For example:

You will press your olives…You will trample the grapes (New Living Translation (2004))

• Describe the process of making oil and wine in a general way. For example:

You will make oil and wine

but not anoint yourselves with oil…but not drink the wine: Olive oil and wine were important products at that time. One use of olive oil was as a lotion to rub on skin. The word anoint has that meaning here. For example:

but you will have no oil to rub on your bodies (NET Bible)

Wine was especially important in places where water supplies were scarce and impure. Times of wine making were festive occasions. Having an abundance of wine was a cause of joy.

These descriptions were vivid, striking ways to express disruption of normal life. It is recommended that you keep these descriptions explicit in your translation if they will be understood.

However, in some language groups these products may be unknown. If that is true in your language, another option is to translate these descriptions in a general way. For example:

You won’t…use the oil from your olive trees or drink the wine from grapes you grow. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:16

6:16

There are two main ways to interpret the relationship between 6:16 and the previous verses:

(1) Verse 6:16 repeats the main themes of the previous verses in a more concise way. The repeated themes are sin, and the judgment that results. People sinned by following the practices of King Omri and Ahab. As a result the LORD will judge them. For example:

You have kept Omri’s laws and all the practices of the descendants of Ahab, and you have followed their advice. That is why I will ruin you. Your people will be ridiculed. You will bear the disgrace of my people.” (God’s Word)

(2) Verse 6:16 gives the reason for the LORD’s judgment described in 6:13–15. The reason for that judgment is that the people followed the practices of Omri and Ahab. The second part of 6:16 announces another judgment. For example:

Jerusalem, this will happen because you followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab. Now I will destroy you and your property. Then the people of every nation will make fun and insult you. (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has good commentary and version support. It also does not conflict with 6:13a.

6:16a–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

16a
You have kept the statutes of Omri

16b and all the practices of Ahab’s house;

16c
you have followed their counsel.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:16b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:16a. For example:

16b and ⌊you have kept⌋ all the practices of Ahab’s house;

These parallel lines give examples from Israel’s history to show how the people had sinned. Omri and his son Ahab were the longest ruling kings in the northern kingdom and were known for their wickedness. They abused their power, they exploited others, and they worshiped idols. See 1 Kings 16:25–33.

6:16a

You have kept the statutes of Omri: This line is more literally “and it has been kept the statutes of Omri.” Many versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, translate this line with an active verb. In some languages, it will be more natural to use passive forms. For example:

The statutes of Omri and all the works of the house of Ahab are observed (New American Standard Bible)

In Hebrew, this sentence starts with “and.” Here the word may indicate that this clause is the concluding indictment against the people. In this context, it does not indicate “because.” For more details, see the note above on “the relationship between 6:16 and the previous verses.” Many versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, leave this word implied.

the statutes of Omri: This line means that the people did the same kinds of things that Omri had done. In this context, the word statutes probably does not refer to laws or ordinances but to customs and practices/behaviors. For more details see 2 Kings 17:7–20.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

the evil practices of King Omri (Good News Translation)
-or-
you have followed the wicked customs of Omri

6:16b

and all the practices of Ahab’s house: This parallel line means that the people also did the kinds of deeds that King Ahab and his family had done.

The practices of Ahab’s house may include the following evil acts:

(a) Marriage to an idolater

(b) Baal worship

(d) Persecution of true prophets

(e) Child sacrifice

(f) Unjust and oppressive measures

(g) Apostasy, depravity, greed and injustice

Ahab’s house: This phrase means “Ahab’s family/household.” His household included his wife, children, dependent relatives, officials and slaves. The phrase probably also included his descendants who later became kings.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Ahab’s dynasty (NET Bible)
-or-
the descendants of Ahab (God’s Word)
-or-
Ahab’s family (New Century Version)

6:16c

you have followed their counsel: This line means that the people followed the bad example of Omri and Ahab and his family by continuing the same kinds of evil practices.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

You have continued their policies (Good News Translation)
-or-
by modelling yourselves on their standards (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you have followed their traditions (New International Version)

counsel: In Hebrew, this word means “plans” or “decisions.” It refers to a person’s usual way of living/acting.

General Comment on 6:16a–c

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

16a–c you followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

16a–b you have followed the evil practices of King Omri and of his son, King Ahab. 16c You have continued their policies (Good News Translation)

6:16d–e

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

16d Therefore I will make you a desolation,

16e and your inhabitants an object of contempt;

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:16e. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:16d. For example:

16e and ⌊I will make⌋ your inhabitants an object of contempt;

These two parallel lines and the next line are three parts of a judgment against the city of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. This judgment was the LORD’s response to the sin described in 16a–c.

Therefore: In Hebrew, this word is more literally “so that” or “to the end that.” The meaning is that judgment was the inevitable consequence of people’s disobedience. It may imply that the LORD had no alternative other than to judge.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

That is why (God’s Word)
-or-
you force me (New Jerusalem Bible)

you…your inhabitants: The referent of you and your is probably the city of Jerusalem and/or the entire kingdom of Judah. The references to both you and your inhabitants probably indicates that the judgment would be against the people as well as the places where they lived.

Here are some other ways to translate these referents:

you and your property (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you…your citizens (New Jerusalem Bible)

a desolation…an object of contempt: Both phrases describe a situation that is so awful or appalling that people react to it with astonishment and horror.

In Hebrew, the word desolation means both “ruin/waste” and “appalment/horror.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

an appalling sight (NET Bible)
-or-
an object of horror (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
give you over to ruin (New International Version)
-or-
let you be destroyed (New Century Version)

The phrase an object of contempt is more literally, “an object of hissing.” This means that people will make a hissing sound in response to the ruin. At that time the act of hissing indicated scorn and ridicule.

If your language group has this custom with the same meaning, you may be able to translate this phrase literally. However, if this custom is unknown or has a different meaning in your language group, here are some other ways to translate it:

will be taunted derisively (NET Bible)
-or-
will be treated with contempt (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
will be laughed at (New Century Version)

6:16f

you will bear the scorn of the nations: There is a textual issue with the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nations :

(1) The Masoretic Text has “my people.” The word refers to the LORD’s people. They are scorned by other people. The identity of the scorners is left implicit. For example:

and you will endure the insults aimed at my people (Revised English Bible)

(English Standard Version, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) The LXX has “of peoples.” The word refers to people of other nations. They scorn Yahweh’s people. For example:

and other nations will make fun of you (New Century Version)

The Display will follow option (1). It makes good sense and has good support from commentators, the Peshitta, and modern versions. However, option (2) also has good support from modern versions and some commentators. You may want to follow this option if it is followed by a major language translation in your area.

This is the third part of the LORD’s judgment against the city of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. The LORD’s people who live there will bear/endure scorn from people of other nations.

scorn: This word means “reproach” or “contempt.” In this context, it indicates that other nations insult, taunt, or mock the LORD’s people.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

bear the disgrace of my people (God’s Word)
-or-
suffer taunts and mocking directed against my people
-or-
you, my people will be jeered and shamed

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:1

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)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:2

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)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 6:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:2

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