SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 2023 – Page 3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:11

Paragraph 7:11–13

In this paragraph, Micah gives a prophecy about the restoration of Jerusalem. The prophecy may also have a secondary reference to the future salvation of individuals from all the peoples of earth.

Some versions place a heading here. For example:

A Prophecy of Restoration (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
A Bright Future (Contemporary English Version)

7:11a

The day for rebuilding your walls will come: In this clause, Micah tells the city of Jerusalem that a time will come when she will build her walls.

The day: In Hebrew, the word day means “day” or “time.” There are two main interpretations of the day or time indicated in this clause:

(1) The day for building walls is left implied. It may or may not be the same day as the downfall of the enemy in 7:10. For example:

The time will come when your walls will be built again (New Century Version)

(2) The day for building walls is the same day as the downfall of the enemy in 7:10. For example:

That will be the day for rebuilding your walls! (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of English versions. In Hebrew, the specific day is not made explicit here. It is best to leave it implied.

rebuilding: In Hebrew, this word can mean either “build” or “rebuild.” Here the word may be used in a general way that refers to either action. Either translation is acceptable. For example:

It is the day for building your walls (New American Bible)
-or-
It will be a day for rebuilding your walls (NET Bible)

your walls: In Hebrew, this phrase has a collective singular pronoun your (sing). This form suggests that the city of Jerusalem is the addressee. However, the addressee, “city of Jerusalem,” actually refers to the people of Jerusalem. Some versions make this information explicit. For example:

People of Jerusalem, the time to rebuild… (Good News Translation)

In some languages, it may be unnatural for a person to address a city. In those languages, this (Good News Translation) translation example may be a good option to follow.

walls: In Hebrew, the word walls means a “wall,” “fence,” “wall made of loose stones from the field without mortar.” The word usually refers to a stone wall around a vineyard or other property. Some scholars propose that the word refers here to the walls that surround the city of Jerusalem. However, it is possible that more than one kind of wall is meant. For that reason, it is recommended that you leave the specific referent implied in your translation. Some examples are the Berean Standard Bible and the two examples under the previous note on “rebuilding.”

7:11b

the day for extending your boundary: There are three main interpretations of this clause:

(1) On that day the city of Jerusalem will become larger in size. For example:

At that time your territory will be enlarged. (Good News Translation)

(2) On that day a law will be rescinded/removed. For example:

In that day shall the decree be far removed (King James Version)

(3) That day is far in the future. For example:

That is a far-off day. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of versions.

the day: In Hebrew, there is a pronoun “that” in this phrase makes explicit that it refers to the same day as in 7:11a.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

On that day (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
At that time (Good News Translation)

for extending your boundary: In Hebrew, the word boundary means “prescribed limit,” “boundary.” In Hebrew, the word extending means “be/become far,” “distant.” In this clause part these words refer to the territory being enlarged.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

expanding your frontiers! (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
your borders will be extended (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
your boundaries enlarged (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 7:11a–b

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

The day for rebuilding your walls and extending your borders is coming. (God’s Word)

© 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 7:12

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)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:13

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)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:14

Section 7:14–20

A prayer to the LORD for restoration, and praise for his mercy

This section has two main parts. The first part, 7:14–17, contains prayers to the LORD for the restoration of his people and the defeat of their enemies. The second part, 18–20, is a hymn of praise to the LORD for his compassion and his faithful relationship with Israel. These Notes and the Display will assume that the main speaker is Micah, who speaks as a representative of the people. However, in 7:15 and in 18–20 there are brief changes of speaker and/or addressee. See the notes under paragraph 7:14–17 and under paragraph 7:18–20 for more detailed discussion.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Prayer and Praise (New International Version)
-or-
The Lord ’s compassion on Israel (New Living Translation (2004))

Paragraph 7:14–17

The Notes and the Display will follow the paragraph description below:

• In 7:14 Micah prayed to the LORD on behalf of the people.

• In 7:15 the LORD told how he would answer the prayer.

• In 7:16–17 Micah prayed again based on the answer that the LORD gave in 7:15.

• Some versions place paragraph headings here. These are some examples:

A prayer for the Confusion of Zion’s Enemies (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Micah’s Prayer and the Lord ’s Answer (Contemporary English Version)

7:14

In this verse Micah prayed to the LORD using agricultural figures of speech that the people at that time understood.

He asked the LORD to rule over his people and to restore the blessings that they enjoyed in the past.

7:14a

Shepherd with Your staff Your people: Here Micah used a metaphor to ask the LORD to rule over his people. This metaphor compares the activities of a ruler to those of a shepherd. A shepherd cared for his sheep by guiding, leading, feeding and protecting them.

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Shepherd your people with your shepherd’s rod. (NET Bible)

• Keep part of the metaphor and make some of the meaning explicit. For example:

With your shepherd’s staff, take care of your people (God’s Word)

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make some of the meaning explicit. For example:

LORD, rule your people. Guide and protect them, like a shepherd with his staff.

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

O Lord, come and rule your people (New Living Translation (1996)).

with Your staff: A staff was a rod that a shepherd used to guide his sheep and to protect them from wild animals. In this metaphor, the phrase with Your staff highlighted Micah’s request that the LORD would guide and protect his people.

7:14b

the flock of Your inheritance: This phrase continues the metaphor from 14a. In this part of the metaphor the LORD’s people are compared to a flock of sheep or other domesticated animal. The phrase of Your inheritance gives attention to the special relationship that the LORD has with Israel. They are the people he chose to be his own.

Here are some ways to translate this part of the metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Your very own flock (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

who are like your own flock ⌊of sheep⌋

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

the people you have chosen (Good News Translation)

7:14c

They live alone in a woodland: This line describes the setting where the flock lives. There are two main interpretations of the phrase live alone in a woodland :

(1) The setting is undesirable. The people live in a wooded place that is not good for grazing or farming. The word alone implies that the area is isolated from other people. For example:

the one that lives alone in a thicket (NET Bible)

(2) The setting is desirable. The people live in a place with wood and pasture land. The word alone implies that the area is secure and protected from negative influences of other people. For example:

which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands (New International Version)

Some versions are ambiguous and have not been listed above. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with more versions and commentators. It provides a reason why Micah asked the LORD to allow the people to move from their present location to fertile pasturelands in 7:14d.

woodland: In Hebrew, this word means “thicket,” “undergrowth,” “wood.” Here the reference is probably to a thicket or other kind of poor land for grazing. Some versions make this meaning explicit. For example:

they live alone in a thicket (New Living Translation (2004))

7:14d

surrounded by pastures: This line is part of the clause that starts in 7:14c. It describes the location of the forest. There are two main interpretations of the phrase surrounded by :

(1) The forest is surrounded by good pasture land. The phrase pastures indicates a contrast to forest land, which is less fertile. For example:

Grasslands surround us (Contemporary English Version)

(2) The forest is part of the good pasture land. Both places are fertile. For example:

they live alone in the woods, in fertile pasturelands (God’s Word)

Some versions are ambiguous and have not been listed above. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with more versions and commentators.

pastures: There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pastures :

(1) The word means “ garden land.” It refers to land that is very fertile and good for pasture. For example:

Grasslands surround us (Contemporary English Version)

(2) The word means “Carmel/Mount Carmel.” It is a location in the northern part of Israel. For example:

…on the heights of Mount Carmel (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of versions and commentators.

Here are some other ways to translate pastures :

farmland (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
fertile pastures (God’s Word)
-or-
meadows (Revised English Bible)

7:14e

Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old: In this line, Micah asks the LORD to restore to the people of Israel the prosperity and blessing that they enjoyed in the past. This line continues the metaphor in which the LORD’s people are compared to a flock of animals. In this part of the metaphor, the people’s experience of blessing is compared to the feeding of a flock of animals in good pasture.

Here are some ways to translate this part of the metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

Allow them to graze in Bashan and Gilead as they did in the old days. (NET Bible)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

like a flock ⌊of sheep⌋, let them feed ⌊again⌋ in Bashan and Gilead as in the past

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

let the people you have chosen enjoy the abundance of your blessings as they did long ago

Bashan and Gilead: These two places were occupied by the people of Israel early in their history. They were known for their excellent pastures. Here they represent abundant prosperity and blessing.

the days of old: This phrase refers to the early time period in the history of Israel when they first began to occupy the land.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

As in days long ago (New International Version)
-or-
as in days gone by (Revised English Bible)
-or-
as they did long ago (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:15

7:15a

As in the days when you came out of Egypt: There are two main interpretations of the referent of the word you in this clause part:

(1) The word you refers to Israel. The LORD is the speaker. In this clause part he referred to the time that the people of Israel came out of Egypt. For example:

As in the days when you departed from the land of Egypt, I will show you miraculous deeds. (NET Bible)

(2) The word you refers to the LORD. Micah is the speaker. In this clause part he referred to the time that the LORD came out of Egypt. For example:

Show us miracles as in the days when you came out of Egypt. (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a slight majority of versions. In the Display, one line will use you(sing) to refer to Israel as a collective whole. The other line will use you(plur) to refer to the people of Israel.

In Hebrew, this clause part indicates only that the people came out of Egypt. It leaves implicit that it was the LORD who led the people out. In some languages, it may be helpful to make this information explicit. For example:

As in the days when I brought you out of Egypt (New Century Version)

the days: In Hebrew, this phrase is an expression that means “the time.”

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

• Keep the expression. For example:

in the days when you came out of Egypt (New International Version)

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

when you came out of Egypt

7:15b

I will show My wonders: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “I will show him.” For example:

I will show him wondrous deeds (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(2) Some scholars think that the original Hebrew text was “Show us.” For example:

Show us miracles (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It makes good sense and requires no change to the Hebrew text. Here the LORD promised that he would again do marvelous things for the people of Israel as he did when he rescued them from slavery in Egypt.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

I will show you miraculous deeds (NET Bible)
-or-
I will show them my wonders (New International Version)
-or-
I will do mighty miracles for you (New Living Translation (2004))

show: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “show him.” The phrase refers to the LORD showing or demonstrating his power to Israel by doing marvelous things. The phrase “show him” sounds unnatural in some languages. Many versions translate this phrase in a more natural way in their language. For example:

show them (New International Version)
-or-
do…for you (New Living Translation (2004))

wonders: This phrase refers to the acts of the LORD during the time of the exodus. In this context, some of these acts were the plagues in Egypt and the miracles in the wilderness of Sinai. See the previous note for other ways to translate this phrase.

General Comment on 7:15a–b

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

15b I, the Lord, will work miracles 15a just as I did when I led you out of Egypt. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:16

7:16–17

In these verses, Micah was again the speaker. He prayed that the LORD would show these marvelous things both to the people of Israel and to the people of other nations. He also prayed that the people in those nations would respond by acknowledging the greatness of the LORD.

7:16a–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

16a The nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their might.

16b They will put their hands over their mouths,

16c and their ears will become deaf.

In these lines, Micah prayed that the marvelous things, which the LORD would show the nations, would have strong impact on them.

Some versions translate these lines in a way that more clearly indicates a prayer. For example:

Let nations behold and be ashamed despite all their might; let them put hand to mouth; let their ears be deafened! (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

7:16a

Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their might: In this line, Micah prayed that the people of the nations would feel shame as a result of seeing the power of the LORD. The phrase be ashamed, deprived of all their might implies a comparison to the might of the LORD. The nations would feel shame because the power of the LORD showed how weak they really were.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

When the nations see those miracles, they will no longer brag about their power. (New Century Version)
-or-
Nations will see this and be ashamed because of their helpless armies. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The nations will see this and be frustrated in spite of all their strength. (Good News Translation)

Nations: This phrase refers to nations other than Israel. They were nations of people who did not follow the LORD. They included Israel’s enemies.

see: In Hebrew, this word means “see” or “realize.” In this context the word probably had both meanings. The word see had a literal meaning because they would see miracles of the LORD with their own eyes. The word also had a figurative meaning because they would realize how weak they were by comparison.

7:16b

They will put their hands over their mouths, and their ears will become deaf: In Hebrew, it is common to refer to attitudes and emotions by mentioning parts of the body (mouths, ears) that are associated with those attitudes and emotions.

The gesture of laying a hand over a mouth and the description of deaf ears are probably two ways of indicating the emotional effect that the power of the LORD had on the nations. This would include humiliation, shock, awe, and other emotions that the nations felt.

The gesture of a person covering their mouth probably describes a literal action with symbolic meaning. However, the description of their ears being deaf was probably not meant literally.

In some languages these references to parts of the body may not have the same meaning as they do in Hebrew. If that is true in your language, here are some other ways to translate 7:16b–c:

• Make the meaning of the references to body parts more explicit. For example:

They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

In dismay they will close their mouths and cover their ears. (Good News Translation)

• Substitute different body part expressions that have the same meaning in your language. Make the meaning explicit if helpful. Include a footnote that describes the Hebrew gesture. For example:

May their livers fail and their kidneys be in dismay because of their great shame

footnote: In Hebrew: “they will lay their hands on their mouths, their ears will be deaf.”

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

Let them be struck with shock and awe.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:17

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))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:18

Paragraph 7:18–20

In this paragraph, the subject changes. In 7:14–17, the subject was the nations’ response to the marvelous things that the LORD would do. In this paragraph, the subject is the character of the LORD and his relationship to Israel.

The literary form of this paragraph is probably a hymn. Micah is the speaker. He represents people of Israel who believe in the LORD. In this hymn, the addressee alternates between the LORD and the people. In 7:18a–c, Micah addresses the LORD. In 7:18d–19b, he addresses the people. In 7:19c–7:20, he again addresses the LORD. The main themes are God’s love and his forgiveness of sin.

Some versions place a heading here. For example:

God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
No One is Like God (Contemporary English Version)

7:18

In this verse, Micah asks a rhetorical question to highlight how Israel’s God is unique. He forgives the sins of his people because of his special love for them, based on their covenant relationship.

7:18a

Who is a God like You:
This is a rhetorical question with the implied answer “no one.”

The question intends to imply that Israel’s God is unlike any of the false gods of other nations. However, in some languages, this question may wrongly imply that there are other gods. If that is true in your language, here is another way to translate it:

Our God, no one is like you. (Contemporary English Version)

This rhetorical question can also be expressed as a statement. An example is the Contemporary English Version above.

7:18b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

18b
who pardons iniquity

18c and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—

In these lines, Micah explains how Israel’s God is unique. He forgives the iniquity of the remnant of his people.

who pardons iniquity…passes over the transgression: The phrase who pardons iniquity is more literally “lifts up/removes sin/guilt and its penalties.” The phrase passes over the transgression means “pass over rebellion/sin.” These phrases are two ways to say that God forgives sin.

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

removes guilt and pardons sin (New American Bible)
-or-
forgive sin and pardon the rebellion (NET Bible)
-or-
freely forgive our sin and guilt (Contemporary English Version)

the remnant of His inheritance: This phrase indicates who the referents are in this hymn. They are the ones whose transgression is passed over. There are two main interpretations of this phrase:

(1) This phrase refers to the people of Israel who remained after the nation was punished. For example:

your people who are left alive (New Century Version)

(2) The phrase refers to all of God’s people. The phrase the remnant is another way to say His inheritance. For example:

who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people (New Living Translation (2004))

Many versions are ambiguous. They can be understood as following either interpretation. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Micah uses the word remnant elsewhere with this meaning. See the notes on 2:12b.

His inheritance: This phrase gives attention to the special relationship that the LORD has with the people of Israel. They are the people he chose to be his own.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

your people (NET Bible)
-or-
His own people (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

See the footnote under 7:14b “the flock of Your inheritance” for additional advice on the translation of the word inheritance.

The Hebrew pronoun in this phrase is “his.” However, it may be more natural in some languages to use the second-person pronoun “your” to match the “you” in 7:18a, as some other versions have done.

7:18d

who does not retain His anger forever: Micah continues to explain how the God of Israel is unique. In Hebrew, the word retain means “hold.” God does not hold on to his anger against the people who sin.

The Hebrew pronouns in this clause are third-person forms: “he” and “his.” See the note on “His inheritance” above for suggestions on using the pronoun “you” or other forms. The same information also applies to 18d.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

Who does not persist in anger forever (New American Bible)
-or-
You do not remain angry forever (NET Bible)
-or-
You will not be angry forever (God’s Word)

because: This word introduces the reason why God forgives people instead of remaining angry with them.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

but (NET Bible)
-or-
for (Revised English Bible)
-or-
since (New Jerusalem Bible)

He delights in loving devotion: This clause part gives the reason why he does not hold on to his anger.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

He delights in unchanging love (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
He loves graciousness! (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
you take pleasure in showing us your constant love (Good News Translation)

delights: In Hebrew, this word means “desire,” “delight in,” or “have pleasure.” He wants to forgive.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

enjoy (New Century Version)
-or-
pleased to be (Contemporary English Version)

loving devotion: This phrase is more literally “covenant loyalty.” In Hebrew, this word means “unfailing love,” “loyal love,” “devotion,” “kindness.” It describes the attitude and actions that stem from the covenant relationship between the LORD and his people. The same Hebrew word is used in 6:8c. See the note there on “love mercy.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

loyal love (NET Bible)
-or-
be merciful (Revised English Bible)
-or-
faithful love (New Jerusalem Bible)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Micah 7:18

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