complete verse (Micah 7:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Micah 7:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “But the land shall first become desolate
    because of the sin of people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But because of their deeds and
    because of those people who dwell on it,
    the earth will become desolate.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Nations in the world will-become-desolate/place-where-nothing-is-happening because of the wickedness of its resident.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Micah 7:13

This verse gives something of a contrast with the two previous verses. Whereas they spoke of the restoration of Jerusalem and its people, this one speaks of the punishment of the enemy nations. They may have been used as God’s instruments for disciplining his people in the past, but they did this work in such a way as to increase their own sins. Therefore the earth, that is, those parts of it outside the territory of the Lord’s people, will become a desert.

To make clear what is meant here by the earth, many translators may want to say something like “the rest of the earth.”

Desert is literally “desolate” (Revised Standard Version). This means an area that has been destroyed, as if by an invading army. If translators cannot find a suitable term, it is possible to say “The earth will become barren” or “The earth will be spoiled.”

The reason why this will happen is clearly given: because of the wickedness of those who live on it. However, it may be clearer in some languages to say “as punishment for the wickedness of those who live on it.” If it is necessary to say who punishes, the Lord can be mentioned here. In 6.16 Jerusalem was an island of ruin amidst a sea of scornful enemies. Here the picture is reversed, and it is an island of blessing amidst a sea of desolation.

Wickedness is literally “the fruit of their doings” (Revised Standard Version). This metaphor is unnatural in English, and Good News Translation has expressed its meaning in plain language. Many translators will need to do the same.

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 .

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)

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