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front:intro hp4d 0 # Introduction to Micah\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of the Book of Micah\n\n1. God promises to punish the northern and southern kingdoms (1:1–16)\n1. Those who take advantage of others are guilty (2:1–3:12)\n * Rich people who oppress poor people (2:1–11)\n * Promise to be delivered and restored (2:12–13)\n * Rulers, priests, and prophets condemned (3:1–12)\n1. Yahweh’s victory for all Israel (4:1–5:15)\n * Yahweh will rule over all the nations (4:1–10)\n * Israel will be destroyed, then will be victorious over its enemies (4:11–13)\n * Messiah will shepherd his flock and devastate the nations who fought against him (5:1–6)\n * Messiah will destroy everything that harmed his people (5:7–15)\n1. Yahweh’s case against Israel (6:1–16)\n * Yahweh reminds Israel when he led them out of slavery in Egypt (6:1–5)\n * Israel punished; true repentance (6:6–16)\n1. Israel miserable and Israel restored (7:1–20)\n * Israel broken and miserable (7:1–7)\n * Israel will rise again (7:8–13)\n * Yahweh restores and gives grace (7:14–20)\n\n### What is the Book of Micah about?\n\nThis book contains many of Micah’s prophecies. Micah repeated many similar prophecies as found in Isaiah. Micah warned the kingdoms of Israel and Judah that the Assyrians would soon attack them. Micah condemned those who acted unjustly and immorally. He spoke against those who did not work for a living. He also spoke against the false prophets in Israel and Judah. These false prophets were telling the people that Yahweh would never let a foreign kingdom harm or conquer them.\n\nMicah called the people to please Yahweh by living righteous and holy lives. However, the sinful way they lived and the unjust way they treated their fellow countrymen proved that they no longer wanted to obey and honor Yahweh. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/righteous]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/holy]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nTranslators may decide to translate the traditional title “The Book of Micah” or just “Micah” in a way that is clearer to the readers. They may decide to call it “The Sayings of Micah.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### Who wrote Micah?\n\nThe prophet Micah probably wrote this book. Micah lived at the same time as Isaiah and Hosea. This was sometime between 750 and 700 B.C., during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. He began prophesying when he lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. Then he moved to the kingdom of Judah.\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### Who is the deliverer Micah mentions?\n\nMicah frequently mentioned a king who would deliver the people. It is clear that Micah meant the Messiah, the descendant of David who would rule forever, though he never referred to him as the Messiah. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/deliverer]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]])\n\n### Were the Israelites required to offer sacrifices or live holy lives to please Yahweh?\n\nMany of the Old Testament writers were concerned with offering sacrifices according to the law of Moses. However, Micah explained to the people that Yahweh was pleased only when they offered these sacrifices in faith. Without faith, the sacrifices had no meaning. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]])\n\n## Part 3: Important Translation Issues\n\n### Why does Micah 1:10–16 sound unusual?\n\nThis passage sounds unusual because of how it is constructed in Hebrew. It includes what is called a play on words. The names of the cities were used to describe how they would be destroyed. For example, in Hebrew “Lachish” sounds like “to the chariots.” This is a poetic form that might not be the actual way they would be punished.\n\n### What does a translator need to know before translating Micah?\n\nMicah did not often explain how his prophecies were historically situated. This may result in the translator failing to understand implicit information unless they understand Micah’s time. It is therefore suggested that translators understand well the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])\n\n### How do I translate passages where the speaker or addressee is not mentioned explicitly?\n\nMicah did not usually say who was speaking or who was being addressed. Reading the verses before and after the quote will often help the reader to understand who is speaking or being addressed. It is acceptable to make this information explicit so the reader can more easily understand it. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])\n\n### How should the text of Micah be formatted?\n\nThe ULT uses a poetic language style like the Hebrew text. Many languages can do this but some languages will not be able to do this. The ULT also sets apart the poetic portions of the text by setting the poetic lines farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. With the exception of the first verse, the entire book is indented because the prophecies were written as a series of poems.
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1:intro e47z 0 # Micah 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nMicah is written mainly in a poetic form. Most of the prophets wrote to either the Northern Kingdom or the Southern Kingdom. Micah wrote to both of them at times without clear distinction, as he did in this chapter.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### City Names\n\nThis passage sounds unusual in English because of its construction in Hebrew. It contains several “puns” or “plays on words.” The names of the cities are used to describe their destruction. “Lachish will be lashed” is an example of this type of construction. This poetic element might metaphors describing the actual way they will be punished. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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1:1 bv15 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism 0 # General Information:\n\nGod speaks through Micah to the people of Israel using poetry.
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1:1 c3k1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom the word of Yahweh that came 0 This idiom is used to explain that a God gave a message to someone. Alternate translation: “the message that Yahweh spoke”
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1:1 ar46 Yahweh 0 This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
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1:1 c9rj rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the Morashtite 0 This means he is from Moresheth which is a town in Judah.
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1:1 ts92 in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah 0 Alternate translation: “when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah”
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1:1 d1fd which he saw 0 Alternate translation: “which he heard in a vision”
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1:2 ya6p 0 # General Information:\n\nMicah 1:2–7 is about God’s judgment on Samaria.
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1:2 x9l2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe Listen, all you peoples. Listen, earth, and all that is in you 0 This begins Micah’s prophecy. Micah speaks to the people of Samaria as if all the people of the earth and even the earth itself were able to hear him.
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1:3 i37k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor he will come down and tread on the high places of the earth 0 Micah speaks as if Yahweh were a mighty soldier coming down from heaven and beginning to march on top of the mountains.
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1:3 gq79 he will … tread 0 Alternate translation: “he will … march”
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1:3 c6u6 the high places of the earth 0 Alternate translation: “the high mountains”
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1:4 dgb2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The mountains will melt under him; the valleys will break apart, like wax before fire, like waters that are poured down a steep place 0 Micah speaks as if Yahweh were a hot, solid object that melted the earth as it moved. Alternate translation: “He will crush the mountains and the valleys as he marches over them; he will destroy them, and they will completely disappear”
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1:5 rgh7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy because of the sins of the house of Israel 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house, in this case the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “because the people of Israel have sinned against me”
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1:5 a7g1 All this is 0 Alternate translation: “The Lord will come and judge”
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1:5 efa8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy What is Jacob’s transgression? 0 The name “Jacob” is a metonym for those of his descendants who live in the northern kingdom of Israel.
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1:5 t7bt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Is it not Samaria? 0 Here “Samaria” is a metonym for the evil activities that take place there. Micah uses a question to emphasize that the people know what the truth is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that it is Samaria.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
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1:5 rj3v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche What is Judah’s high place? 0 Here “high place” is a synecdoche for the entire system of idol worship. “Judah” is a metonym for the people who live there. Alternate translation: “Where do the people of Judah go to worship idols?” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
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1:5 rjt6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Is it not Jerusalem? 0 Here “Jerusalem” is a metonym for the evil activities that take place there. Micah uses a question to emphasize that the people know what the truth is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that it is Jerusalem.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
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1:6 m3rh I will make 0 Here “I” refers to Yahweh.
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1:6 wu3l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Samaria … her stones … her foundations 0 Yahweh speaks of Samaria as if the city were a woman. Alternate translation: “Samaria … its stones … the foundations of the buildings in the city”
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1:6 mrm3 I will pour her stones 0 Here “her” refers to the city of Samaria.
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1:7 eu6l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor her carved figures … her gifts that she received … her idols 0 Yahweh speaks of Samaria as if the city were a woman. Alternate translation: “the carved figures in the city … the gifts that people gave to the temple in the city … the idols in the city”
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1:7 n921 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive All her carved figures will be broken to pieces 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will break all her carved figures to pieces”
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1:7 a2ef rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive all her gifts … will be burned with fire 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will burn with fire all the gifts that she received”
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1:7 nci4 she received 0 Alternate translation: “people gave her”
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1:7 syr2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Since she gathered her gifts from the wages of prostitutes, they will become the wages of prostitutes again 0 Yahweh speaks of the people giving gifts to idols as if the people were hiring prostitutes. When the Assyrians destroy Samaria, they will take to Assyria the gifts the people of Samaria gave to their idols and give them as gifts to their own idols. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
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1:8 y14v 0 # General Information:\n\nMicah 1:8–16 is about God’s judgment on Judah.
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1:8 agj7 I will lament 0 Here “I” refers to Micah.
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1:8 evd3 I will lament and wail 0 “Lament” refers to the inner feeling of sadness, and “wail” refers to the activity of making a loud, sad sound.
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1:8 sl7i I will go barefoot and naked 0 This is a sign of extreme mourning and distress. Another possible meaning is “I will look like someone has taken off my clothes; I will be naked”
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1:8 ly5n naked 0 probably wearing only a loincloth
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1:8 y5zc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like the jackals … like owls 0 Jackals and owls live in wastelands, and their loud cries sound like people wailing or weeping.
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1:9 v3yc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor For her wound is incurable 0 Here “her” refers to the city of Samaria. This means nothing can stop the enemy army from destroying the people who live there.
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1:9 j8a2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor for it has come to Judah 0 Micah uses contagious disease as a metaphor for the army that Yahweh has sent to judge Samaria. Here “it” refers to the “wound,” that is, to the army that God will use to punish Samaria.
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1:10 ty72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Leaphrah 0 You may want to make a footnote saying, “The name of this city means ‘house of dust.’”
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1:10 zki3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction I roll myself in the dust 0 People under God’s judgment are expressing their grief in a strong way. Alternate translation: “I roll myself on the ground” or “I roll myself in the mud”
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1:11 fc7v 0 # General Information:\n\nThe meanings of the names of the villages is important to Micah here. You may want to include the meanings of the names of the places in a footnote.
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1:11 n7tt rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Shaphir 0 The name of this city sounds like one meaning “beautiful.” It contrasts with “nakedness and shame.”
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1:11 aq1u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom in nakedness and shame 0 This idiom makes explicit that the people will be totally naked. Alternate translation: “totally naked and ashamed”
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1:11 r6st Zaanan 0 The name of this city means “go out.” They are too afraid to go out and help.
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1:11 m77i Beth Ezel 0 The name of this city means “house of taking away.”
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1:11 ad97 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive for their protection is taken away 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “for I have taken away everything that might protect them”
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1:12 c45f Maroth 0 The name of this city means “bitterness.”
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1:12 wuv4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns disaster has come down from Yahweh 0 The abstract noun **disaster** is spoken of here as a solid object rolling down a hill. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **disaster**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has caused bad things to happen” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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1:13 qn9h rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Lachish 0 The name “Lachish” sounds like “to the chariots” in Hebrew. The people are hitching their chariots to flee, not fight. Lachish was the most important city after Jerusalem in Judah. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
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1:13 t76u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the daughter of Zion 0 The word “daughter” is a metonym for the people of the city. Alternate translation: “the people of Zion” or “the people who live in Zion”
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1:13 b2dc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive for the transgressions of Israel were found in you 0 This idiom can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “for you disobeyed like the people of Israel did” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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1:14 yl23 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Moresheth Gath 0 You may want to add a footnote saying “The name ‘Moresheth’ means ‘to depart.’ It is also similar in sound to the word for ‘fiancée.’” In this metaphor, Moresheth is the bride that Assyria takes, and the “parting gift” is the dowry, the gift her family gives for her to take into the marriage. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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1:14 k4w1 Akzib 0 You may want to add a footnote saying “The name of this town sounds almost the same as the Hebrew expression for ‘deceitful thing.’”
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1:15 xs9b I will again bring 0 Here “I” refers to Yahweh.
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1:15 vu14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mareshah 0 You may want to make a footnote saying, “The name of this village sounds like the Hebrew word for ‘conqueror.’”
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1:15 wh3u rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Adullam 0 This is the name of a royal city in Philistia.
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1:16 i5ub rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction Shave your head and cut off your hair 0 Israelites who were mourning would shave bald spots on their heads. This could mean: (1) “Shave larger spots than usual on your heads” or (2) “Cut off all your hair and shave your heads,” stating the events in the order in which they were to occur.
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1:16 nb8x eagles 0 This word can also be translated “vultures.”
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2:intro jy29 0 # Micah 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter continues using poetic forms in communicating that people who take advantage of others are guilty of sin and injustice. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/guilt]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]])\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### Context\n\nMicah does not frequently explain the historical context of his prophecies. This may result in the translator failing to understand implicit information. Additional research may be needed regarding the time period of Micah’s ministry. Therefore, translators have a good understanding of the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
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2:1 c11k 0 # General Information:\n\nMicah speaks against the leaders in Israel who are taking advantage of the poor and not following God’s commands.
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2:2 r4qb They oppress a man 0 “They oppress any man they choose to oppress.” This is a generalization. Micah is not speaking of one individual man here.
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2:3 r7sk Look 0 Alternate translation: “Listen carefully” or “Pay attention”
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2:3 e8pn disaster 0 See how you translated this in [Micah 1:12](../01/12.md).
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2:3 zi71 this clan 0 This “clan” refers to the entire community of Israel, whose rich people are oppressing the poor. The sins of the leaders are coming back on the whole nation.
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2:3 k4i7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor from which you will not remove your necks 0 Yahweh speaks of punishing the people as if he were putting a yoke around their necks. Alternate translation: “from which you will not be able to escape”
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2:4 t7xt sing a song about you 0 Alternate translation: “sing a song to make fun of you”
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2:4 ymz1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony lament with a wailing lamentation 0 “they will cry loudly.” They are pretending to mourn, as if those they love have died.
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2:4 frk2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony We Israelites … to traitors 0 This is the song that the enemies will sing to make fun of the Israelites and laugh as the Israelites suffer.
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2:4 hz57 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion How can he remove it from me? 0 The enemy mocks the surprise the rich leaders of Israel feel because God has taken their land and given it to someone else just as they had taken the land from the poor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “How wrong he is to take it from me!” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
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2:5 rnf9 Therefore, you rich people will have no descendants to divide up the territory by lot in the assembly of Yahweh 0 This could mean: (1) Micah looks forward to a time after the exile when those who return will divide up the land or (2) he is speaking of a custom of his time when the tribe or clan would divide up their land and give it to individuals.
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2:6 eli9 0 # General Information:\n\nMicah speaks to false prophets, as well as to the rich who have abused their power.
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2:6 a888 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you Do not prophesy 0 The speakers are speaking to Micah and to others, so this is plural.
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2:6 iph5 they say 0 Alternate translation: “the people of Israel say”
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2:6 nl1s They must not prophesy 0 Alternate translation: “The prophets must not prophesy”
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2:6 dqe6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor reproaches must not come 0 Reproach is spoken of as if it were a robber chasing a person. It can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “we will not allow you to reproach us” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
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2:7 d2pm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Should it really be said & “Is the Spirit … his deeds?” 0 Micah is scolding the Israelites by using this question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that you do not need to ask … ‘Is the Spirit … his deeds?’”
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2:7 cd55 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy house of Jacob 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jacob’s descendants. Alternate translation: “descendants of Jacob”
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2:7 hr6w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion said & “Is the Spirit of Yahweh angry? Are these really his deeds?” 0 This could mean: (1) the people really do not know if they are seeing Yahweh act. Alternate translation: “asked … ‘Is the Spirit of Yahweh angry? Are these really his deeds?’” or (2) the people do not believe that Yahweh is really punishing them. These rhetorical questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “said … ‘The Spirit of Yahweh is not really angry. These are not really his deeds.’”
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2:7 dhy6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Do not my words do good to anyone who walks uprightly? 0 Micah uses a question to teach the people. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “My message does good to those who walk uprightly.”
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2:8 nby2 my people 0 Here, **my people** could mean: (1) Micah’s people or (2) Yahweh’s people.
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2:8 h252 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor You strip the robe, the garment, from those who pass by unsuspectingly 0 This could mean: (1) the wicked rich people are literally stealing robes from the poor or (2) creditors are keeping the outer garments of the poor who come to borrow money and give the garment as assurance they will repay.
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2:9 vit8 you take my blessing from their young children forever 0 This refers, in general, to blessings God has given to his people. It could refer to (1) being landowners in Israel, (2) a promising future or (3) to the children’s fathers, farmers who worked hard to establish the nation.
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2:9 sez8 my blessing 0 Micah speaks as if he were Yahweh.
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2:10 x485 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive it is destroyed with complete destruction 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will completely destroy it”
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2:11 fn9u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you comes to you … will prophesy to you 0 Micah is speaking to the people of Judah, so both instances of “you” are plural.
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2:11 mwp4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you he would be considered 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people would consider him” or “you would consider him”
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2:12 l2ie rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you all of you, Jacob 0 Micah is speaking to some of the descendants of Jacob, so the word “you” is plural.
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2:13 wz2q Someone who breaks open their way … Yahweh will be at their head. 0 This is a picture of a king leading his people out of an enclosed city.
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3:intro wy5w 0 # Micah 3 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Justice\n\nAn unjust society was considered sinful. It was considered to be against the law of Moses. If these kingdoms did not have justice, they were not obedient to Yahweh. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Metaphors\n\nThere are vivid pictures used in this chapter which show how the leaders of the people were treating the Israelites. These situations are absurd unless taken as a metaphor. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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3:1 lg8w 0 # General Information:\n\nChapter 3 focuses on the corrupt leaders in Israel.
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3:1 bi75 I said 0 Here “I” refers to Micah.
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3:1 cd9l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is it not right for you to understand justice? 0 Micah is scolding the leaders. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You act as though you think it is wrong for you to understand justice.”
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3:2 e3yk Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nMicah begins to compare the leaders of Israel to butchers.
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3:2 ep25 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj hate good and love evil 0 These nominal adjectives can be translated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “hate everything that is good and love everything that is evil”
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3:2 y42g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you who tear off their skin, their flesh from their bones 0 A butcher cutting up animals into meat is a metaphor for the leaders being cruel to the poor.
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3:3 vja6 Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nMicah finishes comparing the leaders of Israel to butchers.
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3:3 vs7q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor just like meat in a cauldron 0 A butcher cutting up animals into meat is a metaphor for the leaders being cruel to the poor.
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3:4 pu9j cry out to Yahweh 0 Alternate translation: “shout to Yahweh for help”
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3:4 uuv7 he will not answer you 0 Alternate translation: “he will not do what you ask him to do”
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3:4 ru8j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor He will hide his face from you 0 Hiding the face is a metaphor for refusing to listen. Alternate translation: “He will turn his face away from you and cover it” or “You will see that he has no desire to help you”
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3:5 wvm2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor who lead my people astray 0 Walking on a good path is a metaphor for obeying God. Going astray from the path is a metaphor for disobeying God, in this case perhaps without knowing it. Alternate translation: “who lead my people to disobey me”
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3:5 uud3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor if one gives them something to eat, they proclaim, ‘Peace.’ 0 Micah is using a metaphor to describe a situation that actually happens. The phrase “something to eat” is an ironic way of speaking of a small payment. Alternate translation: “they tell people who pay them even a small amount that things will go well for those people.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
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3:5 jn8z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor if he puts nothing in their mouths, they dedicate themselves to wage war on him 0 Micah is using a metaphor to describe a situation that actually happens. The phrase “puts nothing in their mouths” is an ironic exaggeration for not giving what they want. Alternate translation: “they do all they can to destroy people who pay them too little” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
|
||
3:6 v4xh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor it will be night for you … the day will be dark on them 0 Darkness is a metaphor for Yahweh not speaking to the prophets.
|
||
3:6 r42r no vision for you 0 Alternate translation: “you will no longer see visions”
|
||
3:7 xh15 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The seers will be put to shame, and the diviners will be confused 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will cause the seers to be ashamed, and I will confuse the diviners”
|
||
3:7 pe2m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy All of them will cover their lips 0 Here “lips” represents speaking. Alternate translation: “They shall no longer speak”
|
||
3:7 s6nk there is no answer from me 0 Alternate translation: “I will be silent”
|
||
3:8 ku3z But as for me 0 Here “me” refers to Micah, a true prophet, setting himself apart from the false prophets.
|
||
3:8 qw2h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I am full of power by the Spirit of Yahweh, and am full of justice and might 0 Micah speaks of himself as if he were a container into which Yahweh were pouring a liquid. Alternate translation: “the Spirit of Yahweh has given me power, justice, and might” or “the Spirit of Yahweh has enabled me to be strong, to declare what justice is, and to be mighty”
|
||
3:8 h3w3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin 0 Here “Jacob” and “Israel” are metonyms for Jacob’s descendants. Micah uses both names to emphasize that all of his descendants are guilty of sin. The abstract nouns “transgression” and “sin” can be translated using verbs. Alternate translation: “to declare to Jacob’s descendants that they have broken Yahweh’s law; I am telling the people of Israel that they have all sinned” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
|
||
3:9 ral1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy house of Jacob 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jacob’s descendants. Alternate translation: “descendants of Jacob”
|
||
3:9 rm8t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Israel 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Israel’s descendants, who had become the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “descendants of Israel” or “you Israelites”
|
||
3:9 ujn2 detest 0 strongly dislike
|
||
3:10 ca1v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor You build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity 0 “Blood” here is a metonym for murder, and “Zion” and “Jerusalem” are spoken of as if they were buildings. Micah speaks of the rich murdering people and sinning in other ways as if those activities were the bricks and wood with which people use to build houses. Alternate translation: “You commit murder and other horrible sins as you work to make Zion and Jerusalem great” or “You commit murder as you worship in Zion, and you commit other sins as you get rich in Jerusalem” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
|
||
3:11 yn4t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is not Yahweh with us? 0 The leaders strongly believe that Yahweh is with them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We know that Yahweh is with us!” or “We know that Yahweh will help us do what we want to do!”
|
||
3:11 aeh5 evil 0 See how you translated “disaster” in [Micah 1:12](../01/12.md).
|
||
3:12 r9xr because of you 0 Here “you” refers to the priests, prophets, and leaders ([Micah 3:11](../03/11.md)).
|
||
3:12 aqg2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Zion will become a plowed field … and the hill of the temple will become a thicket 0 “Zion” and “the hill of the temple” refer to the same place. When a farmer plows a field, he turns over all the dirt and uproots all the plants that are growing there. A thicket is so full of bushes that no one can use it for anything. These two metaphors cannot be literally true at the same time, but they emphasize that Yahweh will allow the invaders to completely destroy the temple area.
|
||
3:12 k2is a plowed field 0 Alternate translation: “a field that a farmer has plowed”
|
||
3:12 m86y a thicket 0 a place where many small woody plants grow
|
||
4:intro pzv8 0 # Micah 4 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter continues the poetic form to communicate that God will one day restore Israel. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/restore]])\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Remanant\n\nMicah speaks about a future hope and a remnant who will return to their homeland. Verses 1–8 are a vision of the future when God will restore Israel to its former glory. These verses will give hope to those about to be removed from their homeland. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/remnant]])
|
||
4:1 rn5h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the mountain … other mountains 0 Yahweh making the temple mount higher than all other mountains and hills is a metaphor for making his temple the most important place on earth.
|
||
4:1 a15l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the mountain of Yahweh’s house will be established 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will establish the mountain on which his temple is built” or “Yahweh will make the mountain on which his temple is built great”
|
||
4:1 pbd3 over the other mountains 0 Mount Zion will be the most important of all the mountains. It might also mean that this mountain will become the highest in the world, and not only in the region where it is located.
|
||
4:1 ttd5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive It will be exalted above the hills 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will exalt it above the hills” or “Yahweh will make it higher than the hills”
|
||
4:1 w891 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor peoples will stream to it 0 A stream flows continually to one place from many directions. Many people come to the temple mount from different directions. Alternate translation: “the people of the nations will flow like a stream to it” or “the people of the nations will go to it”
|
||
4:2 gve4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Many nations 0 The word “nations” is a metonym for the people of the nations. Alternate translation: “The people from many nations”
|
||
4:2 tm7v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you Come 0 This is plural.
|
||
4:2 hju4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths 0 Here “his ways” and “his paths” refer to what God wants the people to do. “Walk” means they will obey what he says.
|
||
4:2 wix6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor from Zion the law will go out, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem 0 The law and the word going out is a metaphor for people hearing it and then being messengers to tell other people about it in other places. Alternate translation: “people will listen to the law in Zion and go out and tell others; they will listen to the word of Yahweh in Jerusalem and go out and tell others”
|
||
4:2 uuk9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem 0 The words “will go out” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “and the word of Yahweh will go out from Jerusalem”
|
||
4:3 b5yy plowshares 0 a blade that people use to dig into soil so they can plant seeds
|
||
4:3 l4ud pruning hooks 0 a metal tool that people use to cut off branches or stems from plants
|
||
4:3 vin5 will not lift up sword 0 will not threaten to start a war
|
||
4:4 h22j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit they will sit every person under his vine and under his fig tree 0 Both the “vine” and the “fig tree” are symbols of prosperity. This phrase describes actions in which people live prosperously and in peace. If grapevines or fig trees are unknown you can translate this more generally. Alternate translation: “they will sit peacefully in their own gardens and fields”
|
||
4:4 j4rc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche for the mouth of Yahweh of hosts has spoken 0 The mouth is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “for Yahweh of hosts has spoken”
|
||
4:5 iek8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the peoples walk … in the name of their god … we will walk in the name of Yahweh 0 Walking on a path is a metaphor for living one’s life. Walking in the name of someone is a metaphor for worshiping and obeying. Alternate translation: “the peoples … worship and obey their god … we will worship and obey Yahweh”
|
||
4:6 c9uu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche the lame 0 This refers to those who cannot walk well. Being lame is a synecdoche for having any form of disability.
|
||
4:6 ri25 gather the outcast 0 Alternate translation: “gather those whom I drove out of Jerusalem”
|
||
4:7 b2he rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the ones driven away into a strong nation 0 The words “I will turn” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated. The phrase “the ones driven away” can be translated with an active verb. Alternate translation: “I will turn the ones I drove away into a strong nation” or “I will make the ones I forcefully sent away into a strong nation” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
|
||
4:8 c64g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe As for you, watchtower for the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion—to you it will come, your former dominion 0 Micah speaks to the people of Jerusalem by speaking to the temple mount as if it could hear him. You may need to make explicit that Micah is giving his message to the people. Alternate translation: “As for the temple mount, the place from which Yahweh watches over you, his sheep, the place that Jerusalem’s people are most proud of—its former dominion will return”
|
||
4:8 y9gn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor watchtower for the flock 0 The people of Jerusalem protecting the other people in surrounding areas is spoken of as if they were a shepherd in a watchtower watching over his flock.
|
||
4:8 p2dj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor daughter of Zion … daughter of Jerusalem 0 The people who live in a place are spoken of as if the place is a mother and they are the daughter. Alternate translation: “people who live in Zion … people who live in Jerusalem”
|
||
4:8 tc2d hill 0 Some modern versions understand this Hebrew word to mean “fortress” or “stronghold” here.
|
||
4:8 ccs1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns to you it will come, your former dominion 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **dominion**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “you will rule over the nations as you did before” or “I will make you rule over the nations as you did before”
|
||
4:9 g6px rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Now, why do you shout so loudly? 0 Micah is mocking the people, trying to make them think about why God is dealing with them in this way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Look at how you are shouting loudly.” or “Think carefully about why you are shouting loudly.”
|
||
4:9 b1zk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is there no king among you? Has your counselor died? Is this why pain grips you like that of a woman in labor? 0 Micah continues to mock the people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind these questions as statements. Alternate translation: “You have a king, but he is useless to you. All your wise people are still alive, but they have nothing wise to say to you. This is why you are weeping loudly like a woman who is giving birth to a baby.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
|
||
4:10 qn9l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile Be in pain … like a woman in labor 0 Micah compares the suffering the people will experience when enemies force them away from their cities to the pain a woman experiences when giving birth to a baby.
|
||
4:10 rci7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive There you will be rescued. There Yahweh will rescue you 0 Yahweh says the same thing in both active and passive forms to emphasize that he will do what he has said he will do. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “There Yahweh will rescue you. There he will rescue you”
|
||
4:10 nv5c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hand of your enemies 0 Here, the word **hand** could mean: (1) it could be a metonym for the power that the hand exercises, Alternate translation: “the power of your enemies” or (2) it could be a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “your enemies” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
|
||
4:11 b5e1 0 # General Information:\n\nJerusalem will defeat her enemies.
|
||
4:11 xj2l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Let her be defiled 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Let us defile her”
|
||
4:11 l329 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche let our eyes gloat over Zion 0 The eye is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “let us gloat over Zion” or “let us enjoy watching the invaders destroy Zion”
|
||
4:12 j472 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile for he has gathered them like bundles of grain prepared for the threshing floor 0 The writer speaks of Yahweh being ready to destroy the nations as if Yahweh were a farmer who has put his bundles of grain on his threshing floor and is now ready to thresh them.
|
||
4:13 bj1p 0 # General Information:\n\nYahweh presents the imagery of the threshing floor ([Micah 4:12](../04/12.md)).
|
||
4:13 mm6h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion … your horn … your hooves … You will crush 0 All instances of “your” and “you,” as well as the commands, refer to the “daughter of Zion” and so are singular and feminine.
|
||
4:13 m3uk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn to be iron, and I will make your hooves to be bronze 0 Yahweh speaks of the people of Zion as if they were strong oxen about to thresh wheat and their enemies were the wheat. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
|
||
4:13 tq8x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will make your horn to be iron, and I will make your hooves to be bronze 0 If your reader is not familiar with oxen or iron or bronze, you could remove the metaphor. Alternate translation: “for I will make you able to defeat and destroy every enemy” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
|
||
4:13 igd2 their unjust wealth 0 Alternate translation: “the wealth they got by acting unjustly” or “the things they stole from other people”
|
||
4:13 c3rt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns their wealth 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **wealth**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “the things that they own”
|
||
5:intro y1t7 0 # Micah 5 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Messiah\n\nThis chapter contains a prophecy explaining that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. This meaning is made clear in the New Testament. (See: [Micah 5:2](../../mic/05/02.md), [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### Change in Personal Pronouns\n\nExtra care must be taken in translating pronouns in this chapter. Sometimes “I” is a reference to the author and other times it is a reference to Yahweh. There is also a noticable shift where the author stops speaking about the people as “you” and begins speaking about them as “we” or “us.”
|
||
5:1 f536 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor daughter of soldiers 0 The people of a city are spoken of as if they were a woman. The soldiers are attacking the city. Alternate translation: “people of the city, whom soldiers are attacking”
|
||
5:1 yp7t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy With a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek 0 The rod is a metonym for a greater man punishing a lesser man with a rod. To strike a man on the cheek was to insult him more than to harm him. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will punish the judge of Israel by having the invaders insult the judge of Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
|
||
5:1 hz1y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony the judge of Israel 0 This irony describes the king as having lost so much of his power and authority that he is really only a judge.
|
||
5:2 e2u4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah 0 Yahweh speaks to the people of Judah, and especially to the people of Bethlehem, as if he were speaking to the town of Bethlehem itself.
|
||
5:2 kc5p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ephrathah 0 This is either the name of the area in which Bethlehem was situated or it is just another name for Bethlehem or it distinguishes this Bethlehem from another. Bethlehem is about six miles south of Jerusalem. It was the hometown of King David. Translators may add this footnote: “The name ‘Ephrathah’ means ‘to be fruitful.’”
|
||
5:2 q7k4 even though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come 0 Alternate translation: “even though other clans in Judah have more people in them, it is one of your people who will come”
|
||
5:2 ha3j will come to me 0 Here “me” refers to Yahweh.
|
||
5:2 rws4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet whose beginning is from ancient times, from everlasting 0 This refers to the ruler descending from the ancient family of King David. The phrases “from ancient times” and “from everlasting” mean basically the same thing and emphasize how old this family line is.
|
||
5:3 zg3h Therefore 0 Alternate translation: “Because what I have just said is true” or “Because this ruler will come later”
|
||
5:3 xd41 will give them up 0 will abandon the people of Israel
|
||
5:3 nu1x until the time when she who is in labor bears a child 0 This refers to the time when the ruler is born, a limited time.
|
||
5:3 du1l the rest of his brothers 0 “the rest of the ruler’s fellow Israelites,” who are in exile
|
||
5:4 w1e9 0 # General Information:\n\nThese verses continue describing the ruler from Bethlehem.
|
||
5:4 miw4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of Yahweh 0 A shepherd, who feeds and protects his sheep, is a metaphor for the ruler, who will provide for and protect the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will give him the strength to lead his people”
|
||
5:4 apx2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God 0 The person’s name is a metonym for person’s authority. Alternate translation: “and people will honor him because Yahweh his God has given him the authority to rule”
|
||
5:4 kkz1 They will remain 0 the people of Israel will remain
|
||
5:4 yry5 remain 0 Alternate translation: “live in safety”
|
||
5:4 jkd7 he will be great to the ends of the earth 0 All people from every nation will give honor to Israel’s ruler.
|
||
5:5 m8sd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor seven shepherds and eight leaders over men 0 Here “shepherds” is a metonym for “rulers,” another way of saying “leaders over men.” The phrase “seven … and eight” is an idiom for “more than enough.” Alternate translation: “enough, even more than enough, rulers” or “more than enough shepherds and leaders over men” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
|
||
5:6 t2fh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in its entrances 0 The sword is a metonym for killing in war. Here the Israelites ruling over the Assyrians is spoken of ironically as if they were killing sheep instead of herding them. The land of Assyria is a metonym for the people who live there. The entrances to cities were where official business took place. Alternate translation: “They will make war against the people of Assyria, and they will rule the cities of the land of Nimrod” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
|
||
5:6 upk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and the land of Nimrod 0 The words “they will shepherd” are understood from the beginning of the sentence. They can be repeated. Alternate translation: “and they will shepherd the land of Nimrod”
|
||
5:6 p1ya rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names land of Nimrod 0 This is another name for the land of Assyria. Nimrod was a hunter and early ruler. Translators may add this footnote: “The name ‘Nimrod’ means ‘rebellion.’”
|
||
5:6 cj7q He will rescue 0 The ruler will rescue
|
||
5:7 rd4s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like dew from Yahweh, like showers on the grass 0 Dew and rain showers refresh the land and cause things to grow. The Israelites will cause the people among whom they live to live will.
|
||
5:7 qz8i grass, that do not wait for a man, and they do not wait for the children 0 “grass. It is not for a man that they wait, nor is it for the children.” It is Yahweh alone who causes dew and rain showers.
|
||
5:8 ty4b 0 # General Information:\n\nYahweh promises that the Israelites who are alive after Yahweh has punished his people with war will completely defeat and rule over their enemies.
|
||
5:8 pc96 remnant of Jacob 0 descendants of Jacob who survive the war
|
||
5:8 bv7a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet among the nations, among many peoples 0 These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the “remnant of Jacob” will live in many different nations.
|
||
5:8 rch5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep 0 Lions are able to kill and eat any wild animal of the forest, and they easily kill sheep. Alternate translation: “like the fiercest of wild animals, like a wild animal that kills helpless livestock”
|
||
5:8 fsg4 When he goes through them 0 when the young lion goes through the flocks of sheep
|
||
5:8 l3ju will trample over them and tear 0 Alternate translation: “will jump on them so they fall down, and then he will tear”
|
||
5:9 qjw5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you Your hand … your enemies 0 The writer is speaking to Yahweh, so both instances of “your” are masculine singular.
|
||
5:9 g937 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Your hand will be lifted against your enemies 0 The hand is a metonym for the power that the hand exercises or a synecdoche for the whole person. To lift the hand is to exercise power. Alternate translation: “You will completely defeat your enemies” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
|
||
5:9 a5bh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche it will destroy them 0 The hand is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “you will destroy them”
|
||
5:10 yvv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit I will destroy your horses from among you and will demolish your chariots 0 The people of Israel used horses and chariots only in battle, and they may have traded for them with the godless nations around them. God did not want the people to trust in their weapons of war to protect them more than they trusted in him.
|
||
5:10 t7yg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you your horses … among you … your chariots 0 Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
|
||
5:11 p7xv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you your land … your strongholds 0 Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
|
||
5:12 w5rn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the witchcraft in your hand 0 Being in the “hand” represents the actions that the person does. Alternate translation: “the witchcraft that you do”
|
||
5:12 b4vf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you your hand … you will 0 Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
|
||
5:13 udr6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you your carved … your stone … among you. You will … your hands 0 Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
|
||
5:13 s47c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns the workmanship of your hands 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **workmanship**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “make.” Alternate translation: “what your hands have made”
|
||
5:14 dd8m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you your Asherah … among you … your cities 0 Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man.
|
||
5:14 p6df rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor will uproot your Asherah poles 0 Yahweh speaks of Asherah poles as if they were trees that he would pull out of the ground. Alternate translation: “will pull your Asherah poles out of the ground”
|
||
6:intro k235 0 # Micah 6 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter is written as a court case or lawsuit by Yahweh against His people. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/peopleofgod]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### Names in Lawsuit\n\nMoses, Aaron and Miriam are mentioned as witnesses for Yahweh and against Israel.\nAhab and Omri are mentioned as kings who were evil and did not follow Yahweh. Obedience to the law of Moses is contrasted with disobedience to the law. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/testimony]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])
|
||
6:1 wer4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe Now listen 0 Micah speaks to the people of Israel as if he were speaking to mountains that can hear him, so both instances of “listen” are plural.
|
||
6:1 sz7c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you Arise … state 0 Micah speaks to the people of Israel as if they were one man, so the commands and the word “your” are singular.
|
||
6:1 zxw4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification Arise and state your case before the mountains; let the hills hear your voice 0 Yahweh speaks as if he is in court and the mountains and hills are the judges. He commands the people of Israel to tell the judges why they have done what they did.
|
||
6:2 vyc6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe Listen to Yahweh’s lawsuit 0 Micah speaks to the people of Israel as if he were speaking to mountains that can hear him, so both instances of “listen” are plural.
|
||
6:2 pbw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification you mountains … you enduring foundations of the earth 0 Micah is speaking to these things as if they are humans. Micah is using the mountains, hills, and foundations of the earth as an eternal witness against his people’s idolatry.
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6:3 smg8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion My people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Testify against me! 0 God uses questions to emphasize that he is a good God, and he has done nothing to cause the people to stop worshiping him. Alternate translation: “My people, I have been good to you. I have done nothing to make you tired of me. If you think I have, testify against me, now.”
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6:3 h6ec rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you to you … wearied you? Testify 0 Yahweh speaks to the people as if they were one man, so all instances of “you” and all the commands are masculine singular.
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6:4 y7re rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you brought you … rescued you … Miriam to you 0 Yahweh speaks to the people as if they were one man, so all instances of “you” and all the commands are masculine singular.
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6:4 s8wt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor house of bondage 0 A house is a metaphor for a place in which one lives for a long time. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **bondage**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “to be slaves.” Alternate translation: “the place where you were slaves for a long time”
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6:5 q1ew rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you remember … you went … you may know 0 Yahweh speaks to the people as if they were one man, so all instances of “you” and all the commands are masculine singular.
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6:5 ddx5 what Balak … devised 0 “the plans Balak … made to harm you
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6:5 q2uj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit how Balaam … answered him 0 This could mean: (1) Balaam obeyed Balak by coming when Balak called him, Alternate translation: “how Balaam … did what Balak asked him to do” or (2) Balaam explained to Balak why Balaam had blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them as Balak had commanded. Alternate translation: “what Balaam told Balak”
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6:5 mpf3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beor 0 This is the name of Balaam’s father.
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6:5 rmf6 Shittim 0 This is the name of a place in Moab.
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6:5 w4n8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person so you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh 0 Yahweh refers to himself by his own name. Alternate translation: “so that you may remember the righteous things that I, Yahweh, have done for you”
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6:6 n2hi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What should I bring to Yahweh … God? Should I come … old? 0 Micah speaks as if he were a person who truly wanted to know what God expects him to do. This could mean: (1) he asks questions and then in verse 8 answers the questions he has asked or (2) he is using questions to teach the people. Alternate translation: “I know that I do no need to bring to Yahweh … God, or come … old”
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6:7 yc7f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will Yahweh be pleased … oil? Should I give … sin? 0 Micah continues to speaks as if he were a person who truly wanted to know what God expects him to do. This could mean: (1) he asks questions and then in verse 8 answers the questions he has asked or (2) he is using questions to teach the people. Alternate translation: “I know that Yahweh will not be pleased … oil or if I give … sin.”
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6:7 mxx1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion thousands of rams … ten thousand rivers of oil 0 “rams in groups of 1,000 … 10,000 rivers of oil” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
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6:8 y8pq He has told you 0 Alternate translation: “Yahweh has told you”
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6:8 xd8t good, and what Yahweh requires from you: Act … God 0 Many versions read, “good. And what does Yahweh require from you? He wants you to act … God.” or “good. And what does Yahweh require from you but to act … God?”
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6:8 qii1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns love kindness 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **kindness**, you can express the same idea with an adjective such as “kind.” Alternate translation: “love being kind to people”
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6:9 jf56 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy even now wisdom acknowledges your name 0 Wisdom is spoken of as a person and is a metonym for the wise person. The word “name” here is a metonym for the person himself, what people think of him, and his authority. Alternate translation: “and the wise person will fear you” or “and the wise person will acknowledge that you are good and will obey you” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
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6:9 mll1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Pay attention to the rod, and to the one who has put it in place 0 Here “rod” refers to the enemy army with which Yahweh, who “has put it in place,” will discipline his people.
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6:10 va73 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy There is wealth in the houses of the wicked that is dishonest 0 Dishonest wealth is a metonym for wealth that people have gained by acting dishonestly. The words “the wicked” refer to wicked people. Houses are a synecdoche for everything a person possesses. Alternate translation: “Wicked people have acted dishonestly to gain wealth” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
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6:10 s6dk false measures 0 incorrect weights that people use with scales to increase their wealth by deceiving those with whom they trade
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6:11 j82a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Should I consider a person to be innocent … weights? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I certainly will not consider a person innocent … weights.”
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6:11 h4pk deceptive weights 0 weights with which sellers deceive buyers
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6:12 ig8k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The rich men are full of violence 0 Rich men are spoken of as if they were containers, and people treating each other violently is spoken of as if it were a liquid that could be put into a container. Alternate translation: “The rich men act violently toward everyone” or “The rich men act violently all the time”
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6:12 j5fx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche their tongue in their mouth is deceitful 0 The tongue is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “Everything they say is a lie”
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6:13 c1sc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will strike you with a terrible blow 0 Yahweh striking his people with blows is a metaphor for him punishing them. Alternate translation: “I have punished you severely”
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6:14 f2m4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor your emptiness will remain inside you 0 A person or thing being hungry is spoken of as if it were something that could be put in a container, and the people are spoken of as if they were containers. Alternate translation: “You will be hungry, and you will not be able to eat enough to satisfy yourself”
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6:16 ke6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The regulations made by Omri have been kept, and all the deeds of the house of Ahab 0 This can be translated in active form, and you may need to supply the words that the ellipsis omitted. Alternate translation: “You have done what Omri commanded, and you have done the same things the house of Ahab did”
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6:16 tc63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Omri … Ahab 0 Both of these men were kings over the northern kingdom of Israel. God considered both of them to be very wicked.
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6:16 n2j5 house of Ahab 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Ahab”
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6:16 em7h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor You walk by their advice 0 Walking on a path is a metaphor for how a person lives his life. Alternate translation: “You do what Omri and Ahab told the people to do”
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6:16 s6wy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe I will make you, city, a ruin, and you inhabitants an object of hissing 0 Micah speaks to the people of the city, who can hear him, as if he were speaking to the city itself, which cannot hear him. You may need to make explicit the words that the ellipsis omits. Alternate translation: “I will make your city a ruin, and I will make you inhabitants an object of hissing” or “I will make you, city, a ruin, and I will cause everyone who sees you, inhabitants of the city, to hiss at you” or “I will make the city a ruin, and I will make people hiss at the inhabitants”
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6:16 q68q you will bear the reproach of my people 0 Alternate translation: “you will suffer because my people will reproach you”
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7:intro kf61 0 # Micah 7 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Last days\n\nThis chapter looks forward to the hope of the coming savior for the faithful remnant. This is the future restoration of Israel when true peace will come. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/savior]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faithful]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/remnant]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/restore]])\n\n### Prophet\n\nThe prophet was able to speak to God on behalf of the people. Often in this chapter, the prophet speaks in Israel’s place and offers repentance to Yahweh. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])
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7:1 wf5y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I have become like the gathering of summer fruit, and like the grapes that have been gleaned 0 Micah speaks of looking for faithful people but being unable to find any as if he were a person looking for food after the harvesters have taken it all. The idea of a person wanting to gather fruit can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “I have become like someone looking for fruit after the gathering of summer fruit, like a gleaner after the grapes have been gleaned” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
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7:1 jz29 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor no grape cluster … no ripe early fig 0 Micah speaks of faithful, upright people as if they were fruit that is good to eat.
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7:2 x5ss rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole The faithful ones have disappeared … land; there is no upright person … They all lie in wait … blood; each one hunts 0 These are exaggerations. Alternate translation: “I feel as though faithful people have disappeared … land and there is no upright person … I feel as though they all lie in wait … blood, and each one hunts”
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7:2 qea8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor to shed blood 0 Blood is a metaphor for the death of innocent people. Alternate translation: “to kill innocent people”
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7:3 m27f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Their hands are very good 0 The hand is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “The people are very good”
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7:4 nz3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile The best of them is like a brier, the most upright is worse than a thorn hedge 0 Briers and thorns are good for nothing and harm those who touch them. The Israelite rulers and judges did nothing good and harmed people.
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7:4 kin3 the most upright 0 Alternate translation: “those of them who try hardest to do what is good”
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7:4 qfc3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive It is the day foretold by your watchmen, the day of your punishment 0 Micah speaks to the people of Israel, so both instances of “your” are plural. The word “watchmen” is a metaphor for prophets. Alternate translation: “Their prophets have told them that Yahweh would punish them” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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7:4 i385 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns Now is the time of their confusion 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **confusion**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Now is when they do not understand what is happening”
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7:5 cvb4 Do not trust any neighbor 0 Micah continues to show that there is no longer anyone good, honest, and loyal to God among God’s people. Here he emphasizes that they cannot even trust friends or family.
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7:6 y6bb people of his own house 0 Micah continues to show that there is no longer anyone good, honest, and loyal to God among God’s people. Here he emphasizes that they cannot even trust friends or family.
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7:6 by7f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law 0 The words “rises up” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “a daughter-in-law rises up against her mother-in-law”
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7:6 z99g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy his own house 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. Alternate translation: “his own family”
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7:7 pvd9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor 0 # General Information:\n\nIn verse 8 Micah begins speaking as if he were one woman speaking to her enemy, another woman. This is perhaps the daughter of Zion ([Micah 1:13](../01/13.md)), who represents the people of Israel, speaking to the “daughter of soldiers” ([Micah 5:1](../05/01.md)), who represents the nations which attacked Israel. All commands and instances of “you” are feminine singular. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
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7:7 z1eq But as for me 0 Here “me” refers to Micah.
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7:7 p8kj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns I will wait for the God of my salvation 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **salvation**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “I will wait for the God who saves me” or “I will wait for God, who saves me”
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7:7 wd6x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy will hear me 0 The word “hear” represents hearing and acting. Alternate translation: “will act to help me”
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7:8 yb44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor fall … rise 0 These words are metaphors for suffering from disaster and then recovering.
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7:8 ln69 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor sit in darkness 0 These words are a metaphor for suffering from disaster.
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7:9 d2c6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will bear his rage 0 Rage is spoken of as if it were a solid object that Yahweh was forcing Micah to carry. Alternate translation: “I will suffer because he is angry with me”
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7:9 v4zl until he pleads my cause, and executes judgment for me 0 Yahweh will punish the people of the other nations who harmed the people of Israel.
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7:9 sr4x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor he pleads my cause 0 Yahweh is spoken of as if he were defending Micah in court. Alternate translation: “he defends me against those who harm me”
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7:9 sc18 executes judgment for me 0 Alternate translation: “brings about justice for me”
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7:9 p8yt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor He will bring me to the light 0 Bringing Micah from darkness ([Micah 7:8](../07/08.md)) to light is a metaphor for ending the suffering from disaster and enabling him to live well.
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7:9 t4wh rescue me in his justice 0 Alternate translation: “bring justice to me and rescue me”
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7:10 wv5q my enemy … the one who said … your God … My eyes 0 The words “enemy,” “one,” “your,” and “my” here refer to the women in the poem and so are feminine singular.
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7:10 ize3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Where is Yahweh your God? 0 The enemy uses a question to mock the people of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Yahweh your God cannot help you”
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7:10 fx2c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche My eyes 0 This phrase here refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “I” or “We”
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7:10 d12h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive she will be trampled down 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “her enemies will trample her down”
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7:10 j5qh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like the mud in the streets 0 People who walk on mud without thinking they are doing anything bad are compared with those who will destroy Israel’s enemies without thinking they are doing anything evil.
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7:11 x4rg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you 0 # General Information:\n\nMicah speaks to the people of Israel as if he were speaking to one man.
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7:11 y6xz A day to build your walls will come 0 Here “walls” refers to the walls around their cities, which provided safety and security from their enemies.
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7:11 ue5m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the boundaries will be extended very far 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will greatly extend the boundaries of your land” or “Yahweh will greatly increase the size of your kingdom”
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7:12 hs2u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the River 0 You may need to make explicit the name of river. Alternate translation: “the Euphrates River”
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7:12 bd5t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit from sea to sea 0 You may need to make explicit the names of the seas. “from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Dead Sea in the east”
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7:12 y16y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom from mountain to mountain 0 “from one mountain to another.” Micah does not speak of any particular mountain.
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7:13 av6g the land will be desolate 0 Alternate translation: “the land will be empty” or “no one will live in the land”
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7:13 n1e8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor because of the fruit of their actions 0 Fruit is a metaphor for the results of an earlier action. Alternate translation: “because of the results of what they have done”
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7:14 jsh4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Shepherd your people with your rod, the flock of your inheritance 0 Micah is praying to Yahweh, asking him to protect his people of Israel again. Here “rod” refers to God’s leadership and guidance, as a shepherd uses a stick to guide and protect his sheep.
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7:14 cu5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor They live alone in a thicket, in the midst of a pastureland 0 Micah speaks of his people as if they were wild animals hiding in bushes instead of livestock grazing in fields with much grass to eat.
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7:14 l8a3 a thicket 0 a place where many small woody plants grow
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7:14 brz2 Bashan and Gilead 0 These regions are known as rich land for growing food.
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7:14 whi8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit as in the old days 0 Bashan and Gilead had been part of Israel long ago, when David was king.
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7:15 e3z5 As in the days … them wonders 0 Yahweh speaks to the people.
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7:16 mhq2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The nations 0 The word “nations” is a metonym for the people who live in many nations. Alternate translation: “The people of the nations nearby”
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7:16 mzy2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction They will put their hands on their mouths 0 They do this to show that they are ashamed of what they have done.
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7:16 n9vh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom their ears will be deaf 0 This is an idiom. Nothing anyone says will have any effect on them.
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||
7:17 e21s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole They will lick the dust like a snake 0 Snakes slither on the ground where dust gets on them, and here the people are being compared to snakes, though it is probably an exaggeration that they will lick the dust. This could mean: (1) will literally lie on the ground in shame or (2) will be so ashamed and humbled that it will be as if they were lying on the ground. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
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7:17 zg31 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor their dens 0 The people are spoken of as if they were animals, because animals live in “dens.” Alternate translation: “their homes” or “their hiding places”
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||
7:18 g3i6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who is a God like you—who takes … inheritance? 0 Micah is emphasizing that there is no God like Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know that there is no God like you, who takes … inheritance.”
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7:18 kr7v the remnant of his inheritance 0 Alternate translation: “those of his chosen people who have survived his punishment”
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7:18 a8d2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person you … of the remnant of his inheritance? He does not keep his anger forever, because he delights in his covenant faithfulness. 0 Here the words “his” and “he” can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: “you … of the remnant of your inheritance, who do not keep your anger forever, because you delight in your covenant faithfulness?” or “you … of the remnant of your inheritance? You do not keep your anger forever, because you delights in your covenant faithfulness.”
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||
7:18 f1lp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns he delights in his covenant faithfulness 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **faithfulness**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “faithful.” Alternate translation: “he delights in being faithful to his covenant” or “he delights in being faithful to his people”
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7:18 ups5 passes over 0 ignores
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7:18 mcd3 does not keep his anger 0 Alternate translation: “does not stay angry”
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||
7:19 i7z3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you You will 0 Here “you” refers to Yahweh.
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||
7:19 i1u2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive on us 0 Here “us” refers to Micah and the people, but not to Yahweh.
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||
7:19 rqi9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you will trample our iniquities under your feet. You will throw all our sins into the depths of the sea 0 Iniquity and sin are spoken of as if they were solid objects. Alternate translation: “You will treat our iniquities and sins as if they were not important”
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7:20 q32m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy You will give truth to Jacob and covenant faithfulness to Abraham 0 Here the names of Jacob and Abraham are metonyms for their descendants, the people of Israel to whom Micah was speaking. The abstract nouns “truth” and “faithfulness” can be stated as “trustworthy” and “faithful.” Alternate translation: “You will show the descendants of Jacob and Abraham that your are trustworthy and faithful to your covenant” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
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