MIC 3:12 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–12: Micah rebuked the leaders of Israel

In this section, Micah is the speaker. He spoke to the leaders of the Jews and to the prophets. He rebuked (scolded) them for their wicked deeds. He also told them that God would punish the nation because of them.

The Notes will divide this section into three paragraphs:

In 3:1–4, Micah rebuked the judicial leaders.
In 3:5–8, Micah rebuked the wicked prophets.
In 3:9–12, Micah rebuked all the leaders: judges, prophets, and priests.

In each paragraph, Micah used the word “justice” (3:1, 8, 9). In each paragraph, he first rebuked the leaders for their evil deeds. Then he described what would happen as a result of their wickedness. Some versions begin a new paragraph at verse 4 or verse 8. It is recommended that you follow the paragraphs used in the Notes.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Micah Denounces Israel’s Leaders (GNT)

Leaders and Prophets Rebuked (NIV)

Israel’s Sinful Leaders—Rulers, Prophets, and Priests (GW)

Wicked Rulers and Prophets (NRSV)

Paragraph 3:9–12

This paragraph is similar to 3:1–4. Micah again spoke to the leaders of Israel. He specifically included the judicial leaders (verse 9a–b, 11a), priests (verse 11b), and prophets (verse 11c). He told them to listen (verse 9a). He then accused them of behaving wickedly and described the sins of each group (verses 9b–11). Finally, he told them that God would destroy Jerusalem, including the area where the temple was located (verse 12).

3:12

In this verse, Micah again spoke to the leaders. He told them that because of their evil deeds, a terrible thing would happen. This verse is similar to 1:6. In that verse, the LORD said that Samaria (the capital of the northern kingdom) would be destroyed. Here in 3:12, Micah said that Jerusalem (the capital of the southern kingdom) would be destroyed, along with the temple.

3:12a–d

This verse is introduced by a phrase in 12a that connects the preceding verses (3:9–11) to three parallel lines that follow:

^12aTherefore, because of you,

^12b Zion will be plowed like a field,

^12c Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,

^12dand the temple mount a wooded ridge.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 3:12d. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing verb from 3:12c. For example:

^12dand the temple mount shall become a wooded ridge.

In each of the parallel lines (12b–12d), the parts in bold print describe what will happen to the underlined parts.

3:12a

Therefore, because of you,

Therefore, because of your^(plur) wicked deeds,
And so, because you have done those things,

Therefore, because of you: This phrase introduces the result of the sins of the leaders described in 3:9–11. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

That is why, on account of you,…

And so, because of you,… (GNT)

Because of you,… (NCV)

This is what will happen because of your sins:

3:12b

Zion will be plowed like a field,

Zion will become like a field that people plow.
in the future the city of Zion will no longer be a city. It will become farmland where people plow the ground and plant crops.

Zion will be plowed like a field: This verse part is a simile. It means that Zion will be plowed in the same way as a field is plowed. In the future, Zion will no longer be a city with buildings and houses. People will plow the ground to plant crops there.

Zion: In 1:13 and 3:10, Micah used the name Zion as another name for Jerusalem. Here in 3:12b, it is probably also another name for Jerusalem.Almost all commentaries say that in this verse, the names Zion and Jerusalem are synonymous, and the phrase “the temple mount” refers to the area in Jerusalem where the temple was located. See Waltke 2007 (pages 182–183) for a summary of “the three aspects of Jerusalem’s complex situation.” KD (page 318) disagrees. He says that “Zion is that portion of the city which contained the royal palace, and Jerusalem the rest of the city.”

plowed: Micah said that people will plow the ground where the city of Zion (Jerusalem) was. In languages that do not have a term for plowing, it may be possible to use a more generic term. For example:

Zion will become like a field that people farm.

…like a field where people plant crops.

In some languages, it may be helpful to make explicit some information about Zion. For example:

in the future Zion will no longer be a city. It will become like a field that people plow.

If a simile here is not natural in your language, you may translate the meaning directly. For example:

Zion will become a ploughed field (REB)

Jerusalem will be plowed under (CEV)

field: In Hebrew, this word refers to open land in contrast to land that has a city or forest on it. Here it refers specifically to farmland, a field for growing crops.The same Hebrew word is used in 1:6a (“open country”) and 2:2a (“fields”).

3:12c

Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,

Yes, the city of Jerusalem will become piles of broken rocks, bricks, and other rubble/debris.
People will destroy the city of Jerusalem so that no walls or buildings remain,

Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble: Micah said that the city of Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble. It is implied that an enemy army will destroy the buildings and walls. Only a heap of rubble will be left.

a heap of rubble: In Hebrew, the phrase a heap of rubble is a single word. It refers to a pile of broken rocks, bricks, wood, and other debris/residue that is left after the buildings and walls of a city are destroyed. Micah used the same word in 1:6a (“heap”). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

reduced to ruins (NLT)

a pile of ruins (GNT)

left in ruins (CEV)

3:12d

and the temple mount a wooded ridge.

The hill on which the temple now stands will be overgrown/covered with bushes and small trees.
and thickets/brush will grow on the hill where the temple is now located.

and the temple mount: In Hebrew, this is literally “the mountain/hill of the house.” The word “house” here refers to the temple, the house of the LORD. The temple was on top of a hill in Jerusalem. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the mountain of the house (NRSV)

the mountain where the temple now stands (CEV)

the hill on which the Temple stands (NCV)

a wooded ridge: Micah said that the hill on which the temple stood will become a wooded ridge. This implies that the temple will first be destroyed. It will no longer exist.

The phrase a wooded ridge refers to a hilltop that has small trees and bushes growing on it.TWOT (#888a) defines the Hebrew word as “forest, woods, thicket.” It comments about Micah 3:12 that “the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest, i.e. thick and overgrown.” ABC (page 1079) says: the hill on which it stood will be overgrown with weeds.” NICOT (page 316) calls it “a scrub-covered hill.” KD (page 318) says: “the ground upon which the city stood will be partly used as a ploughed field, and partly overgrown with bushes.” It probably does not refer to a forest with large trees.

Here are some other ways to translate 3:12d in English:

and the temple mount will become a hill overgrown with brush (NET)

and the hill on which the Temple stands will be covered with bushes (NCV)

A thicket will grow on the heights where the Temple now stands. (NLT)

General Comment (1) on 3:12

The phrase “Therefore because of you” gives the reason that these terrible things will happen to Jerusalem. In some languages, it may be clearer to put this phrase at the end of the verse. For example:

So in the future, Zion will become farmland that people plow. People will destroy Jerusalem so that it becomes a heap of ruins. Thickets will grow on the hill where the temple used to be. All this will happen because of your wicked deeds.

General Comment (2) on 3:12

Verse 12c talks about the buildings and other structures in Jerusalem: they will become piles of rubble. Verse parts 12b and 12d talk about the land in Jerusalem: some will become farmland, and shrubs will grow on the temple hill. If it is clearer in your language, you can rearrange the verse parts so that 12b and 12d are together. For example:

^12aAnd so, because of your wicked deeds, ^12cpeople will destroy Jerusalem so that it becomes a pile of rubble. ^12bZion will become farmland that people plow, ^12dand bushes will grow on the hill where the temple used to be.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

לָ⁠כֵן֙ בִּ⁠גְלַלְ⁠כֶ֔ם

for=so/thus/hence on,account_of,of_you(pl)

The word Therefore indicates that what follows is the sentence for the crime the leaders are being accused of in the previous verses. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a result. Alternate translation: [Because you have done these things]

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

בִּ⁠גְלַלְ⁠כֶ֔ם

on,account_of,of_you(pl)

The pronoun you refers to the leaders, priests, and prophets of the city. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [because of you leaders, priests, and prophets]

צִיּ֖וֹן שָׂדֶ֣ה תֵֽחָרֵ֑שׁ וִ⁠ירוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ עִיִּ֣ין תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה וְ⁠הַ֥ר הַ⁠בַּ֖יִת לְ⁠בָמ֥וֹת יָֽעַר

Tsiyyōn/(Zion) field plowed and,Jerusalem heap_of_ruins you(ms)_will_be and,the_mountain_of of,the_house (into)_high,places_of forest

See how you translated these phrases quoted in [Jeremiah 26:18](../../jer/26/18.md).

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

צִיּ֖וֹן שָׂדֶ֣ה תֵֽחָרֵ֑שׁ

Tsiyyōn/(Zion) field plowed

The point of this comparison is that Zion, or Jerusalem will be so completely destroyed that the ground where the city stood will be plowed like an open field. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [Zion will be so completely leveled that it will be like a plowed field]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

צִיּ֖וֹן שָׂדֶ֣ה תֵֽחָרֵ֑שׁ

Tsiyyōn/(Zion) field plowed

The expression will be plowed is a passive verbal form. If it would be unnatural to use that form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who does the action, it is the enemies of Zion who will plow it. Alternate translation: [your enemies will plow Zion like a field]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

וְ⁠הַ֥ר הַ⁠בַּ֖יִת לְ⁠בָמ֥וֹת יָֽעַר

and,the_mountain_of of,the_house (into)_high,places_of forest

Micah is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [and the mountain of the house will become as high places of a forest]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠הַ֥ר הַ⁠בַּ֖יִת

and,the_mountain_of of,the_house

Here Micah is speaking of the temple as if it were a house, since it was the place where Yahweh was present among his people. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and the temple mountain]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

לְ⁠בָמ֥וֹת יָֽעַר

(into)_high,places_of forest

Here Micah is using the possessive form to describe high places that are characterized by being overgrown like a forest. If a speaker of your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could express this idea in another way. Alternate translation: [as high places overgrown with forest]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.

OET interlinear MIC 3:12

Hebrew word order