MIC 3:5 Interlinear View

1. Hebrew word
2. Hebrew lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. Gloss
8. CAPS codes
9. OET tags
10. OET word #
1. כֹּה
2. 532039
3. thus
4. -
5. 3541
6. S-D
7. thus
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371961
1. אָמַר
2. 532040
3. he says
4. -
5. 559
6. V-Vqp3ms
7. he_says
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371962
1. יְהוָה
2. 532041
3. YHWH
4. Yahweh
5. 3068
6. S-Np
7. Yahweh
8. -
9. Person=God; Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371963
1. עַל
2. 532042
3. on
4. -
6. S-R
7. on
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371964
2. 532043
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 371965
1. הַ,נְּבִיאִים
2. 532044,532045
3. the prophets
4. ‘prophets
5. 5030
6. S-Td,Ncmpa
7. the,prophets
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371966
1. הַ,מַּתְעִים
2. 532046,532047
3. who mislead
4. astray
5. 8582
6. SV-Td,Vhrmpa
7. [who],mislead
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371967
1. אֶת
2. 532048
3. DOM
4. -
5. 853
6. O-To
7. DOM
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371968
2. 532049
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 371969
1. עַמִּ,י
2. 532050,532051
3. people of my
4. people
6. O-Ncmsc,Sp1cs
7. people_of,my
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371970
1. הַ,נֹּשְׁכִים
2. 532052,532053
3. who bite
4. -
6. SV-Td,Vqrmpa
7. [who],bite
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371971
1. בְּ,שִׁנֵּי,הֶם
2. 532054,532055,532056
3. with teeth of their
4. teeth
5. 8127
6. S-R,Ncbdc,Sp3mp
7. with,teeth_of,their
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371972
1. וְ,קָרְאוּ
2. 532057,532058
3. and they proclaim
4. proclaim
5. 7121
6. SV-C,Vqq3cp
7. and,they_proclaim
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371973
1. שָׁלוֹם
2. 532059
3. peace
4. -
5. 7965
6. P-Ncmsa
7. peace
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371974
1. וַ,אֲשֶׁר
2. 532060,532061
3. and which
4. -
6. S-C,Tr
7. and=which
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371975
1. לֹא
2. 532062
3. not
4. -
5. 3808
6. S-Tn
7. not
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371976
2. 532063
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 371977
1. יִתֵּן
2. 532064
3. he puts
4. -
5. 5414
6. V-Vqi3ms
7. he_puts
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371978
1. עַל
2. 532065
3. on
4. -
6. S-R
7. on
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371979
2. 532066
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 371980
1. פִּי,הֶם
2. 532067,532068
3. mouth of their
4. mouths
5. 6310
6. S-Ncmsc,Sp3mp
7. mouth_of,their
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371981
1. וְ,קִדְּשׁוּ
2. 532069,532070
3. and they consecrate
4. -
5. 6942
6. SV-C,Vpq3cp
7. and,they_consecrate
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371982
1. עָלָי,ו
2. 532071,532072
3. on/upon/above him/it
4. -
6. S-R,Sp3ms
7. on/upon/above=him/it
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371983
1. מִלְחָמָה
2. 532073
3. war
4. -
5. 4421
6. O-Ncfsa
7. war
8. -
9. Y-710; TProphecies_of_Micah
10. 371984
2. 532074
3. -
4. -
6. -x-sof-pasuq
8. -
9. -
10. 371985

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 3:5–8

In this paragraph, Micah rebuked the wicked prophets. He first described the way in which they misled the people (3:5). He then described their future punishment by God (3:6–7). He concluded by contrasting his own status as a true prophet (3:8).

Micah began this paragraph with the phrase “Thus says the LORD.” This phrase indicates that his message came from the LORD. But it is not clear which verses are a direct quote of the LORD’s words. In the examples below, the verse parts may differ, depending on the version. Here are the main interpretations:

All of verses 5–8 are Micah’s words. These verses are the message that he received from the LORD. The lack of quotation marks indicates that he did not quote the LORD’s words directly.Interpretation (1) is supported by WBC 1984 (pages 32–33). For example:
^5aThus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray;…^6aTherefore it will be night for you…^7aThe seers will be ashamed…^8aOn the other hand I am filled with power… (NASB) (ESV, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NJB, NRSV, REB)The NJPS does not use any quote marks in 3:5–8. It has not been listed under interpretation (1), because it spells the phrase “My people” with a capital letter, referring to the LORD.
Verses 5b–7 are a direct quote of the LORD’s words. The quote is marked with quotation marks. Verse 8 is Micah’s words.Interpretation (2) is supported by Hillers (page 44). For example:
^5aThis is what the Lord says: ^5b“As for the prophets who lead my people astray…. ^7bThey will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God.” ^8aBut as for me… (NIV) (BSB, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT)The NET includes 3:8 in the same paragraph as 3:5–7. In the NCV, NIV, and NLT, 3:8 starts a new paragraph.
Verse 3:6 is a direct quote of the LORD’s words. Verses 5, 7, and 8 are Micah’s words.Interpretation (3) is supported by TOTC, Waltke 1993, and Waltke 2007. For example:
⁵My people are deceived by prophets…To these prophets the Lord says, ⁶“Prophets, your day is almost over;…you will not be able to predict anything.” ⁷Those who predict…⁸But as for me,… (GNT) (GNT)
Verses 6–7 are a direct quote of the LORD’s words. Verses 5 and 8 are Micah’s words. For example:
⁵You lying prophets…Here is what the Lord says to you prophets: ⁶“You will live in the dark…⁷You prophets…no message from me.” ⁸But the Lord has filled me… (CEV) (CEV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is the simplest. Micah is the speaker in each of the three paragraphs in this section (3:1–12).

The meaning of these verses is almost the same with all four interpretations. Regardless of the quote marks, Micah’s message came to him from the LORD. His audience understood that he claimed to be the LORD’s spokesman.

If you decide not to follow interpretation (1), here are two things that you should consider:

If you follow interpretation (1), (3), or (4), the phrase “my people” in 3:5a means “Micah’s people.” But if you follow interpretation (2), it means “the LORD’s people.”
If you follow interpretation (2) or (4), the phrase “there is no answer from God” (3:7d) may need to be translated “there is no answer from me.”

3:5

Verse 3:5a gives a general reason for Micah’s rebuke of the prophets. Verses 3:5b–c give more details.A&F (page 364), Waltke 1993 (page 662).

^5aThis is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray,

^5bwho proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth,

^5cbut declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

3:5a

This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray,

¶ This is what Yahweh says about the prophets who deceive/mislead my people/countrymen.
¶ Here is a message from Yahweh. It is a message about the prophets who encourage/teach my fellow Jews to follow a sinful way of life.

This is what the LORD says: Micah used this phrase to introduce a message from the LORD. See how you translated the same phrase in 2:3a.

As for the prophets: This phrase indicates that Micah’s message was about the prophets. Here is another way to translate these two phrases:

This is what the Lord says about the prophets… (GW)

who lead My people astray: Some translations interpret the Hebrew phrase “my people” as referring to Micah’s people, since Micah is the one quoting God. The BSB chose to translate the phrase My people to refer to God’s people. The phrase My people refers to Micah’s people. See the Note about this phrase at 1:9c.

The phrase lead…astray (present tense) means that the wicked prophets habitually or frequently pretended that their messages were from the LORD. But actually, their words were lies that deceived or misled the people. They did not warn the people that the LORD would punish them if they did not turn from their sins.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

who regularly deceive my people

who mislead my people (GW)

who teach my people the wrong way to live (based on NCV)

3:5b

who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth,

If people give those prophets food, they loudly say, “All will go well for you^(plur)!”
If people feed those prophets as payment for their message, they proclaim this message: “You will prosper!”
Those prophets speak a good message to people who give them food. They promise them, “You will have a good life!”

who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth: In Hebrew, the verb proclaim means “to speak loudly,” “to proclaim a message.”

peace: These prophets proclaim that there will be peace (šalom in Hebrew). This word means more than just no fighting or no noise. It means “wholeness,” “prosperity,” or “well-being.” It refers to the happy life of a person whom God blesses.UBS (page 174).

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate peace as a sentence. For example:

“You will prosper.”

“Your life will be happy and safe.”

while they chew with their teeth: Here, this clause means “to bite food,” in other words, to eat.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

who promise prosperity in return for food (REB)

If these prophets are given food to eat, they shout, “Peace!” (NCV, quote marks adjusted)

If people give those prophets food to eat, they loudly proclaim this message, “You will be safe and happy.”

It was the custom in Israel to give food or money to prophets to help them. But the prophets that Micah talked about here were not honest. If people paid them or gave them food, they preached messages of peace and prosperity instead of warning the people to repent.

3:5c

but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

But if people do not feed them, they fight a war against them.
But they oppose any people who do not give them food.
But if people don’t give them anything as payment, they threaten them, saying, “The Lord will destroy you!”

but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: If a person did not give food to these prophets, they did not preach messages of peace and prosperity. Instead they declare war against those people.

declare war: Other versions translate this phrase in these ways:

prepare to wage war (NIV)

threaten war (GNT)

declare a holy war (GW)

This is a figure of speech called a hyperbole. These prophets did not literally declare war against people who did not give them food. Perhaps the prophets spoke angrily to them. Perhaps they preached messages against them. Perhaps they cursed them, saying, “God will destroy you!”

If a literal translation of this figure of speech is not clear or natural, you may want to translate it another way. For example:

But if people do not give them food to eat, they threaten disaster on them.

But they speak angrily against anyone who does not give them food.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-quotations

כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה

thus he/it_had_said YHWH

Micah is using the words Thus says Yahweh to indicate that what follows is a direct quotation from Yahweh and comes with Yahweh’s authority. In your translation, use a natural way of indicating direct quotations in your language.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הַ⁠מַּתְעִ֣ים אֶת עַמִּ֑⁠י

[who],mislead DOM people_of,my

Yahweh is speaking of the prophets leading the people into wrong belief and behavior as if the prophets were causing the people to wander astray from the right path. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [causing my people to believe and act wrongly]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הַ⁠נֹּשְׁכִ֤ים בְּ⁠שִׁנֵּי⁠הֶם֙ וְ⁠קָרְא֣וּ שָׁל֔וֹם

[who],bite with,teeth_of,their and,they_proclaim peace

Yahweh is speaking of the practice the prophets had of giving a favorable prophecy to someone in exchange for food or payment as if they were biting with their teeth. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [when they have been given food to eat, then they call out, ‘Peace!’]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

שָׁל֔וֹם

peace

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of Peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [You will live peacefully and be safe]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וְ⁠קִדְּשׁ֥וּ עָלָ֖י⁠ו מִלְחָמָֽה

and,they_consecrate on/upon/above=him/it war

The implication is that the prophets perform religious ceremonies to declare a holy war against anyone who does not feed them. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [they perform ceremonies to declare a holy war against him]

Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns

וְ⁠קִדְּשׁ֥וּ עָלָ֖י⁠ו מִלְחָמָֽה

and,they_consecrate on/upon/above=him/it war

The pronoun they refers to the prophets, and the pronoun him refers to anyone who does not give the prophets food. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the prophets consecrate war against that person]

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 3:5