MIC 3:7 Interlinear View

3:7 OSHB note: We read one or more accents in L differently from BHQ.

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.”

3:7a–b

(combined/reordered)

Those prophets who used to see visions and predict the future will be ashamed.

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^7aThen the seers will be ashamed,

^7band the diviners will be disgraced.

3:7a

Then the seers will be ashamed

Those who now can see visions will be ashamed,
At that time, those prophets will be humiliated because they will no longer be able to do those things.

the seers: This word means “people who see visions.” It was often used to refer to prophets. (See 1 Samuel 9:9.)

will be ashamed: This word means “disgraced” or “humiliated.”

3:7b

and the diviners will be disgraced.

and those who now predict the future will be embarrassed.
The fortunetellers will feel/experience shame/disgrace.

and the diviners: In Hebrew, this word means “people who practice divination.” It is related to the word translated “divination” in 3:6b. Other ways to translate it are:

fortunetellers (CEV)

people who see the future (NCV)

omen readers (NET)

The words diviners and “seers” both refer to the wicked prophets that Micah talked about in verses 5 and 6.

will be disgraced: In Hebrew, this phrase is a word that means “ashamed” or “embarrassed.” It is a synonym of “ashamed” in 3:7a.

Here are some ways to translate 3:7a–b:

Translate each line without combining the parallel parts. For example:
The seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be embarrassed. (NASB)
The prophets will be ashamed; the omen readers will be humiliated. (NET)
Combine the parallel parts into one line. For example:
Seers and diviners alike will be overcome with shame (REB)
Those prophets who used to be able to predict the future will be ashamed.
Those who predict the future will be disgraced by their failure. (GNT)

The words “by their failure” (GNT) is the implied reason that the seers and diviners will be humiliated. In contrast to their success in the past, they will fail to see visions or predict the future.

3:7c

They will all cover their mouths

All of them will cover their lower faces,
They will all put their hands over their mouths in shame,

They will all cover their mouths: The pronoun They refers to the seers and diviners in verse 7a–b. Notice the word all. All of them will do this.

cover their mouths: In Hebrew, the word mouths refers to the lower half of the face. It can refer to the mouth, mustache, or beard. The phrase cover their mouths means “they put the palm of their hand over their mouth and lower face to hide it.”

This is a symbolic gesture. Jewish people covered their mouths like this to show that they were very sad or ashamed. (See Ezekiel 24:17; Leviticus 13:45.)

Here are some ways to translate this symbolic gesture:

Keep the gesture. For example:
They will all cover their faces (NIV)
they will all put their hands over their mouths (NJB)
Keep the gesture and supply the meaning. For example:
They will cover their faces in shame
Translate the meaning without the gesture. For example:
They will all be humiliated (GNT)
Substitute a different symbolic gesture that has the same meaning in your language. For example:
All of them will put their hands on their chests

If you choose the last option, consider adding a footnote that gives the Hebrew gesture along with the meaning.

3:7c–d

(combined/reordered)

God will no longer give them any messages, so all of them will place their hands over their mouths to show that they are humiliated.

3:7d

because there is no answer from God.”

because God will not answer them.
for God no longer pays attention to what they say.

because there is no answer from God: This line gives the reason that the wicked prophets cover their faces. It is because God does not answer them. When they ask him to show them a vision or give them a message, God does not do it. As a result, they are ashamed.

General Comment on 3:5–7

In verse 5, Micah spoke about the evil prophets. In 6a–b, he spoke to the evil prophets. In 6c–d and verse 7, Micah again spoke about these prophets. In Hebrew poetry, it is common to switch from “they” to “you,” or switch from “you” to “they” like this. But in some languages, this may be confusing.

Here are some ways that you can translate the pronouns in this passage:

Translate all the pronouns as they are in Hebrew. The BSB is one of the versions that does this.
Change the “you” pronouns in 3:6a–b to “them.” For example:
So it will become like night for them, without visions. It will become dark for them, without any way to tell the future. (NCV)
Translate all of verses 5–7 using the pronoun you. For example:
⁵This is what the Lord says about you false prophets who are leading his people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you. ⁶Now the night will close around you, cutting off all your visions. Darkness will cover you, putting an end to your predictions. The sun will set for you prophets, and your day will come to an end. ⁷Then you seers will be put to shame, and you fortune-tellers will be disgraced. And you will cover your faces because there is no answer from God.” (adapted from the NLT)The NLT has: “This is what the Lord says: “You false prophets are leading my people astray!…” The Notes have adapted it to fit interpretation (1) in the paragraph note on 3:5–8.

Translate the pronouns in a way that is clear and natural in your language.

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