OET interlinear MIC 4:3

4:3a–4:4b

Here is an overall view of the flow of thought in these verse parts. The relationships have been indicated with an underline:

The LORD will settle all disputes between nations. (3:a–b)

Therefore nations will no longer need weapons and will not fight one another, (3:c–d)

because, in fact, they will no longer learn to fight wars. (3e–f)

Instead, everyone will live in peace without fear (4a–b).

Most versions leave the relationships implied. Use an approach that is natural in your language.

4:3a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^3aThen He will judge between many peoples

^3band arbitrate for strong nations far and wide.

4:3a

Then He will judge between many peoples: The LORD will act as a judge. When people or nations have a disagreement, he will listen to both sides and decide what is the right thing to do.

many peoples: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

many people groups

many nations (NCV)

4:3b

and arbitrate: The word arbitrate is a synonym of the word “judge” in 4:3a. Here are some other ways to translate it:

settle arguments (CEV)

make decisions about (NCV)

for strong nations far and wide: This phrase refers to strong nations that are far from Israel. Here are some other ways to translate strong:

mighty (NJB)

powerful (CEV)

far and wide: This is an English idiom which means “far away and extending over a great area.” It is implied that God will also settle disputes for nations that are near to Israel. For example:

among the great powers near and far (GNT)

4:3c–d

These parallel lines describe the next things that will happen as a result of 4:3a–b. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^3cThen they will beat their swords into plowshares

^3dand their spears into pruning hooks.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) of the verb in 4:3d. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing verb from 4:3c. For example:

^3dand they shall beat their spears into pruning hooks.

In Hebrew, 4:3c begins with a conjunction that is often translated by “and.” For example:

and they shall beat their swords… (ESV)

Other translations (including the BSB) use a conjunction that often introduces the next action. For example:

Then they will hammer their swords… (NASB)

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

Therefore

As a result

Many versions leave the Hebrew conjunction implied. Introduce the parallel results in 4:3c–d in a way that is natural in your language.

“Swords” and “spears” are two kinds of weapons that represent any weapons that people used in warfare. “Plowshares” and “pruning hooks” are two kinds of farm tools that represent any farm tools.

These verse parts refer to pounding iron to make tools. Blacksmiths usually do this kind of work. They heat (“smith/forge”) a piece of iron in a fire. Then they beat it with a hammer to change its shape. Micah said that in the future, people will beat their iron weapons to make farm tools.

swords…spears: These words occur frequently in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. Use the same terms in your language that you have used elsewhere.

plowshares: A “plowshare”Some scholars think that the Hebrew word for plowshares can also mean “hoes.” The REB translates the word as “mattocks.” A mattock is a digging tool, similar to a hoe. is a metal tip for a plow. Farmers in Israel made plows from wood. They put a metal tip on the part of the plow that dug up the dirt. Some versions make this explicit. For example:

plow blades (NCV)

The GNT uses the more general word “plows,” which also occurs frequently in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. You may choose to use the same term here. Another option is to use a term that refers to similar tools. For example:

hoes

digging tools

pruning hooks: The word pruning hooks refers to tools with curved iron blades similar to small sickles. The blade was attached to a wooden handle. Farmers used pruning hooks to cut off small branches from grape vines and trees. Here are some other ways to translate this term:

pruning knives/shears (GNT/GW)

hooks for trimming trees (NCV)

If it is awkward or unnatural to use one or more of the translation suggestions mentioned above, here are some other ideas:

• Use borrowed words from a language of wider communication and provide pictures of each item.

• Use general terms. For example:

  They will make their weapons into farming tools.

  People will use parts of their weapons to make tools for farming.

• Substitute terms for weapons or tools used in your language area. For example:

  weapons: arrows and darts

  tools: rakes and shovels (CEV)

If you use any of the three bullet point options above, you may want to supply a footnote that gives a more literal translation.

4:3c

4:3d

4:3e

Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation: This idiom means that one nation will not wage war against another nation. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Nations will never again go to war (GNT)

Nations will never fight against each other (GW)

4:3f

nor will they train anymore for war: This means “they will not learn how to wage war” or “they will not train how to fight in a battle.” For example:

and they will never train for war again (GW)

they will never again be trained for war (REB)