MIC 4:8 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–8: The LORD will rule the world as King from Jerusalem and cause all nations to be at peace

In the last verse of chapter 3, Micah described the destruction that would happen to the temple and to all of Jerusalem. But here in 4:1–8, he described the future importance of the city and the many good things that will result when the LORD rules as King over all the nations from that city.

The Notes have divided this section into two paragraphs (4:1–5 and 4:6–8) with one section heading. Here are some other examples of section headings:

The Lord’s Future Reign (NLT)

The future reign of Yahweh in Zion (NJB)

The Lord Will Teach the Nations (GW)

Some versions use two section headings, one for 4:1–5 and another for 4:6ff. For example:

^1–5Peace and Security through Obedience

^6ffRestoration Promised after Exile (NRSV)

^1–5The Lord’s Universal Reign of Peace

^6ffIsrael Will Return from Exile (GNT)

^1–5Better Days Ahead for Jerusalem

^6ffRestoration Will Follow Crisis (NET)

You may use one or more section headings in your language.

Some versions, including the GNT and NRSV, make verse 5 a separate paragraph. Some versions, including the NRSV and NJB, make verse 8 a separate paragraph. Divide the paragraphs in a natural way in your language.

Paragraph 4:6–8

In these verses, the LORD spoke about the future. He said that he will gather his people together again. He will make them a strong nation and he will rule over them forever.

This paragraph is similar to 2:12–13. In both 2:12–13 and 4:6–8, the LORD promised to gather together the remnant of his people.Also in both 2:12–13 and 4:6–8, the LORD compared his people to sheep (implied by the word “flock” in 4:8).

4:8

Some versions make 4:8 a separate paragraph. The Notes and other versions keep 4:6–8 as one paragraph. Divide the paragraphs in a logical way for your language.

4:8a–b

In these parallel lines, Micah used two metaphors with similar meanings to describe the city. Both metaphors mean that Jerusalem was a strong, secure place where people were safe. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^8aAnd you, O watchtower of the flock,

^8b O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion—

In these lines, Micah spoke to the city of Jerusalem as if it were a person.This is a figure of speech called personification. It is also called apostrophe. He used the singular pronoun “you.” Some versions make the name Jerusalem explicit. For example:

You, Jerusalem,… (GW)

In some languages, it is not natural to speak to a city. It is more natural to speak to the people in the city, or to speak about the city. There are several ways to translate this figure of speech.

Keep the original figure of speech: Micah spoke to the city. For example:
And you, Jerusalem… (GNT)
Change the figure of speech: Micah spoke to the people in the city. For example:
And you^(plur), O people of Jerusalem…
Change the figure of speech: Micah spoke about the city.
And as for the city of Jerusalem…

Do whatever is natural in your language.

4:8a

And you, O watchtower of the flock,

¶ And as for you^(sing) city of Jerusalem, you are like a tower from which a person/shepherd guards his flock of sheep.
¶ As for you^(plur) people of Jerusalem, the city where you live is like a strong tower that protects you.

And you: In Hebrew, this singular pronoun is emphatic.In Hebrew, this pronoun is masculine singular. It agrees with the words “tower” and “hill,” which are masculine singular nouns. Here is another way to express this emphasis:

As for you,… (NASB)

If your translation addresses the people of Jerusalem, you will want to use a plural pronoun.

O watchtower of the flock: Most versions translate the phrase watchtower of the flock in a way similar to the BSB. But the NJPS and NAB translate it as the name of a place: “O Migdal-eder” (NJPS), “O Magdal-eder” (NAB). (See also the footnotes in the NASB and NET.) At the time Jacob lived, there was a place near Bethlehem that had the name Migdal-eder (see Genesis 35:19–21). But in Micah 4:8, Micah spoke to Jerusalem, not Bethlehem. It is recommended that you translate the meaning of this Hebrew phrase rather than translating it as a proper name. A watchtower is a tall building. A shepherd could stand on top of a tower to watch his flock of sheep or goats. In this metaphor, Jerusalem was compared to this kind of tower. The word flock stands for the people who lived in and near Jerusalem.

In this metaphor, there are several points of similarity:

Jerusalem was like a tower, because from Jerusalem God watched over and protected his people.
Jerusalem was like a tower, because the city was strong and secure. People who lived in it were safe from their enemies.
Jerusalem was like a tower, because from Jerusalem the king and other leaders of Israel watched over their people to protect them.

You should translate in a way that any of these points of comparison can be understood. All three are compatible with Micah’s message.

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

Keep the metaphor. Supply a footnote if you feel it will be helpful to your readers. For example:
And you, watchtower of the flocks (NCV)
Footnote in the NCV: [watchtower…flocks] This probably means a part of Jerusalem. The leaders would be like shepherds in a tower watching their sheep.
Change the metaphor to a simile. Make one or more of the points of comparison explicit. For example:
And you, Jerusalem, where God, like a shepherd from his lookout tower, watches over his people… (GNT)
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example: And you, O people of Jerusalem, will be safe inside your strong city.

4:8b

O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion—

You^(sing) are like a fortress for the people who live in Zion.
Jerusalem is like the fortress that was built on Zion Hill long ago.

O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion: In this second metaphor, the word stronghold means “fort” or “fortress.” People made a fortress by building a wall around the top part of a hill. Inside this wall, they could defend themselves from their enemies. Here are some other ways to translate this word:In Hebrew, the word for “hill” is ʿopel. The NJB translates it as the name of a place “Ophel” within the city of Jerusalem (see 2 Chronicles 27:3; 33:14). But here in Micah 4:8, it is better to translate the meaning of this word, not translate it as a name.

fortress (NET)

citadel (NLT)

the Daughter of Zion: This phrase is a poetic way to refer to the people who live in Jerusalem. For the meaning of this phrase, see the notes at 1:13b.

General Comment on 4:8a–b

Here are several ways to translate these two metaphors. Some of them involve combining the two metaphors in various ways.

Most English versions keep both metaphors. For example:
As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion… (NIV)
The NLT combines both metaphors into one metaphor.
As for you, O Jerusalem, the citadel of God’s people… (NLT)
The GNT combines both metaphors as one simile.
And you, Jerusalem, where God, like a shepherd from his lookout tower, watches over his people… (GNT)
The CEV translates both of these metaphors with the word “guardian.” This is a different figure of speech (personification).
Mount Zion in Jerusalem, guardian of my people… (CEV)

Translate these metaphors in a way that is natural and clear in your language.

4:8c–d

(combined/reordered)

As for you^(sing), city of Jerusalem, in the future you will have a king who rules over a strong nation, just like in the past.
In the future, you^(plur) people of Jerusalem will live in the capital of a powerful country.

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^8c the former dominion will be restored to you;

^8d sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.

Here is a more literal translation of the HebrewThe translation is supplied from BART. The Hebrew structure is adapted from A&F (pages 437–438). arranged in six phrases that show the poetic structure:

to you

it-will-come

and-it-will-come

the former dominion

a kingdom

to the daughter of Jerusalem

The overall meaning is that Jerusalem will become the center of a strong nation, like it was in the past. There will again be a king ruling in Jerusalem.

will be restored…will come: Micah used two different Hebrew verbs that mean the same thing.The first verb (‘atah) is a poetic word meaning “come.” The second verb (bo’) is the ordinary word for “come.” The subject of these verbs is the phrase “the former dominion.”The first verb “shall it come” (te’the) and the second verb “shall come” (ba’ah) are third feminine singular, agreeing with the feminine nouns “dominion” (memšalah) and “kingdom” (mamlakah).

4:8c

the former dominion will be restored to you;

This is what will happen to you^(sing). You^(sing) will again be the capital/center of a strong nation, like you used to be.
In the future, this is what you^(plur) inhabitants/people of Zion will experience. Your^(plur) capital city will once again be the center of a strong nation.

the former dominion: The word dominion means “the power that a king or other ruler has.” When Micah used the phrase the former dominion, he was referring to the time when David and his son Solomon ruled in Jerusalem about 200 years previously. At that time, Israel was a strong nation. Micah was predicting that Jerusalem would again become the capital city of a strong nation, like it was in the time of David and Solomon.

Here are some other ways to translate the clause “the former dominion will be restored”:

The former monarchy shall return (NJPS)

your former sovereignty will return (NJB)

your former government will come back to you (GW)

to you will come the kingdom as in the past (NCV)

your royal might and power will come back to you again (NLT)

to you: The pronoun you is emphatic. It repeats the emphatic pronoun you at the beginning of 4:8a.

4:8d

sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.”

There will once again be a king who rules over your^(sing) people in Jerusalem.
The government in Jerusalem will rule the nation as it did in former times.

sovereignty…Daughter of Jerusalem: In this phrase, sovereignty is a synonym of “dominion,” and Daughter of Jerusalem has the same meaning as “Daughter of Zion” in 4:8b. Both phrases refer to the people of Jerusalem.Some scholars think that the phrase Daughter of Jerusalem means that God loved that city and the people in it. This explains the following English versions: “my precious Jerusalem” (NLT); “Fair Jerusalem” (NJPS) For example:

The kingdom will return to the people of Jerusalem. (GW)

In some languages, it may not be natural to talk about a dominion and kingdom coming. In such languages, it is better to translate these words differently. For example:

And you, Jerusalem…will once again be the capital of the kingdom that was yours. (GNT)

A king will again rule/reign in Jerusalem. And Jerusalem will once again be the capital of a strong kingdom as in the past.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / apostrophe

(Occurrence 0) As for you, watchtower for the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion—to you it will come, your former dominion

(Some words not found in UHB: and=you(ms) tower of the flock hill_of daughter_of Tsiyyōn/(Zion) to,you come and,it_will_come the,dominion (the),former sovereignty_of to,the_daughter_of Yərūshālam/(Jerusalem) )

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”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

(Occurrence 0) watchtower for the flock

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.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

(Occurrence 0) daughter of Zion … daughter of Jerusalem

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”

(Occurrence 0) hill

Some modern versions understand this Hebrew word to mean “fortress” or “stronghold” here.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

(Occurrence 0) to you it will come, your former dominion

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”

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 4:8

Hebrew word order