OET interlinear MIC 5:5

5:5–6

In these two verses, 5a–c form a unit at the beginning, and the parallel lines 6:c-e form another unit at the end. One function of this structure is to show that the shepherd-rulers (5:d–e) who will rule Assyria (6:a–b) are under the leadership of the highest ruler, the Messiah, who has been described in 5:2–4.Some scholars identify the repetition of lines that start and end this literary unit as an inclusio. See Waltke 2007 (page 304), Waltke 1993 (page 708), NAC (pages 101–102), and A&F (page 473). These scholars also mention the chiastic structure. Waltke 1993, 2007 says the combination of inclusion and chiasm functions to highlight the Messiah’s role. This structure can be clearly seen in the NIV11 (indentations adjusted). Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^5a And he will be our peace

^5b when the Assyrians invade our land

^5c and march through our fortresses.

^5d We will raise against them seven shepherds,

^5e even eight commanders,

^6a who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,

^6b the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.

^6c He will deliver us from the Assyrians

^6d when they invade our land

^6e and march across our borders.

5:5a

And He will be our peace: There are two main ways to interpret the way this clause connects to the surrounding clauses:

1. It is in the same paragraph as the other clauses in 5:5–6. It introduces the topic of peace through victory over Assyria by identifying the ruler who will be source of that peace. The NIV11 quoted earlier is one example. (BSB, KJV, NASB, NET, NIV11, NJB, NJPS, RSV)

2. It is in the same paragraph as the preceding clauses. It concludes the topic of the Israelites living peacefully in their land (5:2–4) by identifying the ruler who will be the source of that peace.UBS (page 211). The next paragraph (5:5b–6) introduces the new topic of victory over Assyria. Four versions use a heading before 5:5b in addition to a paragraph break to indicate the division. For example:

   ^5aand he will bring peace.

   Deliverance and Punishment

   ^5bWhen the Assyrians invade our country… (GNT) (CEV, ESV, GW, NAB, NCV, NIV, NLT, NRSV, REB, GNT)

The Notes will follow interpretation (1). It more clearly shows the Hebrew structure illustrated in the note on 5:5–6.The MT places in one paragraph all the verses in chapter 5 up to and including this verse. It does not mark this clause as the start or end of a separate paragraph as do some modern versions. It also allows 5:5–6 to be seen as a smaller unit within 5:1–6. Interpretation (2) does not show the Hebrew structure as clearly as the first interpretation, but it is followed by more English versions. It also forms a natural conclusion to the topic in 5:2–5a and allows readers to more easily identify the new topic of winning a victory over Assyria.

This clause is more literally “and this [one/he] will be peace.”BART (adjusted to normal English SVO order). There are three main interpretations of this clause:

1. The ruler will be the source of peace. The word “this” refers to a person, “this one,” the ruler. For example:

   And he shall be their peace. (ESV)

   He will bring peace. (NCV)

   And he will be the source of peace. (NLT) (ESV, BSB, CEV, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, NRSV, GNT)

2. The word “this” refers to an event, the coming and rule of the ruler that will result in peace. For example:

   And that shall afford safety. (NJPS)

   Then there will be peace. (REB) (NJPS, REB)

3. The word “this” refers to an event, the future conquest that 5:5–6 describes. For example:

   ⁵And this shall be peace, when the Assyrian comes…. that we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes…⁶…and they shall deliver us from the Assyrian… (RSV) (RSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most commentaries and versions.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

And he will be our peace (NIV11)

He will give us peace. (NET)

peace: The Hebrew word for peace can mean physical well-being and security, such as no more war. It can also mean spiritual well-being in relationship to God.NAC (page 102) and CBC (page 328). In these verses, both aspects of meaning may be intended.

5:5b–e

The remainder of the verse is a single conditional sentence that is assumed will be true. When the condition “when Assyria invades our land and tramples our citadels” is true, the result is that the people will raise up leaders to confront them.

In this clause, Micah expresses confidence that the future leader will help the people defend and save Israel whenever other nations attack them.See especially NICOT (page 347) and NAC (pages 102–103). It is probably not a prediction of specific, future attacks.

5:5b–c

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

^5b when Assyria invades our land

^5c and tramples our citadels.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 5:5c. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 5:5b. For example:

^5c and when Assyria tramples our citadels.

5:5b

when Assyria invades our land: Here is another way to introduce this condition:

If the Assyrians come into our land (NRSV)

Assyria: The nation of Assyria was the main oppressor of Israel in Micah’s time. However, here the name Assyria is probably also a figure of speech that represents the future enemies of Israel.JFB (page 693) states that “Assyria is made the representative of all the foes of Israel in all ages….” See also Hays (page 315), KD (page 329), NAC (page 102), and EBC (page 532).

In Hebrew, the reference to Assyria is singular. It is more literally “Assyria it/he will come.” However, in some languages, it is more natural to describe an attack by a country by referring to the people from that country. Here many versions translate Assyria as “Assyrians.” Translate Assyria in a natural way in your language.

invades: This means the Assyrians come into Israel to attack it.

our land: This refers to the land of Israel. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

our country (GNT)

5:5c

and tramples our citadels: There is a textual issue here:

1. The MT has: “and if he tread on our citadel fortresses.” For example:

   and treads in our palaces (ESV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, REB, GNT)

2. The LXX has: “and when he treads upon our country.” For example:

   If the Assyrians come into our land and tread upon our soil (NRSV) (NAB, NJB, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. The phrase tramples our citadels probably implies that the Assyrians broke through Israel’s defenses, marched into the cities, and captured their most important buildings.A&F (page 477).

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and break through our defenses (NLT)

and marches through our fortresses (NIV)

tramples: In this context, the word tramples means “march” or “advance.”DCH (page 462) 1a. tread, trample, march, advance.

our citadels: The word citadels means “strong, fortified buildings of a city.”BDB (#759) citadel, castle, palace.

5:5d–e

5:5d–e is a numerical expression. It is similar to a numerical proverb.Some examples of numerical proverbs are found in Proverbs 30:15, 18, 21 and 29. A numerical expression lists things that are similar in some way. In a numerical expression, the second line contains a number (in this case, eight) that is one greater than the parallel number (seven) in the first line. The two numbers function together as a pair and are primarily a poetic feature.According to UBS (page 214), the numbers themselves probably have no special significance. However, according to Pusey (page 75), the numbers do have significance. He suggests that the number seven denotes a great, complete multitude, and that the number eight designates an almost countless multitude. For the meaning of the expression in this verse see the note below on “seven…eight.”

The parallel parts are similar in meaning:

^5d We will raise against it seven shepherds,

^5eeven eight leaders of men.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 5:5e. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing phrase from 5:5d. For example:

^5e and we will raise against it even eight leaders of men.

These parallel lines are the last part of the conditional sentence that was introduced in 5:b-c.The apodosis of the conditional sentence. They explain the result if the Assyrians come into their land to attack them. Some versions make explicit that this is the last part of the conditional sentence. For example:

then we will raise against him (NASB)

We will raise against it: This phrase means that the people will appointDCH (pages 232–233). leaders to defend them against the Assyrian attackers.

seven…eight: This numerical expression means that the number of leaders will be sufficient to successfully defend the people against the Assyrians. As a numerical expression, the numbers seven and eight should not be understood literally.

Here are two ways to avoid wrong implications:

• Translate the numbers seven and eight. Explain the meaning of the numerical expression in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:

  The numbers seven and eight here symbolize completeness and emphasize that Israel will have more than enough military leadership and strength to withstand the Assyrian advance. (NET footnote)

• Use a general phrase instead of the exact numbers.This suggestion comes from UBS (page 214). For example:

  We will counterattack, led by a number of rulers (CEV) You can also add a footnote to indicate that Hebrew has the numbers seven and eight.

shepherds…leaders of men: The Hebrew words are more literally “shepherds…princes of man.” In this verse, the word shepherds and the phrase “princes of man” are in parallel lines and have the same meaning. They are two ways to refer to the appointed leaders who will rule and protect the people of Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this pair of words:

shepherd-rulers…commanders (NET)

rulers…princes (NLT)

5:5d

5:5e