OET interlinear MIC 6:1

6:1a

Hear now what the LORD says: This command to hear/listen starts a new prophecy/oracle in which Micah introduced the LORD’s lawsuit.

Hear: The word Hear is plural. Micah was speaking to the people of Israel. In some languages, it may be more natural to make the addressee explicit. For example:

Listen to what the LORD says to his people

In Hebrew, the word Hear is followed by a particle that indicates emphasis or insistence.The literal command is “šimʿû–nāʾ.” The particle nāʾ is defined by TWOT #1269 as “particle of entreaty or exhortation,” and by HALOT (electronic edition, page 656) as “particle giving emphasis.” A&F (page 514) state that the particle makes the command “peremptory and insistent rather than pleading.” Many versions leave this particle implied. Some English versions translate it as “now.” For example:

Now listen to what Yahweh says: (NJB)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

what the LORD says: This phrase refers to the charge/case that the LORD will present. Some versions make this meaning explicit. For example:

Listen to the Lord’s case against Israel. (GNT)

6:1b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. The NIV11 has been used as the source line for 6:1b, because it follows the recommended interpretation:

^1b(NIV11) “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;

^1cand let the hills hear your voice.

These lines are more literally “Arise conduct a case with the mountains and let hear the hills your voice.” The literal Hebrew commands in 6:1b do not have an explicit pronoun such as “my” or “your.” Most versions supply one of these pronouns in 6:1b to make their interpretation clearer.

There are three main interpretations of the identity of the participants in these parallel commands:

1. The LORD commanded Micah to rise and conduct the LORD’s case against the people of Israel. The mountains and hills were to hear Micah’s voice. For example:

   Come, present [My] case before the mountains, and let the hills hear you pleading (NJPS) (NIV11, NJPS)

2. The LORD commanded Israel to rise and conduct Israel’s case against him.The main context for this interpretation is 6:3. Israel’s complaint is implied by the rhetorical questions “what have I done to you? and How have I burdened you?” Commentaries that support interpretation (2) include NAC (pages 108–109), JFB (page 693), and CBC (page 334). The mountains and hills were to hear Israel’s voice. For example:

   Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. (NLT) (CEV, NCV, NET, NLT)These versions make explicit this interpretation.

3. Micah told the LORD to rise and conduct the LORD’s case against the people of Israel.The main context for this interpretation is 6:2. In 6:1b–c Micah tells the LORD to conduct his case. In 6:2 the LORD complies by opening the case, referring to himself in 3rd person. Commentaries that support interpretation (3) include A&F (page 514) and UBS (page 225). The mountains and hills were to hear the LORD’s voice. For example:

   Arise, O Lord, and present your case; let the mountains and the hills hear what you say. (GNT) (GNT)

Some versions that translate 6:1b with “your case” are ambiguous. In these versions, the referent of “your” could be either Israel or the LORD.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of commentaries.Commentaries that support interpretation (1) include NICOT, KD, EBC, Waltke 2007, and TOTC.

the mountains…the hills: In 6:1–8, the mountains and the hills are parallel figures of speech (personification).JFB (Volume 1, page 693), NAC (pages 108–109), and KD (page 333). Here they represented witnesses at a trial in a court of law. They were fitting witnesses because they were present throughout all of Israel’s history. Thus, they had figuratively seen everything good that the LORD has done for Israel as well as the people’s acts of disloyalty.UBS (page 225).

Here are some ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the personification. This is the best option if the figure is natural in your language and people will understand the meaning correctly. For example:

  Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. (NIV)

• Change the personification to a simile. Consider making the similarity of the mountains and hills to witnesses explicit. For example:

  Arise and state my case. Speak as if the mountains and hills can hear you like witnesses in the trial.

6:1b

(NIV11) Stand up: This command often functions as a call to action.A&F (page 514). In the context of a legal case the gesture signifies the start of the court session.CBC (page 334).

(NIV11) plead my case: This phrase means “to fight with words,” as in a quarrel or a legal case. Here it refers to a legal case or lawsuit.In Hebrew, rîḇ.

6:1c

and let the hills hear your voice: In this clause, the phrase let the hills hear does not mean to allow or give permission to hear.This is a Hebrew jussive form that indicates a desire or wish. It means that the LORD wanted the hills to hear his case against Israel. The words your voice refer to the voice of Micah as he presented the LORD’s case.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Present my case before the hills

and also before the hills