OET interlinear MIC 6:16

6:16

There are two main ways to interpret the relationship between 6:16 and the previous verses:

1. Verse 6:16 repeats the main themes of the previous verses in a more concise way. The repeated themes are sin, and the judgment that results. People sinned by following the practices of King Omri and Ahab. As a result the LORD will judge them. For example:

   You have kept Omri’s laws and all the practices of the descendants of Ahab, and you have followed their advice. That is why I will ruin you. Your people will be ridiculed. You will bear the disgrace of my people.” (GW) (BSB, GW, NAB, NASB, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, REB)

2. Verse 6:16 gives the reason for the LORD’s judgment described in 6:13–15. The reason for that judgment is that the people followed the practices of Omri and Ahab. The second part of 6:16 announces another judgment. For example:

   Jerusalem, this will happen because you followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab. Now I will destroy you and your property. Then the people of every nation will make fun and insult you. (CEV) (CEV, ESV, KJV, NCV, NJB, NRSV, REB, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has good commentary and version support.For example, JFB (page 694) says that this verse recapitulates what was more fully stated before, Judah’s sin and resulting punishment. See also Mays (page 148) and A&F (pages 549–550). It also does not conflict with 6:13a.Verse 6:13a has two explicit indicators of the reason for the LORD’s judgment that is described in 6:13–15. The word “Therefore” and the phrase “because of your sins” make clear that he will judge the people because of the sins listed in 10–12.

6:16a–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^16a You have kept the statutes of Omri

^16band all the practices of Ahab’s house;

^16c you have followed their counsel.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:16b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:16a. For example:

^16band you have kept all the practices of Ahab’s house;

These parallel lines give examples from Israel’s history to show how the people had sinned. Omri and his son Ahab were the longest ruling kings in the northern kingdom and were known for their wickedness. They abused their power, they exploited others, and they worshiped idols. See 1 Kings 16:25–33.

6:16a

You have kept the statutes of Omri: This line is more literally “and it has been kept the statutes of Omri.”BART parses the word as a conjunction plus imperfect verb in passive voice. However, LDHB understands the verb as waw-conjunctive plus imperfect verb in active voice: “and he observed the statutes/customs of Omri.” Many versions, such as the BSB, translate this line with an active verb. In some languages, it will be more natural to use passive forms. For example:

The statutes of Omri and all the works of the house of Ahab are observed (NASB)

In Hebrew, this sentence starts with “and.” Here the word may indicate that this clause is the concluding indictment against the people.Waltke 2007 (page 404). In this context, it does not indicate “because.” For more details, see the note above on “the relationship between 6:16 and the previous verses.” Many versions, such as the BSB, leave this word implied.

the statutes of Omri: This line means that the people did the same kinds of things that Omri had done. In this context, the word statutes probably does not refer to laws or ordinances but to customs and practices/behaviors.CBC (pages 339–340) and Pusey (page 88) mention that the Old Testament does not record specific laws or rulings that exemplify the evil character of Omri’s reign. DCH (page 302) sense 2. indicates that the meaning in 6:16 is “custom of human beings” rather than laws or decrees. In 2 Kings 17:7–11, 19–20 the NIV translates this word as “practices” that it elaborates in 2 Kings 17:9 as “things against the Lord their God that were not right.” For more details see 2 Kings 17:7–20.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

the evil practices of King Omri (GNT)

you have followed the wicked customs of Omri

6:16b

and all the practices of Ahab’s house: This parallel line means that the people also did the kinds of deeds that King Ahab and his family had done.

The practices of Ahab’s house may include the following evil acts:Each of the following resources mentions one or more of the evil acts listed in (a-g): CBC (pages 339–340), KD (page 339), WBC (page 53), NICOT (pages 381–382), NET footnote on “policies,” TOTC (page 217).

1. Marriage to an idolater

2. Baal worship

3. Robbery and murder

4. Persecution of true prophets

5. Child sacrifice

6. Unjust and oppressive measures

7. Apostasy, depravity, greed and injustice

Ahab’s house: This phrase means “Ahab’s family/household.” His household included his wife, children, dependent relatives, officials and slaves.Waltke 2007 (page 404). The phrase probably also included his descendants who later became kings.UBS (page 242).

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Ahab’s dynasty (NET)

the descendants of Ahab (GW)

Ahab’s family (NCV)

6:16c

you have followed their counsel: This line means that the people followed the bad example of Omri and Ahab and his family by continuing the same kinds of evil practices.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

You have continued their policies (GNT)

by modelling yourselves on their standards (NJB)

you have followed their traditions (NIV)

counsel: In Hebrew, this word means “plans” or “decisions.”Waltke 2007 (page 405). It refers to a person’s usual way of living/acting.UBS (page 242).

6:16d

6:16e

6:16d–e

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^16dTherefore I will make you a desolation,

^16eand your inhabitants an object of contempt;

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:16e. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:16d. For example:

^16eand I will make your inhabitants an object of contempt;

These two parallel lines and the next line are three parts of a judgment against the city of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah.NAC (page 120). This judgment was the LORD’s response to the sin described in 16a–c.

Therefore: In Hebrew, this word is more literally “so that” or “to the end that.” The meaning is that judgment was the inevitable consequence of people’s disobedience.EBC (page 543) and NICOT (page 382). It may imply that the LORD had no alternative other than to judge.TOTC (page 217).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

That is why (GW)

you force me (NJB)

you…your inhabitants: The referent of you and your is probably the city of Jerusalem and/or the entire kingdom of Judah.Waltke 2007 (page 405) suggests the referent is the city. UBS (page 242) and KD (page 339) suggest the referent is the nation. NAC (page 120) mentions both Jerusalem and Judah. The references to both you and your inhabitants probably indicates that the judgment would be against the people as well as the places where they lived.

Here are some other ways to translate these referents:

you and your property (CEV)

you…your citizens (NJB)

a desolation…an object of contempt: Both phrases describe a situation that is so awful or appalling that people react to it with astonishment and horror.Waltke 2007 (page 405) and EBC (page 543).

In Hebrew, the word desolation means both “ruin/waste” and “appalment/horror.”TWOT #2409d and BDB #8047 (page 1031).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

an appalling sight (NET)

an object of horror (NJPS)

give you over to ruin (NIV)

let you be destroyed (NCV)

The phrase an object of contempt is more literally, “an object of hissing.” This means that people will make a hissing sound in response to the ruin. At that time the act of hissing indicated scorn and ridicule.

If your language group has this custom with the same meaning, you may be able to translate this phrase literally. However, if this custom is unknown or has a different meaning in your language group, here are some other ways to translate it:

will be taunted derisively (NET)

will be treated with contempt (NLT)

will be laughed at (NCV)

6:16f

you will bear the scorn of the nations: There is a textual issue with the word that the BSB translates as nations:

1. The Masoretic Text has “my people.” The word refers to the LORD’s people. They are scorned by other people. The identity of the scorners is left implicit. For example:

   and you will endure the insults aimed at my people (REB) (ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NRSV, REB)

2. The LXX has “of peoples.” The word refers to people of other nations. They scorn Yahweh’s people. For example:

   and other nations will make fun of you (NCV) (BSB, CEV, NAB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, GNT)

The Display will follow option (1). It makes good sense and has good support from commentators, the Peshitta, and modern versions.Commentary support includes KD, JFB, A&F, Waltke 2007, Pusey. However, option (2) also has good support from modern versions and some commentators. You may want to follow this option if it is followed by a major language translation in your area.

This is the third part of the LORD’s judgment against the city of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. The LORD’s people who live there will bear/endure scorn from people of other nations.Some commentators suggest that it is the leaders of Judah that are addressed here. A&F (page 550) say that the leaders are to blame and will be punished most. Waltke 2007 (pages 405–406) agrees. However, the Hebrew text itself does not offer explicit evidence in support of this suggestion.

scorn: This word means “reproach” or “contempt.” In this context, it indicates that other nations insult, taunt, or mock the LORD’s people.TWOT # 749a.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

bear the disgrace of my people (GW)

suffer taunts and mocking directed against my people

you, my people will be jeered and shamed