OET interlinear MIC 7:18

7:18

In this verse, Micah asks a rhetorical question to highlight how Israel’s God is unique. He forgives the sins of his people because of his special love for them, based on their covenant relationship.

7:18a

Who is a God like You: EBC (page 551) notes that the name “Micah” means “who is like the LORD?” It is unclear whether or not this rhetorical question is an intentional play on words. This is a rhetorical question with the implied answer “no one.”Waltke 2007 (page 444).

The question intends to imply that Israel’s God is unlike any of the false gods of other nations.UBS (pages 260–261). However, in some languages, this question may wrongly imply that there are other gods. If that is true in your language, here is another way to translate it:

Our God, no one is like you. (CEV)

This rhetorical question can also be expressed as a statement. An example is the CEV above.

7:18b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^18b who pardons iniquity

^18cand passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—

In these lines, Micah explains how Israel’s God is unique. He forgives the iniquity of the remnant of his people.

who pardons iniquity…passes over the transgression: The phrase who pardons iniquity is more literally “lifts up/removes sin/guilt and its penalties.”Mounce (page 998 and 1007) and CBC (page 345). The phrase passes over the transgression means “pass over rebellion/sin.”Mounce (page 1005 and 1024). These phrases are two ways to say that God forgives sin.

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

removes guilt and pardons sin (NAB)

forgive sin and pardon the rebellion (NET)

freely forgive our sin and guilt (CEV)

the remnant of His inheritance: This phrase indicates who the referents are in this hymn. They are the ones whose transgression is passed over. There are two main interpretations of this phrase:

1. This phrase refers to the people of Israel who remained after the nation was punished.Favored by UBS (page 261). This interpretation fits the previous context well. For example, this is the meaning in Micah 2:12, 4:7, and 5:7–8. For example:

   your people who are left alive (NCV) (CEV, GNT, NCV, NET, NLT96)

2. The phrase refers to all of God’s people. The phrase the remnant is another way to say His inheritance.Favored by Waltke 2007 (page 444), who suggests that the word “remnant” is in apposition to “his inheritance.” The two words refer to the same people, the remnant, that is, his inheritance. This interpretation fits the following context well. For example, 7:20 refers to God’s promise to be faithful to Jacob and Abraham, the ancestors of all the people of Israel. For example:

   who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people (NLT)The parallel lines suggest that Micah described the same group of people in two ways. (NLT)The GW may also follow this interpretation. It has “your faithful people.” However, it is not included here because the meaning is unclear. It may imply that faithful people are a subset of all the people. Or it may imply that all of God’s chosen people are called his faithful people.

Many versions are ambiguous. They can be understood as following either interpretation. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Micah uses the word remnant elsewhere with this meaning. See the notes on 2:12b.

His inheritance: This phrase gives attention to the special relationship that the LORD has with the people of Israel. They are the people he chose to be his own.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

your people (NET)

His own people (NJPS)

See the footnote under 7:14b “the flock of Your inheritance” for additional advice on the translation of the word inheritance.

The Hebrew pronoun in this phrase is “his.” However, it may be more natural in some languages to use the second-person pronoun “your” to match the “you” in 7:18a, as some other versions have done.

7:18d

who does not retain His anger forever: Micah continues to explain how the God of Israel is unique. In Hebrew, the word retain means “hold.”Mounce (page 932). God does not hold on to his anger against the people who sin.

The Hebrew pronouns in this clause are third-person forms: “he” and “his.” See the note on “His inheritance” above for suggestions on using the pronoun “you” or other forms. The same information also applies to 18d.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

Who does not persist in anger forever (NAB)

You do not remain angry forever (NET)

You will not be angry forever (GW)

because: This word introduces the reason why God forgives people instead of remaining angry with them.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

but (NET)

for (REB)

since (NJB)

He delights in loving devotion: This clause part gives the reason why he does not hold on to his anger.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

He delights in unchanging love (NASB)

He loves graciousness! (NJPS)

you take pleasure in showing us your constant love (GNT)

delights: In Hebrew, this word means “desire,” “delight in,” or “have pleasure.”Mounce (page 938). He wants to forgive.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

enjoy (NCV)

pleased to be (CEV)

loving devotion: This phrase is more literally “covenant loyalty.” In Hebrew, this word means “unfailing love,” “loyal love,” “devotion,” “kindness.”Mounce (pages 937–938). It describes the attitude and actions that stem from the covenant relationship between the LORD and his people. The same Hebrew word is used in 6:8c. See the note there on “love mercy.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

loyal love (NET)

be merciful (REB)

faithful love (NJB)