OET interlinear MIC 7:6

7:6a–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^6a For a son dishonors his father,

^6b a daughter rises against her mother,

^6c and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

^6d A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

In this verse Micah gave the reason for his warnings to the people in 7:5 not to trust even the people close to them. It was because members of their own households were their enemies.

Micah gives three examples. In each example he describes a relationship between a member of a family to another member. In each relationship the younger member behaves in a way that dishonors and opposes the authority of an older family member. Each was an example of a serious offense in that society.ZIBBC (page 144).

The examples use singular forms: “son,” “daughter,” “daughter-in-law,” etc. However, each phrase represents a large group of people: “sons,” “daughters,” “daughters-in-law,” etc. In some languages it will be more natural to use plural forms. For example:

Sons refuse to respect their own fathers, daughters rebel against their own mothers, daughters-in-law despise their mothers-in-law. (CEV)

7:6a

For: This word introduces a reason for Micah’s warnings in 7:5. See the previous note for more explanation.

Some versions indicate the connection of this verse to the previous ones in a different way. For example, the GNT refers back to the time period that is described in 7:1–5:

In these times sons treat their fathers like fools (GNT)

Some other versions do not have an explicit connecting word or phrase. Instead they leave the connection implied. For example:

A son treats his father with contempt (GW)

a son dishonors his father: In Hebrew, the word dishonors is related to the word for “fool.”In Hebrew, the word nābal means “fool.” Here the participle of the word, mǝnabbēl is used. In this clause the word means that the son insults and/or dishonors his father by treating him like a fool.Mounce (page 990), BDB #5034 (page 614), NAC, KD, and Waltke 2007.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

A son will not honor his father (NCV)

For son insults father (NJB)

For a son thinks his father is a fool (NET)

7:5–6

7:6b

a daughter rises against her mother: In Hebrew, the phrase rises against is an expression that means “to rebel and be defiant.”BDB #6965 (page 878) and NICOT (page 389).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

A daughter will turn against her mother (NCV)

daughter rebels against mother (NJB)

a daughter challenges her mother (NET)

The daughter defies her mother (NLT)

7:6c

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in this verse part. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 7:6b. For example:

^6cand a daughter-in-law rises against her mother-in-law

The description of the expression “rises against” in 7:6b applies to this verse part also.UBS (page 249).

In that society a daughter-in-law normally joined her husband’s family.UBS (page 249). The daughter-in-law was expected to respect the authority of her mother-in-law. Here she did not show that respect.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and a daughter-in-law will be against her mother-in-law (NCV)

The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law (NLT)

a daughter-in-law rebels against her mother-in-law (GW)

7:6d

A man’s enemies are the members of his own household: There are three main interpretations of the referent of the phrase members of his own household:A fourth interpretation is that the phrase refers to the extended family, which included sons-in-law and household servants. See NAC (pages 123–124). This interpretation was not listed in the notes because no versions clearly follow it.

1. The phrase refers to family members.This interpretation is favored by A&F, Davis, UBS, NICOT, and ABC. For example:

   People’s enemies are the members of their own families. (GW) (CEV, GNT, GW, NCV)

2. The phrase refers to all the males in a household.This interpretation is favored by Waltke 2007. The MT word “people” in the phrase “people of his own household” is masculine plural. This gender marking is compatible with the interpretation of “males” here. However, this form alone is not conclusive evidence. The masculine plural form did not necessarily mean males only. It was also the standard form used to designate a mixed group of males and females. For example:

   A man’s enemies are the men of his own household (NASB) (KJV, NASB)

3. The phrase refers to the servants in a household.This interpretation is favored by Margolis and KD. For example:

   a man’s enemies are his own servants (NET) (NET)

Some versions are ambiguous. They translate the word household literally which leaves implied the referents of the word. However, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It best fits the context of the three relationships described in this verse.The examples in the verse include both male and female relationships among family members. The wider context supports this view also. See Jesus’ quote of this verse in Luke 12:51–53 and Matthew 10:35.

This line is probably a summary statement that refers to the relationships described in 7:6a–c.

enemies: This word refers to people hostile towards others, “foe.”BDB #340 (page 33), Mounce (page 892).

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

a person’s enemies will be members of his own family (NCV)

Your family is now your enemy (CEV)