OET interlinear MIC 7:8

7:8a

Do not gloat over me, my enemy!: In Hebrew, the phrase gloat over me means “rejoice arrogantly, exult.”BDB #8055 (page 970).

In this clause the speaker addressed an enemy directly. Some versions have added the word “O” to make it clear that my enemy is a term of address (vocative). Use a vocative that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Translate as a command. For example:

  Enemy, don’t laugh at me. (NCV)

  Do not gloat over me, my enemies! (NLT)

• Translate as a statement. For example:

  Our enemies have no reason to gloat over us. (GNT)

my enemy: In Hebrew, the words my and enemy are singular. However, both words have a collective reference to a group of people.UBS (page 250). In some languages, it may be more natural to translate these words with plural forms. See the GNT example above.

Based on 7:8b, the enemy was probably a literal city or nation whose army had defeated the city of Jerusalem. In Hebrew, the word enemy is feminine. However, use the gender that is natural in your language to refer to an enemy city or nation.

7:8b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^8b Though I have fallen, I will arise;

^8c though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

In each line, the underlined part states a negative situation. The part in bold print states a positive outcome. Together, these lines give the reason why the speaker (Jerusalem) tells the enemy not to rejoice. It is because the city will not remain destroyed. The LORD will bring restoration and salvation.

Though I have fallen…though I sit: In this verse, both phrases refer to a past event, the defeat of the city by an enemy. However, the same phrases can apply to other, future negative situations also.

Here are some ways to translate these phrases:

• Translate in a way that refers to the situation in Jerusalem at that time. Leave implied that the same phrases can also apply to other negative situations. For example:

  Although I’ve fallen…although I sit in the dark (GW)

  We have fallen…We are in darkness now (GNT)

• Translate in a way that has general application to any negative situation. Leave implied that these phrases refer initially to the city’s defeat at that time. For example:

  when I fall…when I sit in darkness (ESV)

  Though I fall…Though I dwell in darkness (NASB)

7:8b

Though I have fallen, I will arise: These phrases are metaphors that compare defeat in warNAC (page 127) suggests that the reference here is to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Similarly, A&F (page 582) suggests “war casualties.” See also Waltke 2007 (page 433). and recovery from defeatNIDOTTE (page 904). to a person who falls and then stands up. The word fallen means “experience calamity.”BDB #5307 (page 657). Here the word arise means “come back to life.”A&F (page 582).

Here are some ways to translate these phrases. If possible, keep the references to falling and rising in your translation, as in the first two bulleted options below. The strong contrast may give the translation greater impact:

• Keep the metaphors. For example:

  Though I have fallen, I will rise. (NIV)

• Change the metaphors into a simile. For example:

  I am like a person who has fallen but will stand again.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

  Although I have been defeated, I will recover.

7:8c

though I sit in darkness: This clause is the first of two metaphors about darkness and light. This metaphor compares the difficult situation of distress and humiliation to a person sitting in a dark place, like a prisoner confined to a dark cell.Margolis (page 73) and the ESV Study Bible (page 1707).

the LORD will be my light: This clause part is the second metaphor about darkness and light. It compares deliverance/salvation by the LORD to light.NAC (page 127) notes that “light frequently symbolizes well-being, life, freedom, and salvation (deliverance).” See also Waltke 2007 (page 433) and NET footnote on “light.”

Here are some ways to translate 7:8c. If possible, keep the references to darkness and light in your translation, as in the first two bulleted options below. The strong contrast may give the translation greater impact.

• Keep the metaphors. For example:

  Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. (NIV)

• Change the metaphors into similes. For example:

  I am like a person who sits in a dark place. But the LORD will be like light that dispels the darkness.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

  Although I am now in despair, the LORD will deliver me.