MIC 1:5 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Διʼ ἀσέβειαν Ἰακὼβ πάντα ταῦτα, καὶ διʼ ἁμαρτίαν οἴκου Ἰσραήλ· τίς ἡ ἀσέβεια τοῦ Ἰακώβ; οὐχ ἡ Σαμάρεια; καὶ τίς ἡ ἁμαρτία οἴκου Ἰούδα; οὐχὶ Ἱερουσαλήμ;
(Diʼ asebeian Yakōb panta tauta, kai diʼ hamartian oikou Israaʸl; tis haʸ asebeia tou Yakōb; ouⱪ haʸ Samareia; kai tis haʸ hamartia oikou Youda; ouⱪi Hierousalaʸm; )

BrTr All these calamities are for the transgression of Jacob, and for the sin of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what is the sin of the house of Juda? is it not Jerusalem?

ULT All this is because of the Jacob’s transgression,
⇔ and because of the sins of the house of Israel.
⇔ What is Jacob’s transgression?
⇔ Is it not Samaria?
⇔ What is Judah’s high place?
⇔ Is it not Jerusalem?

UST Those things will happen because of the terrible sins that the people of Israel, the descendants of Jacob, have committed.
⇔ But it was the people of the city of Samaria who persuaded all the people of Israel to sin.
⇔ And it was because the people of Jerusalem set up altars to worship their gods
⇔ that the other people of Judah thought they should also worship idols on the hilltops.

OEB ⇔ All this is because of the crime of Jacob,
⇔ and for the sin of the house of Israel.
⇔ What was the crime of Jacob?
⇔ Was it not Samaria?
⇔ What is the sin of Judah?
⇔ Is it not Jerusalem?

WEBBE ⇔ “All this is for the disobedience of Jacob,
⇔ and for the sins of the house of Israel.
⇔ What is the disobedience of Jacob?
⇔ Isn’t it Samaria?
⇔ And what are the high places of Judah?
⇔ Aren’t they Jerusalem?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET All this is because of Jacob’s rebellion
⇔ and the sins of the nation of Israel.
⇔ How has Jacob rebelled, you ask?
⇔ Samaria epitomizes their rebellion!
⇔ Where are Judah’s pagan worship centers, you ask?
⇔ They are right in Jerusalem!

LSV For the transgression of Jacob [is] all this,
And for the sins of the house of Israel. What [is] the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what the high places of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?

FBV What is the rebellion of the descendants of Jacob? Isn't it what is happening in Samaria? Where are the idolatrous high places[fn] of Judah? Aren't they right in Jerusalem?[fn]

1:5 The high places were where pagan gods were worshiped.

1:5 Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom, and Judah the capital of the southern. This indicates the extent of the apostasy.

T4T Those things will happen because of the terrible sins [DOU] that the people [MTY] of Israel, the descendants of Jacob, have committed.
⇔ But it was [RHQ] the people of Samaria city who persuaded all the people of Israel to sin,
⇔ and it was [RHQ] because the people of Jerusalem set up altars to worship their gods
⇔ that the other people of Judah were persuaded to worship idols on their hilltops.

LEB   • All this is for the rebellion of Jacob, and for the sins of the house of Israel.
• What is the rebellion of Jacob?
  • Is it not Samaria?
• And what are the high places of Judah?
  • Are they not Jerusalem?

BBE All this is because of the wrongdoing of Jacob and the sins of the children of Israel. What is the wrongdoing of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?

Moff “and all this for Jacob’s transgression,
⇔ for the sins of the house of Judah!
⇔ Jacob’s transgression? is it not in Samaria?
⇔ Judah’s sin? is it not in Jerusalem?

JPS For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?

ASV For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?

DRA For the wickedness of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the wickedness of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Juda? are they not Jerusalem?

YLT For the transgression of Jacob [is] all this, And for the sins of the house of Israel. What [is] the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what the high places of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?

Drby For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. Whence is the transgression of Jacob? is it not [from] Samaria? And whence are the high places of Judah? are they not [from] Jerusalem?

RV For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?
(For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Yudah? are they not Yerusalem? )

SLT For the transgression of Jacob all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel What the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Shomeron? And what the heights of Judah? Are they not Jerusalem?

Wbstr For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?

KJB-1769 For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?
(For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Yudah? are they not Yerusalem? )

KJB-1611 For the transgression of Iacob is all this, and for the sinnes of the house of Israel: What is the transgression of Iacob? Is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Iudah? are they not Ierusalem?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from marking of added words (and possibly capitalisation and punctuation))

Bshps And all this shalbe for the wickednes of Iacob, and the sinnes of the house of Israel: but what is the wickednesse of Iacob? is not Samaria? which are the hie places of Iuda? is not Hierusalem?
(And all this shall be for the wickedness of Yacob, and the sins of the house of Israel: but what is the wickedness of Yacob? is not Samaria? which are the high places of Yuda? is not Yerusalem?)

Gnva For the wickednes of Iaakob is all this, and for the sinnes of the house of Israel: what is the wickednes of Iaakob? Is not Samaria? and which are the hie places of Iudah? Is not Ierusalem?
(For the wickedness of Yacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel: what is the wickedness of Yacob? Is not Samaria? and which are the high places of Yudah? Is not Yerusalem? )

Cvdl And all this shalbe for the wickednesse of Iacob, and the synnes of the house of Israel. But what is the wickednesse of Iacob? Is not Samaria? Which are the hye places of Iuda? Is not Ierusale?
(And all this shall be for the wickedness of Yacob, and the sins of the house of Israel. But what is the wickedness of Yacob? Is not Samaria? Which are the high places of Yuda? Is not Yerusalem?)

Wycl In the grete trespas of Jacob is al this thing, and in the synnes of the hous of Israel. Which is the greet trespas of Jacob? whether not Samarie? and whiche ben the hiy thingis of Juda? whether not Jerusalem?
(In the great trespass of Yacob is all this thing, and in the sins of the house of Israel. Which is the great trespass of Yacob? whether not Samaria? and which been the high things of Yuda? whether not Yerusalem?)

Luth Das alles um der Übertretung willen Jakobs und um der Sünde willen des Hauses Israel. Welches ist aber die Übertretung Jakobs? Ist‘s nicht Samaria? Welches sind aber die Höhen Judas? Ist‘s nicht Jerusalem?
(The all/everything around/by/for the/of_the transgression will Yakobs and around/by/for the/of_the sin(n) will the houses Israel. Whichs is but the transgression Yakobs? Is_it not Samaria? Whichs are but the heights Yudas? Is_it not Yerusalem?)

ClVg In scelere Jacob omne istud, et in peccatis domus Israël. Quod scelus Jacob? nonne Samaria? et quæ excelsa Judæ? nonne Jerusalem?
(In criminally Yacob everything this, and in/into/on sins home Israel. That crime Yacob? isn't_it Samaria? and which high Yudah? isn't_it Yerusalem? )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:2–7: The LORD will punish the people in Samaria

In the first paragraph of this section (1:2–5), Micah is the speaker. He began by telling the entire earth, with all its inhabitants, (1:2) to listen because the LORD would soon come down from heaven to accuse them. In 1:3–4, he continued to use vivid, figurative language to describe the LORD’s coming. In 1:5, he warned the whole nation of Israel, naming both Samaria and Jerusalem, that the LORD would judge them because of their idolatry and other sins. In the second paragraph (1:6–7), the speaker is the LORD. The LORD warned Samaria that he would completely destroy the city.

The Notes have separate section headings for 1:2–7 and 1:8–16. Here are some other examples of section headings for 1:2–7:

Judgment on Samaria (CEV)

Judgment pronounced against Samaria (NRSV)

Several other English versions use a section heading for 1:2–16. You may follow either pattern. Here are some other examples of section headings for 1:2–16:

The Coming Destruction (ESV)

Grief over Samaria and Jerusalem (NLT)

The capital cities of Israel and Judah destroyed (GW)

1:5a–f

This verse has six poetic lines. The first two lines give the reason for the coming judgment of the LORD that is described in 1:4a–d. In 1:5a–b, 1:5b restates the meaning of 1:5a. In 1:5c–d, the question in 1:5c repeats the person named in 1:5a, and the answer in 1:5d corresponds to the capital of the nation that bears his name. The question in 1:5e unexpectedly includes Judah as the southern part of the nation of Israel as a whole, and the answer in 1:5f corresponds to the capital of that southern part:

^5aAll this is for the transgression of Jacob

^5band the sins of the house of Israel.

^5cWhat is the transgression of Jacob?

^5dIs it not Samaria?

^5eAnd what is the high place of Judah?

^5fIs it not Jerusalem?

1:5a–b

(combined/reordered)

All these things will happen because of the wicked disobedience of the descendants of Jacob, the people of Israel.
All this will happen because the people of Israel have sinned and rebelled against Yahweh. (GNT, slight adaptation)

There are two main ways to interpret the underlined parts, transgression and sins, and the parts in bold print, Jacob and the house of Israel:

The parallel parts in these two lines refer to the same thing. The words “transgression” and “sins” refer to the same crime or offense. The names “Jacob” and “the house of Israel” refer to the same people. For example:
All this will happen because the people of Israel have sinned and rebelled against God. (GNT) (CEV, NCV, NIV, NJB, NLT, GNT)Versions such as the NCV, NIV, and NJB have been listed here, because they do not connect the parallel parts or lines with the word “and” in a way that normally indicates two separate things.
The parallel parts in these two lines refer to different things. The words “transgression” and “sins” seem to refer to different crimes or offenses. The name “Jacob” refers to the people of the northern kingdom, and “the house of Israel” refers to the people of the southern kingdom. For example:
All this is because of Jacob’s rebellion and the sins of the nation of Israel. (NET) (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NET, NJPS, NRSV, REB)With the possible exception of the NLT96, which may be ambiguous, the other versions listed here do connect the parallel parts or lines with the word “and” in a way that normally indicates two separate things.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).It is true that Micah referred to the capitals of the northern and southern kingdoms in 1:5c–d, but the names “Jacob” and “house of Israel” in 1:5a–b do not clearly refer to those two kingdoms. It is more likely that both names refer to all of Israel, that is, all the Jews, both north and south. Micah used the name “Jacob” in ten other places in his book. In several verses, he used the names “Jacob” and “Israel” as parallel terms (besides 1:5, see also 2:12; 3:1; 3:8; 3:9). In these other verses “Jacob” and “Israel” do not refer to the northern and southern kingdoms, but rather both refer to all of the Jews. Many commentaries follow this interpretation.Commentaries agree that the name Israel is another name for Jacob. UBS, JFB, NICOT, and A&F support the view that Israel and Judah are used together to represent the entire nation of Israel. Waltke 2007 and NAC prefer the view that the first mention of Israel refers specifically to the northern kingdom, whereas the mention of Judah links the southern kingdom to the nation as a whole. Here are some other ways to translate 1:5a–b:

^5aAll this is because of the crime of Jacob, ^5bthe sin of the House of Israel. (NJB)

^5aAnd why is this happening? Because of the rebellion of Israel—^5byes, the sins of the whole nation. (NLT)

1:5a

All this is for the transgression of Jacob

All this will happen because the descendants of Jacob have disobeyed God’s laws.
Yahweh will do all this because the people of Israel have rebelled against him.

transgression: In Hebrew, this word means “disobedience of a law” or “rebellion against a king or other leader.” In this verse, it refers to the fact that the Jews had transgressed (disobeyed) God’s laws. They had rebelled against the LORD. In some languages, it may be better to translate this with a verb. For example:

All this has happened because Jacob’s descendants have rebelled against the LORD.

Jacob: Jacob is the name of Abraham’s grandson whom God later renamed Israel (see Genesis 35:10). The name Jacob here represents all of Jacob’s descendants, the people of Israel.Micah used the name Jacob to mean the people of Israel ten other times in his book. Besides here in 1:5a, see 1:5c; 2:7; 2:12; 3:1; 3:8; 3:9; 4:2; 5:7; 5:8; 7:20. It does not refer to the man Jacob himself.

Here are some ways to translate the name Jacob:

Jacob’s descendants

Israel (GNT)

the people/nation of Israel

1:5b

and the sins of the house of Israel.

It is because the nation of Israel has sinned.
Yes, the Israelites have done wicked things.

and the sins of the house of Israel: See the note above on 1:5a–b. The word sins is a general word. It restates the more specific meaning of “rebellion” in 1:5a. In some languages, it may be better to translate 1:5b as a separate sentence. For example:

Yes, the people of Israel have sinned.

the house of Israel: The word house here means “nation” or “people.” Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the Israelites

the people of Israel

the nation of Israel (NCV)

General Comment on 1:5a–b

The GNT (quoted above) gives an example where “Jacob” and “Israel” have been combined into one term. Here is an example where “transgressions” and “sins” have been combined into one term:

This will happen because of the terrible sins of Israel, the descendants of Jacob. (CEV)

1:5c–f

These four lines are rhetorical questions that made the audience think about the nature and cause of the rebellion of the Israelites. For Micah’s original hearers and readers, these rhetorical questions were vivid and emphatic. The four questions occur in two pairs. In each pair of questions, the second question answers the first question by asking another question that expects the answer “Yes.”

1:5c–d

What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria?: There are at least three ways to interpret the meaning of the first question:

It means “What (or who) is the cause of Jacob’s transgression?” or “Who is to blame for his crime?” For example:
Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, the capital city itself! (GNT) (CEV, NLT, GNT)
It means “What transgression did Jacob commit?” or “What did Jacob do to transgress God’s laws?” For example:
What is Jacob’s crime? Isn’t it Samaria? (GW) (BSB, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NRSV, REB)
It means “What (or where) is the place of Jacob’s transgression?” For example:
What is the place of Jacob’s sin? Isn’t it Samaria? (NCV) (NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is the best way to understand the Hebrew text,The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as What is usually translated as “who.” JFB (page 586) says that the Hebrew is literally “Who is the transgression of Jacob?” and means “Who is its cause?” KD (page 427) says that this question means “Who is the author of Jacob’s transgression?” and it is supported by a majority of commentaries.Commentaries that support the first interpretation (the cause of the crime) include KD, UBS, JFB, WBC, NAC, and Waltke 2007. EBC supports the second interpretation (the nature of the crime). Commentaries that support the third interpretation (the place of the crime) include NICOT, A&F, and perhaps Hillers.

Here are some other ways to translate interpretation (1):

Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! (NLT)

Samaria has led Israel to sin (CEV)

If you decide to follow interpretation (2), here are two possible ways to translate it:

How have Jacob’s descendants rebelled? Look at the people in Samaria!

In what way have Jacob’s descendants rebelled? The people in Samaria are an example!

1:5c

What is the transgression of Jacob?

What caused the descendants of Jacob to disobey God’s laws?
Who led the people of Israel to rebel?

What is the transgression of Jacob?: The phrase transgression of Jacob is the same phrase that Micah used in 1:5a. If possible, translate this phrase in a similar way.

1:5d

Is it not Samaria?

Is it not the people in Samaria the capital? Of course it is!
It is the people/rulers in Samaria, the capital city.

Is it not Samaria?: There are at least two ways to answer this question. These ways may not follow the unrelated interpretation choices followed for 1:5c.

Use another rhetorical question that expects a “yes” answer. For example:
It is the people in Samaria, isn’t it?
Use a statement. For example:
Samaria epitomizes their rebellion! (NET)
It is the people who live in the city of Samaria!

Samaria: Micah used the name of this city here to refer to the people (or rulers) who lived there. Samaria was the capital city of the northern kingdom. The northern kingdom was usually called Israel. Some English versions make this information explicit. For example:

Samaria, the capital city itself! (GNT)

1:5e–f

And what is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?: Before we consider the textual issue, note that the Hebrew text here uses the plural “high places.” Most English versions use the singular high place, because the second question specifies Jerusalem.

There is a textual issue with the first question:

The Masoretic Text (MT) uses the Hebrew word translated as “high places.” For example:
What is Judah’s high place? (NIV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, NRSV, GNT)
The LXX (Septuagint) uses the Greek word “sin.” For example:
And what is the sin of the house of Judah? (RSV) (NAB, NJB, REB, RSV)

It is recommended that you follow the first option along with most versions and commentaries.

1:5e

And what is the high place of Judah?

And who are the ones who worship idols on the high places in Judah?
Who are the people of Judah who sacrifice to other gods?

And what is the high place of Judah?: There are at least two ways to interpret this rhetorical question. They correspond to the first and third choices in 1:5c–d.

It means “Who is responsible for the high places in Judah?” This question can be sub-divided into two related questions: “Who worships idols at the high places?” and “Who/What causes the people to worship idols at the high places?”See the UBS Handbook for more details. For example:
Who is guilty of idolatry in Judah? (GNT)
…pagan altars at Jerusalem have made Judah sin (CEV) (CEV, GNT)
It means “Where…” or “In what place are the high places of Judah?”
What is Judah’s place of idol worship? (NCV) (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation. It is the best way to understand the Hebrew text. It also corresponds better with the recommended interpretation for 1:5c.The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as what is almost always translated as “who.” in the Old Testament.

If you decide to follow interpretation (2), here are two possible ways to translate it:

And what are the shrines of Judah but Jerusalem? (NJPS)

What is Judah’s worship place? Isn’t it Jerusalem? (GW)

high place: In 1:3b, Micah used the phrase “high places of the earth” to refer to the tops of hills and mountains. But here in 1:5e, Micah used high place to refer to a place where people worshiped idols. Here are some other ways to translate the Hebrew word for high place:

center of idolatry (NLT)

pagan worship centers (NET)

Judah: The name Judah refers to the southern kingdom.Micah used the name “Jacob” in 1:5a. He used the name “Israel” in 1:5b. He used “Jacob” in 1:5c. So the people who heard or read his prophecy probably expected him to use the name “Israel” again in 1:5e. But instead, he used the name “Judah.” The people in Judah considered the people in the northern kingdom (Israel) to be rebels against God. They were not surprised that God would punish the northern kingdom. But they thought that God loved the people in Judah and that he would never punish them. Here are some other ways to translate this name here:

the nation/people of Judah

1:5f

Is it not Jerusalem?

Is it not the people in Jerusalem, the capital city? Yes, it is!
It is the people/rulers who live in the capital city of Jerusalem.

Is it not Jerusalem?: Jerusalem is the capital city of Judah. Here are some ways to translate this rhetorical question:

General Comment on 1:5c–f

Use a rhetorical question, as in the BSB. Supply other details, including the expected answer. For example:
Is it not the people of Jerusalem? Yes, it is!
Use an exclamation. For example:
Jerusalem itself! (GNT)
Use a complete statement, with or without an exclamation mark. For example:
It is the people of Jerusalem, the capital city!

In 1:5c–f, Micah used four rhetorical questions to convey his message vividly and forcefully. Here are some ways to translate these questions in your language:

Translate all four questions as questions. Most literal English versions do this.
Translate the first and third questions as questions, and the second and fourth questions as statements. For example:
^5cWho is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? ^5dSamaria, its capital city! ^5eWhere is the center of idolatry in Judah? ^5fIn Jerusalem, its capital! (NLT)
^5cHow have the people of Jacob rebelled against God, you ask? ^5dThose in the city of Samaria are the worst rebels! ^5eWhere are Judah’s pagan worship centers, you ask? ^5fRight in Jerusalem! (based on NET)
Translate all four questions as statements. For example:
^5c–dSamaria has led Israel to sin, ^5e–fand pagan altars at Jerusalem have made Judah sin. (CEV)
^5c–dThe people in the city of Samaria led the people of Israel to rebel ⌊against God⌋. ^5e–fAnd the people of Judah worship idols/gods at altars in Jerusalem itself.

Parallel MIC 1:5