MIC 2:7 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Do Yakob’s descendants really ask,
⇔ “Is the Yahweh’s spirit impatient?
⇔ ≈ Are these his actions?”
⇔ Don’t my words do good to anyone who obeys them?

Key: khaki:verbs, red:negative, green:YHWH.
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 ὁ λέγων, οἶκος Ἰακὼβ παρώργισε πνεῦμα Κυρίου. οὐ ταῦτα τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν; οὐχ οἱ λόγοι αὐτοῦ εἰσι καλοὶ μετʼ αὐτοῦ; καὶ ὀρθοὶ πεπόρευνται;
(ho legōn, oikos Yakōb parōrgise pneuma Kuriou. ou tauta ta epitaʸdeumata autou estin; ouⱪ hoi logoi autou eisi kaloi metʼ autou; kai orthoi peporeuntai; )

BrTr who says, The house of Jacob has provoked the Spirit of the Lord; are not these his practices? Are not the Lord's words right with him? and have they not proceeded correctly?

ULT Should it really be said, house of Jacob,
⇔ “Is the Spirit of Yahweh angry?
⇔ Are these his deeds?”
⇔ Do not my words do good
⇔ to anyone who walks uprightly?

UST But you people talk like that!
⇔ You say that Yahweh never gets angry,
⇔ and that he never really punishes us.”
⇔ Of course, what I say certainly helps those who live in the right way.

OEB Is the Lord impatient, or are such things his deeds?
⇔ Are not his words favourable to the family of Jacob?”
⇔ Aren’t my commands good for those who obey them?

WEBBE Shall it be said, O house of Jacob,
⇔ “Is the LORD’s Spirit angry?
⇔ Are these his doings?
⇔ Don’t my words do good to him who walks blamelessly?”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Does the family of Jacob say,
⇔ ‘The Lord’s patience can’t be exhausted –
⇔ he would never do such things’?
⇔ To be sure, my commands bring a reward
⇔ for those who obey them,

LSV [Those] named the house of Jacob: Has the Spirit of YHWH been shortened? Are these His doings? Do My words not benefit the people that are walking uprightly?

FBV Should you talk like that, descendants of Jacob? You ask,[fn] “Can the Lord run out of patience? Is this what he does?” Are not my words good to those who do what is right? asks the Lord.[fn]

2:7 Implied.

2:7 Implied. Who is saying what is confusing in this verse.

T4T But you people [MTY] of Israel should not [RHQ] talk like that!
⇔ The Spirit of Yahweh will certainly not [RHQ] be patient with people who say such things!
⇔ People who continually do things that are righteous will certainly [RHQ] like/appreciate what I say.

LEB   • Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the patience[fn] of Yahweh shortened?
  • Are these his deeds?
• Are my words not pleasing
  • to him who walks upright?

2:3 Or “spirit”

BBE Is the Lord quickly made angry? are these his doings? do not his words do good to his people Israel?

Moff Is the Eternal’s temper quick?
⇔ Is that how he would act?
⇔ Are not his words to Israel kind?”

JPS Do I change, O house of Jacob? Is the spirit of the LORD straitened? Are these His doings? Do not My words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

ASV Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, Is the Spirit of Jehovah straitened? are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

DRA The house of Jacob saith: Is the spirit of the Lord straitened, or are these his thoughts? Are not my words good to him that walketh uprightly?

YLT Doth the house of Jacob say, 'Hath the Spirit of Jehovah been shortened? Are these His doings?' Do not My words benefit the people that is walking uprightly?

Drby O thou [that art] named the house of Jacob, Is Jehovah impatient? are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

RV Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, Is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
(Shall it be said, Oh house of Jacob, Is the spirit of the LORD straightened? are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? )

SLT Causing the house of Jacob to say, Was the spirit of Jehovah shortened? if these his doings? shall not my words do good to a people going straight?

Wbstr O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

KJB-1769 ¶ O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?[fn][fn]
(¶ Oh thou/you that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straightened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? )

2.7 straitened: or, shortened?

2.7 uprightly: Heb. upright?

KJB-1611 ¶ [fn][fn]O thou that art named the house of Iacob, is the Spirit of the LORD straitned? are these his dongs? doe not my words do good to him that walketh vprightly?
(¶ Oh thou/you that art named the house of Yacob, is the Spirit of the LORD straightened? are these his dongs? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?)

2:7 Or, shortened.

2:7 Hebr. vp right.

Bshps O thou that art named the house of Iacob, is the spirite of the Lorde shortened? are these his workes? are not my words good vnto him that walketh vprightly?
(Oh thou/you that art named the house of Yacob, is the spirit of the Lord shortened? are these his works? are not my words good unto him that walketh uprightly?)

Gnva O thou that art named of the house of Iaakob, is the Spirite of the Lord shortened? are these his workes? are not my wordes good vnto him that walketh vprightly?
(Oh thou/you that art named of the house of Yacob, is the Spirit of the Lord shortened? are these his works? are not my words good unto him that walketh uprightly? )

Cvdl sayeth the house off Iacob. Is the sprete off the LORDE so clene awaye? or is he so mynded? Treuth it is, my wordes are frendly vnto them that lyue right:
(saith/says the house off Yacob. Is the spirit off the LORD so clean away? or is he so minded? Truth it is, my words are friendly unto them that live right:)

Wycl seith the hous of Jacob. Whether the Spirit of the Lord is abreggid, either siche ben the thouytis of hym? Whether my wordis ben not gode, with hym that goith riytli?
(saith/says the house of Yacob. Whether the Spirit of the Lord is abreggid, either such been the thoughts of him? Whether my words been not gode, with him that goeth/goes riytli?)

Luth Das Haus Jakob tröstet sich also: Meinest du, des HErr’s Geist sei verkürzt? Sollte er solches tun wollen? Es ist wahr, meine Reden sind freundlich den Frommen.
(The house Yakob comforts(v) itself/yourself/themselves also: My you(sg), the LORD’s spirit be shortened? Shoulde he such do/put want? It is true, my Reden are friendly the pious/devout_(one).)

ClVg Dicit domus Jacob: Numquid abbreviatus est spiritus Domini, aut tales sunt cogitationes ejus? nonne verba mea bona sunt cum eo qui recte graditur?
(Sayit home Yacob: Is_it abbreviatus it_is spirit Master, or tales are thoughts his? isn't_it words my good(s) are when/with by_him who/which correctly/straight walks? )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:1–11: The LORD will punish those who oppress poor people

This section is divided into two parts: 2:1–5 and 2:6–11.

In verses 1–5, the LORD accused people in Israel of doing evil: they were dishonestly taking property away from other people. He said that he would punish them.
In verses 6–11, Micah said that people had rebuked him for prophesying these things. And the LORD again said that he would punish the people of Israel.

If you use section headings in your translation, here are some options:

Use one heading for all of 2:1–11, using the above wording. Here are some other section headings for 2:1–11:
Land Robbers Will Lose their Land (NET)
Punishment for Those Who Abuse Their Power (CEV)
Israel’s Sins Are Condemned (GW)
Use one heading for 2:1–5 and another heading for 2:6–11. For example:
^1–5Judgment against Wealthy Oppressors
^6–11True and False Prophets (NLT)
^1–5The Evil Plans of People
^6–11Micah Is Asked Not to Prophesy (NCV)
Use one heading for all of chapter 2 (2:1–13). For example:
The Fate of Those Who Oppress the Poor (GNT)
Woe to Oppressors (NASB)

TN will use one heading for 2:1–11 and another heading for 2:12–13. Use a heading or headings that will be appropriate and acceptable for your language situation.

Paragraph 2:6–11

In 2:1–2, Micah spoke about wicked people. In 2:3–5, the LORD spoke to those wicked people. Here in 2:6–11, Micah (and the LORD) continued to speak to those wicked people.

TN and most English versions begin a new paragraph at 2:6. A few versions put a section heading before 2:6. For example:

False Prophets (NIV)

Micah Is Asked Not to Prophesy (NCV)

True and False Prophets (NLT)

You can put a section heading here if you wish. But TN will use one section heading for all of 2:1–11.

2:7

In verse 2:7, there are four questions. The TN recommendation regarding the speaker and his audience are in parentheses following the quoted question in each verse part.

^7aShould it be said, O house of Jacob, (Micah speaks to the people of Israel who were opposed to his message)

^7b“Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient? (start of the quoted words of the people identified in 7a)

^7cAre these the things He does?” (end of the quoted words in 7b–c)

^7dDo not My words bring good to him who walks uprightly? (start of the LORD’s words spoken through his prophet Micah to the same people who were opposed to his message)

2:7a

Should it be said, O house of Jacob,

“Descendants of Jacob! Do you^(plur) say things like this:
“You people who are descended from Jacob! Why do you say things like this:
“People of Israel! You should not say things like this:

Should it be said, O house of Jacob: There is a textual issue here regarding the way the Hebrew verb phrase “it be said” is spelled:

The Masoretic Text (MT) has the original spelling. This results in a question. For example:
Is it being said, O house of Jacob: (NASB) (BSB, CEV, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NET, NIV, NLT, NRSV, REB)
Some scholars think that the original Hebrew verb phrase was a question with a different meaning. For example:
Do you think the people of Israel are under a curse? (GNT) (NJB, NJPS, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.The proposed spelling change is from heʾamur “is it said?” to heʾarur “is it cursed?” This spelling is not found in any Hebrew manuscripts, nor is there any evidence for it in the LXX or other ancient versions.

This is a rhetorical question. It expects the answer “No.” When Micah asked, “Should this be said…,” his meaning was “You should not say this.” Here are some ways to translate this rhetorical question:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Should the descendants of Jacob be asked: (GW)
People of Israel, why do you say things like this?
As a statement. For example:
O family of Israel, you should not say things like this.

Translate this rhetorical question in a natural way in your language.

O house of Jacob: In this phrase, the word house means “nation” or “people.” It refers to the nation of Israel, not to a literal house.In Genesis 32:28 God gave Jacob the name Israel. Because of this, phrases like “house of Israel” and “house of Jacob,” or “children of Israel” and “children of Jacob,” have the same meaning in many verses. Here are some other ways to translate it:

descendants of Jacob (GW)

people of Israel (GNT)

2:7b–c

“Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient? Are these the things He does?”: There are two main ways to interpret these two sentences:

These sentences are a quote. Micah continued to quote the people he quoted in 2:6a.
^7aShould it be said, O house of Jacob: ^7b“Is the Spirit of the Lord angry? ^7cDoes he do such things?” (NIV) (BSB, NIV, GNT, NJB, NASB, REB, NET, NJPS)
These sentences are Micah’s words. Micah spoke to the people he quoted in 2:6a.
^7aShould the descendants of Jacob be asked: ^7bHas the Spirit of the Lord become impatient with you? ^7cHas he done these things? (GW) (GW, KJV, NCV, NLT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.

2:7b

“Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient?

‘Has Yahweh become impatient?
‘Yahweh has not become impatient with us^(incl), has he?
‘Surely Yahweh will never become angry with us!

Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient?: Micah had told the people that the LORD would punish them. But some people thought that the LORD would never become impatient with them. So they responded with this question. In Hebrew, it is literally “Has the LORD’s spirit become short?” There are two ways to interpret this question:

The word “spirit” refers to the LORD’s inner feelings. In other words, it refers to the LORD himself. For example:
Is the Lord’s patience truly at an end? (REB)
Has the Lord lost his patience? (GNT) (ESV, NAB, NJB, NJPS, KJV, NCV, NET, NIV11, NLT96, NRSV, REB, GNT)
The word “spirit” refers to “the LORD’s Spirit.” Some versions spell the word “spirit” with a capital letter. This usually refers to the Holy Spirit. For example:
Is the Spirit of the Lord impatient? (NASB)
Is the Spirit of the Lord angry? (NIV) (BSB, GW, NASB, NIV, NLT, RSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and all commentaries.A few commentaries quote a version that uses “Spirit of the LORD” with a capital “S,” but none define this phrase as referring to the Holy Spirit.

This is a rhetorical question. It expects the answer “No.”Two versions (NCV and NLT) have a different interpretation. They understand that the rhetorical question means that the LORD will not be patient. TN has not treated this as a separate interpretation issue. Here are some ways to translate this rhetorical question:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Has Yahweh grown short-tempered? (NJB)
The LORD is not impatient, is he?
As a statement. For example:
Certainly the LORD has not become impatient.

2:7c

Are these the things He does?”

He would never do such things, would he?’”
Surely he will not cause those terrible things you^(sing) speak of to happen to us^(incl).’”

Are these the things He does?: This is the second question that the people asked in response to Micah’s prophecy that the LORD would punish them. It is also a rhetorical question that expects the answer “No.” Like the previous rhetorical question, you should translate it in a natural way.

You can translate it as a rhetorical question. For example:
Are these his deeds? (REB)
Would he really do such things? (GNT)
You can translate it as a statement. For example:
He would never do such things!

2:7d

Do not My words bring good to him who walks uprightly?

“The words that I speak bless/prosper the people who behave in a way that is upright.
But Yahweh says, “My words cause good things to happen to those people whose actions are upright.
To those people Yahweh says, “Indeed, I promise to prosper those who do what is right.

The Notes will first discuss the rhetorical question in the entire verse part. They will then discuss the textual issue in the phrase “My words.”

Do not My words bring good to him who walks uprightly?: This is a rhetorical question. It expects the answer “Yes.” Here are some ways to translate this rhetorical question:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright? (NIV)
My words do good to people who live righteously, don’t they?
As a statement. For example:
My words are welcome to the person who does what is right. (NCV)
My commands bring a reward for those who obey them (NET)

My words: There is a textual issue here:

The Masoretic Text uses the Hebrew pronoun “my” in the phrase “my words.” For example:
Do not My words do good to the one walking uprightly? (NASB) (BSB, ESV, KJV, NAB, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, NRSV)
The LXX (Septuagint) uses the Greek pronoun “his” in the phrase “his words.” For example:
Doesn’t he speak kindly to those who do right?” (GNT) (CEV, GW, NJB, REB, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and commentaries. With either option, the phrase refers to the words of the LORD that were prophesied through his prophet Micah. And with either option, the rhetorical question in 2:7d expects the answer “yes.”

The phrase My words refers to the words of the LORD spoken through his prophet Micah. The LORD is the speaker starting in 2:7d and continuing until the end of chapter 2.

bring good: The LORD said that his words bring good. This means that when the LORD speaks, his words will prosper or bless those people. Here are some other ways to translate “Do not my words do good…”:

Does good not come of his words? (REB)

To be sure, my commands bring a reward… (NET)

Doesn’t he always bless… (CEV)

to him who walks uprightly: This phrase is an idiom that means “to behave or conduct oneself in a way that is upright and obeys the LORD’s commands.” Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

those who do right (CEV)

to the person who does what is right (NCV)

to people whose behavior is upright

Parallel MIC 2:7