MIC 5:3 Parallel Verse View

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

Key: khaki:verbs.
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 (MIC 5:2) Διατοῦτο δώσει αὐτοὺς ἕως καιροῦ τικτούσης, τέξεται, καὶ οἱ ἐπίλοιποι τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτῶν ἐπιστρέψουσιν ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραήλ.
(Diatouto dōsei autous heōs kairou tiktousaʸs, texetai, kai hoi epiloipoi tōn adelfōn autōn epistrepsousin epi tous huious Israaʸl.)

BrTr (MIC 5:2) Therefore shall he appoint them to wait till the time of her that travails: she shall bring forth, and then the remnant of their brethren shall return to the children of Israel.

ULT Therefore he will give them up
⇔ until the time, when the bearing, one gives birth,
⇔ and the remainder of his brothers
⇔ will return to the sons of Israel.

UST So God will allow Israel’s enemies to conquer them,
⇔ until the time when she who will bear gives birth.
⇔ Then the rest of those who, with him, are part of Israel
⇔ will rejoin their fellow Israelites.

BSB & MSB Therefore [Israel] will be abandoned
⇔ until she who is in labor has given birth;
⇔ then the rest of His brothers will return
⇔ to the children of Israel.

OEB ⇔ So the Lord will only abandon Israel to its enemies
⇔ until the woman in labour gives birth.
⇔ Then the survivors will be reunited with their own people.

WEBBE & WMBB Therefore he will abandon them until the time that she who is in labour gives birth.
⇔ Then the rest of his brothers will return to the children of Israel.

MSG ^(2-4)But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
  the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
  who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
  His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes
  until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,
And the scattered brothers come back
  home to the family of Israel.
He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,
  centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.
And the people will have a good and safe home,
  for the whole world will hold him in respect—
  Peacemaker of the world!

NET So the Lord will hand the people of Israel over to their enemies
⇔ until the time when the woman in labor gives birth.
⇔ Then the rest of the king’s countrymen will return
⇔ to be reunited with the people of Israel.

LSV Therefore He gives them up until the time she who brings forth has brought forth,
And the remnant of His brothers return to the sons of Israel.

FBV So the Lord will give up on them until the woman in labor has given birth. Then the rest of his brothers will return to the people of Israel.

T4T ⇔ But now you people of Israel will be conquered by your enemies;
⇔ but it will be for only a short time,
⇔ like [MET] the short time that women have great pain while their babies are being born.
⇔ After that, your fellow-countrymen who were ◄exiled/forced to go to other countries► will return to their own country.

LEB • Therefore he will give them up
• until the time of she who is with child has given birth.
• And the rest of his brothers will return
• to the children of Israel.

BBE For this cause he will give them up till the time when she who is with child has given birth: then the rest of his brothers will come back to the children of Israel.

Moff [[The Eternal leaves them to themselves, until his mother gives birth to him; and then the survivors of his family shall rejoin Israel; return they shall,

JPS (MIC 5:2) (5-1) But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from ancient days.

ASV Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth: then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

DRA Therefore will he give them up even till the time wherein she that travaileth shall bring forth: and the remnant of his brethren shall be converted to the children of Israel.

YLT Therefore he doth give them out till the time She who bringeth forth hath brought forth, And the remnant of his brethren return to the sons of Israel.

Drby Therefore will he give them up, until the time when she which travaileth shall have brought forth: and the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

RV Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
(Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth/travails hath/has brought forth: then the residue of his brethren/brothers shall return unto the children of Israel.)

SLT For this he will give them up even till the time she bearing will bring forth: and the remainder of his brethren shall turn back to the sons of Israel.

Wbstr Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.

KJB-1769 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
(Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth/travails hath/has brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren/brothers shall return unto the children of Israel.)

KJB-1611 Therefore will hee giue them vp, vntill the time that shee which trauaileth, hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall returne vnto the children of Israel.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps Therefore wyll he geue them vp for a season, vntill the time that she which shall beare haue borne: then shall the remnaunt of his brethren be conuerted vnto the children of Israel.
(Therefore will he give them up for a season, until the time that she which shall bear have born: then shall the remnant of his brethren/brothers be converted unto the children of Israel.)

Gnva Therefore will he giue them vp, vntill the time that shee which shall beare, shall trauaile: then the remnant of their brethren shall returne vnto the children of Israel.
(Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which shall bear, shall travail: then the remnant of their brethren/brothers shall return unto the children of Israel.)

Cvdl In the meane whyle he plageth them for a season, vntill the tyme that she (which shall beare) haue borne: then shall the remnaunt of his brethren be conuerted vnto ye children of Israel.
(In the mean while he plagues them for a season, until the time that she (which shall bear) have born: then shall the remnant of his brethren/brothers be converted unto ye/you_all children of Israel.)

Wycl For this thing he shal yyue hem til to the tyme in which the trauelinge of child schal bere child, and the relifs of hise britheren schulen be conuertid to the sones of Israel.
(For this thing he shall give hem till to the time in which the travailing of child shall bear child, and the remains/fragments of his brethren/brothers should be converted to the sons of Israel.)

Luth (MIC 5:2) Indes läßt er sie plagen bis auf die Zeit, daß die, so gebären soll, geboren habe. Da werden dann die übrigen seiner Brüder wiederkommen zu den Kindern Israel.
(Meanwhile lets he they/she/them plague(v) until on/in/to the time/period, that that, so give_birth should, born have. So become then the remaining his brothers come_back to/for the children Israel.)

ClVg Propter hoc dabit eos usque ad tempus in quo parturiens pariet, et reliquiæ fratrum ejus convertentur ad filios Israël.
(Because this will_give them until to time/season in/into/on where giving_birth will_give_birth, and remains brothers his/her they_will_convert to children Israel.)

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–6: A ruler will be born in Bethlehem

In this section, Micah told the people of Jerusalem that an enemy would come against them who would cause them to suffer. But their suffering would end when a strong ruler came from Bethlehem. He would enable the people to defeat their enemies and would bring peace.

Here are some other examples of section headings:Some versions place a similar heading before verse 2. For example, the NRSV has “The Ruler from Bethlehem,” and the NET has “A King Will Come and a Remnant Will Prosper.”

A Promised Ruler (CEV)

The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem (ESV)

Birth of the King in Bethlehem (NASB)

Note: TN and most English versions number the verses in this chapter as 5:1–15. The NAB, NJB, and NJPS number the verses according to the Hebrew Text (BHS): 4:14–5:14.NET footnote (a). When TN quotes one of these four versions, it will adjust the numbering to follow the BSB and most English versions.

Paragraphs:In some cases, the paragraph divisions are not indicated or else differ between Paratext, TW, Logos, and Bible Gateway. In such cases, TN has tried to follow the majority. The Notes will divide this section into the following paragraphs: 5:1, 2–4, 5–6 (NJB). Divide the paragraphs in a way that will be appropriate and acceptable to the readers in your language area.

Paragraph 5:2–4

These verses describe the birthplace and origin of the coming ruler, the Messiah. They also identify the time of his coming in relation to the return of his kindred from exile, and describe the way in which he will lead and care for his people like a shepherd.

5:3a

Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth;

So Yahweh will abandon the Israelites until the pregnant one gives birth to the ruler.
Yahweh will leave the people unprotected only until the time that the ruler is born.

Therefore: This word introduces a consequence of the coming of the ruler talked about in 5:2. The consequence is that their current suffering will be temporary. It will end when the ruler comes.See EBC (page 530) and UBS (page 208) in support of this explanation. Other scholars give other explanations. For example, Pusey (pages 72) suggests that God chose both to punish the people and to redeem them. Therefore, he will punish them until the time comes to redeem them. Here are some other ways to introduce this consequence:

So (NET)

That is why (GW)

In some languages, it may be more natural to leave this word implied. For example:

The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the time when the woman in labor gives birth to her son. (NLT)

Introduce this consequence in a natural way in your language.

Israel will be abandoned: In the Hebrew, this clause is more literally “he will give them.” This clause indicates that the LORD (“he”) will not protect his people (“them”). He will allow their enemies to capture them.Pusey (page 72). Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the Lord will hand the people of Israel over to their enemies (NET)

He will leave them [helpless] (NJPS)

the Lord will abandon Israel (GW)

until: Here the Hebrew phrase indicates duration of time. The length of time during which the LORD will abandon Israel is from that time until the time when the ruler is born.Waltke 2007 (page 278) explains that the Hebrew preposition here “is not allative (movement toward) but rather terminative (movement up to)….” In this verse, it indicates up to the time the Messiah comes, when Israel’s misfortunes will be reversed. In some languages, it may be advisable to emphasize that the LORD will abandon Israel only up to a certain point in time. For example:

Yahweh will abandon them only until she who is in labor gives birth (NJB)

she who is in labor: This phrase refers to the mother who will give birth to the future ruler.The phrase “she who is in labor” may also have a figurative meaning. Some suggestions are that it refers to: Zion/Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Judah, or all Israel. See, for example, NAC (page 99) and EBC (page 530). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the woman in labor (NET)

the woman who is to give birth (GNT)

she who is pregnant (REB)

has given birth: This phrase means that the mother has given birth to a baby. In this verse, the baby is a son.UBS (page 209) suggests that “it is clear from the general background of Hebrew prophetic thought that the one who was to deliver the nation would be a male…” Many English versions have expressions that leave “son” implied. In some languages, it may be more natural to make this meaning explicit. For example:

gives birth to her son (NLT96)

In some languages, the phrase “she who is in labor” may draw more attention to the mother than to the birth of the ruler. If that is true in your language, consider translating in a way that leaves the mother implied. For example:

The Lord will abandon Israel only until this ruler is born (CEV)

5:3b

then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel.

Then his relatives who were forced to live in other countries will return to be reunited with their people in Israel.
After that, his fellow Israelites will return from other nations to the land of Israel to join their countrymen.

then: In Hebrew, this verse part is introduced by a conjunction (waw) that can be translated here as either then or “and.” It indicates how this clause connects to the previous clauses. There are two main interpretations:

This word introduces an event that follows the birth of the Messiah. After his birth, the message of salvation will begin to spread to all nations and at various times, the rest of his kindred will return. For example:
until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel (ESV) (GW, ESV, KJV, NABRE, BSB, NASB, NCV, NET, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV, REB, GNT)
This word introduces an event that is in addition to the birth of the Messiah. The rest of his kindred will return during the same period of time. For example:
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites (NIV11) (CEV, NAB, NIV11)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The LORD showed that he no longer abandoned his people by sending his own Son to live among them. Historically, after that time, people began to spiritually join the kingdom of God, and groups of Jews, his literal kindred, began to return to the nation of Israel.The return of exiles described in Ezra and Nehemiah occurred long before the birth of the Messiah. If Micah 5:3 had been referring to these groups of exiles, the order of events would have been given in the opposite order.

the rest of His brothers: The pronoun His refers to the ruler that will be born.UBS (page 209) notes that grammatically the pronoun could refer to the LORD. However, the most natural way to understand it is as a reference to the son, the ruler to be born. See also EBC (page 530). The phrase the rest of His brothers probably refers to Israelites in exile.This understanding is supported by UBS (page 210), EBC (page 530) and A&F (page 469). Some other suggestions are that the brothers are from the clans of Judah (Davis, page 106 and KD, page 327), or from the ten northern tribes (Elman, page 665 footnote).

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

his fellow countrymen (NLT)

those Israelites who are in exile (GNT)

will return to the children of Israel: This phrase probably refers to returning home to the land of Israel. The Israelites who were originally exiled to other countries will rejoin their fellow Israelites who were not taken into exile.UBS (page 210), WBC (page 44), and EBC (page 530). See also Micah 4:6–7.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

will return from exile to their own land (NLT)

will be reunited with their own people (GNT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns

יִתְּנֵ֔⁠ם

he,will_deliver_them_up

The pronoun he refers to Yahweh, and the pronoun them refers to the people of Israel. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [Yahweh will give the people of Israel up]

עַד עֵ֥ת יוֹלֵדָ֖ה יָלָ֑דָה

until time in_labour given_birth

This prophecy appears to have two fulfillments. The first fulfillment would be when God brings the people of Israel back to their land. In this case, the bearing one would refer to “daughter Zion” [4:10](../04/10.md), who stands for the faithful remnant of Israel. She gives birth to the restored nation of Israel. The second and greater fulfillment is when the mother of the Messiah gives birth to him who is able to create the new, fully restored people of God, bringing together the remnant of Israel and all of his brothers redeemed from the rest of mankind. If possible, translate this in a way that can apply to both fulfillments.

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

וְ⁠יֶ֣תֶר אֶחָ֔י⁠ו

and,the_rest_of his_brothers_of,his

The pronoun his refers to the ruler whom Yahweh has promised. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and the remainder of that ruler’s brothers]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor