MIC 5:6 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) They’ll shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword—
⇔ ≈ that country founded by Nimrod in its entrances.
⇔ He’ll rescue us from the Assyrians,
⇔ when they come into our land,
⇔ ≈ when they march inside our borders.[ref]

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 Καὶ ἔσται τὸ ὑπόλειμμα τοῦ Ἰακὼβ ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἐν μέσῳ λαῶν πολλῶν, ὡς δρόσος παρὰ Κυρίου πίπτουσα, καὶ ὡς ἄρνες ἐπὶ ἄγρωστιν, ὅπως μὴ συναχθῇ μηδεὶς, μηδὲ ὑποστῇ ἐν υἱοῖς ἀνθρώπων.
(Kai estai to hupoleimma tou Yakōb en tois ethnesin en mesōi laōn pollōn, hōs drosos para Kuriou piptousa, kai hōs arnes epi agrōstin, hopōs maʸ sunaⱪthaʸ maʸdeis, maʸde hupostaʸ en huiois anthrōpōn. )

BrTr And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many peoples, as dew falling from the Lord, and as lambs on the grass; that none may assemble nor resist among the sons of men.

ULT They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,
⇔ and the land of Nimrod in its entrances.[fn]
⇔ He will rescue us from the Assyrians,
⇔ when they come into our land,
⇔ when they march inside our borders.

The Hebrew text has in its entrances, that is, in their gates. However, some modern versions suppose that a different Hebrew word was intended: with a drawn sword.

UST With their swords our army will defeat the army of Assyria, whose capital Nimrod founded long ago. Our army will rule their cities.
⇔ So our army will rescue us from the Assyrian army
⇔ when they invade our country.

BSB And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,
⇔ and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn.
⇔ So He will deliver us
⇔ when Assyria invades our land
⇔ and marches into our borders.

OEB They will shepherd Assyria with a sword,
⇔ and the land of Nimrod with bared blades.
⇔ They will deliver us from Assyria,
⇔ when they come into our land,
⇔ and tread within our borders.

CSB They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with a drawn blade. So he will rescue us from Assyria when it invades our land, when it marches against our territory.

NLT They will rule Assyria with drawn swords and enter the gates of the land of Nimrod. He will rescue us from the Assyrians when they pour over the borders to invade our land.

NIV who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders.

CEV whose strong army will defeat the nation of Assyria. Yes, our leaders will rescue us, if those Assyrians dare to invade our land.

ESV they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.

NASB They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, The land of Nimrod at its entrances; And He will deliver us from the Assyrian When he attacks our land And when he tramples our territory.

LSB And they will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, The land of Nimrod at its entrances; And He will deliver us from the Assyrian When he enters our land And when he treads within our borders.

WEBBE They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,
⇔ and the land of Nimrod in its gates.
⇔ He will deliver us from the Assyrian,
⇔ when he invades our land,
⇔ and when he marches within our border.

WMBB (Same as above)

MSG ^(5-6)And if some bullying Assyrian shows up,
  invades and violates our land, don’t worry.
We’ll put him in his place, send him packing,
  and watch his every move.
Shepherd-rule will extend as far as needed,
  to Assyria and all other Nimrod-bullies.
Our shepherd-ruler will save us from old or new enemies,
  from anyone who invades or violates our land.

NET They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,
⇔ the land of Nimrod with a drawn sword.
⇔ Our king will rescue us from the Assyrians
⇔ should they attempt to invade our land
⇔ and try to set foot in our territory.

LSV And they have afflicted the land of Asshur with the sword,
And the land of Nimrod at its openings,
And He has delivered from Asshur when he comes into our land,
And when he treads in our borders.

FBV and they will rule Assyria with their swords, the land of Nimrod with drawn swords. He shall rescue us from the Assyrians when they invade our land, marching across our borders.

T4T With their swords our army will defeat the army of Assyria, whose capital was founded by Nimrod long ago.
⇔ So our army will rescue us from the Assyrian army
⇔ when they invade our country [DOU].

LEB   • And they will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances.
• And he will rescue us from the Assyrian[fn]
  • when he comes into our land,
  • and when they tread upon our border.

5:? Hebrew “Assyria”

NRSV They shall rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword; they shall rescue us from the Assyrians if they come into our land or tread within our border.

NKJV They shall waste with the sword the land of Assyria, And the land of Nimrod at its entrances; Thus He shall deliver us from the Assyrian, When he comes into our land And when he treads within our borders.

NAB They shall tend the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword; They will deliver us from Assyria, when it invades our land, when it treads upon our borders.

BBE And they will make waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the edge of the sword: he will give us salvation from the Assyrian when he comes into our country, when his feet come inside the limit of our land.

Moff to let Assyria feel the sword
⇔ and drive the bare blade over Nimrod’s land,
⇔ rescuing us from the Assyrian,
⇔ when he invades our land
⇔ and sets foot on our territory.
¶ 

JPS (5-5) And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the keen-edged sword; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our border.

ASV And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our border.

DRA And they shall feed the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nemrod with the spears thereof: and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian, when he shall come into our land, and when he shall tread in our borders.

YLT And they have afflicted the land of Asshur with the sword, And the land of Nimrod at its openings, And he hath delivered from Asshur when he doth come into our land, And when he treadeth in our borders.

Drby And they shall waste the land of Asshur with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof; and he shall deliver [us] from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.

RV And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our border.
(And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh/comes into our land, and when he treadeth within our border. )

SLT And they ruled the land of Assur with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in its openings: and he delivered from Assur when he shall come in to our land, and when he shall tread in our bound.

Wbstr And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in its entrances: thus will he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.

KJB-1769 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.[fn][fn]
(And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh/comes into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. )

5.6 waste: Heb. eat up

5.6 in the…: or, with her own naked swords

KJB-1611 [fn][fn]And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall hee deliuer vs from the Assyrian, when he commeth into our land, and when hee treadeth within our borders.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above apart from footnotes)

5:6 Hebr. eate vp.

5:6 Or, with her owne naked swords.

Bshps These shall subdue the lande of Assur with the sworde, and the lande of Nimrod with their naked weapons: Thus shall he deliuer vs from the Assirian when he commeth within our lande, and setteth his foote within our borders.
(These shall subdue the land of Assur with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with their naked weapons: Thus shall he deliver us from the Assirian when he cometh/comes within our land, and setteth his foot within our borders.)

Gnva And they shall destroy Asshur with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with their swordes: thus shall he deliuer vs from Asshur, when hee commeth into our lande, and when he shall tread within our borders.
(And they shall destroy Asshur with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with their swords: thus shall he deliver us from Asshur, when he cometh/comes into our land, and when he shall tread within our borders. )

Cvdl these shal subdue the londe of Assur wt the swerde, and the londe of Nymrod with their naked weapens. Thus shal he delyuer vs from the Assiria, when he commeth within oure lande, and setteth his fote within oure borders.
(these shall subdue the land of Assur with the sword, and the land of Nymrod with their naked weapons. Thus shall he deliver us from the Assiria, when he cometh/comes within our land, and setteth his foot within our borders.)

Wycl And thei schulen frete the lond of Assur bi swerd, and the lond of Nembroth bi speris of hym; and he schal delyuere vs fro Assur, whanne he schal come in to oure lond, and whanne he schal trede in oure coostis.
(And they should frete the land of Assur by sword, and the land of Nembroth by speris of him; and he shall deliver us from Assur, when he shall come in to our land, and when he shall trede in our coasts.)

Luth Es werden auch die Übrigen aus Jakob unter vielen Völkern sein wie ein Tau vom HErr’s und wie die Tröpflein aufs Gras, das auf niemand harret noch auf Menschen wartet.
(It become also the remainder out_of Yakob under many peoples be as/like a dew from_the LORD’s and as/like the Tröpflein onto grass, the on/in/to no_one wait still on/in/to people waits.)

ClVg et pascent terram Assur in gladio, et terram Nemrod in lanceis ejus, et liberabit ab Assur cum venerit in terram nostram, et cum calcaverit in finibus nostris.
(and pascent the_earth/land Assur in/into/on with_a_sword, and the_earth/land Nemrod in/into/on lanceis his, and will_deliver away Assur when/with will_have_placed in/into/on the_earth/land ours, and when/with calcaverit in/into/on borders ours. )

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.

5:6

This verse describes how the appointed leaders/shepherds will rescue Israel when the armies of Assyria invade their nation.

5:6a–b

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

^6aAnd they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,

^6band the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 5:6b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 5:6a. For example:

^6band they will rule the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn.

5:6a

And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,

They will defeat the nation of Assyria with the sword and rule over them.
They will use their weapons to conquer Assyria and then rule it.

And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword: This clause indicates that the territory the appointed leaders will rule will extend beyond the borders of Israel. They will also rule the nation of Assyria.

rule…with the sword: This phrase is literally “and they will shepherd…with the sword.” Here the word “shepherd” means to rule.HALOT (electronic edition, page 1260) 6.c. The phrase “shepherd with the sword” is a figurative expression that indicates what they will use to rule. Since the word sword refers to a military weapon, the expression here indicates that the appointed leaders will fight and conquer the Assyrians before they rule over them.According to Waltke 2007 (page 291), Micah may include the word “sword” here to intensify that it will be the instrument of subjugation of the Assyrians. The chiefs/leaders will move from the defense of their homeland against Assyria to the offensive posture of ruling Assyria’s homeland.

Here are some ways to translate this verse part:

Make the action and means of ruling explicit. Leave the action of conquering implied. For example:
They will rule Assyria with the sword (REB)
Make the action of conquering explicit and leave the action of ruling implied. For example:
We will counterattack, led by a number of rulers whose strong army will defeat the nation of Assyria. (CEV)
Make both actions explicit. For example:
They will conquer and rule over the nation of Assyria.

5:6b

and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn.

They will govern this land of Nimrod at its city gates.
They will control every entrance to the Assyrian nation, the land of Nimrod.

The ESV has been used as the source line for 6b, because it follows the recommended textual options.

(ESV) and the land of Nimrod at its entrances: This clause is parallel to 6a. It indicates that the appointed rulers will rule over the land of Nimrod.

(ESV) the land of Nimrod: Nimrod is the name of the founder of Assyria and Babylon and several other places (see Genesis 10:8–12). The preceding parallel line 5:6a explicitly refers to Assyria, so the phrase the land of Nimrod is probably another way to refer to Assyria.Some that favor a reference to Assyria here are UBS and KD. Some scholars suggest that the phrase “the land of Nimrod” refers to Babylon. For example, CBC, Pusey, and Waltke 2007. Others suggest that the phrase may refer to either or both places. For example, WBC, NAC and JFB. However, no version translates the phrase as “the land of Babylon.”

Here are some translation options:

Translate this phrase literally. Leave the referent implied. For example:
the land of Nimrod (NASB)
Translate the referent “Assyria” explicitly. For example:
the land of Assyria (NCV)

Consider adding a cross-reference to Genesis 10:8–12 here.

(ESV) at its entrances: This phrase has a textual issue:

The Masoretic Text has “at its entrances/gates.”KD (page 329) suggests that the Hebrew word for “entrances/gates” is parallel to the word “fortresses” in 5:5c, which may refer to city gates or entrances. In that verse, the Assyrians enter the city gates/entrances of Israel. In this verse, the Israelite leaders enter the city gates/entrances of Assyria. Alternately, JFB (page 693) suggests that this line is parallel to 5:5b, in which the Assyrians enter the land of Israel. As the Assyrian invade the borders of Israel, so will the Israelites invade the borders of Assyria. Either parallel is possible. For example:
The land of Nimrod at its entrances (NASB) (ESV, KJV, NASB, NJPS, NLT)
Some scholars think that the original text was “with a drawn sword.”For example, see A&F (page 480) and Davis (page 92). For example:
the land of Nimrod with drawn sword (NIV) (BSB, GW, NABRE, NCV, NET, NJB, NRSV, NIV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It makes sense without making any changes to the Hebrew text.Option (2) “with drawn sword” requires emending the Hebrew text to make it clearly parallel to “sword” in the previous line. However, no textual evidence exists to support this emendation.

The phrase at its entrances means “entrances to a country.”BDB #6607 (pages 835–836): “entrances to a country.” Here the phrase refers to the country of Assyria. It may also imply the gates of a city or the public buildings from which the appointed leaders will govern the people.KD (page 329).

5:6c

So He will deliver us when Assyria

Thus our^(incl) ruler will save us^(incl) from the Assyrians if
In this way, our king will free us from the power/might of the Assyrian empire if/when

So He will deliver us when Assyria: There is a textual issue with the Hebrew word that the ESV translates as So He will deliver us:

The Masoretic Text has “and he will deliver.” For example:
Thus he will deliver [us] from Assyria (NJPS) (BSB, ESV, KJV, NASB, NIV, NET, NJB, NJPS, NLT)
Some scholars think that the original text had “and they will deliver.” For example:
and they will save us from the Assyrians (GNT) (CEV, GW, NLT96, NRSV, REB, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It is supported by a majority of commentaries and a slight majority of versions, including the early versions, the LXX, and the Peshitta.

One way to make it clearer that the word He refers back to the ruler in 5:5a is to make the referent explicit. For example:

Our king will rescue us from the Assyrians (NET)

He will use the appointed leaders to rescue the people from their enemy, the nation of Assyria.

This clause part refers back to the same situation that 5:5 describes. It does not refer to a separate Assyrian invasion. One way to make it clearer that this is not a new invasion is to make a backward reference explicit. For example:

Thus he will deliver [us] from Assyria (NJPS)

In this way he will save us from the Assyrians

deliver us when Assyria: This phrase is literally “and he will deliver [us] from Assyria.”

The word deliver means “deliver,” “rescue,” or “save.”TWOT #1404. This phrase probably means that the one of peace will use the appointed leaders to drive away Israel’s enemies and keep the people safe.

As in 5:5b, it is more natural in some languages to describe an attack by the people of a country rather than an attack by a country. For example:

and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian (ESV)

Our king will rescue us from the Assyrians (NET)

Translate this phrase in a natural way in your language.

5:6d–e

(combined/reordered)

they invade our territory (GNT)

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

^6c-dSo He will deliver us when Assyria invades our land

^6e and marches into our borders.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 5:6e. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 5:6c–d. For example:

^6e and when Assyria marches into our borders.

These lines describe the situation in which the deliverance in 6c will occur. It will happen if or when the Assyrians invade Israel.

General Comment on 5:6d–e

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these two parallel lines. For example:

if those Assyrians dare to invade our land (CEV)

5:6d

invades our land

their soldiers enter our^(incl) country
their armies invade the land of Israel

5:6e

and marches into our borders.

and march inside the borders of our^(incl) land.
and wage war against us within our borders.

Parallel MIC 5:6