MIC 5:7 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=minor/spelling Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) ⇔ The remnant of Yakob will end up among many peoples,
⇔ like dew from Yahweh,
⇔ ≈ like showers on the grass,
⇔ that don’t need help from any person,
⇔ ≈ and they don’t rely on human intervention.

5:7 Note: KJB: Mic.5.8

5:7 OSHB note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

5:7 OSHB note: Marks an anomalous form.

5:7 OSHB note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

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 Καὶ ἔσται τὸ ὑπόλειμμα Ἰακὼβ ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἐν μέσῳ λαῶν πολλῶν, ὡς λέων ἐν κτήνεσιν ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ, καὶ ὡς σκύμνος ἐν ποιμνίοις προβάτων, ὃν τρόπον ὅταν διέλθῃ, καὶ διαστείλας ἁρπάσῃ, καὶ μὴ ᾖ ὁ ἐξαιρούμενος.
(Kai estai to hupoleimma Yakōb en tois ethnesin en mesōi laōn pollōn, hōs leōn en ktaʸnesin en tōi drumōi, kai hōs skumnos en poimniois probatōn, hon tropon hotan dielthaʸ, kai diasteilas harpasaʸ, kai maʸ aʸ ho exairoumenos. )

BrTr And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many nations, as a lion in the forest among cattle, and as a lion's whelp among flocks of sheep, even as when he goes through, and selects, and carries off his prey, and there is none to deliver.

ULT The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples,
⇔ like dew from Yahweh,
⇔ like showers on the grass,
⇔ that do not wait for a man,
⇔ and they do not wait for the children of mankind.

UST The descendants of Jacob who survive will be a blessing to the people of other nations
⇔ like dew and rain sent by Yahweh do good to the grass.
⇔ They will not trust in humans to help them;
⇔ instead, they will rely on Yahweh.

BSB Then the remnant of Jacob will be
⇔ in the midst of many peoples
⇔ like dew from the LORD,
⇔ like showers on the grass,
⇔ which do not wait for man
⇔ or linger for mankind.

OEB ⇔ And the survivors of Jacob will be disbursed among the nations,
⇔ in the midst of many peoples,
⇔ like dew from the Lord,
⇔ like showers on the grass,
⇔ which don’t wait for people to come
⇔ or linger for mortals.

WEBBE The remnant of Jacob will be amongst many peoples
⇔ like dew from the LORD,
⇔ like showers on the grass,
⇔ that don’t wait for man
⇔ nor wait for the sons of men.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Those survivors from Jacob will live
⇔ in the midst of many nations.
⇔ They will be like the dew the Lord sends,
⇔ like the rain on the grass,
⇔ that does not hope for men to come
⇔ or wait around for humans to arrive.

LSV And the remnant of Jacob has been in the midst of many peoples,
As dew from YHWH—as showers on the herb,
That does not wait for man, nor stays for the sons of men.

FBV Then those who are left of the people of Jacob shall be in the center of many nations, like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which wait for no one, and which no one can delay.

T4T ⇔ The ◄descendants of Jacob/Israelis► who survive will be a blessing to the people of other nations,
⇔ like [SIM] dew and rain sent by Yahweh do good to the grass.
⇔ The Israelis will not trust in humans to help them;
⇔ instead, they will rely on Yahweh.

LEB   • And the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many nations,
• like dew from Yahweh,
  • like showers upon the grass
• which does not wait for a man,
  • nor delays for the children of humankind.

BBE And the rest of Jacob will be among the mass of peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which may not be kept back by man, or be waiting for the sons of men.

Moff Like dew that drops from the Eternal,
⇔ so shall the residue of Jacob be,
⇔ among the mass of nations,
⇔ like showers upon the grass,
⇔ needing no help of man,
⇔ no human aid.

JPS (5-6) And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples, as dew from the LORD, as showers upon the grass, that are not looked for from man, nor awaited at the hands of the sons of men.

ASV And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from Jehovah, as showers upon the grass, that tarry not for man, nor wait for the sons of men.

DRA And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as a dew from the Lord, and as drops upon the grass, which waiteth not for man, nor tarrieth for the children of men.

YLT And the remnant of Jacob hath been in the midst of many peoples, As dew from Jehovah — as showers on the herb, That waiteth not for man, nor stayeth for the sons of men.

Drby And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from Jehovah, as showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, neither waiteth for the sons of men.

RV And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from the LORD, as showers upon the grass; that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
(And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from the LORD, as showers upon the grass; that tarrieth/tarries/waits not for man, nor waiteth/waits for the sons of men. )

SLT And the remnant of Jacob was in the midst of many peoples as the dew from Jehovah, as showers upon the green herb, which will not wait for man and will not delay for the sons of man.

Wbstr And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.

KJB-1769 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
(And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth/tarries/waits not for man, nor waiteth/waits for the sons of men. )

KJB-1611 And the remnant of Iacob shall be in the midst of many people, as a dew from the LORD, as the showres vpon the grasse that tarieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sonnes of men.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps And the remnaunt of Iacob shalbe among the multitude of people as the deawe of the Lord, and as the droppes vpon the grasse, that taryeth for no man and wayteth on no body.
(And the remnant of Yacob shall be among the multitude of people as the dew of the Lord, and as the drops upon the grass, that tarrieth/tarries/waits for no man and waiteth/waits on no body.)

Gnva And the remnant of Iaakob shalbe among many people, as a dewe from the Lord, and as the showres vpon the grasse, that waiteth not for man, nor hopeth in the sonnes of Adam.
(And the remnant of Yacob shall be among many people, as a dew from the Lord, and as the showers upon the grass, that waiteth/waits not for man, nor hopeth/hopes in the sons of Adam. )

Cvdl And the remnaunt of Iacob shal be amonge the multitude of people, as the dew of the LORDE, and as the droppes vpon the grasse, that tarieth for no man, and waiteth of no body.
(And the remnant of Yacob shall be among the multitude of people, as the dew of the LORD, and as the drops upon the grass, that tarrieth/tarries/waits for no man, and waiteth/waits of no body.)

Wycl And relifs of Jacob schulen be in the myddil of many puplis, as dew of the Lord, and as dropis on erbe, whiche abidith not man, and schal not abide sones of men.
(And remains/fragments of Yacob should be in the middle of many peoples, as dew of the Lord, and as dropis on herb, which abidith not man, and shall not abide sons of men.)

Luth Ja, die Übrigen aus Jakob werden unter den Heiden bei vielen Völkern sein wie ein Löwe unter den Tieren im Walde, wie ein junger Löwe unter einer Herde Schafe, welchem niemand wehren kann, wenn er dadurchgehet, zertritt und zerreißet.
(Yes, the remainder out_of Yakob become under the heathens at/in many peoples be as/like a lion under the animals in_the forest, as/like a younger lion under one/a herd sheep, which_one no_one defend can, when he go_throught, trampled and torn.)

ClVg Et erunt reliquiæ Jacob in medio populorum multorum quasi ros a Domino, et quasi stillæ super herbam, quæ non exspectat virum, et non præstolatur filios hominum.
(And they_will_be remains Yacob in/into/on in_the_middle of_the_peoples of_many as_if dew from Master, and as_if stillæ over grass, which not/no is_waiting husband, and not/no beforestolatur children of_men. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:7–9: The future role of the exiles that the LORD has delivered

In this section, Micah described events that would happen after the coming of the ruler who was born in Bethlehem (5:1–6). He told the people of Israel that a remnant of Israelites would survive. The LORD would influence people of other nations through the remnant. He would bring blessing to some people, but he would bring destruction to others.NICOT (page 352) points out that two different roles of the remnant are to be a channel of divine blessing and also an agent of divine judgment. See also ABC (page 1081) and Waltke 2007 (page 203).

Here are some other examples of section headings:

A Remnant Shall Be Delivered (ESV)

The Future Role of the Remnant (NRSV)

The Survivors Will Be Safe

5:7–8

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in structure:

^7a Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples

^7b like dew from the LORD, ^7clike showers on the grass,

^7d which do not wait for man ^7eor linger for mankind.

^8a Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, ^8bin the midst of many peoples,

^8c like a lion among the beasts of the forest, ^8dlike a young lion among flocks of sheep,

^8e which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.

The lines in 7a–e are similar in structure to the lines in 8a–e.“Antithetic parallelism” is the technical name for the symmetrical but contrasting images in verses 7 and 8, of refreshing dew and a destructive lion. See NICOT (page 352). Lines 7a and 8a–b both introduce the remnant of Jacob as the topic. Lines 7b–c and 8c–d both compare the remnant to objects in the natural world, dew and a lion. Lines 7d–e and 8e both describe a characteristic of these objects that will be similar to the remnant.

5:7a

Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples

¶ The descendants of Jacob who survive and are surrounded by many other people groups
¶ The remaining Israelites will have many others living around them.

Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples: This clause introduces the subject of the prophecy. This prophecy is about the effect that the remnant of Jacob will have on other people groups.

Then: In Hebrew, this word is literally “and it will be.” It does not indicate that the events in this prophecy immediately follow those described in 5:6. It introduces a new prophecy that is separate but related to those that precede it. Some versions do not use a connecting word like Then. Instead, they allow the context to imply the change. For example:

The people of Israel who survive (GNT)

The remnant of Jacob (NJPS)

Indicate this change of prophecy in a natural way in your language.

remnant of Jacob: The word remnant refers to people who remain alive after many others have died.TWOT #2307b states that the Hebrew word is about those who survive after a previous elimination process or catastrophe. It implies a small number of people compared to a larger population in past times.NIDOTTE (Volume 4, pages 11–16) says that Micah speaks of a tiny historical remnant.

The phrase of Jacob means “descended from Jacob.” In Micah, this phrase is a way to refer to all Israelites. The reference includes people from all twelve tribes. Some are from the northern kingdom of Israel, and some are from the southern kingdom of Judah.NAC (page 103) and UBS (pages 215–216).

Here are some other ways to translate remnant of Jacob:

The people of Israel who survive (GNT)

A few of Jacob’s descendants survived (CEV)

in the midst of many peoples: In some contexts, this phrase describes the situation of Israelites who live as prisoners or refugees in various countries outside their homeland of Israel.A&F (page 485) and UBS (pages 215–216).

However, this prophesy speaks of a time in the future when the remnant is no longer scattered in various places outside of Israel. They return to Israel to live.This is more clearly the situation described in verse 5:8. The parallelism between verses 7 and 8 suggests that the same situation pertains to both verses. See NIDOTTE (Vol. 4, pages 11–16), JFB (page 638) and Waltke 2007 (page 306). So it is reasonable to conclude that here the words many peoples refer to the non-Israelite people who live in countries that surround the land of Israel.

5:7b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^7b like dew from the LORD,

^7c like showers on the grass

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 5:7b–c. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 5:7a. For example:

^7b they will be like dew from the LORD,

^7c they will be like showers on the grass

These parallel lines are similes that compare the remnant of Jacob to dew and to showers. There are two main interpretations of how the remnant is similar to dew and showers:

The LORD will bless people of other nations through the remnant. This is comparable to how he blesses the earth and vegetation through dew and showers.JFB (page 693), ABC (page 1081), TOTC (page 204), Waltke 2007 (page 307), NICOT (pages 353–354), KD (page 330), NAC (pages 103–104), UBS (pages 216–217), WBC (pages 46–47) and Davis (page 112). For example:
Then the people of Jacob who are left alive will be to other people like dew from the Lord or rain on the grass (NCV) (NCV, GNT)
It is certain that the LORD will restore the population and/or the status of Israel among the nations. This is comparable to the certainty that the LORD sends dew and showers. No one can stop it from happening.CBC (page 331). For example:
Then the remnant left in Israel will take their place among the nations. They will be like dew sent by the Lord or like rain falling on the grass, which no one can hold back and no one can restrain. (NLT) (NLT, CEV)

Most versions are ambiguous as to which interpretation they follow.Two other interpretations also have support from multiple commentators but are not included in this note because no version appears to follow them. One is that the point of similarity between dew, showers and the remnant is that all are under divine control. This interpretation is similar to the meaning of the parallel lines that follow these similes. Variations of this interpretation are proposed by A&F (page 485) and Margolis (pages 55–56). Another interpretation is that the LORD will judge Israel’s enemies through the remnant. Restored Israel will overwhelm her enemies the way dew completely covers grass. This interpretation is similar to the meaning of verse 8. See McKeating (page 180), EBC (pages 533–534) and the NET footnote for this verse. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with many commentaries.A main support for this interpretation is that it fits the most common figurative meaning of “dew” and “showers.” See more detail in the note for “dew…showers” below. Another support for this interpretation is that the context of verse 8 clearly refers to Israel’s influence on other nations (in that case not beneficial). The parallel of verse 7 to verse 8 suggests that this verse also refers to Israel’s influence on others, not just God’s blessing on Israel. See NICOT (pages 353–354). These similes may refer back to the prophecy in Micah 4:1–4, which also talks about how other nations will be blessed through Israel. See ABC (page 1081). However, interpretation (2) is also acceptable. Both interpretations fit the context. Interpretation (2) is probably implied in interpretation (1).This part of the chapter is about the future strength of Israel and its leaders. So this prophecy probably refers to the LORD’s blessing on Israel along with his blessing on other nations through Israel.

dew…showers: These two words are similar in meaning. The word dew refers to water droplets that collect on plants or on the ground during the night. It can also refer to light rain. Dew was very important in that part of the world. It kept plants alive in seasons that had no rain.UBS (pages 216–217).

The word showers generally refers to a large amount of rain.BDB #7241 page 914).

In the Old Testament dew and showers are often used as figures of speech to indicate something beneficial.For example, NAC (pages 103–104) cites Psalms 72:6, 16–19. Also see Waltke 2007 (page 307). Here they indicate refreshment and fertility.NAC (pages 103–104) and NICOT (pages 353–354).

5:7b

like dew from the LORD,

will be like refreshing dew from Yahweh.
Through his people, Yahweh will bless these other nations the way he blesses plants, by sending dew

from the LORD: This phrase indicates that the LORD is the source of the dew.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

dew sent by the Lord (NLT)

dew the Lord sends (NET)

5:7c

like showers on the grass,

They will be like rain upon grass/plants,
and rain showers.

on the grass: This phrase indicates where the rain showers fall. The Hebrew word translated as grass means “green plants” or “grass.” Since the word describes plants that are valuable to both humans and animals, it is used in figures of speech to indicate blessing.NIDOTTE (Volume 3, page 546).

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

showers on growing plants (GNT)

showers on vegetation (NASB)

5:7d

which do not wait for man

which do not require the help of people
The dew and rain do not rely on human beings

5:7e

or linger for mankind.

or put their hope in humans.
or need to wait for help from anyone.

5:7d–e

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^7d which do not wait for man

^7e or linger for mankind.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 5:7c. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 5:7b. For example:

^7c neither do they linger for mankind.

These lines are more literally “which does not wait for man and does not wait patiently for the sons of mankind.”Grammatically, the verbs are singular and point to a singular referent. Probably that referent is “dew.” Other possible referents are “remnant” or “grass.” “Remnant” is probably not the intended direct referent because it is only indirectly referred to via the similes. “Grass” is also unlikely. The similes compare the remnant to dew and showers, not to grass. Here are two suggestions for the singular verbs in the MT: According to KD (page 330), the verbs refer to the principle idea of the preceding clause, the “dew,” to which “showers” are explanatory and subordinate. UBS (pages 216–217) suggests that “dew was recognized as a direct gift of God which man could do nothing to provide for himself, and the description here is probably an allusion to this.”

These lines describe the dew and showers in 7b–c. The meaning of the lines is probably that these processes of nature occur with no need for human involvement. The LORD is the one who controls them. By implication, the LORD is also in control of what will happen to the remnant.

Here are some ways to translate these lines:

Make explicit that “dew” and “showers” are the referents.”This option is followed by the Peshitta and by most modern versions. For example:
The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for anyone or depend on man. (NIV11)
Leave implicit a singular referent.This option follows the Masoretic Text forms. However, in some languages it may wrongly imply that the referent is “grass” rather than “dew” or “dew” and “showers.” For example:
it does not wait for human beings; it does not pause for any person. (NCV)
Make “remnant” the direct referent instead of “dew” and “showers.”This option is different from the Masoretic Text, which gives an indirect reference to the remnant by means of the similes of dew and showers. However, the overall meaning of the verse remains the same. In some languages it may not be natural to personify dew and showers as waiting for humans. This may be a useful alternative translation option in those languages. For example:
The people of Israel who survive will be like refreshing dew sent by the Lord for many nations, like showers on growing plants. They will depend on God, not people. (GNT)

which: The relative pronoun which refers back to the referent in the previous lines. In some languages, it will be more natural to translate this line without using a relative pronoun. For example:

They do not put their hope in humans or wait for mortals. (GW)

wait for…linger for: In Hebrew, these verbs are more literally “wait…wait patiently.” Both words can be translated in this context as “wait,” “hope,” or “depend.”See TWOT #1994 I “wait, look for, hope.” See also NIDOTTE #859 (page 373) “wait, hope.”

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

put their hope in…wait (GW)

need…require

man…mankind: These terms are two ways to refer to human beings.One meaning of the word “mortal” is human limits (see Merriam Webster “mortal” #5). Mortal/limited human beings have no control over the dew and the showers. Some versions translate these words in a way that more clearly indicates the inability of human beings to control dew and showers. For example:

which do not depend on human agency and are beyond human control (NJB)