MIC 6:16 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) As a city, you’ve kept the regulations made by King Omri,
⇔ ≈ and behaved similarly to Ahab’s evil descendants.
⇔ You walk by their advice, so I’ll make you into a ruin.
⇔ People will hiss at your inhabitants,
⇔ and my people will mock you.”[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 ἐφύλαξας τὰ δικαιώματα Ζαμβρὶ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἔργα οἴκου Ἀχαὰβ, καὶ ἐπορεύθητε ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτῶν, ὅπως παραδῶ σε εἰς ἀφανισμὸν, καὶ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας αὐτὴν εἰς συρισμὸν, καὶ ὀνείδη λαῶν λήψεσθε.
(Kai efulaxas ta dikaiōmata Zambri, kai panta ta erga oikou Aⱪaʼab, kai eporeuthaʸte en tais hodois autōn, hopōs paradō se eis afanismon, kai tous katoikountas autaʸn eis surismon, kai oneidaʸ laōn laʸpsesthe. )

BrTr For thou hast kept the statutes of Zambri, and done all the works of the house of Achaab; and ye have walked in their ways, that I might deliver thee to utter destruction, and those that inhabit the city to hissing: and ye shall bear the reproach of nations.

ULT The regulations made by Omri have been kept,
⇔ and all the deeds of the house of Ahab.
⇔ You walk by their advice.
⇔ So I will make you, city, a ruin,
⇔ and you inhabitants an object of hissing,
⇔ and you will bear the reproach of my people.”[fn]

The Hebrew text has you will bear the reproach of my people, but an ancient Greek version has you will bear the scorn of the nations. Some modern versions follow this reading.

UST Those things will happen to you because you obey only the wicked laws of King Omri,
⇔ and you do the terrible things that King Ahab and his descendants commanded.
⇔ So I will destroy your country,
⇔ and I will cause the other people groups to despise you, my own people.”

OEB ⇔ ‘For you have followed the commands of Omri,
⇔ and all the practices of the house of Ahab.
⇔ You have acted in accord with their counsels,
⇔ so I will give you up to ruin,
⇔ the city’s inhabitants to derision.
⇔ The nations will treat you with contempt!’

WEBBE For the statutes of Omri are kept,
⇔ and all the works of Ahab’s house.
⇔ You walk in their counsels,
⇔ that I may make you a ruin,
⇔ and your inhabitants a hissing.
⇔ You will bear the reproach of my people.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET You implement the regulations of Omri,
⇔ and all the practices of Ahab’s dynasty;
⇔ you follow their policies.
⇔ Therefore I will make you an appalling sight,
⇔ the city’s inhabitants will be taunted derisively,
⇔ and nations will mock all of you.”

LSV And the statutes of Omri are kept habitually,
And all the work of the house of Ahab,
And you walk in their counsels,
For My giving you for a desolation,
And its inhabitants for a hissing,
And you bear the reproach of My people!”

FBV You have kept the laws of Omri, and adopted all the practices of the house of Ahab,[fn] you have followed their ways. So I will make your country desolate and the people who live there an object of scorn; you will bear the shame of my people.

6:16 King Omri and his son Ahab were two of the most evil kings of Israel.

T4T Those things will happen to you because you obey only the wicked laws of King Omri,
⇔ and you do the terrible things that wicked King Ahab and his descendants commanded.
⇔ So, I will destroy your country,
⇔ and I will cause your people to be despised;
⇔ people of other nations will insult you.’ ”

LEB   • For you have observed the regulations of Omri and all the works of the house of Ahab.
• And you have walked in their counsels,
  • so that I am making you a desolation
• and your inhabitants an object of scorn.
  • So you will bear the scorn of my people.

BBE For you have kept the laws of Omri and all the works of the family of Ahab, and you have been guided by their designs: so that I might make you a cause of wonder and your people a cause of hisses; and the shame of my people will be on you.

Moff For you are following Omri’s customs,
⇔ and all the practices of Ahab’s house,
⇔ living by their policy;
⇔ so I make you a horror,
⇔ and your folk a scorn,
⇔ to bear the derision of pagans.”

JPS For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I may make thee an astonishment, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing; and ye shall bear the reproach of My people.

ASV For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I may make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing: and ye shall bear the reproach of my people.

DRA For thou hast kept the statutes of Amri, and all the works of the house of Achab: and thou hast walked according to their wills, that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing, and you shall bear the reproach of my people.

YLT And kept habitually are the statutes of Omri, And all the work of the house of Ahab, And ye do walk in their counsels, For My giving thee for a desolation, And its inhabitants for a hissing, And the reproach of My people ye do bear!

Drby For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab; and ye walk in their counsels: that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing; and ye shall bear the reproach of my people.

RV For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels: that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing; and ye shall bear the reproach of my people.
(For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye/you_all walk in their counsels: that I should make thee/you a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing; and ye/you_all shall bear the reproach of my people. )

SLT The laws of Omri will be observed, and all the work of the house of Ahab, and ye will go in their counsels; so that I shall give thee for a desolation, and her inhabitants for hissing, and ye shall bear the reproach of my People.

Wbstr For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.

KJB-1769 ¶ For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.[fn][fn]
(¶ For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye/you_all walk in their counsels; that I should make thee/you a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye/you_all shall bear the reproach of my people. )

6.16 For the…: or, For he doth much keep the, etc

6.16 desolation: or, astonishment

KJB-1611 ¶ [fn][fn]For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the workes of the house of Ahab, and ye walke in their counsels, that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore yee shall beare the reproch of my people.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

6:16 Or, he doth much keepe the &c.

6:16 Or, astonishment.

Bshps Ye kepe the ordinaunces of Amri, and all the customes of the house of Ahab, ye walke in their counsels: therfore wyl I make thee waste, and cause thy inhabiters to be hissed at, and ye shall beare the reproche of my people.
(Ye/You_all keep the ordinances of Amri, and all the customs of the house of Ahab, ye/you_all walk in their counsels: therefore will I make thee/you waste, and cause thy/your inhabiters to be hissed at, and ye/you_all shall bear the reproach of my people.)

Gnva For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the maner of the house of Ahab, and ye walke in their counsels, that I should make thee waste, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall beare the reproche of my people.
(For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the manner of the house of Ahab, and ye/you_all walk in their counsels, that I should make thee/you waste, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye/you_all shall bear the reproach of my people. )

Cvdl Ye kepe the ordinaunces of Amri, & all the customes of the house of Achab: ye folowe their pleasures, therfore wil I make the waist, & cause yi inhabiters to be abhorred, O my people: & thus shalt thou beare thine owne shame.
(Ye/You_all keep the ordinances of Amri, and all the customs of the house of Achab: ye/you_all follow their pleasures, therefore will I make the waist, and cause ye/you_all inhabiters to be abhorred, Oh my people: and thus shalt/shall thou/you bear thine/your own shame.)

Wycl And thou keptist the heestis of Amry, and al the werk of the hous of Acab, and hast walkid in the lustis of hem, that Y schulde yyue thee in to perdicioun, and men dwellynge in it in to scornyng, and ye schulen bere the schenschipe of my puple.
(And thou/you keptist the commands of Amry, and all the work of the house of Acab, and hast walked in the lustis of hem, that I should give thee/you in to perdition/destruction/punishment, and men dwelling in it in to scorning, and ye/you_all should bear the harm/trouble of my people.)

Luth Denn man hält die Weise Amris und alle Werke des Hauses Ahab und folgt ihrem Rat. Darum will ich dich zur Wüste machen und ihre Einwohner, daß man sie anpfeifen soll; und sollt meines Volks Schmach tragen.
(Because man holds the way/manner Amris and all work the houses Ahab and follows their advice. Therefore will I you/yourself to/for desert make and their/her resident, that man they/she/them anpfeifen should; and should my peoples disgrace bear/carry.)

ClVg Et custodisti præcepta Amri, et omne opus domus Achab, et ambulasti in voluntatibus eorum: ut darem te in perditionem, et habitantes in ea in sibilum, et opprobrium populi mei portabitis.]
(And you_keepti commands(n) Amri, and everything work/need home Achab, and you_walked in/into/on to_the_willbus their: as I_would_give you(sg) in/into/on destruction, and inhabitants in/into/on them in/into/on hissing, and reproach of_the_people my/mine you(pl)_will_carry.] )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:9–16: The LORD will punish his people for their dishonesty

This section has three parts. In 6:9–12, the LORD charged the people of Jerusalem and the tribe of Judah with theft, dishonesty, deception, and violence. In 6:13–15, he stated how he will punish them. In 6:16, the LORD restated in a short summary the people’s sin and their punishment. In this section, the LORD was the speaker except for 6:9, in which Micah told the people of the city to listen.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Cheating and Violence to Be Punished (NRSV)

Israel’s Guilt and Punishment (NIV)

Accusations and Covenant CursesSuggestion by A&F (pages 541–544)

Paragraph 6:9–16

In this paragraph, the LORD accused the people of committing several kinds of sin. Most were sins committed by wealthy people. Some were sins by the general population.

6:16

There are two main ways to interpret the relationship between 6:16 and the previous verses:

Verse 6:16 repeats the main themes of the previous verses in a more concise way. The repeated themes are sin, and the judgment that results. People sinned by following the practices of King Omri and Ahab. As a result the LORD will judge them. For example:
You have kept Omri’s laws and all the practices of the descendants of Ahab, and you have followed their advice. That is why I will ruin you. Your people will be ridiculed. You will bear the disgrace of my people.” (GW) (BSB, GW, NAB, NASB, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, REB)
Verse 6:16 gives the reason for the LORD’s judgment described in 6:13–15. The reason for that judgment is that the people followed the practices of Omri and Ahab. The second part of 6:16 announces another judgment. For example:
Jerusalem, this will happen because you followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab. Now I will destroy you and your property. Then the people of every nation will make fun and insult you. (CEV) (CEV, ESV, KJV, NCV, NJB, NRSV, REB, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has good commentary and version support.For example, JFB (page 694) says that this verse recapitulates what was more fully stated before, Judah’s sin and resulting punishment. See also Mays (page 148) and A&F (pages 549–550). It also does not conflict with 6:13a.Verse 6:13a has two explicit indicators of the reason for the LORD’s judgment that is described in 6:13–15. The word “Therefore” and the phrase “because of your sins” make clear that he will judge the people because of the sins listed in 10–12.

6:16a–c

(combined/reordered)

You follow the pattern of evil living set by Kings Omri and Ahab and their descendants.

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^16a You have kept the statutes of Omri

^16band all the practices of Ahab’s house;

^16c you have followed their counsel.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:16b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:16a. For example:

^16band you have kept all the practices of Ahab’s house;

These parallel lines give examples from Israel’s history to show how the people had sinned. Omri and his son Ahab were the longest ruling kings in the northern kingdom and were known for their wickedness. They abused their power, they exploited others, and they worshiped idols. See 1 Kings 16:25–33.

6:16a

You have kept the statutes of Omri

You^(sing/plur) have followed the customs of Omri
You have copied the evil practices of King Omri

You have kept the statutes of Omri: This line is more literally “and it has been kept the statutes of Omri.”BART parses the word as a conjunction plus imperfect verb in passive voice. However, LDHB understands the verb as waw-conjunctive plus imperfect verb in active voice: “and he observed the statutes/customs of Omri.” Many versions, such as the BSB, translate this line with an active verb. In some languages, it will be more natural to use passive forms. For example:

The statutes of Omri and all the works of the house of Ahab are observed (NASB)

In Hebrew, this sentence starts with “and.” Here the word may indicate that this clause is the concluding indictment against the people.Waltke 2007 (page 404). In this context, it does not indicate “because.” For more details, see the note above on “the relationship between 6:16 and the previous verses.” Many versions, such as the BSB, leave this word implied.

the statutes of Omri: This line means that the people did the same kinds of things that Omri had done. In this context, the word statutes probably does not refer to laws or ordinances but to customs and practices/behaviors.CBC (pages 339–340) and Pusey (page 88) mention that the Old Testament does not record specific laws or rulings that exemplify the evil character of Omri’s reign. DCH (page 302) sense 2. indicates that the meaning in 6:16 is “custom of human beings” rather than laws or decrees. In 2 Kings 17:7–11, 19–20 the NIV translates this word as “practices” that it elaborates in 2 Kings 17:9 as “things against the Lord their God that were not right.” For more details see 2 Kings 17:7–20.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

the evil practices of King Omri (GNT)

you have followed the wicked customs of Omri

6:16b

and all the practices of Ahab’s house;

and all the evil deeds of Ahab’s house.
and those of Ahab and his descendants.

and all the practices of Ahab’s house: This parallel line means that the people also did the kinds of deeds that King Ahab and his family had done.

The practices of Ahab’s house may include the following evil acts:Each of the following resources mentions one or more of the evil acts listed in (a-g): CBC (pages 339–340), KD (page 339), WBC (page 53), NICOT (pages 381–382), NET footnote on “policies,” TOTC (page 217).

Marriage to an idolater
Baal worship
Robbery and murder
Persecution of true prophets
Child sacrifice
Unjust and oppressive measures
Apostasy, depravity, greed and injustice

Ahab’s house: This phrase means “Ahab’s family/household.” His household included his wife, children, dependent relatives, officials and slaves.Waltke 2007 (page 404). The phrase probably also included his descendants who later became kings.UBS (page 242).

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Ahab’s dynasty (NET)

the descendants of Ahab (GW)

Ahab’s family (NCV)

6:16c

you have followed their counsel.

You^(sing/plur) have followed their way of life.
You live and act as they did.

you have followed their counsel: This line means that the people followed the bad example of Omri and Ahab and his family by continuing the same kinds of evil practices.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

You have continued their policies (GNT)

by modelling yourselves on their standards (NJB)

you have followed their traditions (NIV)

counsel: In Hebrew, this word means “plans” or “decisions.”Waltke 2007 (page 405). It refers to a person’s usual way of living/acting.UBS (page 242).

General Comment on 6:16a–c

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

^16a–cyou followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab (CEV)

^16a–byou have followed the evil practices of King Omri and of his son, King Ahab. ^16cYou have continued their policies (GNT)

6:16d

Therefore I will make you a desolation,

Therefore I will make you^(sing) a desolate ruin,
That is why I will destroy you.

6:16e

and your inhabitants an object of contempt;

and your^(sing) inhabitants an object of mockery.
Your citizens will be ridiculed by those who hate you.

6:16d–e

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^16dTherefore I will make you a desolation,

^16eand your inhabitants an object of contempt;

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:16e. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:16d. For example:

^16eand I will make your inhabitants an object of contempt;

These two parallel lines and the next line are three parts of a judgment against the city of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah.NAC (page 120). This judgment was the LORD’s response to the sin described in 16a–c.

Therefore: In Hebrew, this word is more literally “so that” or “to the end that.” The meaning is that judgment was the inevitable consequence of people’s disobedience.EBC (page 543) and NICOT (page 382). It may imply that the LORD had no alternative other than to judge.TOTC (page 217).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

That is why (GW)

you force me (NJB)

you…your inhabitants: The referent of you and your is probably the city of Jerusalem and/or the entire kingdom of Judah.Waltke 2007 (page 405) suggests the referent is the city. UBS (page 242) and KD (page 339) suggest the referent is the nation. NAC (page 120) mentions both Jerusalem and Judah. The references to both you and your inhabitants probably indicates that the judgment would be against the people as well as the places where they lived.

Here are some other ways to translate these referents:

you and your property (CEV)

you…your citizens (NJB)

a desolation…an object of contempt: Both phrases describe a situation that is so awful or appalling that people react to it with astonishment and horror.Waltke 2007 (page 405) and EBC (page 543).

In Hebrew, the word desolation means both “ruin/waste” and “appalment/horror.”TWOT #2409d and BDB #8047 (page 1031).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

an appalling sight (NET)

an object of horror (NJPS)

give you over to ruin (NIV)

let you be destroyed (NCV)

The phrase an object of contempt is more literally, “an object of hissing.” This means that people will make a hissing sound in response to the ruin. At that time the act of hissing indicated scorn and ridicule.

If your language group has this custom with the same meaning, you may be able to translate this phrase literally. However, if this custom is unknown or has a different meaning in your language group, here are some other ways to translate it:

will be taunted derisively (NET)

will be treated with contempt (NLT)

will be laughed at (NCV)

6:16f

you will bear the scorn of the nations.”

Yes, the scorn of others against my people is what you^(sing) will endure.
You^(plur), my people, will be disgraced.

you will bear the scorn of the nations: There is a textual issue with the word that the BSB translates as nations:

The Masoretic Text has “my people.” The word refers to the LORD’s people. They are scorned by other people. The identity of the scorners is left implicit. For example:
and you will endure the insults aimed at my people (REB) (ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NRSV, REB)
The LXX has “of peoples.” The word refers to people of other nations. They scorn Yahweh’s people. For example:
and other nations will make fun of you (NCV) (BSB, CEV, NAB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, GNT)

The Display will follow option (1). It makes good sense and has good support from commentators, the Peshitta, and modern versions.Commentary support includes KD, JFB, A&F, Waltke 2007, Pusey. However, option (2) also has good support from modern versions and some commentators. You may want to follow this option if it is followed by a major language translation in your area.

This is the third part of the LORD’s judgment against the city of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. The LORD’s people who live there will bear/endure scorn from people of other nations.Some commentators suggest that it is the leaders of Judah that are addressed here. A&F (page 550) say that the leaders are to blame and will be punished most. Waltke 2007 (pages 405–406) agrees. However, the Hebrew text itself does not offer explicit evidence in support of this suggestion.

scorn: This word means “reproach” or “contempt.” In this context, it indicates that other nations insult, taunt, or mock the LORD’s people.TWOT # 749a.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

bear the disgrace of my people (GW)

suffer taunts and mocking directed against my people

you, my people will be jeered and shamed

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

(Occurrence 0) The regulations made by Omri have been kept, and all the deeds of the house of Ahab

(Some words not found in UHB: and,it_has_been_kept regulations_of ˊĀmərī and=all/each/any/every works_of house_of ʼAḩʼāⱱ and,you(pl)_have_walked in,their_of,schemes therefore I,to_make ,you into,a_horror and,its_of,inhabitants into,hissing and,the_reproach_of my_people_of,of bear )

This can be translated in active form, and you may need to supply the words that the ellipsis omitted. Alternate translation: “You have done what Omri commanded, and you have done the same things the house of Ahab did”

Note 2 topic: translate-names

(Occurrence 0) Omri … Ahab

Both of these men were kings over the northern kingdom of Israel. God considered both of them to be very wicked.

(Occurrence 0) house of Ahab

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Ahab”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

(Occurrence 0) You walk by their advice

Walking on a path is a metaphor for how a person lives his life. Alternate translation: “You do what Omri and Ahab told the people to do”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / apostrophe

(Occurrence 0) I will make you, city, a ruin, and you inhabitants an object of hissing

Micah speaks to the people of the city, who can hear him, as if he were speaking to the city itself, which cannot hear him. You may need to make explicit the words that the ellipsis omits. Alternate translation: “I will make your city a ruin, and I will make you inhabitants an object of hissing”

(Occurrence 0) you will bear the reproach of my people

Alternate translation: “you will suffer because my people will reproach you”

Parallel MIC 6:16

Section 6:9–16: The LORD will punish his people for their dishonesty

Paragraph 6:9–16

6:16

6:16a–c

6:16a

6:16b

6:16c

General Comment on 6:16a–c

6:16d

6:16e

6:16d–e

6:16f