MIC 6:5 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=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, 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 Λαός μου μνήσθητι δὴ, τί ἐβουλεύσατο κατὰ σοῦ Βαλὰκ βασιλεὺς Μωὰβ, καὶ τί ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ Βαλαὰμ, υἱὸς τοῦ Βεὼρ ἀπὸ τῶν σχοίνων ἕως τοῦ Γαλγὰλ, ὅπως γνωσθῇ ἡ δικαιοσύνη τοῦ Κυρίου.
(Laos mou mnaʸsthaʸti daʸ, ti ebouleusato kata sou Balak basileus Mōab, kai ti apekrithaʸ autōi Balaʼam, huios tou Beōr apo tōn sⱪoinōn heōs tou Galgal, hopōs gnōsthaʸ haʸ dikaiosunaʸ tou Kuriou. )

BrTr O my people, remember now, what counsel Balac king of Moab took against thee, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from the reeds to Galgal; that the righteousness of the Lord might be known.

ULT My people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised,
⇔ and how Balaam son of Beor answered him
⇔ as you went from Shittim to Gilgal,
⇔ so you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”

UST My people, think about when Balak, the king of Moab, requested Beor’s son Balaam to curse your ancestors,
⇔ and think about what Balaam replied.
⇔ Think about how your ancestors crossed the Jordan River miraculously while they were traveling from Acacia to Gilgal.
⇔ Think about those things in order that you may know that I, Yahweh, do what is right.”

OEB My people, what did Balak, king of Moab counsel?
⇔ And how did Balaam, the son of Beor, answer him?
⇔ Remember now the journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
⇔ so that you might realise the just deeds of the Lord.’

WEBBE My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised,
⇔ and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal,
⇔ that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET My people, recall how King Balak of Moab planned to harm you,
⇔ how Balaam son of Beor responded to him.
⇔ Recall how you journeyed from Shittim to Gilgal,
⇔ so you might acknowledge that the Lord has treated you fairly.”

LSV O My people, please remember
What Balak king of Moab counseled,
What Balaam son of Beor answered him
(From Shittim to Gilgal),
In order to know the righteous acts of YHWH.”

FBV My people, remember what Balak, king of Moab, planned to do, and what Balaam, son of Beor, told him[fn], and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,[fn] so you could know all the good things the Lord does.

6:5 Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites, but Balaam was only able to speak blessings. See Numbers 22 to Numbers 24.

6:5 Between Shittim and Gilgal Israelites crossed the Jordan River.

T4T My people, think about when Balak, the king of Moab, requested Beor’s son Balaam to curse your ancestors,
⇔ and think about what Balaam replied.
⇔ Think about how your ancestors crossed the Jordan River miraculously while they were traveling from Acacia to Gilgal.
⇔ Think about those things in order that you may know that I, Yahweh, do what is right.”

LEB • O my people, remember what Balak the king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,
• and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
• so that you might know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”

BBE O my people, keep in mind now what was designed by Balak, king of Moab, and the answer which Balaam, son of Beor, gave him; the events, from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may be certain of the upright acts of the Lord.

Moff My people, what did Balak plan?
⇔ And how did Balaam answer him?
⇔ Ah, remember it all, from first to last,
⇔ from Shittim to Gilgal,
⇔ that you may understand the Eternal’s saving power.”
¶ 

JPS O My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteous acts of the LORD.

ASV O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; remember from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteous acts of Jehovah.

DRA O my people, remember, I pray thee, what Balach the king of Moab purposed: and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Setim to Galgal, that thou mightest know the justices of the Lord.

YLT O My people, remember, I pray you, What counsel did Balak king of Moab, What answer him did Balaam son of Beor, (From Shittim unto Gilgal,) In order to know the righteous acts of Jehovah.'

Drby My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteousness of Jehovah.

RV O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; remember from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteous acts of the LORD.
(Oh my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; remember from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye/you_all may know the righteous acts of the LORD. )

SLT O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab counseled, and what Balaam son of Beor answered him from the acacias even to Gilgal; in order to know the justice of Jehovah.

Wbstr O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

KJB-1769 O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
(Oh my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye/you_all may know the righteousness of the LORD. )

KJB-1611 [fn][fn]O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the sonne of Beor answered him from Shittim vnto Gilgal, that yee may know the righteousnesse of the LORD.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

6:5 Num. 25.

6:5 Iosh. 5.

Bshps Remember O my people, what Balach the king of Moab had deuised against thee, and what aunswere that Balaam the sonne of Beor gaue him, from Sethin vnto Galgal, that ye may knowe the righteousnesse of the Lorde.
(Remember Oh my people, what Balach the king of Moab had devised against thee/you, and what answer that Balaam the son of Beor gave him, from Sethin unto Galgal, that ye/you_all may know the righteousness of the Lord.)

Gnva O my people, remember nowe what Balak King of Moab had deuised, and what Balaam the sonne of Beor answered him, from Shittim vnto Gilgal, that ye may knowe the righteousnes of the Lord.
(Oh my people, remember now what Balak King of Moab had devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye/you_all may know the righteousness of the Lord. )

Cvdl Remembre (o my people) what Balach the kynge of Moab had ymagined agaynst the, ad what answere that Balaam the sonne of Beor gaue him, from Sethim vnto Galgal: yt ye maye knowe the louynge kyndnesses of ye LORDE.
(Remember (o my people) what Balach the king of Moab had imagined against them, and what answer that Balaam the son of Beor gave him, from Sethim unto Galgal: it ye/you_all may know the loving-kindnesses of ye/you_all LORD.)

Wycl My puple, bithenke, Y preie, what Balaac, kyng of Moab, thouyte, and what Balaam, sone of Beor, of Sethym, answeride to hym til to Galgala, that thou schuldist knowe the riytwisnesse of the Lord.
(My people, bithenke, I preie, what Balaac, king of Moab, thought, and what Balaam, son of Beor, of Sethym, answered to him till to Galgala, that thou/you shouldest/should know the righteousness of the Lord.)

Luth Mein Volk, denke doch daran, was Balak, der König in Moab, vorhatte, und was ihm Bileam, der Sohn Beors, antwortete, von Sittim an bis gen Gilgal; daran ihr ja merken solltet, wie der HErr euch alles Gute getan hat.
(My people, think though/but to_it, what/which Balak, the/of_the king in Moab, before/in_front_ofhatte, and what/which him Bileam, the/of_the son Beors, replied, from Sittim at/to until to/toward Gilgal; to_it you(pl)/their/her ya remember/realise should, as/like the/of_the LORD you all/everything goodness did has.)

ClVg Popule meus, memento, quæso, quid cogitaverit Balach, rex Moab, et quid responderit ei Balaam, filius Beor, de Setim usque ad Galgalam, ut cognosceres justitias Domini.
(Popule mine, remember, whichso, what forcesaverit Balach, king Moab, and what answered to_him Balaam, son Beor, from/about Setim until to Galgalam, as to_knows justices Master. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:1–8: The LORD brought a lawsuit against his people

In this section, the LORD (speaking through Micah) conducted a lawsuit or a court trial against the people of Israel. The LORD accused the people of Israel of failing to keep his requirements. Some scholars refer to this accusation as a “covenant lawsuit” because his requirements were based on his covenant with Israel.For example, ZIBBC (pages 140–141), Hays (page 315), and CBC (page 334). Scholars point out, however, that this lawsuit was not conventional in some ways. For example, there was no judge, the witnesses were silent, and there was no pronouncement of punishment.ZIBBC (pages 140–141) and A&F (page 513).

Here are some other examples of section headings:

The Lord’s case against Israel (NIV)

God Challenges Israel (NRSV)

Paragraph 6:3–5

In 6:3–5, the LORD stated his charge/accusation against the people. In 6:3, he asked how he had wronged them. The people had no answer. In 6:4–5, he related significant events from Israel’s past that show how he had blessed them, not wronged them. The implicit charge/accusation is that the LORD had kept the covenant but they had not.WBC (page 50) and TOTC (pages 211–212).

6:5

In verse 6:5, the LORD asked his people to remember two more significant events in Israel’s past that gave evidence of his goodness to his people. One event was his rescue of the people from Balak, the king of Moab. Another was when he brought the people from Shittim to Gilgal.

6:5a

My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled

My people, remember what King Balak of Moab planned
Do not forget, my people, that King Balak of Moab schemed to do you harm,

My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled: This clause refers to the plan of Balak to hire Balaam to curse the people of Israel.WBC (page 51), CBC (page 335), and NAC (page 111). Consider placing a cross-reference here to Numbers 22–24.

My people: Use a term of address (vocative) that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.

remember: In Hebrew, the word remember is followed by a particle that indicates emphasis or insistence.The particle nāʾ is defined by TWOT #1269 as “particle of entreaty or exhortation,” and by HALOT (electronic edition, page 656) as “particle giving emphasis.” Many versions including the BSB leave this word implied. Some English versions translate it as “now.” Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

what Balak king of Moab counseled: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally a direct question, “What did Balak the king of Moab plan?”

In some other languages, it may also be natural to translate this clause (and the next clause in 5b) as a direct question. For example:

My people, please remember: what was Balak king of Moab’s plan and how did Balaam son of Beor answer him? (NJB)

However, be sure your translation does not imply that the LORD is asking the people for information. He is asking them to remember this event.

In some languages, it is more natural to translate this clause as a statement rather than as a question.The Hebrew word mah is tagged in BART as an interrogative pronoun. However, BDB #4078 (page 552) indicates that in Micah 6:5 the word meaning approximates that of a relative pronoun “what/that which.” For example:

My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted (NIV11)

My people, recall how King Balak of Moab planned to harm you (NET)

Translate this clause in a natural way in your language.

This clause leaves implicit that King Balak’s plan was to put a curse on the people of Israel. Micah’s listeners at that time knew this information. However, the readers of your translation may not know it.

Here are some ways to translate this implicit information:

Leave it implicit.
Leave it implicit in the translation but provide the information in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:
King Balak hired Balaam to put a curse on the people of Israel.
Make it explicit in the translation. For example:
…King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed (NLT)

Balak king of Moab: Balak was the king of Moab at the time the people of Israel were ready to cross the Jordan river. He regarded the people as a threat. For more information about King Balak, see Numbers 22–24.

counseled: In Hebrew, this word means “planned” or “decided.”HALOT (electronic edition, page 421).

In this context, the word refers to Balak’s plan that was directed against the people of Israel. Some versions make this information more explicit. For example:

Remember what Balak king of Moab

Plotted against you (NJPS)

6:5b

and what Balaam son of Beor answered.

and how Balaam son of Beor responded to him.
but Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead.

what Balaam son of Beor answered: This clause refers to Balaam’s pronouncement of blessings on the people of Israel instead of curses.CBC (page 335) and NAC (page 111).

In Hebrew, this clause is a direct question, “and what did Balaam the son of Beor answer him?” See the discussion of the clause “what Balak king of Moab counseled” in 6:5a for suggestions on whether to translate this clause as a statement or as a question.

This clause leaves implicit that Balaam’s answer was to bless the people of Israel.

Here are some ways to translate this implicit information:

Leave it implicit.
Leave it implicit in the translation but provide the information in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:
Balaam blessed the people of Israel instead of cursing them.
Make it explicit in the translation. For example:
and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead (NLT)

Balaam son of Beor: Balaam son of Beor was a prophet (not an Israelite). He hired out his services to others for personal gain. For more information about him, see Numbers 22–24, 2 Peter 2:15–16.

answered: In Hebrew, this phrase means “answered,” “replied,” or “responded.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

how Balaam son of Beor responded to him (NET)

what Balaam son of Beor said to him (CEV)

6:5c

Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,

And remember all that happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
Recall your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,

Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal: In Hebrew, this is a clause with no verbs. It is more literally “from (the) Shittim to (the) Gilgal.” Most versions supply additional words such as “and what happened” in order to make the translation sound more natural.

This clause is probably a reference to the people’s journey from Shittim to Gilgal. It is another event from Israel’s history that the LORD wanted the people to remember.Davis (page 124) suggests that the verb ‘remember’ from 6:5a probably applies here also. See also Pusey (page 81), UBS (page 229), and NAC (page 111). Consider placing a cross-reference here to Joshua 3–4.

The miraculous crossing of the Jordan river is probably the main event that the LORD referred to here.This is the majority view of commentators. For example, NICOT, UBS, NAC, Davis, Waltke 2007, and TOTC. Some versions make this referent explicit. For example:

consider the crossing from Shittim to Gilgal (REB)

However, it is possible that the reference is both to the crossing of the Jordan river and to other events as well.Some commentators suggest that the reference may include Israel’s unfaithfulness at Baal Peor, the defeat of the Midianites, and the circumcision at Gilgal. See CBC (page 335) and KD (pages 334–335). Most versions translate this clause in a way that leaves the specific events implicit. The BSB above is one example. Here is another example:

[Recall your passage]

From Shittim to Gilgal (NJPS)

Shittim: Shittim was a location on the east bank of the Jordan river. The people of Israel camped there before they crossed the river.Some versions translate this location as Acacia, which is an alternative name for Shittim.

Gilgal: Gilgal was a location on the west bank of the Jordan river. It was the first place they camped in the promised land after they crossed the river.

6:5d

so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”

so that you^(sing/plur) will know the many ways Yahweh was good to you^(sing/plur).”
and realize what I, Yahweh, did to save you.”

so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD: The LORD wanted the people to remember the events described in 5a–c so that they would know what he did for their benefit.

These actions show that he kept his promise to care for them. In this lawsuit/trial, these actions were evidence that he had done no wrong to them. The people’s complaints against the LORD in 6:3 had no merit.UBS (pages 229–230), NAC (page 111), and KD (pages 334–335).

so that: These words may introduce a reason/purpose or a result.Waltke 2007 (page 356).

The first example below introduces the clause as purpose/reason. The second example implicitly introduces the clause as result:

so that you might know the righteous acts of the Lord (NASB)

and as a result you will realize what I did in order to save you

In this context there is only a slight difference in meaning between purpose/reason and result, and each implies the other. Translate this word in a way that is natural in your language.

you may acknowledge: This phrase is literally “to know.” Most versions supply a phrase such as you may or “you might” as natural ways to introduce a result or a purpose clause in English. Here the phrase you may or “you might” does not indicate permission or uncertainty.

In Hebrew, the verb that the BSB translates as acknowledge has more than one meaning related to knowing, experiencing, and understanding. In this context, the word may have more than one aspect of meaning.Aaron C. Fenlason, “Belief,” Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014) notes that the Hebrew word “indicates cognizance or mental awareness of something usually by means of personal experience.”

The following examples are all acceptable ways to translate this phrase:

for you to know (NJB)

And you will recognize (NJPS)

and you will realize (GNT)

the righteousness of the LORD: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “the righteousness(es) of Yahweh.” The righteousness(es) of the LORD were his actions that were faithful to the terms of his covenant with the people of Israel.Waltke 2007 (page 357), NICOT (pages 367–369), and EBC (page 539).

The LORD showed his righteousness by saving his people.Waltke 2007 (page 357) cites Achtemeier, who says “In short, Yahweh’s righteous judgments are saving judgments…. Yahweh’s salvation of Israel is his righteousness, his fulfillment of his covenant with her.” Some versions make this connection between his righteousness and his saving acts explicit. For example, the NRSV and some other versions translate “the righteousness(es) of Yahweh” as “the saving acts of the LORD” or something similar.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

…the Lord has treated you fairly.” (NET)

…the Lord does what is right.” (NCV)

the LORD: Here the LORD referred to himself using third person, the LORD. In some languages, it may be more natural to use a first-person form or a combination of first- and third-person forms. For example:

…what I did in order to save you.” (GNT)

…when I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” (NLT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / you

(Occurrence 0) remember … you went … you may know

(Some words not found in UHB: my_people_of,O remember now what? devised Bālāq king Mōʼāⱱ and,what? answered DOM=him/it Bilˊām son_of Bəˊōr from/more_than (the),Shittim until (the),Gilgal so_that know righteous_acts_of YHWH )

Yahweh speaks to the people as if they were one man, so all instances of “you” and all the commands are masculine singular.

(Occurrence 0) what Balak … devised

“the plans Balak … made to harm you”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

(Occurrence 0) how Balaam … answered him

This could mean: (1) Balaam obeyed Balak by coming when Balak called him, Alternate translation: “how Balaam … did what Balak asked him to do” or (2) Balaam explained to Balak why Balaam had blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them as Balak had commanded. Alternate translation: “what Balaam told Balak”

Note 3 topic: translate-names

(Occurrence 0) Beor

This is the name of Balaam’s father.

(Occurrence 0) Shittim

This is the name of a place in Moab.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

(Occurrence 0) so you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh

Yahweh refers to himself by his own name. Alternate translation: “so that you may remember the righteous things that I, Yahweh, have done for you”