MIC 6:7 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=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams,
⇔ ≈ or with ten thousand rivers of oil?
⇔ Should I sacrifice my oldest child to pay for my disobedience—
⇔ ≈ my biological offspring to pay for my own sin?

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 Εἰ προσδέξεται Κύριος ἐν χιλιάσι κριῶν; ἢ ἐν μυριάσι χιμάρων πιόνων; εἰ δῶ πρωτότοκά μου ὑπὲρ ἀσεβείας, καρπὸν κοιλίας μου ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτίας ψυχῆς μου;
(Ei prosdexetai Kurios en ⱪiliasi kriōn; aʸ en muriasi ⱪimarōn pionōn; ei dō prōtotoka mou huper asebeias, karpon koilias mou huper hamartias psuⱪaʸs mou; )

BrTr Will the Lord accept thousands of rams, or ten thousands of fat goats? should I give my first-born for ungodliness, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

ULT Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams,
⇔ or with ten thousand rivers of oil?
⇔ Should I give my firstborn for my transgression,
⇔ the fruit of my body for my own sin?

UST Would Yahweh be pleased if we offered to him a thousand rams
⇔ and ten thousand streams of olive oil?
⇔ Should we offer our firstborn children to be sacrifices
⇔ to pay for the sins that we have committed?”

OEB Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
⇔ With ten thousand streams of oil?
⇔ Should I give him my firstborn son for my guilt,
⇔ the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

CSB Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand streams of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the offspring of my body for my own sin?

NLT Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?

NIV Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

CEV Will thousands of sheep or rivers of olive oil make God satisfied with me? Should I sacrifice to the LORD my first-born child as payment for my terrible sins?

ESV Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

NASB Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

LSB Is Yahweh pleased with thousands of rams, With ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

WEBBE Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams?
⇔ With tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
⇔ Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience?
⇔ The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

WMBB (Same as above)

MSG ^(6-7)How can I stand up before God
  and show proper respect to the high God?
Should I bring an armload of offerings
  topped off with yearling calves?
Would God be impressed with thousands of rams,
  with buckets and barrels of olive oil?
Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child,
  my precious baby, to cancel my sin?
    * * *

NET Will the Lord accept a thousand rams,
⇔ or ten thousand streams of olive oil?
⇔ Should I give him my firstborn child as payment for my rebellion,
⇔ my offspring – my own flesh and blood – for my sin?

LSV Is YHWH pleased with thousands of rams? With myriads of streams of oil? Do I give my firstborn [for] my transgression? The fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?

FBV Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I sacrifice my firstborn child for my rebellion, my own flesh and blood for the sins I have committed?

T4T Will Yahweh be pleased if we offer to him 1,000 rams
⇔ and 10,000 streams of olive oil?
⇔ Should we offer our firstborn children to be sacrifices
⇔ to pay for the sins that we have committed [DOU]?”

LEB • Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriads of rivers of oil?
• Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
• the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

NRSV Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

NKJV Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

NAB Will the d LORD d* be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

BBE Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of sheep or with ten thousand rivers of oil? am I to give my first child for my wrongdoing, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

Moff Would the Eternal care for rams in thousands,
⇔ or for oil flowing in myriad streams?
⇔ Shall I offer my first-born son for my sin,
⇔ fruit of my body for guilt of my soul?

JPS Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?'

ASV will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

DRA May the Lord be appeased with thousands of rams, or with many thousands of fat he goats? shall I give my firstborn for my wickedness, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

YLT Is Jehovah pleased with thousands of rams? With myriads of streams of oil? Do I give my first-born [for] my transgression? The fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?

Drby Will Jehovah take pleasure in thousands of rams, in ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

RV will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
(will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? )

SLT Will Jehovah delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousands of torrents of oil? shall I give my first-born my transgression? the fruit of my belly, the sin of my soul?

Wbstr Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

KJB-1769 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?[fn]
(Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? )

6.7 body: Heb. belly

KJB-1611 [fn]Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rammes, or with tenne thousands of riuers of oyle? shall I giue my first borne for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sinne of my soule?
(Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oyle? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?)

6:7 Heb. belly.

Bshps Hath the Lorde a pleasure in many thousandes of Rammes, or innumerabic streames of oyle? shall I geue my first borne for myne offences, and the fruite of my body for the sinne of my soule?
(Hath the Lord a pleasure in many thousands of Rammes, or innumerabic streams of oyle? shall I give my first-born for mine offences, and the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?)

Gnva Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand riuers of oyle? shall I giue my first borne for my transgression, euen the fruite of my bodie, for the sinne of my soule?
(Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oyle? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, even the fruit of my body, for the sin of my soul? )

Cvdl Hath the LORDE a pleasure in many thousand rammes, or innumerable streames of oyle? Or shal I geue my firstborne for myne offences, and the frute of my body for the synne of my soule?
(Hath the LORD a pleasure in many thousand rams, or innumerable streams of oyle? Or shall I give my first-born for mine offences, and the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?)

Wycl Whether God mai be paid in thousyndis of wetheris, ether in many thousyndis of fatte geet buckis? Whether Y schal yyue my firste bigetun for my greet trespas, the fruyt of my wombe for synne of my soule?
(Whether God may be paid in thousands of wethers, either in many thousands of fat goat bucks? Whether I shall give my first begotten for my great trespas, the fruit of my womb for sin of my soul?)

Luth Meinest du, der HErr habe Gefallen an viel tausend Widdern oder am Öl, wenn es gleich unzählige Ströme voll wären? Oder soll ich meinen ersten Sohn für meine Übertretung geben oder meines Leibes Frucht für die Sünde meiner SeeLE?
(My you(sg), the/of_the LORD have fallen_(one) at/to many thousand ram(s) or in/at/on_the oil, when it even unzählige streams full/whole would_be? Or should I my first son for/in_favour_of my transgression give or my body fruit for/in_favour_of the sin(n) mine soul?)

ClVg numquid placari potest Dominus in millibus arietum, aut in multis millibus hircorum pinguium? numquid dabo primogenitum meum pro scelere meo, fructum ventris mei pro peccato animæ meæ?
(is_it placari can Master in/into/on thousands ram(n), or in/into/on many thousands goats fat? is_it I_will_give firstborn mine for criminally mine, fruit belly my/mine for sin soul my? )

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 6:6–8

In 6:4–5, the LORD presented evidence that he had not wronged the people. Rather, he had blessed them.

In 6:6–8, the people (or a representative of the people) gave their response to this evidence. Their response in 6:6a–b was to ask a general question about what to bring to the LORD to please him. In 6:6c–d through 6:7, they asked about specific offerings. The offerings in 6:7 had higher value than those in 6:6.

In 6:8, Micah answered the people’s questions by reminding them of the LORD’s requirements.

The number and kind of offerings talked about in 6:7 appear to be exaggerated and unrealistic. This exaggeration may indicate that the people were insincere,For example, NICOT (pages 369–370) regards the questions as satirical. or that they were truly unaware of what the LORD desired of them.Many commentators suggest that the questions were sincere. For example, A&F (page 523), KD (page 335), Pusey (page 82), and UBS (page 231). If possible, translate the questions in 6:6–7 in a way that allows either option to be understood.A fairly literal, non-explicit translation will be the closest match to the Masoretic Text, in which the sincerity or insincerity of the people is suggested only by the context.

If your readers will find it useful to have a paragraph heading here, here are some examples:

What the Lord Requires (GNT)

What God requires (NRSV)

True obedience (CEV)

6:7

In this verse, the people continued to ask Micah what offerings would please the LORD. However, the amounts and kinds of offerings they asked about were extreme. These questions suggest that the people thought devotion to the LORD was limited to the offering of sacrifices.NICOT (page 371), TOTC (pages 212–213), and ABC (page 1802).

6:7a–b

(combined/reordered)

Will Yahweh be pleased with countless herds of sheep and oceans of oil?

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^7a Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

^7b with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:7b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:7a. For example:

^7b Would the LORD be pleased with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

In these lines, the people asked if large numbers of offerings would please the LORD. These amounts indicate costly gifts that were far beyond the ability of most worshipers to give.UBS (pages 231–231) and Waltke 2007 (page 360). Waltke suggests that the speaker of the questions may be a king, since only a king could provide such large numbers of sacrifices.

thousands…ten thousand: The numbers thousands and ten thousand were figures of speech (hyperbole) that indicated a very large number.Waltke 2007 (page 360).

In some languages, it may be more natural to use a different word or phrase in place of one or both of these numerical expressions. For example:

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? (NAB)

Will the LORD be pleased if I bring him large herds of sheep or endless rivers of olive oil?

6:7a

Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

Will thousands of rams please Yahweh,
Will he be satisfied if I bring an offering of vast herds of male sheep,

rams: rams were animals used for sin offerings. See Leviticus 5:15. A ram is a male sheep. In your language group, you may want to add a picture. In some language groups, it may also be necessary to make this information explicit.UBS (page 231). For example:

Will the Lord be pleased with a thousand male sheep? (NCV)

6:7b

with ten thousand rivers of oil?

along with ten thousand rivers of oil?
and with them, streams beyond number flowing with olive oil?

rivers of oil: This phrase refers to large amounts of olive oil. Olive oil was used to accompany other offerings, such as grain offerings. See Numbers 15:1–16. In Hebrew, the word rivers refers to a large amount of water that fills a dry river bed or ravine in the rainy season.Waltke 2007 (page 360).

If olive oil is unknown in your language, you may want to choose a word that refers to oil used in cooking. Also choose a word or expression in your language that suggests a large amount of liquid.UBS (page 232). For examples, see the note on “thousands…ten thousand” above.

General Comment on 6:7a–b

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

Will the LORD be pleased if I bring him sheep and oil in amounts beyond what a person can measure?

6:7c–d

(combined/reordered)

Should I sacrifice my firstborn son to Yahweh to pay for my personal sins?”

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^7c Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression,

^7d the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:7d. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:7c. For example:

^7c Shall I present the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

This question was about the sacrifice of a firstborn child. Would that sacrifice be enough to atone for sin?NAC (pages 112–113). This question shows that the people did not truly know the will of the LORD.KD (pages 335–336). Human sacrifice was forbidden by the LORD. See Deuteronomy 18:10.

It is possible that some readers may misinterpret this question to be about the dedication of a child to the LORD or something similar. Make sure that the meaning of human sacrifice is clear in your translation. For example:

Shall I kill my firstborn child as an offering?Suggestion by UBS (page 232).

my firstborn…the fruit of my body: Both phrases refer to a person’s oldest son.UBS (page 232) and KD (pages 335–336). A firstborn son was a person’s most valuable possession.WBC (pages 50–51) and EBC (pages 539–540).

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

my eldest son…the child of my own body (NJB)

my firstborn child…my offspring—my own flesh and blood (NET)

for my transgression…for the sin of my soul: Both phrases refer to making a payment to atone for sin. The meaning of the phrases is similar. The word transgression means to do wrong by acts that break relationships in a community or with God.HALOT (electronic edition, pages 981–982). The word sin means to disobey God’s will and/or to disregard the rights of other people.TWOT #638e.

The word soul means “person as a whole: self or body.”Mounce (page 996). The phrase sin of my soul probably means “my own personal sin.”UBS (page 232).

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

as payment for my rebellion…for my sin (NET)

for my wrongdoing…for the sin I have committed (REB)

for the evil I have done…for my sin (NCV)

General Comment on 6:7c–d

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

Shall I offer him my first-born child to pay for my sins? (GNT)

Should I sacrifice to the Lord my first-born child as payment for my terrible sins? (CEV)

6:7c

Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression,

Shall I offer my firstborn son as payment for my rebellion,
Should I kill my firstborn child as an offering for my wrongs,

6:7d

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

the child of my own body for the sin I have committed?”
my own precious son to atone for my sins?”

Parallel MIC 6:7