MIC 7:10 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, blue:Elohim, 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 ὄψεται ἡ ἐχθρά μου καὶ περιβαλεῖται αἰσχύνην, ἡ λέγουσα, ροῦ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου; οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου ἐπόψονται αὐτὴν, νῦν ἔσται εἰς καταπάτημα ὡς πηλὸς ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς.
(kai opsetai haʸ eⱪthra mou kai peribaleitai aisⱪunaʸn, haʸ legousa, rou Kurios ho Theos sou; hoi ofthalmoi mou epopsontai autaʸn, nun estai eis katapataʸma hōs paʸlos en tais hodois. )

BrTr And she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shall clothe herself with shame, who says, Where is the Lord thy God? mine eyes shall look upon her: now shall she be for trampling as mire in the ways.

ULT Then my enemy will see it,
⇔ and shame will cover the one who said to me,
⇔ “Where is Yahweh your God?”
⇔ My eyes will look at her;
⇔ she will be trampled down like the mud in the streets.

UST Our enemies will also see it, and they will be disgraced
⇔ because they ridiculed us, saying
⇔ “Why is Yahweh, that God of yours, not helping you?”
⇔ But with our own eyes we will see them be defeated;
⇔ we will see them trampled
⇔ like mud in the streets.

OEB So my enemy will see, and shame will cover them,
⇔ they who said, ‘Where is the Lord your God?’
⇔ I will look upon them,
⇔ they will be trampled on like mud in the street!

WEBBE Then my enemy will see it,
⇔ and shame will cover her who said to me,
⇔ “Where is the LORD your God?”
⇔ My eyes will see her.
⇔ Now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET When my enemies see this, they will be covered with shame.
⇔ They say to me, “Where is the Lord your God?”
⇔ I will gloat over them.
⇔ Then they will be trampled down
⇔ like mud in the streets.

LSV And my enemy sees,
And shame covers her,
Who says to me, “Where [is] your God YHWH?” My eyes look on her,
Now she is for a treading-place,
As mire of the out-places.

FBV Then my enemies will see it and cover their faces in shame for taunting me, asking, “Where is the Lord your God?” With my own eyes I will see what happens to them; they will be trodden down like mud in the streets.

T4T Our enemies will also see that, and they will be disgraced
⇔ because they ridiculed us, saying
⇔ “Why is [RHQ] Yahweh, that God of yours, not helping you?”
⇔ But with our own eyes we will see them when they are defeated;
⇔ we will see them trampled
⇔ like [SIM] mud in the streets.

LEB   • Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me,
• “Where is Yahweh your God?”
  • My eyes will look upon her;
• now she will become a trampling place,
  • like mud in the streets.

BBE And my hater will see it and be covered with shame; she who said to me, Where is the Lord your God? my eyes will see their desire effected on her, now she will be crushed under foot like the dust of the streets.

Moff My foes shall be confounded at the sight;
⇔ “Where is your God?” they sneer to-day,
⇔ but then my eyes will gloat on them,
⇔ crushed underfoot like muddy clay.
¶ 

JPS Then mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her; who said unto me: Where is the LORD thy God? Mine eyes shall gaze upon her; now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.'

ASV Then mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her who said unto me, Where is Jehovah thy God? Mine eyes shall see my desire upon her; now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.

DRA And my enemy shall behold, and she shall be covered with shame, who saith to me: Where is the Lord thy God? My eyes shall look down upon her: now shall she be trodden under foot as the mire of the streets.

YLT And see doth mine enemy, And cover her doth shame, Who saith unto me, 'Where [is] Jehovah thy God?' Mine eyes do look on her, Now she is for a treading-place, As mire of the out-places.

Drby And mine enemy shall see [it], and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is Jehovah thy [fn]God? Mine eyes shall behold her; now shall she be trodden down, as the mire of the streets.

7.10 Elohim

RV Then mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her; which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? Mine eyes shall behold her; now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.
(Then mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her; which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy/your God? Mine eyes shall behold her; now shall she be trodden down as the mire/mud of the streets. )

SLT And mine enemy shall see, and shame shall cover her saying to me, Where Jehovah thy God? Mine eyes shall look upon her: now shall she be for treading down as the mire of the streets.

Wbstr Then she that is my enemy shall see it , and shame shall cover her who said to me, Where is the LORD thy God? my eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.

KJB-1769 Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.[fn][fn]
(Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy/your God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire/mud of the streets. )

7.10 Then…: or, And thou wilt see her that is mine enemy, and cover her with shame

7.10 shall she…: Heb. she shall be for a treading down

KJB-1611 [fn][fn]Then she that is mine enemie shall see it, and shame shall couer her which said vnto mee; Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she bee troden downe, as the myre of the streets.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

7:10 Or, and thou wilt see her that is mine enemie and couer her with shame.

7:10 Heb. she shall be for a treading downe.

Bshps She that is myne enemie, shall loke vpon it and be confounded, which nowe sayth, Where is the Lorde thy God? myne eyes shall beholde her when she shalbe troden downe as the myre in the streetes.
(She that is mine enemy, shall look upon it and be confounded, which now saith/says, Where is the Lord thy/your God? mine eyes shall behold her when she shall be trodden down as the mire/mud in the streets.)

Gnva Then she that is mine enemie, shall looke vpon it, and shame shall couer her, which said vnto me, Where is the Lord thy God? Mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be troden downe as the myre of the streetes.
(Then she that is mine enemy, shall look upon it, and shame shall cover her, which said unto me, Where is the Lord thy/your God? Mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire/mud of the streets. )

Cvdl She that is myne enemy shall loke vpon it, & be confounded, which now saieth: Where is thy LORDE God? Myne eyes shal beholde her, when she shalbe troden downe, as the claye in the stretes.
(She that is mine enemy shall look upon it, and be confounded, which now saith/says: Where is thy/your LORD God? Mine eyes shall behold her, when she shall be trodden down, as the clay in the streets.)

Wycl And myn enemye schal biholde me, and sche schal be hilid with confusioun, which seith to me, Where is thi Lord God? Myn iyen schulen se hir, now sche schal be in to defoulyng, as clei of stretis.
(And mine enemy shall behold me, and she shall be held with confusion, which saith/says to me, Where is thy/your Lord God? Mine eyes should see her, now she shall be in to defouling, as clei of streets.)

Luth Meine Feindin wird‘s sehen müssen und mit aller Schande bestehen, die jetzt zu mir sagt: Wo ist der HErr, dein GOtt? Meine Augen werden‘s sehen, daß sie dann wie ein Kot auf der Gasse zertreten wird.
(My enemyin it_will see must and with all shame/dishonour consist, the now/currently to/for to_me says: Where is the/of_the LORD, your(s) God? My eyes will_they see, that they/she/them then as/like a faeces/filth on/in/to the/of_the alley/lane crushed/trampled becomes.)

ClVg Et aspiciet inimica mea, et operietur confusione, quæ dicit ad me: Ubi est Dominus Deus tuus? Oculi mei videbunt in eam: nunc erit in conculcationem ut lutum platearum.
(And will_look hostile my, and will_coverur confusion, which he_says to me: Where it_is Master God your(sg)? The_eyes my/mine they_will_see in/into/on her: now will_be in/into/on trampling as clay of_the_streets. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:8–13: The LORD will restore his people

In this section, the speaker expressed his trust that the LORD would restore and bless his people again after a time of suffering for their sin. Their borders would be enlarged and people would come there from other nations.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Penitence and Trust in God (NRSV)

Israel Will Rise (NIV)

The Lord Brings Salvation (GNT)

Paragraph 7:8–10

This paragraph talks about confession of sin, faith in the LORD, and victory over enemies.UBS (pages 244–256). The pronouns “I” and “me” are used to refer to the speaker, whose identity is not made explicit. Most versions also leave the speaker implied. However, in some languages it may be necessary to make the referent of “I” and “my” explicit. The majority of commentators propose that the city of Jerusalem/Zion was figuratively speaking here (personification).This proposal is favored by NICOT, NAC, A&F, TOTC, Waltke 2007, and Carson. Another proposal, favored by WBC, is that the speaker was “the nation.” It is also possible that Micah spoke here as a representative of the godly remnant of the people of Israel.This proposal is favored by EBC and is listed as an option by UBS. The Notes will follow the majority opinion.

Since a city has many residents, it may be more natural in some languages to translate the first-person pronouns in this paragraph as plurals, “we,” “our,” and “us.” See the second and/or third meaning lines in the Display for examples.

7:10

This verse talks about the result of the LORD’s action of saving his people. The enemy had previously taunted the people. But after the LORD saves them, the enemy will be shamed and disgraced.UBS, Pusey, ABC, and TOTC. Throughout this verse, the NIV and some versions use singular pronouns and nouns, such as “my enemy.” Other versions, such as the REB, use plural forms such as “my enemies” (7:10a). In some languages, it may be confusing to use singular forms when the topic is the inhabitants and “the enemy” is a group of soldiers. If that is the case in your language, you should use plural forms.

7:10a

Then my enemy will see

Then my enemy will see it too,
You^(plur), our^(excl) enemies, will see him rescue us^(excl) with your^(plur) own eyes,

Then my enemy will see: This line refers back to the LORD’s vindication in 7:9. In Hebrew, the word see is used once in 7:9 and twice in this verse, with both literal and figurative meanings. Here the enemy will literally see with her own eyes that the LORD saves his people. The enemy will also see figuratively. She will “know” that the LORD is able to save his people, contrary to her taunt.

Then: This time word introduces the next event after the LORD’s vindication in 7:9e.

Here is another way to translate this word:

When my enemies see it (REB)

my enemy: See the note on “my enemy” in 7:8a. That information and translation advice applies here also.

7:10b

and will be covered with shame—she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?”

and she will be very ashamed, the one who said to me, “Where is Yahweh your God?”
and you^(plur) will be disgraced because you taunted us^(excl), saying that Yahweh our^(excl) God can’t help us^(excl).

and will be covered with shame: This line describes the reaction of the enemy to the LORD’s vindication of his people. The phrase covered with shame means that the enemy will be overwhelmed with feelings of confusion, embarrassment and dismay.Mounce (page 958) “cover,” “overwhelm” and TWOT #222a “shame.”

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Now each of you will be disgraced and put to shame (CEV)

and they will be ashamed (NCV)

she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?”: This line indicates the reason why the enemy was covered with shame. It was because she had taunted the people of Jerusalem with these words. But afterwards, the LORD will prove that her taunt was mistaken when he vindicates his people.

The words she who refers back to “my enemy” in 7:10a. The phrase who said to me introduces the words that the enemy spoke to Jerusalem. In some languages it may be unnatural or confusing to use a relative pronoun here. Some of the examples at the end of this note show other translation options.

The question, “Where is the LORD your God?” is rhetorical. The expected answer of the question is “Nowhere.” The rhetorical question implied either that the LORD was not real or that he had no power to save them. The purpose of the question was to taunt or mock the LORD and the people of Jerusalem.UBS, NAC, NICOT, A&F, and ABC.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Make explicit the referent of the relative pronoun, who. For example:
—the same enemies who taunted us by asking, “Where is the Lord your God?” (GNT)
Use a conjunction to introduce this line as a reason for the enemy’s shame. For example:
…because they asked me, ‘Where is the Lord your God?’ (GW)
Make this line a separate sentence. Allow the following lines, 7:10c–e, to make clear the reason for the enemy’s shame. For example:
They say to me, “Where is the Lord your God? (NET)
You, my enemies, said, “The Lord God is helpless.” (CEV)

7:10c–e

Notice that these three lines have the same topic:

^10cMy eyes will see her;

^10dat that time she will be trampled

^10e like mud in the streets.

These lines describe what would happen to the enemy after she taunted the people of the LORD. The enemy would be defeated, and the people of the LORD would see it happen.The Hebrew text does not make explicit how the enemy was defeated or who defeated her/them. One possibility is suggested by Pusey (page 94), who proposes that the enemy was Babylon and that the city would be defeated by the Medes and Persians.

7:10c

My eyes will see her;

My eyes will see her defeat!
We^(excl) will watch your^(sing) downfall.
We will see your^(plur) destruction.

My eyes will see her: This line is more literally “my eyes they will see her.”The Notes will understand the referent of “her” to be the enemy city or nation that had earlier taunted Jerusalem. This understanding is supported by NAC and JFB and is followed by most versions. Waltke 2007 (page 436) proposes that the referent of “her” is “his righteousness.” The difficulty with his proposal is that it does not fit well with the context of the rest of the verse. There are two main interpretations of this verse part:

It means that the people of Jerusalem will witness the downfall of the enemy. For example:
With my own eyes I will see their downfall (NLT) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GNT, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV)
It means that the people of Jerusalem will take pleasure in the downfall of the enemy. For example:
I will gloat over them. (NET) (NCV,The NCV has “I will look down on them.” It may express a negative attitude of some kind. NET, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most English versions. In Hebrew, the attitude of the people of Jerusalem is not made explicit here. It is best to leave it implied.

My eyes: This phrase may refer to literal eyes. However, the phrase is also a Hebrew expression for “I,” the one who sees. Some versions translate it as “I.” Either translation is acceptable. For example:

I shall be watching (NJB)

The word “downfall” is supplied by several versions to make explicit what Jerusalem will see. The phrase “be trampled” means “defeat” or a change from a high to a low status. This kind of misfortune is indicated by the description in 10d–e.

Here are some ways to translate 7:10c:

Translate literally. Leave implied what the eyes will see. For example:
My eyes will look on her (NASB)
Supply the word downfall or another word with a similar meaning. For example:
My eyes will see her downfall (NIV)
We will see them defeated (GNT)

7:10d

at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.

I will see her trampled underfoot like mud in the streets.
Very soon you^(sing) will become a street of mud, stomped on by the feet of those who defeat you^(sing).
Soon your enemy/enemies will step on you as if you were filth on a street.

7:10d–e

at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets: This verse part describes the defeat of the enemy by her own enemies. It is a simile that compares the enemy to mud that people walk on. The simile implies total humiliation and weakness.Waltke 2007 (pages 436–437) and UBS (page 253).

at that time: In Hebrew, this time word indicates the immediate future.Waltke 2007 (pages 436–437) and A&F (page 585).

Here are some ways to translate this word:

Use a word that means “immediately” or “in the near future.” For example:
now (ESV)
very soon
Translate as a future event. Leave implied how soon it will occur. For example:
They will get walked on (NCV)
as she is trampled (NJB)

she will be trampled: In Hebrew, these words are more literally “she will become a trampling place.” This describes a location where people walk or step.UBS (page 253). In this simile that location is a street.

Here are some other ways to translate these words:

she will be trampled underfoot (NIV)

she shall be for trampling (NJPS)

They will get walked on (NCV)

like mud in the streets: This part of the simile compares the “trampling place” to mud in the streets as on the streets of ancient towns.Waltke 2007 (pages 436–437). At that time streets of mud were filthy places where people dumped garbage and excrement. This comparison to mire was a very vivid way to depict how humiliating the defeat of the enemy was.ZIBBC (page 144) and Waltke 2007 (pages 436–437).

Here are some ways to translate 7:10d–e. If possible, keep this figure of speech in your translation, as in the first two bulleted options below:

Keep the simile. For example:
even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets (NIV)
Change the simile into a metaphor. For example:
Now she will be brought low, no more than (or Now she will become) a street of mud under the feet of (or a street of mud stepped on by the feet of) those who will defeat her.
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
Soon she will be completely humiliated by those who defeat her.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

(Occurrence 0) my enemy … the one who said … your God … My eyes

(Some words not found in UHB: and,she_will_see enemy_of,my and,it,will_cover_her shame [who],says to=me where_[is],he? YHWH God_of,your eyes_of,my look on,her now you(ms)_will_be (into)_a,trampling_place like_[the],mud_of streets )

The words “enemy,” “one,” “your,” and “my” here refer to the women in the poem and so are feminine singular.

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

(Occurrence 0) Where is Yahweh your God?

The enemy uses a question to mock the people of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Yahweh your God cannot help you”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

(Occurrence 0) My eyes

This phrase here refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “I” or “We”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

(Occurrence 0) she will be trampled down

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “her enemies will trample her down”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

(Occurrence 0) like the mud in the streets

People who walk on mud without thinking they are doing anything bad are compared with those who will destroy Israel’s enemies without thinking they are doing anything evil.

Parallel MIC 7:10