MIC 7:17 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) They’ll lick the dust like a snake—
⇔ ≈ like creatures that crawl on the earth.
⇔ They’ll be trembling as they come out of their fortresses.
⇔ ≈ They’ll come with fear to you, our god Yahweh,
⇔ ≈ and they’ll be afraid because of you.

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 λείξουσι χοῦν ὡς ὄφεις σύροντες γῆν, συγχυθήσονται ἐν συγκλεισμῷ αὐτῶν· ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ Θεῷ ἡμῶν ἐκστήσονται, καὶ φοβηθήσονται ἀπὸ σοῦ.
(leixousi ⱪoun hōs ofeis surontes gaʸn, sugⱪuthaʸsontai en sugkleismōi autōn; epi tōi Kuriōi Theōi haʸmōn ekstaʸsontai, kai fobaʸthaʸsontai apo sou. )

BrTr They shall lick the dust as serpents crawling on the earth, they shall be confounded in their holes; they shall be amazed at the Lord our God, and will be afraid of thee.

ULT They will lick the dust like a snake,
⇔ like creatures that crawl on the earth.
⇔ They will come out of their dens with fear;
⇔ they will come with fear to you, Yahweh our God,
⇔ and they will be afraid because of you.

UST Being very humiliated, they will crawl on the ground like snakes.
⇔ They will come out of their homes trembling
⇔ and stand to honor Yahweh our God.
⇔ They will be very afraid of him
⇔ and will tremble in front of him.

OEB they will lick the dust like snakes, like creatures that crawl on the earth;
⇔ they will come trembling and in terror from their hiding places, in dread and fear.

WEBBE They will lick the dust like a serpent.
⇔ Like crawling things of the earth, they will come trembling out of their dens.
⇔ They will come with fear to the LORD our God,
⇔ and will be afraid because of you.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET They will lick the dust like a snake,
⇔ like serpents crawling on the ground.
⇔ They will come trembling from their strongholds
⇔ to the Lord our God;
⇔ they will be terrified of you.

LSV They lick dust as a serpent, as fearful things of earth,
They tremble from their enclosures,
They are afraid of our God YHWH,
Indeed, they are afraid of You.

FBV They will lick the dust like snakes; they will be like the creepy-crawlies of the earth. They will come trembling from their fortresses to meet the Lord our God, fearful and afraid before him.

T4T Being very humiliated, they will crawl on the ground [MTY] like [SIM] snakes.
⇔ They will come out of their homes trembling,
⇔ and stand revering Yahweh our God.
⇔ They will be very afraid of him,
⇔ and will tremble in front of him.

LEB   • They will lick the dust like the serpent, like the crawling things of the earth.
• They will come trembling from their strongholds
  • to Yahweh our God.
  • Let them fear and be afraid of you.

BBE They will take dust as their food like a snake, like the things which go flat on the earth; they will come shaking with fear out of their secret places: they will come with fear to the Lord our God, full of fear because of you.

Moff let them grovel in the dust like serpents,
⇔ crawling creatures,
⇔ and creep out trembling from their holes,
⇔ in terror before thee, our God!
¶ 

JPS They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; they shall come with fear unto the LORD our God, and shall be afraid because of Thee.

ASV They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; they shall come with fear unto Jehovah our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.

DRA They shall lick the dust like serpents, as the creeping things of the earth, they shall be disturbed in their houses: they shall dread the Lord our God, and shall fear thee.

YLT They lick dust as a serpent, as fearful things of earth, They tremble from their enclosures, Of Jehovah our God they are afraid, Yea, they are afraid of Thee.

Drby They shall lick dust like the serpent; like crawling things of the earth, they shall come trembling forth from their close places. They shall turn with fear to Jehovah our [fn]God, and shall be afraid because of thee.

7.17 Elohim

RV They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places: they shall come with fear unto the LORD our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.
(They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places: they shall come with fear unto the LORD our God, and shall be afraid because of thee/you. )

SLT They shall lick the dust as the serpent, as crawlers of the earth they shall move out of their close places: for Jehovah our God they shall tremble and they shall fear from thee.

Wbstr They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.

KJB-1769 They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.[fn]
(They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee/you. )

7.17 worms: or, creeping things

KJB-1611 [fn]They shall licke the dust like a serpent, they shall moue out of their holes like wormes of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall feare because of thee.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above apart from footnotes)

7:17 Or, creeping things.

Bshps They shal licke the dust like a serpente, and as the wormes of the earth that tremble in their holes: they shalbe afrayde of the Lorde our God, and they shall feare thee.
(They shall lick the dust like a serpent, and as the worms of the earth that tremble in their holes: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and they shall fear thee/you.)

Gnva They shall licke the dust like a serpent: they shall mooue out of their holes like wormes: they shalbe afraide of the Lord our God, and shall feare because of thee.
(They shall lick the dust like a serpent: they shall move out of their holes like wormes: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of thee/you. )

Cvdl They shal licke the dust like a serpent, & as the wormes of the earth, yt tremble in their holes. They shalbe afrayed of the LORDE oure God, & they shal feare ye.
(They shall lick the dust like a serpent, and as the worms of the earth, it tremble in their holes. They shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and they shall fear ye/you_all.)

Wycl thei schulen licke dust as a serpent; as crepynge thingis of erthe thei schulen be disturblid of her housis; thei schulen not desire oure Lord God, and thei schulen drede thee.
(they should lick dust as a serpent; as creeping things of earth they should be disturbed of her houses; they should not desire our Lord God, and they should dread thee/you.)

Luth Sie sollen Staub lecken wie die Schlangen und wie das Gewürm auf Erden erzittern in ihren Löchern. Sie werden sich fürchten vor dem HErr’s, unserm GOtt, und vor dir sich entsetzen.
(They/She should dust lick/taste as/like the snakes and as/like the Gewürm on/in/to earth/land/ground ertremble/shake in your(pl) Löchern. They/She become itself/yourself/themselves fear(v) before/in_front_of to_him LORD’s, ours God, and before/in_front_of you/to_you(sg) itself/yourself/themselves horror.)

ClVg Lingent pulverem sicut serpentes; velut reptilia terræ perturbabuntur in ædibus suis. Dominum Deum nostrum formidabunt, et timebunt te.
(Lingent dust like snakes; like/as reptilia of_the_earth/land perturbabuntur in/into/on ædibus to_his_own. the_Master God our they_will_be_afraid, and they_will_fear you(sg). )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:14–20: A prayer to the LORD for restoration, and praise for his mercy

This section has two main parts. The first part, 7:14–17, contains prayers to the LORD for the restoration of his people and the defeat of their enemies. The second part, 18–20, is a hymn of praise to the LORD for his compassion and his faithful relationship with Israel. These Notes and the Display will assume that the main speaker is Micah, who speaks as a representative of the people.This suggestion is favored by EBC, JFB, TOTC, Mangum, and Waltke 2007. Commentators who suggest that the speaker is the people, collectively, include Achtemeier, NICOT, WBC, and UBS. However, in 7:15 and in 18–20 there are brief changes of speaker and/or addressee. See the notes under paragraph 7:14–17 and under paragraph 7:18–20 for more detailed discussion.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Prayer and Praise (NIV)

The Lord’s compassion on Israel (NLT)

Paragraph 7:14–17

The Notes and the Display will follow the paragraph description below:

In 7:14 Micah prayed to the LORD on behalf of the people.
In 7:15 the LORD told how he would answer the prayer.
In 7:16–17 Micah prayed again based on the answer that the LORD gave in 7:15.
Some versions place paragraph headings here. These are some examples:
A prayer for the Confusion of Zion’s Enemies (NJB)
Micah’s Prayer and the Lord’s Answer (CEV)

7:17a–b

They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground.

They will suffer humiliation like a snake eating dust, like creatures that crawl on the ground.
They will kiss the feet of their captors, like a snake that licks dust, like creatures that crawl on the ground.
Let them be completely humiliated by their defeat.

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^17a They will lick the dust like a snake,

^17b like reptiles slithering on the ground.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 7:17b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 7:17a. For example:

^17b They will lick the dust like reptiles slithering on the ground.

In these lines, Micah continued to pray about the effect of the LORD’s marvelous deeds on the nations. These lines are parallel similes. In each simile Micah compared the nations to animals that slid or crawled on the ground. The similarity is that the nations and the animals would both “lick the dust.”See Genesis 3:14.

Some versions translate these lines in a way that more clearly indicates a prayer. For example:

Let them lick dust like snakes, like crawling things on the ground! (NJPS)

They will lick the dust: In Hebrew, the phrase lick the dust was a figure of speech that meant humiliation in defeat.Waltke 2007, NAC, A&F, ABC, and JFB. The leader of a defeated enemy would lie prostrate and kiss the feet of the one who defeated him. In this way he showed his acceptance of the victor’s power over him.UBS, Pusey, NICOT, and TOTC.

a snake…reptiles slithering on the ground: In Hebrew, the word snake is literally “the snake.” This phrase refers to snakes/serpents of any kind. In Hebrew, the word translated as reptiles slithering means “to crawl or glide like a snake.” The phrase reptiles slithering on the ground may refer to a snake, reptile, or worm.Mounce (page 926) says “crawl, glide (of a snake).” Also, Waltke 2007 (page 443). JFB (page 696) suggests “like worms, reptiles or crawlers.” Also NAC (page 132). The prostrate position of the defeated leaders was similar to the position of these animals that drag their bellies on the ground.

Here are some other ways to translate 7:17a–b:

Keep the simile if it is understood. For example:
May they lick the dust like snakes, like creatures that crawl on the ground. (REB)
Substitute a different expression or action that has the same meaning in your language. Include a footnote that describes the Hebrew expression. For example:
May they cry out “I surrender,” like an animal caught in a trap
footnote: In Hebrew: “They shall lick dust like a snake, like the crawling things of the earth.”
Translate the meaning directly. For example:
Let them be humiliated by their defeat

7:17c–e

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning (these lines are from the NRSV, which follows the interpretation that the Notes recommend for understanding the structure of these lines):

^17c They shall come trembling out of their fortresses

^17d they shall turn in dread to the Lord our God;

^17e and they shall stand in fear of you.

In these lines, Micah prayed that the nations would fear and submit themselves to the LORD. The first line implies that the nations would present themselves before him. The second and third lines talk about their submission to him. Each line says in a different way that the nations would fear him.

Some versions translate these lines in a way that more clearly indicates a prayer. For example:

Let them come trembling out of their strongholds to the Lord our God; Let them fear and dread You! (NJPS)

There is an interpretation issue in 17c–d about the line to which the phrase “to the Lord our God” belongs. The parallel lines are more literally “they will quake from their strongholds to Yahweh our God. They will be in dread and they will be afraid from you.” These are the two interpretations:

The phrase “to the Lord our God” belongs to 17d. The LORD is the one they will dread.In Hebrew, the phrase “to Yahweh our God” is the first (fronted) part of the line, which gives it emphasis. Davis (page 159) and Waltke 2007 (page 444). For example:
To the Lord our God they will come in dread (NASB) (ESV, GNT, GW, KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV)
The phrase “to the Lord our God” belongs to 17c. The LORD is the one they come to from their fortresses.This interpretation is indicated by the NET footnote on “to the Lord our God.” For example:
Let them come trembling from their strongholds to the Lord our God. (REB) (BSB, NAB, NCV, NET, NJB, NJPS, NLT, REB)

The Display will follow interpretation (1). However, either interpretation is acceptable and makes good sense in this context. There is almost no meaning difference and each one implies the other.

7:17c

They will crawl from their holes

They will come out of their strongholds shaking,
They will tremble as they come out of their fortified places like frightened animals from their dens.
May they come out of their hiding places shaking with fear.

(NRSV) they shall come trembling out of their fortresses: In this line, Micah continued the similes from 7:17a–b to describe the defeated nations that would present themselves to the LORD.ABC, KD, NICOT, and JFB. He compared the nations to the snakes and crawling things that would come out from their holes or other places where they lived.KD and JFB.

(NRSV) trembling: This word means “shake,” “tremble.”Mounce (page 1038). The reason the nations would tremble is because of their fear and dread of the LORD.

(NRSV) fortresses: In this context, this word refers to a strong fortification or hiding place. In this simile, the word referred both to the nations and to the crawling things. With reference to the nations, it meant the strong places where the people thought they were secure from their enemies.Pusey (page 101). With reference to the snakes and crawling things, it meant the holes and hiding places where they lived.KD and JFB.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

As part of a simile. For example:
Then they will come trembling out of their strongholds like snakes from their holes
Use a word that can refer to either people or animals. For example:
They will come out of their hiding places trembling. (GW)

7:17d

in the presence of the LORD our God;

and turn in terror to Yahweh our^(excl) God,
They will be afraid of you^(sing), Yahweh our God.
Yahweh our God, I pray that they will turn to you with appropriate fear.

7:17e

they will tremble in fear of You.

in fear of you^(sing).
They will approach you in fear and awe.
May they be in reverent awe of you.

7:17d–e

(NRSV) they shall turn in dread…they shall stand in fear: In Hebrew, this is two phrases which are more literally “they will be in dread…and they will be afraid.” The Hebrew words for dread and fear both mean “be afraid.”Mounce (pages 1019 and 952).

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

Leave implied the intensity of emotion and the attitude that accompanies the fear and dread. For example:
Let them fear and dread you (NJPS)
Supply words that indicate the intensity of the fear and dread. Optionally, indicate an attitude of respect and/or submission.This connotation is favored by UBS and JFB. However, NAC (page 132) says it is difficult to determine the nature of the fear. It may be literal fear only, or a fear along with respect and trust. Also see Pusey (page 101). The first example below indicates intensity. The second and third examples indicate attitudes that accompany the fear. For example:
They will be terrified of you (NET)
Let them approach with awe and fear (REB)
They will turn in fear to the Lord our God. (GNT)

(NRSV) to the Lord our God…of you: These parallel phrases both refer to the LORD.Waltke 2007, UBS, NAC, KD, WBC, and JFB.

In some languages, it may sound unnatural for Micah to address the LORD using the third-person phrase the Lord our God.Waltke 2007 (page 444) suggests that Micah 7:8–20 is a liturgical hymn. In such hymns the leader alternates between addressing God and addressing the congregation. In the phrase “to the LORD our God” Micah addressed the congregation. In the phrase “of you” Micah addressed God directly. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

General Comment on 7:17a–e

Translate the phrases literally even if it sounds unnatural. For example:
To the Lord our God; Let them fear and dread you! (NJPS)
Use a vocative or other device that sounds more natural in a prayer to the LORD. For example:
O Lord our God. They will be afraid of you (GW)
trembling in fear of you (the Lord, our God) (NAB)

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

^17a–bLike snakes crawling from their holes, ^17c–ethey will come out to meet the Lord our God. They will fear him greatly, trembling in terror at his presence. (NLT)

Parallel MIC 7:17