Micah 5:1

5:1 (4:14) But now slash yourself, daughter surrounded by soldiers!

We are besieged!

With a scepter they strike Israel’s ruler

on the side of his face.

Micah 7:9-10

7:9 I must endure the Lord’s anger,

for I have sinned against him.

But then he will defend my cause,

and accomplish justice on my behalf.

He will lead me out into the light;

I will experience firsthand his deliverance. 10 

7:10 When my enemies see this, they will be covered with shame.

They say 11  to me, “Where is the Lord your God?”

I will gloat over them. 12 

Then they will be trampled down 13 

like mud in the streets.


sn Beginning with 5:1, the verse numbers through 5:15 in the English Bible differ by one from the verse numbers in the Hebrew text (BHS), with 5:1 ET = 4:14 HT, 5:2 ET = 5:1 HT, 5:3 ET = 5:2 HT, etc., through 5:15 ET = 5:14 HT. From 6:1 the verse numbers in the English Bible and the Hebrew Bible are again the same.

tn The Hebrew verb גָדַד (gadad) can be translated “slash yourself” or “gather in troops.” A number of English translations are based on the latter meaning (e.g., NASB, NIV, NLT).

tn Heb “daughter of a troop of warriors.”

tn Or “staff”; KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT “rod”; CEV “stick”; NCV “club.”

tn Traditionally, “the judge of Israel” (so KJV, NASB).

tn Heb “lift, bear.”

tn Heb “until.”

tn Or “plead my case” (NASB and NIV both similar); NRSV “until he takes my side.”

tn Heb “see.”

10 tn Or “justice, vindication.”

11 tn Heb “who say.” A new sentence was begun here in the translation for stylistic reasons.

12 tn Heb “My eyes will look on them.”

13 tn Heb “a trampled-down place.”