Micah 6:1
What does Micah 6:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Micah 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Micah 6:1 means
Micah chapter 6 opens with a powerful legal summons from God to Israel. The prophet acts as God's advocate, commanding the natural world—the mountains and hills—to serve as witnesses to the divine "controversy" or lawsuit. This sets a serious tone, emphasizing that God is not merely offering advice but is bringing formal charges against His people. The imagery of the earth's ancient foundations hearing God's voice underscores the gravity and eternal righteousness of His case against Israel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Hear ye now what Jehovah saith: Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hear ye now what Jehovah saith: Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give ear now to the words of the Lord: Up! put forward your cause before the mountains, let your voice be sounding among the hills.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Hear, I pray you, that which Jehovah is saying: `Rise--strive thou with the mountains, And cause thou the hills to hear thy voice.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Hear ye what the Lord saith: Arise, contend thou in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hear ye now what Jehovah saith: Arise, contend before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
Context
This verse dramatically introduces Jehovah's lawsuit against His people. It immediately establishes a legal setting, where God is the plaintiff, and the mountains are called as witnesses. This sets the stage for the charges that follow and prepares the reader for a weighty divine pronouncement rather than a casual prophetic word. It introduces the theme of God's controversy with Israel, which is explored throughout the initial section of the chapter.
v.1This passage
v.2Hear, O ye mountains, Jehovah’s controversy, and ye enduring foundations of the earth; for Jehovah hath a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 50:1
The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, hath spoken, And called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
- Jeremiah 13:15
Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud; for Jehovah hath spoken.
- Ezekiel 36:1
And thou, son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of Jehovah.
- Amos 3:1
Hear this word that Jehovah hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying,
- Jeremiah 22:29
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of Jehovah.
- Luke 19:40
And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Micah 6
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Micah 6.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About the Justice of God
God’s justice is a foundational aspect of His character, consistently revealed throughout scripture as a perfect balance of righteousness, fairness, and love.
Topic
Bible Verses About Humility
Humility is a foundational Christian virtue, recognizing our true place before God and extending that attitude to others.
Topic
Bible Verses About Justice
God’s perfect character and righteous standards guide all justice, which we are called to pursue in our lives and communities.
What the Bible says about…