Micah 6:13
What does Micah 6:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Micah 6:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Micah 6:13 means
God declares that because of their multiplied sins, He has already begun to inflict a "grievous wound" upon them, causing desolation. This is not a future threat but a present reality, indicating that the consequences of their disobedience are already manifesting. The "wound" refers to the various forms of judgment—economic distress, insecurity, and national decline—that are directly linked to their pervasive wickedness. God's response is a direct and righteous consequence of their actions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore I also have smitten thee with a grievous wound; I have made thee desolate because of thy sins.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore I also have smitten thee with a grievous wound; I have made thee desolate because of thy sins.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So I have made a start with your punishment; I have made you waste because of your sins.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I also, I have begun to smite thee, To make desolate, because of thy sins.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I therefore began to strike thee with desolation for thy sins.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore also will I make [thee] sick in smiting thee; I will make [thee] desolate because of thy sins.
Context
Having thoroughly detailed the city's pervasive sins in the preceding verses (9-12), this verse now shifts to the inevitable divine response. It explains that God has already begun to enact judgment as a direct consequence of their actions. This declaration transitions the chapter from exposing sin to outlining the specific forms of divine punishment, setting the context for the detailed curses that will follow in the subsequent verses.
v.12For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
v.13This passage
v.14Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy humiliation shall be in the midst of thee: and thou shalt put away, but shalt not save; and that which thou savest will I give up to the sword.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 14:18
If I go forth into the field, then, behold, the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then, behold, they that are sick with famine! for both the prophet and the priest go about in the land, and have no knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 28:21
Jehovah will make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest in to possess it.
- Lamentations 3:11
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.
- Job 33:19
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones;
- Isaiah 1:5
Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
- Hosea 5:9
Ephraim shall become a desolation in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.
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