Micah 6:16
What does Micah 6:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Micah 6:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Micah 6:16 means
The ultimate reason for Israel's desolation and reproach is revealed: their adoption of the wicked "statutes of Omri" and the practices of the "house of Ahab." These refer to the idolatrous and oppressive policies of the northern kingdom's most wicked monarchs. By following these ungodly precedents, Judah invited God's wrath, resulting in becoming a "desolation" and a "hissing" (an object of scorn). Their rejection of God's law for man's corrupt ways sealed their fate.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I may make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing: and ye shall bear the reproach of my people.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I may make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing: and ye shall bear the reproach of my people.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For you have kept the laws of Omri and all the works of the family of Ahab, and you have been guided by their designs: so that I might make you a cause of wonder and your people a cause of hisses; and the shame of my people will be on you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And kept habitually are the statutes of Omri, And all the work of the house of Ahab, And ye do walk in their counsels, For My giving thee for a desolation, And its inhabitants for a hissing, And the reproach of My people ye do bear!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For thou hast kept the statutes of Amri, and all the works of the house of Achab: and thou hast walked according their wills, that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing, and you shall bear the reproach of my people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab; and ye walk in their counsels: that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof a hissing; and ye shall bear the reproach of my people.
Context
This concluding verse of chapter 6 provides the foundational reason for all the judgments previously detailed. It clearly states that the desolation and reproach are direct consequences of the people embracing the wicked statutes and practices of the corrupt Omri and Ahab dynasties. This brings the chapter to a powerful close, explaining the *why* behind God's lawsuit and its accompanying judgments by contrasting their actions with God's earlier stated requirements, leaving no doubt about the cause of their suffering.
v.15Thou shalt sow, but shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but shalt not anoint thee with oil; and the vintage, but shalt not drink the wine.
v.16This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 21:25
(But there was none like unto Ahab, who did sell himself to do that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
- Jeremiah 51:51
We are confounded, because we have heard reproach; confusion hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of Jehovah’s house.
- Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers:
- 2 Chronicles 29:8
Wherefore the wrath of Jehovah was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to be tossed to and fro, to be an astonishment, and a hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
- Jeremiah 18:15
For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up;
- Isaiah 9:16
For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
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