Micah 6:2
What does Micah 6:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Micah 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Micah 6:2 means
God's legal dispute is not casual; it is a profound controversy with His own people, Israel. By calling upon the enduring foundations of the earth, Jehovah emphasizes the eternal and unchanging nature of His justice and His covenant. This legal setting highlights the seriousness of Israel's transgressions, as they stand accused before their Creator, with the very fabric of creation bearing witness to the proceedings. The term "controversy" here signifies a strong legal case, not an argument.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Hear, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord’s controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hear, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give ear, O you mountains, to the Lord's cause, and take note, you bases of the earth: for the Lord has a cause against his people, and he will take it up with Israel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Hear, O mountains, the strife of Jehovah, Ye strong ones--foundations of earth! For a strife <FI>is<Fi> to Jehovah, with His people, And with Israel He doth reason.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let the mountains hear the judgment of the Lord, and the strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord will enter into judgment with his people, and he will plead against Israel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hear, ye mountains, Jehovah's controversy, and ye, unchanging foundations of the earth; for Jehovah hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.
Context
Building on the previous verse, this verse reiterates the solemnity of God's case, identifying His specific antagonists as "His people, Israel." The call to the "enduring foundations of the earth" as witnesses further intensifies the dramatic legal imagery. This emphasis on the audience and the accused prepares the way for God's specific charges and lament in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- Jeremiah 25:31
A noise shall come even to the end of the earth; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the nations; he will enter into judgment with all flesh: as for the wicked, he will give them to the sword, saith Jehovah.
- Isaiah 43:26
Put me in remembrance; let us plead together: set thou forth thy cause, that thou mayest be justified.
- Ezekiel 20:35
and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face.
- Isaiah 5:3
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
- Jeremiah 2:29
Wherefore will ye contend with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith Jehovah.
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