Micah 6:3
What does Micah 6:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Micah 6:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Micah 6:3 means
In a poignant and deeply personal appeal, God directly addresses His people, challenging them to articulate any wrong He has done to them. He emphasizes His blameless stewardship as their deliverer and provider, inviting them to testify against Him if He has ever oppressed or burdened them. This rhetorical question is not an admission of doubt but a way of highlighting their lack of legitimate complaint, thereby strengthening His own righteous case against them. It underscores His perfect fidelity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O my people, what have I done to you? how have I been a weariness to you? give answer against me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862O My people, what have I done to thee? And what--have I wearied thee? Testify against Me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752O my people, what have I done to thee, or in what have I molested thee? answer thou me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
Context
Following the call for witnesses and the identification of the accused, this verse begins God's direct address to His people. It takes the form of a rhetorical question, inviting Israel to present their case against Him before He presents His against them. This sets a crucial emotional and theological framework for the following verses, where God reminds them of His faithful acts, establishing His unimpeachable character before revealing their faithlessness.
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.
v.3This passage
v.4For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of bondage; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 2:31
O generation, see ye the word of Jehovah. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? or a land of thick darkness? wherefore say my people, We are broken loose; we will come no more unto thee?
- Isaiah 43:22
Yet thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
- Psalms 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.
- Romans 3:4
God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.
- Romans 3:19
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:
- Psalms 81:8
Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wouldest hearken unto me!
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