Micah 6:6
What does Micah 6:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Micah 6:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Micah 6:6 means
Having heard God's case, the people respond with a desperate query about how they might appease Him. They propose various ritualistic offerings, starting with burnt offerings and year-old calves, suggesting a desire to perform external acts of worship. This question reveals their misunderstanding of God's true desires, still focusing on outward displays of piety rather than a change of heart. They are searching for the right sacrifice to mend their broken relationship with God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949With what am I to come before the Lord and go with bent head before the high God? am I to come before him with burned offerings, with young oxen a year old?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862With what do I come before Jehovah? Do I bow to God Most High? Do I come before Him with burnt-offerings? With calves--sons of a year?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What shall I offer to the Lord that is worthy? wherewith shall I kneel before the high God? shall I offer holocausts unto him, and calves of a year old?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, bow myself before the highGod? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves of a year old?
Context
Following God's powerful historical summary of His faithful acts (verses 3-5), this verse marks a turning point in the chapter's dialogue. The people now respond, acknowledging their guilt and asking what they must do to approach God. This question sets up the profound answer that follows in verse 8, contrasting their ritualistic thinking with God's ultimate desire for a different kind of devotion, which is explored in the next two verses.
v.5O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; remember from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteous acts of Jehovah.
v.6This passage
v.7will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 95:6
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before Jehovah our Maker:
- Genesis 14:18
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High.
- Acts 16:30
and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
- Luke 10:25
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- Mark 5:7
and crying out with a loud voice, he saith, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment me not.
- Psalms 22:29
All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship: All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him, Even he that cannot keep his soul alive.
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