Micah 6:7
What does Micah 6:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Micah 6:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Micah 6:7 means
The people escalate their proposed sacrifices, wondering if God would be pleased with an abundance of rams, rivers of oil, or even the ultimate, horrific sacrifice of their firstborn child for their transgressions. This intense list highlights their deep-seated belief that extensive or extreme external acts could atone for their profound sin. It underscores their tragic misconception of God's character and His requirements, revealing a ritualistic mindset that lacked a true understanding of repentance and His desire.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000will 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901will 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of sheep or with ten thousand rivers of oil? am I to give my first child for my wrongdoing, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Is Jehovah pleased with thousands of rams? With myriads of streams of oil? Do I give my first-born <FI>for<Fi> my transgression? The fruit of my body <FI>for<Fi> the sin of my soul?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752May the Lord be appeased with thousands of rams, or with many thousands of fat he goats? shall I give my firstborn for my wickedness, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Will Jehovah take pleasure in thousands of rams, in ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Context
This verse continues the people's questioning from verse 6, escalating the potential sacrifices they imagine God might require. The progression from common offerings to incredibly costly ones, culminating in human sacrifice, intensifies their desperation and misunderstanding. This climax of proposed ritual observances sets the stage for God's definitive and contrasting answer in verse 8, which explains what He truly desires beyond empty ceremony.
v.6Wherewith 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?
v.7This passage
v.8He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Judges 11:31
then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be Jehovah’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering.
- Judges 11:39
And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew not man. And it was a custom in Israel,
- 2 Kings 23:10
And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.
- Amos 5:22
Yea, though ye offer me your burnt-offerings and meal-offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts.
- Ezekiel 16:20
Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Were thy whoredoms a small matter,
- Jeremiah 19:5
and have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire for burnt-offerings unto Baal; which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:
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