Mikha 6:5

6:5 My people, recall how King Balak of Moab planned to harm you, ¹ 

how Balaam son of Beor responded to him.

Recall how you journeyed from Shittim to Gilgal,

so you might acknowledge that the Lord has treated you fairly.” ² 

Mikha 7:14

7:14 Shepherd your people with your shepherd’s rod, ³ 

the flock that belongs to you, ⁴ 

the one that lives alone in a thicket,

in the midst of a pastureland. ⁵ 

Allow them to graze in Bashan and Gilead, ⁶ 

as they did in the old days. ⁷ 

[6:5]  ¹ tn Heb “remember what Balak…planned.”

[6:5]  ² tn Heb “From Shittim to Gilgal, in order to know the just acts of the Lord.” Something appears to be missing at the beginning of the line. The present translation supplies the words, “Recall how you went.” This apparently refers to how Israel crossed the Jordan River (see Josh 3:1; 4:19-24).

[7:14]  ³ tn Or “with your scepter” (the Hebrew term can mean either “rod” or “scepter”).

[7:14]  ⁴ tn Heb “the flock of your inheritance.”

[7:14]  ⁵ tn Or “in the midst of Carmel.” The Hebrew term translated “pastureland” may be a place name.

[7:14]  sn The point seems to be that Israel is in a vulnerable position, like sheep in a thicket populated by predators, while rich pastureland (their homeland and God’s blessings) is in view.

[7:14]  ⁶ sn The regions of Bashan and Gilead, located in Transjordan, were noted for their rich grazing lands.

[7:14]  ⁷ tn Heb “as in the days of antiquity.”