Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.
Parallel translations
- WEB But lately my people have risen up as an enemy. You strip the robe and clothing from those who pass by without a care, returning from battle.
- BSB But of late My people have risen up like an enemy: You strip off the splendid robe from unsuspecting passersby like men returning from battle.
- NKJV “Lately My people have risen up as an enemy— You pull off the robe with the garment From those who trust you, as they pass by, Like men returned from war.
- NASB “Recently My people have arisen as an enemy— You strip the robe off the garment From unsuspecting passers-by, From those returned from war.
- NLT Yet to this very hour my people rise against me like an enemy! You steal the shirts right off the backs of those who trusted you, making them as ragged as men returning from battle.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God charges His own people with acting like enemies, robbing even peaceful, unsuspecting travelers. It indicts their predatory treatment of one another.
Overview
Instead of caring for the vulnerable, the people prey on them, stripping clothing from those returning home secure and unsuspecting. Such behavior makes God's covenant people behave like hostile bandits. Micah's accusation shows how deeply injustice had corrupted ordinary social relationships.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Ps 120:6–7My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
- 2 Sam 20:19I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
- Ps 55:20He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
- 2 Chr 28:5–8Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.
- Isa 9:21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
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Christ at the center
Micah names the town — 'But you, Bethlehem... from you shall come forth one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origins are from of old' — the birthplace of the eternal King.
How Micah 2:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.