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Selected Verse: Micah 6:5 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Mic 6:5 |
Strong Concordance |
O my people [05971], remember [02142] now what Balak [01111] king [04428] of Moab [04124] consulted [03289], and what Balaam [01109] the son [01121] of Beor [01160] answered [06030] him from Shittim [07851] unto Gilgal [01537]; that ye may know [03045] the righteousness [06666] of the LORD [03068]. |
| |
King James |
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
what Balak . . . consulted--how Balak plotted to destroy thee by getting Balaam to curse thee (Num 22:5).
what Balaam . . . answered--how the avaricious prophet was constrained against his own will, to bless Israel whom he had desired to curse for the sake of Balak's reward (Num 24:9-11) [MAURER]. GROTIUS explains it, "how Balaam answered, that the only way to injure thee was by tempting thee to idolatry and whoredom" (Num 31:16). The mention of "Shittim" agrees with this: as it was the scene of Israel's sin (Num 25:1-5; Pe2 2:15; Rev 2:14).
from Shittim unto Gilgal--not that Balaam accompanied Israel from Shittim to Gilgal: for he was slain in Midian (Num 31:8). But the clause, "from Shittim," alone applies to Balaam. "Remember" God's kindnesses "from Shittim," the scene of Balaam's wicked counsel taking effect in Israel's sin, whereby Israel merited utter destruction but for God's sparing mercy, "to Gilgal," the place of Israel's first encampment in the promised land between Jericho and Jordan, where God renewed the covenant with Israel by circumcision (Jos 5:2-11).
know the righteousness--Recognize that, so far from God having treated thee harshly (Mic 6:3), His dealings have been kindness itself (so "righteous acts" for gracious, Jdg 5:11; Psa 24:5, Psa 112:9). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Remember now - The word translated now is a very tender one, like our "do now remember" or "do remember," beseeching instead of commanding. Dionysius: "I might command, but I speak tenderly, that I may lead thee to own the truth." "What Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him." God did not only raise up Moses, Aaron, Miriam, out of their brethren, but He turned the curse of the alien Balaam into a blessing; and that, not for their righteousness, (for even then they were rebellious,) but against their deserts, out of His own truth and righteousness. Not that the curse of Balaam could in itself have hurt them; but, in proportion to his reputation, it would have infused great energy into their enemies: and its reversal must have struck a great panic into them and into others. Human might having failed in Sihon and Og, Balak sought superhuman. God showed them by their own diviner, that it was against them. Even after they had seduced Israel, through Balaam's devilish counsel, Midian seems to have been stricken by God with panic, and not to have struck a blow Num 31:49.
From Shittim unto Gilgal - The words are separated by the Hebrew accent from what went before. It is then probably said in concise energy for, "Remember too front Shittim to Gilgal," that is, all the great works of God "from Shittim" , the last encampment of Israel out of the promised land, where they so sinned in Baal-peor, "unto Gilgal," the first in the promised land, which they entered by miracle, where the Ark rested amid the victories given them, where the Covenant was renewed, and "the reproach of Egypt was rolled away" Jos 5:9. Remember all, from your own deep sin and rebellion to the deep mercy of God.
That ye may know the righteousness - (righteousnesses) of the Lord His Faithfulness in performing His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God speaketh of His promises, not as what they were in themselves, mere mercy, but as what they became, through that gracious and free promise, righteousness, in that He had bound Himself to fulfill what He had, out of mere grace, promised. So in the New Testament He saith, "God is not unrighteous that He should forget your works and labor which proeeedeth of love" Heb 6:10; and, "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" Jo1 1:9. Micah speaks, by a rare idiom, of the righteousnesses of the Lord, each act of mercy being a separate effluence of His Righteousness. The very names of the places suggest the righteous acts of God, the unrighteous of Israel. : "But we too, who desire with unveiled face to behold the glory of the Lord, and have Abraham really for our father, let us, when we have sinned, hear God pleading against us, and reproving us for the multitude of His benefits. For we too once served Pharaoh and the people of Egypt, laboring in works of mire and clay; and He redeemed us who gave Himself a Redemption for all; that we, the redeemed of the Lord, "whom He redeemed out of the hand of the enemy and gathered from the lands, might say, His mercy endureth forever" Psa 107:1-3. He sent also before our face Moses, the spiritual Law, and Aaron the High Priest, not bearing the typical Ephod and Urim, but having in His Forehead the seal of holiness which God the Father sealed; and Miriam, the foreshewing of prophets. Recollect we too what he thought against us who willed to devour us, the true Balak, Satan, who laid snares for us through Balaam, the destroyer of the people, fearing lest we should cover his land and occupy it, withdrawing the earthly-minded from his empire." |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Shittim - This is the place where Balak began by the women of Midian to debauch Israel as Baalim had counselled, and so continued to do, even to Gilgal, all along the borders of his dominion. The righteousness - His mercy, justice and veracity. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted - He sent for Balaam to curse your fathers; but by my influence he was obliged to bless them. See Numbers 22 (note) and Numbers 23 (note), and the notes there, where this subject is largely considered.
From Shittim unto Gilgal - From the encampment at Shittim, Num 25:1, on the way to that of Gilgal, Jos 4:19. Balaam gave different answers in the interval between these places. We may suppose that the encampments of Israel advanced slowly to that part of Jordan which was opposite to Gilgal. The Chaldee has, "Were there not wonderful things done in your behalf from the valley of Shittim to the house of Gilgal?" See Jos 3:1; Jos 4:20. Thus there will be a reference to the miraculous passage over Jordan. See Newcome.
That ye may know the righteousness - The just, equitable, and merciful dealing of the Most High. Recollect those things, that ye may have a proper impression of this. There are many interpretations given of this rather obscure clause; what I have proposed seems to me the most simple.
This is the sum of the address; and here the case of the plaintiff terminates, the prisoners being called to show why the sentence of the law should not be pronounced. I make no apology for using any forensic terms, as the passages before us refer to a case brought into a court to be judged, and the terms in the original are all such as are proper for a court of justice; and the thing itself is called the Lord's controversy, ריב יהוה rib Yehovah, Jehovah's suit at law. And hence it is said, He will plead, litigate, with Israel. |
9 He hath dispersed [06340], he hath given [05414] to the poor [034]; his righteousness [06666] endureth [05975] for ever [05703]; his horn [07161] shall be exalted [07311] with honour [03519].
5 He shall receive [05375] the blessing [01293] from the LORD [03068], and righteousness [06666] from the God [0430] of his salvation [03468].
11 They that are delivered from the noise [06963] of archers [02686] in the places of drawing water [04857], there shall they rehearse [08567] the righteous acts [06666] of the LORD [03068], even the righteous acts [06666] toward the inhabitants of his villages [06520] in Israel [03478]: then shall the people [05971] of the LORD [03068] go down [03381] to the gates [08179].
3 O my people [05971], what have I done [06213] unto thee? and wherein have I wearied [03811] thee? testify [06030] against me.
2 At that time [06256] the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Joshua [03091], Make [06213] thee sharp [06697] knives [02719], and circumcise [04135] again [07725] the children [01121] of Israel [03478] the second time [08145].
3 And Joshua [03091] made [06213] him sharp [06697] knives [02719], and circumcised [04135] the children [01121] of Israel [03478] at the hill [01389] of the foreskins [06190].
4 And this is the cause [01697] why Joshua [03091] did circumcise [04135]: All the people [05971] that came out [03318] of Egypt [04714], that were males [02145], even all the men [0582] of war [04421], died [04191] in the wilderness [04057] by the way [01870], after they came out [03318] of Egypt [04714].
5 Now [03588] all the people [05971] that came out [03318] were circumcised [04135]: but all the people [05971] that were born [03209] in the wilderness [04057] by the way [01870] as they came forth [03318] out of Egypt [04714], them they had not circumcised [04135].
6 For the children [01121] of Israel [03478] walked [01980] forty [0705] years [08141] in the wilderness [04057], till all the people [01471] that were men [0582] of war [04421], which came out [03318] of Egypt [04714], were consumed [08552], because they obeyed [08085] not the voice [06963] of the LORD [03068]: unto whom the LORD [03068] sware [07650] that he would not shew [07200] them the land [0776], which the LORD [03068] sware [07650] unto their fathers [01] that he would give [05414] us, a land [0776] that floweth [02100] with milk [02461] and honey [01706].
7 And their children [01121], whom he raised up [06965] in their stead, them Joshua [03091] circumcised [04135]: for they were uncircumcised [06189], because they had not circumcised [04135] them by the way [01870].
8 And it came to pass, when they had done [08552] circumcising [04135] all the people [01471], that they abode [03427] in their places in the camp [04264], till they were whole [02421].
9 And the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Joshua [03091], This day [03117] have I rolled away [01556] the reproach [02781] of Egypt [04714] from off you. Wherefore the name [08034] of the place [04725] is called [07121] Gilgal [01537] unto this day [03117].
10 And the children [01121] of Israel [03478] encamped [02583] in Gilgal [01537], and kept [06213] the passover [06453] on the fourteenth [0702] [06240] day [03117] of the month [02320] at even [06153] in the plains [06160] of Jericho [03405].
11 And they did eat [0398] of the old corn [05669] of the land [0776] on the morrow [04283] after the passover [06453], unleavened cakes [04682], and parched [07033] corn in the selfsame [06106] day [03117].
8 And they slew [02026] the kings [04428] of Midian [04080], beside [05921] the rest of them that were slain [02491]; namely, Evi [0189], and Rekem [07552], and Zur [06698], and Hur [02354], and Reba [07254], five [02568] kings [04428] of Midian [04080]: Balaam [01109] also the son [01121] of Beor [01160] they slew [02026] with the sword [02719].
14 But [235] I have [2192] a few things [3641] against [2596] thee [4675], because [3754] thou hast [2192] there [1563] them that hold [2902] the doctrine [1322] of Balaam [903], who [3739] taught [1722] [1321] Balac [904] to cast [906] a stumblingblock [4625] before [1799] the children [5207] of Israel [2474], to eat [5315] things sacrificed unto idols [1494], and [2532] to commit fornication [4203].
15 Which have forsaken [2641] the right [2117] way [3598], and are gone astray [4105], following [1811] the way [3598] of Balaam [903] the son of Bosor [1007], who [3739] loved [25] the wages [3408] of unrighteousness [93];
1 And Israel [03478] abode [03427] in Shittim [07851], and the people [05971] began [02490] to commit whoredom [02181] with the daughters [01323] of Moab [04124].
2 And they called [07121] the people [05971] unto the sacrifices [02077] of their gods [0430]: and the people [05971] did eat [0398], and bowed down [07812] to their gods [0430].
3 And Israel [03478] joined [06775] himself unto Baalpeor [01187]: and the anger [0639] of the LORD [03068] was kindled [02734] against Israel [03478].
4 And the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Moses [04872], Take [03947] all the heads [07218] of the people [05971], and hang them up [03363] before [05048] the LORD [03068] against the sun [08121], that the fierce [02740] anger [0639] of the LORD [03068] may be turned away [07725] from Israel [03478].
5 And Moses [04872] said [0559] unto the judges [08199] of Israel [03478], Slay [02026] ye every [0376] one [0376] his men [0582] that were joined [06775] unto Baalpeor [01187].
16 Behold, these [02007] caused [01961] the children [01121] of Israel [03478], through the counsel [01697] of Balaam [01109], to commit [04560] trespass [04604] against the LORD [03068] in the matter [01697] of Peor [06465], and there was a plague [04046] among the congregation [05712] of the LORD [03068].
9 He couched [03766], he lay down [07901] as a lion [0738], and as a great lion [03833]: who shall stir him up [06965]? Blessed [01288] is he that blesseth [01288] thee, and cursed [0779] is he that curseth [0779] thee.
10 And Balak's [01111] anger [0639] was kindled [02734] against Balaam [01109], and he smote [05606] his hands [03709] together [05606]: and Balak [01111] said [0559] unto Balaam [01109], I called [07121] thee to curse [06895] mine enemies [0341], and, behold, thou hast altogether [01288] blessed [01288] them these three [07969] times [06471].
11 Therefore now flee [01272] thou to thy place [04725]: I thought [0559] to promote [03513] thee unto great [03513] honour [03513]; but, lo, the LORD [03068] hath kept thee back [04513] from honour [03519].
5 He sent [07971] messengers [04397] therefore unto Balaam [01109] the son [01121] of Beor [01160] to Pethor [06604], which is by the river [05104] of the land [0776] of the children [01121] of his people [05971], to call [07121] him, saying [0559], Behold, there is a people [05971] come out [03318] from Egypt [04714]: behold, they cover [03680] the face [05869] of the earth [0776], and they abide [03427] over against [04136] me:
1 O give thanks [03034] unto the LORD [03068], for he is good [02896]: for his mercy [02617] endureth for ever [05769].
2 Let the redeemed [01350] of the LORD [03068] say [0559] so, whom he hath redeemed [01350] from the hand [03027] of the enemy [06862];
3 And gathered [06908] them out of the lands [0776], from the east [04217], and from the west [04628], from the north [06828], and from the south [03220].
9 If [1437] we confess [3670] our [2257] sins [266], he is [2076] faithful [4103] and [2532] just [1342] to [2443] forgive [863] us [2254] our sins [266], and [2532] to cleanse [2511] us [2248] from [575] all [3956] unrighteousness [93].
10 For [1063] God [2316] is not [3756] unrighteous [94] to forget [1950] your [5216] work [2041] and [2532] labour [2873] of love [26], which [3739] ye have shewed [1731] [1731] toward [1519] his [846] name [3686], in that ye have ministered [1247] to the saints [40], and [2532] do minister [1247].
9 And the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Joshua [03091], This day [03117] have I rolled away [01556] the reproach [02781] of Egypt [04714] from off you. Wherefore the name [08034] of the place [04725] is called [07121] Gilgal [01537] unto this day [03117].
49 And they said [0559] unto Moses [04872], Thy servants [05650] have taken [05375] the sum [07218] of the men [0582] of war [04421] which are under our charge [03027], and there lacketh [06485] not one man [0376] of us.
20 And those twelve [08147] [06240] stones [068], which they took out [03947] of Jordan [03383], did Joshua [03091] pitch [06965] in Gilgal [01537].
1 And Joshua [03091] rose early [07925] in the morning [01242]; and they removed [05265] from Shittim [07851], and came [0935] to Jordan [03383], he and all the children [01121] of Israel [03478], and lodged [03885] there before they passed over [05674].
19 And the people [05971] came up [05927] out of Jordan [03383] on the tenth [06218] day of the first [07223] month [02320], and encamped [02583] in Gilgal [01537], in the east [04217] border [07097] of Jericho [03405].
1 And Israel [03478] abode [03427] in Shittim [07851], and the people [05971] began [02490] to commit whoredom [02181] with the daughters [01323] of Moab [04124].