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  • From: Alviero Niccacci <sbfnet AT netvision.net.il>
  • To: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Cc: John Barach <jbarach AT telusplanet.net>
  • Subject: Re: "From man" in Micah 2:12
  • Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 08:55:41 +0200


On 27/11/99 ("From man" in Micah 2:12) John Barach wrote:


I've been working on Micah 2:12-13 and am somewhat puzzled by the last
couple of words of verse 12: TeHiYMeNaH Me'aDaM (Pardon my lousy
transliteration; I'm not sure what method of transliteration is usual on
this list.)

The options that I've seen so far in my study have been

(1) The MIN here is privative ("without a man" = "without anyone to take
care of them"). The people (sheep) will be confused and noisy because
they don't have a shepherd to care for them. This seems to be the
option Bruce Waltke takes.

(2) The MIN here is causal ("because of man") and it indicates the
reason for the confusion, namely, the enemy preparing to attack. Hence,
Leslie Allen renders it: "bleating in fear of man" (cf. also NEB).

(3) The MIN here is causal ("because of man") and it indicates that the
place will be noisy because of the number of people who are being
gathered together ("because of man" = "because of the number of
people"). This is the option taken by Keil (cf. NIV: "the place will
throng with people").

The problem with (1) and (2) might be that the context is one of
comfort. YHWH is promising to gather his people -- the remnant --
together (v.12) and to lead them (v.13). A reference to fear (whether
because of the enemy or because of the lack of leadership) seems
somewhat out of place. The third option doubtless has its problems,
too.... And I notice that Mays just asks the question and leaves it
unanswered.


Dear John Barach,

Do you still accept a suggestion?

I would favor a translation of the following type, "they will roar because of the (multitude of) people."

In a 1989 monagraph (in Italian--A prophet between Oppressors and Oppressed, An exegetical Analysis of Chapter 2 of Micah in the General Plan of the Book, Jerusalem: Franciscan Printing Press) I have tried to show that this meaning accords with the interpretation of the passage within the whole book of Micah. Actually Mic 2:12-13 refers to the growth of the people gathered together by the Lord.
From an overall analysis it appears that the book of Micah is structured along five main motifs--(a) sayings of accusation against the leaders of Jacob/Israel (2:1-3; 2:4-5; 3:1-4; 3:9-12); (b) dispute between Micah and the false prophets (2:6-11; 3:5-8); (c) annoucement of salvation for a remnant of Jacob/Israel (2:12-13; 4:6-7; 5:6-14); (d) peoples toward/against Zion--converted in the future (4:1-5) but now hostile (4:9-14); and (e) the future king-shepherd of the people (4:8; 5:1-5).
The three main motifs (a-b-c) are first proclaimed in Chap. 2 and then developed Chaps 3-5. This suggest a division of the book of Micah in two main sections--Chaps 2, and 3-5.

Chaps 1 and 6-7 represent a liturgical framework to the whole book. They comprise the following motifs: call to listen / summoning of the witnesses (1:2-4; 6:1-2); God's reproach to the people (1:6-7; 6,13-16); announcement of a punishment upon the people (1:6-7; 6,13-16); and lamentation of the prophet (1:8-16; 7:1-6). Chap. 7 goes on with a "prophetic liturgy" that closes the book.

Peace and all good.

Alviero Niccacci

Studium Biblicum Franciscanum Tel. +972 - 2 - 6282 936
POB 19424 - 91193 - Jerusalem Fax +972 - 2 - 6264 519
Israel
Home Page: http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/sbf/SBFmain.html
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  • Re: "From man" in Micah 2:12, Alviero Niccacci, 12/06/1999

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