Micah 2:8
New International Version
Lately my people have risen up like an enemy. You strip off the rich robe from those who pass by without a care, like men returning from battle.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
But lately my people have risen up as an enemy; you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“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.

New American Standard Bible
“Recently My people have arisen as an enemy— You strip the robe off the garment From unsuspecting passers-by, From those returned from war.

NASB 1995
“Recently My people have arisen as an enemy— You strip the robe off the garment From unsuspecting passers-by, From those returned from war.

NASB 1977
“ Recently My people have arisen as an enemy— You strip the robe off the garment, From unsuspecting passers-by, From those returned from war.

Legacy Standard Bible
And recently My people have arisen as an enemy— You strip the robe off the garment From unsuspecting passers-by, From those returned from war.

Amplified Bible
“But lately My people have stood up as an enemy [and have made Me their antagonist]. You strip the ornaments off the garment Of those unsuspecting passers-by, Like those returned from war.

Christian Standard Bible
But recently my people have risen up like an enemy: You strip off the splendid robe from those who are passing through confidently, like those returning from war.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But recently My people have risen up like an enemy: You strip off the splendid robe from those who are passing through confidently, like those returning from war.

American Standard Version
But of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye strip the robe from off the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.

Contemporary English Version
My people, you have turned against one another! You have even stolen clothes right off the backs of innocent neighbors who pass by in peace.

English Revised Version
But of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye strip the robe from off the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Recently, my people have turned into enemies. You take coats from those who pass by without a care as they return from war.

Good News Translation
The LORD replies, "You attack my people like enemies. Men return from battle, thinking they are safe at home, but there you are, waiting to steal the coats off their backs.

International Standard Version
Lately my people have acted like an enemy— you strip travelers who thought they were as secure as those who return from war.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
but you rise up as an enemy against my people. You steal a robe from a friend, from those who pass by peacefully as if returning from a war.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
Even of late my people hath risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse to war.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And recently My people raise up as an enemy, "" You strip off the honorable ornament from the outer garment, "" From the confident passers by, "" You who are turning back from war.

Young's Literal Translation
And yesterday My people for an enemy doth raise himself up, From the outer garment the honourable ornament ye strip off, From the confident passers by, Ye who are turning back from war.

Smith's Literal Translation
Aforetime my people for the enemy: he will raise them up from before the garment; ye will put off the wide cloak from those passing by with confidence, turning back the war.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But my people, on the contrary, are risen up as an enemy: you have taken away the cloak off from the coat: and them that passed harmless you have turned to war.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But, to the contrary, my people have risen up in opposition. You have lifted the cover from the undergarment, and those who passed by harmlessly, you have converted into war.

New American Bible
But you rise up against my people as an enemy: you have stripped off the garment from the peaceful, From those who go their way in confidence, as though it were spoils of war.

New Revised Standard Version
But you rise up against my people as an enemy; you strip the robe from the peaceful, from those who pass by trustingly with no thought of war.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My people stood up like a thief against his own peace; you strip the skin from the poor that they may lose their hope; you invite war.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And yesterday my people was standing like a thief against his peace; his negligence you shall declare foolish, for you shall remove his hope and you shall bring war
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But of late My people is risen up as an enemy; With the garment ye strip also the mantle From them that pass by securely, so that they are as men returning from war.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Even beforetime my people withstood him as an enemy against his peace; they have stripped off his skin to remove hope in the conflict of war.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The False Prophets
7Should it be said, O house of Jacob, “Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient? Are these the things He does?” Do not My words bring good to him who walks uprightly? 8But of late My people have risen up like an enemy: You strip off the splendid robe from unsuspecting passersby like men returning from battle. 9You drive the women of My people from their pleasant homes. You take away My blessing from their children forever.…

Cross References
Isaiah 3:14-15
The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. / Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Amos 2:6-7
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. / They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name.

Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Ezekiel 22:29
The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.

Zechariah 7:9-10
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’

Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.

Amos 5:11-12
Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. / For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.

Jeremiah 5:26-28
For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

Ezekiel 18:12
He oppresses the poor and needy; he commits robbery and does not restore a pledge. He lifts his eyes to idols; he commits abominations.

Isaiah 59:13-14
rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart. / So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter.

Matthew 23:14
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

James 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Luke 20:46-47
“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Matthew 21:13
And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Mark 12:40
They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”


Treasury of Scripture

Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: you pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.

of late.

2 Chronicles 28:5-8
Wherefore 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…

Isaiah 9:21
Manasseh, 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.

with the garment.

2 Samuel 20:19
I 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?

2 Chronicles 28:8
And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

Psalm 55:20
He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

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Arisen Averse Battle Care Clothing Enemy Fear Garment Haters Honourable Lately Mantle Ornament Outer Passers-By Peace Prisoners Pull Raise Recently Returning Rise Risen Robe Securely Strip Thought Trustingly Unsuspecting War Yesterday
Micah 2
1. Against oppression.
4. A lamentation.
7. A reproof of injustice and idolatry.
12. A promise to restore Jacob.














But of late My people
The phrase "But of late My people" indicates a recent change in behavior among the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "people" here is "עַמִּי" (ammi), which is often used to denote a close, covenantal relationship between God and Israel. This highlights the gravity of their actions, as they are not just any people, but God's chosen ones. Historically, this reflects a period of moral and social decline in Israel, where the people have turned away from their covenantal obligations.

have risen up like an enemy
The imagery of "have risen up like an enemy" is stark and confrontational. The Hebrew root "קוּם" (qum) for "risen up" suggests an active, deliberate action. This phrase indicates that the people, who should be allies and family, have become adversaries to one another and to God. This is a powerful indictment of their betrayal and rebellion, reminiscent of other times in Israel's history when internal strife led to their downfall.

you strip off the splendid robe
The act of stripping off "the splendid robe" is symbolic of humiliation and exploitation. The Hebrew word for "splendid" is "תַּפְאֶרֶת" (tiferet), which conveys beauty and glory. This suggests that the Israelites are not only robbing others of their possessions but also their dignity and honor. This behavior is contrary to the laws given in the Torah, which emphasize justice and compassion for one's neighbor.

from unsuspecting passersby
The term "unsuspecting passersby" implies innocence and vulnerability. The Hebrew word "שָׁלֵו" (shalew) can mean unsuspecting or at peace, indicating that these individuals were not prepared for such treachery. This highlights the cowardice and moral decay of the perpetrators, who prey on those who are defenseless, violating the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor.

like men returning from battle
The comparison "like men returning from battle" suggests a ruthless and aggressive attitude. In ancient times, soldiers returning from war might take spoils from the defeated, but here, the Israelites are treating their own people as if they were enemies. This phrase underscores the internal conflict and the breakdown of societal norms, as the people have adopted a warlike mentality against their own community.

(8) Ye pull off the robe.--Micah dwells upon the continued rapacity of the people. They robbed the quiet inoffensive traveller of both outer and inner garment; they took away both "cloke" and "coat." (Comp. Matthew 5:40; Luke 6:29.)

Verse 8. - Even of late; but of late; literally, yesterday, implying an action recent and repeated. Septuagint, ἔμπροσθεν, "before;" Vulgate, e contrario. The prophet exemplifies the iniquity which has led God to punish. They are not old offences which the Lord is visiting, but sins of recent and daily occurrence. My people is risen up as an enemy. A reading, varying by a letter or two, is rendered, "But against my people one setteth himself." But them is no valid reason for altering the received text; especially as, according to Ewald, the present reading may be taken in a causative sense "They set up my people as an enemy," i.e. the grandees treat the Lord's people as enemies, robbing and plundering them. This translation obviates the difficulty of referring the words, "my people," in this verse to the oppressor, and in ver. 7 to the oppressed. According to the usual view, and retaining the authorized rendering, the meaning is that the princes exhibit themselves as enemies of the Lord by their acts of violence and oppression, which the prophet proceeds to particularize. Septuagint, Ὀ λαός μου εἰς ἔχθραν ἀντέστη, "My people withstood as an enemy." Ye pull off the robe with the garment; ye violently strip off the robe away from the garment. The "robe" (eder) is the wide cloak, the mantle sufficient to wrap the whole person, and which was often of very costly material. The "garment" (salmah) is the principal inner garment, or tunic. There may be an allusion to the enactment which forbade a creditor retaining the pledged garment during the night (Exodus 22:26, etc.). Septuagint, Κατέναντι τῆς εἰρήνης αὐτοῦ τὴν δορὰν αὐτοῦ ἐξέδειραν, "Against his peace they stripped off his skin." From them that pass by securely as men averse from war. This is probably the correct translation. The grandees rob those who are peaceably disposed, perhaps strip their debtors of their cloaks as they pass quietly along the road. The versions vary considerably from the received Hebrew text. The LXX. (with which the Syriac partially agrees) has, Τοῦ ἀφελέσθαι ἐλπίδας συντριμμὸν πολέμου, "To remove hope in the destruction of war;" Vulgate, Eos qui transibant simpliciter convertistis in bellum. From this rendering Trochon derives the paraphrase - Ye treat them as if they were prisoners of war. Hitzig considers that the reference is to fugitives from the northern kingdom who passed through Judaea in their endeavour to escape the evils of the war, leaving wives and children in the hands of the Judaeans. But these treated the refugees harshly.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But of late
וְאֶתְמ֗וּל (wə·’eṯ·mūl)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 865: Heretofore, definitely yesterday

My people
עַמִּי֙ (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

have risen up
יְקוֹמֵ֔ם (yə·qō·w·mêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

like an enemy:
לְאוֹיֵ֣ב (lə·’ō·w·yêḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

You strip off
תַּפְשִׁט֑וּן (tap̄·ši·ṭūn)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid

the splendid
אֶ֖דֶר (’e·ḏer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 145: Glory, magnificence, a mantle, cloak

robe
שַׂלְמָ֔ה (śal·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8008: A wrapper, mantle

from unsuspecting
בֶּ֔טַח (be·ṭaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 983: A place of refuge, safety, safely

passers-by
מֵעֹבְרִ֣ים (mê·‘ō·ḇə·rîm)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

like men returning
שׁוּבֵ֖י (šū·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from battle.
מִלְחָמָֽה׃ (mil·ḥā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war


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OT Prophets: Micah 2:8 But lately my people have risen up (Mc Mic. Mi)
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