Micah 6:2
New International Version
“Hear, you mountains, the LORD’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.

New Living Translation
And now, O mountains, listen to the LORD’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel.

English Standard Version
Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the LORD has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:

King James Bible
Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

New King James Version
Hear, O you mountains, the LORD’s complaint, And you strong foundations of the earth; For the LORD has a complaint against His people, And He will contend with Israel.

New American Standard Bible
“Listen, you mountains, to the indictment by the LORD, And you enduring foundations of the earth, Because the LORD has a case against His people; And He will dispute with Israel.

NASB 1995
“Listen, you mountains, to the indictment of the LORD, And you enduring foundations of the earth, Because the LORD has a case against His people; Even with Israel He will dispute.

NASB 1977
“Listen, you mountains, to the indictment of the LORD, And you enduring foundations of the earth, Because the LORD has a case against His people; Even with Israel He will dispute.

Legacy Standard Bible
Listen, you mountains, to the case of Yahweh, And you enduring foundations of the earth, Because Yahweh has a case against His people; Even with Israel He will reprove.

Amplified Bible
“Hear, O mountains, the indictment of the LORD, And you enduring foundations of the earth, For the LORD has a case (a legal complaint) against His people, And He will dispute (challenge) Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Listen to the LORD’s lawsuit, you mountains and enduring foundations of the earth, because the LORD has a case against his people, and he will argue it against Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Listen to the LORD’s lawsuit, you mountains and enduring foundations of the earth, because the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel.

American Standard Version
Hear, O ye mountains, Jehovah's controversy, and ye enduring foundations of the earth; for Jehovah hath a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Israel, I am bringing charges against you--I call upon the mountains and the earth's firm foundation to be my witnesses.

English Revised Version
Hear, O ye mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye enduring foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Listen to the LORD's lawsuit, you mountains. Listen, you strong foundations of the earth. The LORD has filed a lawsuit against his people. He is arguing his case against Israel.

Good News Translation
You mountains, you everlasting foundations of the earth, listen to the LORD's case! The LORD has a case against his people. He is going to bring an accusation against Israel.

International Standard Version
Listen, you mountains, to the LORD's argument! Listen, you strong foundations of the earth, because the LORD has a dispute with his people, and he will set out his case before Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:

NET Bible
Hear the LORD's accusation, you mountains, you enduring foundations of the earth! For the LORD has a case against his people; he has a dispute with Israel!

New Heart English Bible
Hear, you mountains, the LORD's controversy, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

World English Bible
Hear, you mountains, Yahweh’s indictment, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a case against his people, and he will contend with Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Hear, O mountains, the strife of YHWH, "" You strong ones—foundations of earth! For a strife [is] to YHWH, with His people, "" And with Israel He reasons.

Young's Literal Translation
Hear, O mountains, the strife of Jehovah, Ye strong ones -- foundations of earth! For a strife is to Jehovah, with His people, And with Israel He doth reason.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hear ye mountains the contention of Jehovah, and ye perpetual foundations of the earth: for a contention to Jehovah with his people, and he will dispute with Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let the mountains hear the judgment of the Lord, and the strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord will enter into judgment with his people, and he will plead against Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let the mountains listen to the judgment of the Lord, and the strong foundations of the earth. For the judgment of the Lord is with his people, and he will enter into judgment with Israel.

New American Bible
Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s case, pay attention, O foundations of the earth! For the LORD has a case against his people; he enters into trial with Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Hear, O you mountains, the judgment of the LORD, listen, O you deep foundations of the earth; for the LORD will contend with his people, and he will judge Israel;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Hear, you mountains, the judgment of LORD JEHOVAH, and you depths of the foundations of the Earth, because LORD JEHOVAH judges with his people and he rebukes Israel!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hear, O ye mountains, the LORD'S controversy, And ye enduring rocks, the foundations of the earth; For the LORD hath a controversy with His people, And He will plead with Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hear ye, O mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and ye valleys even the foundations of the earth: for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and will plead with Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Case Against Israel
1Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. 2Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel: 3‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you!…

Cross References
Isaiah 1:2
Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.

Deuteronomy 32:1
Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

Psalm 50:4
He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that He may judge His people:

Jeremiah 6:19
Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.

Hosea 4:1
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!

Isaiah 3:13
The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people.

Jeremiah 2:9
Therefore, I will contend with you again, declares the LORD, and I will bring a case against your children’s children.

Psalm 50:7
“Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.

Isaiah 5:3
“And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard.

Jeremiah 25:31
The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth because the LORD brings a charge against the nations. He brings judgment on all mankind and puts the wicked to the sword,’” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 41:1
“Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.

Romans 3:19
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

James 5:9
Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!


Treasury of Scripture

Hear you, O mountains, the LORD's controversy, and you strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

foundations.

Deuteronomy 32:22
For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

2 Samuel 22:8,16
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth…

Psalm 104:5
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

a controversy.

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 5:3
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

Isaiah 43:26
Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

Jump to Previous
Accusation Bases Case Cause Charge Contend Controversy Dispute Ear Earth Enduring Everlasting Foundations Hear Indictment Israel Jehovah's LORD's Mountains Note Plead Rocks Strife Strong Unchanging
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Accusation Bases Case Cause Charge Contend Controversy Dispute Ear Earth Enduring Everlasting Foundations Hear Indictment Israel Jehovah's LORD's Mountains Note Plead Rocks Strife Strong Unchanging
Micah 6
1. God's punishment for ingratitude;
6. for ignorance,
10. for injustice;
16. and for idolatry.














Hear, O mountains
The call to the "mountains" is a poetic device, invoking the ancient and enduring elements of creation as witnesses to the proceedings. In Hebrew, the word for "hear" is "שִׁמְעוּ" (shim'u), which is a command to listen attentively. The mountains, being ancient and unchanging, symbolize the steadfastness and permanence of God's creation. They have witnessed the history of Israel and stand as silent observers to the covenant between God and His people. This invocation underscores the gravity of the situation, as even the most enduring parts of creation are called to witness the LORD's indictment.

the indictment of the LORD
The term "indictment" translates from the Hebrew "רִיב" (riv), which can mean a legal dispute or controversy. This word choice frames the situation as a legal proceeding, where God is both the plaintiff and the judge. The LORD's indictment is not merely a complaint but a formal charge against His people, highlighting the seriousness of their covenantal breach. This legal language emphasizes God's righteousness and justice, as He holds His people accountable to the covenant established with them.

and you everlasting foundations of the earth
The "everlasting foundations" refer to the stable and enduring aspects of the earth, possibly the bedrock or the very structure of the world. In Hebrew, "מוֹסְדוֹת" (mosdot) conveys the idea of something firmly established. By calling upon these foundations, the text emphasizes the timelessness and unchanging nature of God's creation, contrasting with the fickleness and unfaithfulness of Israel. It serves as a reminder that God's laws and expectations are as enduring as the earth itself.

For the LORD has a case against His people
The phrase "has a case" again uses the legal terminology "רִיב" (riv), indicating a formal grievance. "His people" refers specifically to Israel, the chosen nation with whom God established a covenant. This highlights the relational aspect of the indictment; it is not against strangers but against those whom God has called His own. The LORD's case is rooted in the covenantal relationship, where Israel's failure to uphold their part has led to this divine lawsuit.

and He will argue it against Israel
The word "argue" suggests a presentation of evidence and reasoning, indicating that God will lay out His case clearly and justly. The Hebrew root "יָכַח" (yakach) implies correction or reproof, suggesting that God's intention is not only to accuse but also to bring about repentance and restoration. "Against Israel" specifies the recipients of this divine argument, the nation chosen to be a light to the nations but who have strayed from their calling. This phrase underscores the personal and national accountability of Israel before God, urging them to return to faithfulness.

Verse 2. - Hear ye, O mountains. Insensate nature is called upon as a witness. (For similar appeals, comp. Deuteronomy 4:26; Deuteronomy 32:1; Isaiah 1:2; Jeremiah 22:29.) The Lord's controversy. So God calls his pleading with his people to show them their sin and thankless unbelief; as he says in Isaiah 1:18, "Come, and let us reason together" (comp. Hosea 4:1; Hosea 12:2). Ye strong (enduring) foundations of the earth. The mountains are called everlasting (Genesis 49:26; Deuteronomy 33:15), as being firm, unchangeable, and as compared with man's life and doings, which are but transitory. The LXX. offers an interpretation as well as a translation, Αἱ φάραγγες θεμέλια τῆς γῆς, "Ye valleys, the foundations of the earth." With his people. It is because Israel is God's people that her sin is so heinous, and that God condescends to plead with her. He would thus touch her conscience by recalling his benefits. So in the following verses.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Hear,
שִׁמְע֤וּ (šim·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

O mountains,
הָרִים֙ (hā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

the LORD's
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

indictment,
רִ֣יב (rîḇ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute

you enduring
וְהָאֵתָנִ֖ים (wə·hā·’ê·ṯā·nîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 386: Perennial, ever-flowing, permanence

foundations
מֹ֣סְדֵי (mō·sə·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4146: A foundation

of the earth.
אָ֑רֶץ (’ā·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

has a case
רִ֤יב (rîḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute

against
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

His people,
עַמּ֔וֹ (‘am·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and He will argue
יִתְוַכָּֽח׃ (yiṯ·wak·kāḥ)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict

it against
וְעִם־ (wə·‘im-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Prophets: Micah 6:2 Hear you mountains Yahweh's controversy and you (Mc Mic. Mi)
Micah 6:1
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