Micah 6:5
New International Version
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

New Living Translation
Don’t you remember, my people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? And remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal, when I, the LORD, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.”

English Standard Version
O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’ ”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
O My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled, And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, From Acacia Grove to Gilgal, That you may know the righteousness of the LORD.”

New American Standard Bible
“My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab planned And what Balaam son of Beor answered him, And what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, So that you might know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

NASB 1995
“My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled And what Balaam son of Beor answered him, And from Shittim to Gilgal, So that you might know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

NASB 1977
“My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled And what Balaam son of Beor answered him, And from Shittim to Gilgal, In order that you might know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

Legacy Standard Bible
My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled And what Balaam son of Beor answered him, And from Shittim to Gilgal, So that you might know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”

Amplified Bible
“My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab devised [with his evil plan against Israel] And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him [turning the curse into blessing for Israel], [Remember what the LORD did for you] from Shittim to Gilgal, So that you may know the righteous and saving acts [displaying the power] of the LORD.”

Christian Standard Bible
My people, remember what King Balak of Moab proposed, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from the Acacia Grove to Gilgal so that you may acknowledge the LORD’s righteous acts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab proposed, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from the Acacia Grove to Gilgal so that you may acknowledge the LORD’s righteous acts.

American Standard Version
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; remember from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteous acts of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Don't forget the evil plans of King Balak of Moab or what Balaam son of Beor said to him. Remember how I, the LORD, saved you many times on your way from Acacia to Gilgal.

English Revised Version
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; remember from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteous acts of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
My people, remember what King Balak of Moab planned [to do to you] and how Balaam, son of Beor, responded to him. Remember [your journey] from Shittim to Gilgal so that you may know the victories of the LORD."

Good News Translation
My people, remember what King Balak of Moab planned to do to you and how Balaam son of Beor answered him. Remember the things that happened on the way from the camp at Acacia to Gilgal. Remember these things and you will realize what I did in order to save you."

International Standard Version
"My people, recall how king Balak of Moab deliberated, and how Beor's son Balaam counseled him from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may know the righteousness of the LORD."

Majority Standard Bible
My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’”

NET Bible
My people, recall how King Balak of Moab planned to harm you, how Balaam son of Beor responded to him. Recall how you journeyed from Shittim to Gilgal, so you might acknowledge that the LORD has treated you fairly."

New Heart English Bible
My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD."

Webster's Bible Translation
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

World English Bible
My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
O My people, please remember "" What Balak king of Moab counseled, "" What Balaam son of Beor answered him "" (From Shittim to Gilgal), "" In order to know the righteous acts of YHWH.”

Young's Literal Translation
O My people, remember, I pray you, What counsel did Balak king of Moab, What answer him did Balaam son of Beor, (From Shittim unto Gilgal,) In order to know the righteous acts of Jehovah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab counseled, and what Balaam son of Beor answered him from the acacias even to Gilgal; in order to know the justice of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
O my people, remember, I pray thee, what Balach the king of Moab purposed: and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Setim to Galgal, that thou mightest know the justices of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
My people, remember, I ask you, what Balak the king of Moab planned, and how Balaam the son of Beor responded to him, from Shittim even to Gilgal, so that you may know the justice of the Lord.

New American Bible
My people, remember what Moab’s King Balak planned, and how Balaam, the son of Beor, answered him. Recall the passage from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the just deeds of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab purposed against you, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal; for he knew the righteousness of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My people, remember therefore what Balaq, King of Moab, purposed against you, and what Balaam son of Beor answered him from Sitim and unto Gilgal, because he knew the righteousness of LORD JEHOVAH!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
O My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him; From Shittim unto Gilgal, That ye may know the righteous acts of the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
O my people, remember now, what counsel Balac king of Moab took against thee, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from the reeds to Galgal; that the righteousness of the Lord might be known.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Case Against Israel
4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses before you, as well as Aaron and Miriam. 5My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’” 6With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?…

Cross References
Numbers 22:1-41
Then the Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan, across from Jericho. / Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, / and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites. ...

Numbers 23:1-30
Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.” / So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. / “Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height, ...

Numbers 24:1-25
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. / When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, / and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open, ...

Deuteronomy 23:4-5
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

Joshua 24:9-10
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

Nehemiah 13:2
because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).

Judges 11:25
Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?

2 Peter 2:15
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

2 Kings 17:7-18
All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ...

Psalm 106:3-5
Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times. / Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor to Your people; visit me with Your salvation, / that I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, and rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, and give glory with Your inheritance.

Isaiah 46:8-10
Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors! / Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. / I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Hosea 9:10
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.

Amos 2:9-10
Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, though his height was like that of the cedars, and he was as strong as the oaks. Yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below. / And I brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, that you might take possession of the land of the Amorite.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal; that you may know the righteousness of the LORD.

remember.

Deuteronomy 8:2,18
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no…

Deuteronomy 9:7
Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.

Deuteronomy 16:3
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

Balak.

Numbers 22:1-25:18
And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho…

Numbers 31:16
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 23:4,5
Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee…

Balaam.

Numbers 31:8
And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

2 Peter 2:15
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Jude 1:11
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Shittim.

Numbers 22:41
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

Numbers 23:13,14,27
And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence…

Numbers 25:1
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

know.

Judges 5:11
They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.

Psalm 36:10
O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalm 71:15,16,19
My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof

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Micah 6
1. God's punishment for ingratitude;
6. for ignorance,
10. for injustice;
16. and for idolatry.














My people
This phrase is a direct address from God to the Israelites, emphasizing a personal and covenantal relationship. The Hebrew word for "people" is "עַם" (am), which signifies a collective group bound by shared identity and purpose. In the context of the Old Testament, it underscores the chosen status of Israel as God's covenant community, called to remember their unique relationship with Him.

remember
The Hebrew word "זָכַר" (zakar) means to recall or bring to mind. In the biblical context, remembering is not merely a mental exercise but an active, intentional reflection that leads to a response. God calls His people to remember His past acts of deliverance and faithfulness, which serves as a foundation for trust and obedience in the present.

what Balak king of Moab counseled
Balak, the king of Moab, represents opposition to God's people. His counsel, as recorded in Numbers 22-24, was to curse Israel through the prophet Balaam. This historical reference serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare and the attempts of the enemy to thwart God's plans. The mention of Balak highlights the futility of opposing God's will.

and what Balaam son of Beor answered
Balaam's response, despite his initial intentions, was ultimately controlled by God. The Hebrew narrative in Numbers reveals that Balaam could only speak blessings over Israel, demonstrating God's sovereignty over human intentions. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to turn curses into blessings for His people.

Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal
This phrase recalls a significant period in Israel's history, marking the transition from the wilderness wanderings to the Promised Land. Shittim was the Israelites' last encampment before crossing the Jordan River, and Gilgal was their first camp in Canaan. This journey symbolizes God's faithfulness in leading His people to their inheritance, fulfilling His promises despite their unfaithfulness.

so that you may know
The Hebrew word "יָדַע" (yada) implies an intimate, experiential knowledge. God desires His people to have a deep understanding of His character and deeds, not just intellectual awareness. This knowledge is transformative, leading to a life of faith and obedience.

the righteous acts of the LORD
The term "righteous acts" refers to God's just and faithful dealings with His people. The Hebrew word "צְדָקוֹת" (tsedaqot) encompasses acts of justice, deliverance, and covenant faithfulness. Throughout Israel's history, God's righteous acts were evident in His protection, provision, and fulfillment of promises. This serves as a call to trust in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His covenant people.

(5) What Balaam the son of Beor answered.--This incident is adduced in the "pleading" as a signal instance of the controlling power of God, exercised in an unmistakable manner in behalf of the Israelites. Balaam was constrained to bless when he had the highest conceivable motive to curse the Israelites. He apologised for this involuntary action on his part to Balak. There is no more conclusive instance extant of the will of man controlled to do the exact opposite of his intended action in the history of mankind. It is better to put a stop after "answered him." The next sentence records an independent instance of the interposition of God in behalf of Israel. "Remember also the incidents which happened from Shittim to Gilgal." Shittim was the name of a valley in the plains of Moab (Joel 3:18), from which place Joshua sent two spies to view Jericho immediately before the passage of the Jordan to Gilgal was effected, under the circumstances mentioned in the fourth chapter of Joshua.

Righteousness.--The word rather means here liberality, beneficence.

Verse 5. - The Lord reminds the people of another great benefit subsequent to the Exodus, viz. the defeat of the designs of Balak, and the sorceries of Balaam. Consulted. United with the elders of Midian in a plot against thee (see Numbers 22. etc.). Answered him. There ought to be a stop here. The answer of Balaam was the blessing which he was constrained to give, instead of the curse which he was hired to pronounce (comp. Joshua 24:10). From Shittim unto Gilgal. This is a fresh consideration, referring to mercies under Joshua, and may be made plainer by inserting "remember" (which has, perhaps, dropped out of the text), as in the Revised Version. Shittim was the Israelites' last station before crossing the Jordan, and Gilgal the first in the land of Canaan; and so God bids them remember all that happened to them between those places - their sin in Shittim and the mercy then shown them (Numbers 25.), the miraculous passage of the Jordan, the renewal of the covenant at Gilgal (Joshua 5:9). Shittim; the acacia meadow (Abel-Shittim), hod. Ghor-es-Seisaban, was at the southeastern corner of the Ciccar, or Plain of Jordan, some seven miles from the Dead Sea. Gilgal (see note on Amos 4:4). That ye may know the righteousness (righteous acts) of the Lord. All these instances of God's interposition prove how faithful he is to his promises, how he cares for his elect, what are his gracious counsels towards them (see the same expression, Judges 5:11; 1 Samuel 12:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

remember
זְכָר־ (zə·ḵār-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

Balak
בָּלָק֙ (bā·lāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1111: Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king

king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Moab
מוֹאָ֔ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

counseled
יָּעַ֗ץ (yā·‘aṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

and what
וּמֶה־ (ū·meh-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

Balaam
בִּלְעָ֣ם (bil·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Beor
בְּע֑וֹר (bə·‘ō·wr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1160: Beor -- 'a burning', father of an Edomite king, also the father of Balaam

answered.
עָנָ֥ה (‘ā·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

Remember [your journey] from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

Acacia Grove
הַשִּׁטִּים֙ (haš·šiṭ·ṭîm)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7851: Shittim -- a place East of the Jordan, also a wadi perhaps West of Jerusalem

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

Gilgal,
הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל (hag·gil·gāl)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1537: Gilgal -- 'circle (of stones)', the name of several places in Palestine

so that
לְמַ֕עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

you may acknowledge
דַּ֖עַת (da·‘aṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3045: To know

the righteousness
צִדְק֥וֹת (ṣiḏ·qō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

of the LORD.”
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Prophets: Micah 6:5 My people remember now what Balak king (Mc Mic. Mi)
Micah 6:4
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