Micah 4:9

9 Why do you now cry aloud— have you no king^[a] ? Has your ruler^[b] perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?

Micah 4:9 in Other Translations

9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.

9 Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pain seized you like a woman in labor?

9 But why are you now screaming in terror? Have you no king to lead you? Have your wise people all died? Pain has gripped you like a woman in childbirth.

9 So why the doomsday hysterics? You still have a king, don't you? But maybe he's not doing his job and you're panicked like a woman in labor.

9 Now, why are you shouting loudly? Is there no king with you? Has your counselor perished, so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor?

Micah 4:9 Meaning and Commentary

Micah 4:9

Now why dost thou cry out aloud?
&c.] Or "cry a cry" ^F23; a vehement one, or set up a most lamentable cry, as if no help or hope were to be had, but as in the most desperate condition: here the prophet represents the Jews as if they were already in captivity, and in the utmost distress, and as they certainly would be; and yet had no reason to despair of deliverance and salvation, since the Messiah would certainly come to them, and his kingdom would be set up among them, The word used has sometimes the notion of friendship and association; hence the Targum renders it,

``now why art thou joined to the people?''

and so Jarchi,

``thou hast no need to seek friends and lovers, the kings of Egypt and Assyria, for help.''

And which sense of the word as approved by Gussetius ^F24. [Is there] no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished?
he it so that they were; as was the case when Zedekiah was taken and carried captive, and his princes, nobles, and counsellors killed; yet God, their King and Counsellor, was with them, to keep and preserve them, counsel, instruct, and comfort them, and at last to deliver and save them; and the King Messiah would be raised up, and sent unto them in due time, who is the Wonderful Counsellor Isaiah had prophesied of: for pangs have taken thee as a worn an in travail;
which is often expressive of great sufferings and sorrows; and yet, as the pangs of a woman in travail do not continue always, but have an end, so would theirs, and therefore there was no reason for despair; and as, when she brings forth her issue, her sorrow is turned into joy, this would be their case.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (er yeyrt hml) "quid vociferabis vociferationem", Pagninus, Montanus. So Vatablus, Drusius.
F24 Ebr. Comment. p. 789.

Micah 4:9 In-Context

7 I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.

8 As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”

9 Why do you now cry aloud— have you no king ? Has your ruler perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?

10 Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.

11 But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!”

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 8:19
• 2. S Genesis 3:16; Jeremiah 30:6; Jeremiah 48:41

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "King"
• [b]. Or "Ruler"