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Micah 6:7

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Micah 6:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Micah 6:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Micah 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of bondage; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
5O 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.
6Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?
7will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?
9The voice of Jehovah crieth unto the city, and [the man of] wisdom will see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.
10Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a scant measure that is abominable?
← Micah 6:6Micah 6:8 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, etc.] If single burnt offerings of bullocks and heifers will not do, will rams, and thousands of them, be acceptable to him? if they will, they are at his service, even as many as he pleases; such creatures, as well as oxen, were offered by Balak, (<042301>Numbers 23:1,2,4,29,30); [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? for meat offerings, as Jarchi, in which oil was used: this is a hyperbolical expression, as Kimchi rightly observes; suggesting that he was willing to be at any expenses, even the most extravagant, if he could but gain his point, and get the God of Israel on his side. Some render it, “ten thousands of fat valleys”f197;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“rivers of oil--used in sacrifices (Lev 2:1, Lev 2:15). Will God be appeased by my offering so much oil that it shall flow in myriads of torrents? my first-born-- (Kg2 3:27). As the king of Moab did. fruit of my body--my children, as an atonement (Psa 132:11). The Jews offered human sacrifices in the valley of Hinnom (Jer 19:5; Jer 32:35; Eze 23:27).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wherewith shall I come before the Lord? - The people, thus arraigned, bursts in, as men do, with professions that they would be no more ungrateful; that they will do anything, everything - but what they ought. With them it shall be but “Ask and have.” They wish only to know, with what they shall come? They would be beforehand with Him, anticipating His wishes; they would, with all the submission of a creature, bow, prostrate themselves before God; they acknowledge His High Majesty, who dwelleth on high, the most High God, and would abase themselves before His lofty greatness, if they but knew, “how” or “wherewith.” They would give of their best; sacrifices the choicest of their kind, which…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thousands - Ever so many. Ten thousands of rivers - Were it possible to give them. Micah 6:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“pleased: Sa1 15:22; Psa 10:8-13, Psa 50:9, Psa 51:16; Isa 1:11-15, Isa 40:16; Jer 7:21, Jer 7:22; Hos 6:6; Amo 5:22 rivers: Job 29:6 shall: Jdg 11:31, Jdg 11:39; Kg2 3:27, Kg2 16:3, Kg2 21:6, Kg2 23:10; Jer 7:31, Jer 19:5; Eze 16:20, Eze 16:21, Eze 23:37 body: Heb. belly, Plm 1:12 Micah 6:8”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification