Discovery BoxMicah 5:5 
ContextShould the Assyrians try to invade our land
and attempt to set foot in our fortresses, 2
we will send 3 against them seven 4 shepherd-rulers, 5
make that eight commanders. 6
Micah 6:7
Context6:7 Will the Lord accept a thousand rams,
or ten thousand streams of olive oil?
Should I give him my firstborn child as payment for my rebellion,
my offspring – my own flesh and blood – for my sin? 7
1 tn Heb “and this one will be peace”; ASV “and this man shall be our peace” (cf. Eph 2:14).
2 tc Some prefer to read “in our land,” emending the text to בְּאַדְמָתֵנוּ (bÿ’admatenu).
3 tn Heb “raise up.”
4 sn The numbers seven and eight here symbolize completeness and emphasize that Israel will have more than enough military leadership and strength to withstand the Assyrian advance.
5 tn Heb “shepherds.”
6 tn Heb “and eight leaders of men.”
7 tn Heb “the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul.” The Hebrew term נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) is often translated “soul,” but the word usually refers to the whole person; here “the sin of my soul” = “my sin.”
