Micah 7:20
New International Version
You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.

New Living Translation
You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.

English Standard Version
You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Berean Standard Bible
You will show faithfulness to Jacob and loving devotion to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from the days of old.

King James Bible
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

New King James Version
You will give truth to Jacob And mercy to Abraham, Which You have sworn to our fathers From days of old.

New American Standard Bible
You will give truth to Jacob And favor to Abraham, Which You swore to our forefathers From the days of old.

NASB 1995
You will give truth to Jacob And unchanging love to Abraham, Which You swore to our forefathers From the days of old.

NASB 1977
Thou wilt give truth to Jacob And unchanging love to Abraham, Which Thou didst swear to our forefathers From the days of old.

Legacy Standard Bible
You will give truth to Jacob And lovingkindness to Abraham, Which You swore to our fathers From the days of old.

Amplified Bible
You shall give truth to Jacob And lovingkindness and mercy to Abraham, As You have sworn to our forefathers From the days of old.

Christian Standard Bible
You will show loyalty to Jacob and faithful love to Abraham, as you swore to our ancestors from days long ago.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You will show loyalty to Jacob and faithful love to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from days long ago.

American Standard Version
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the lovingkindness to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

Contemporary English Version
You will keep your word and be faithful to Jacob and to Abraham, as you promised our ancestors many years ago.

English Revised Version
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You will be faithful to Jacob. You will have mercy on Abraham as you swore by an oath to our ancestors long ago.

Good News Translation
You will show your faithfulness and constant love to your people, the descendants of Abraham and of Jacob, as you promised our ancestors long ago.

International Standard Version
You will remain true to Jacob, and merciful to Abraham, as you promised our ancestors long ago.

Majority Standard Bible
You will show faithfulness to Jacob and loving devotion to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from the days of old.

NET Bible
You will be loyal to Jacob and extend your loyal love to Abraham, which you promised on oath to our ancestors in ancient times.

New Heart English Bible
You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

World English Bible
You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You give truth to Jacob, kindness to Abraham, "" That You have sworn to our fathers, from the days of antiquity!

Young's Literal Translation
Thou givest truth to Jacob, kindness to Abraham, That thou hast sworn to our fathers, from the days of antiquity!

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou wilt give truth to Jacob, mercy to Abraham, which thou didst swear to our fathers from the days of old.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou wilt perform the truth of Jacob, the mercy to Abraham: which thou hast sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You will give the truth to Jacob, mercy to Abraham, which you swore to our fathers from the ancient days.

New American Bible
You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and loyalty to Abraham, As you have sworn to our ancestors from days of old.

New Revised Standard Version
You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thou wilt grant truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, as thou hast sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall give truth to Yaqob and grace to Abraham which you swore to our fathers from the days of antiquity
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou wilt show faithfulness to Jacob, mercy to Abraham, As Thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He shall give blessings truly to Jacob, and mercy to Abraam, as thou swarest to our fathers, according to the former days.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Compassion on Israel
19He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20You will show faithfulness to Jacob and loving devotion to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from the days of old.

Cross References
Genesis 12:1-3
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 22:16-18
saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Genesis 28:13-15
And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Exodus 34:6-7
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

Psalm 105:8-10
He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Jeremiah 31:33-34
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. / No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

Ezekiel 37:26-28
And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary among them forever. / My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people. / Then the nations will know that I the LORD sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is among them forever.’”

Hosea 2:19-20
So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”

Zechariah 9:11
As for you, because of the blood of My covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit.

Luke 1:72-73
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, / the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Acts 3:25-26
And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ / When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Romans 11:26-27
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. / And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

Galatians 3:16
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

You will perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Genesis 12:2,3
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: …

Genesis 17:7,8
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…

Genesis 22:16-18
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: …

Jump to Previous
Abraham Ago Antiquity Clear Faith Faithfulness Fathers Forefathers Givest Good Jacob Kindness Love Mercy Oath Past Perform Pledged Show Steadfast Swore Sworn Times Truth Unchanging Wilt
Jump to Next
Abraham Ago Antiquity Clear Faith Faithfulness Fathers Forefathers Givest Good Jacob Kindness Love Mercy Oath Past Perform Pledged Show Steadfast Swore Sworn Times Truth Unchanging Wilt
Micah 7
1. The church, complaining of her small number,
3. and the general corruption,
5. puts her confidence not in man, but in God.
8. She triumphs over her enemies.
14. She prays to God.
15. God comforts her by promises of confusion to her enemies;
18. and by his mercies.














You will show faithfulness
The Hebrew word for "faithfulness" is "emet," which conveys a sense of truth, reliability, and steadfastness. In the context of the covenant relationship between God and His people, this term underscores God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Historically, the Israelites experienced God's faithfulness through His deliverance and guidance, despite their frequent disobedience. This assurance of divine faithfulness is a cornerstone of the believer's trust in God's unchanging nature.

to Jacob
Jacob, later named Israel, represents the nation of Israel and the twelve tribes that descended from him. The mention of Jacob here is significant because it recalls the covenant God made with him, promising land, descendants, and blessings. This reference serves as a reminder of God's enduring promises to the patriarchs and their descendants, reinforcing the idea that God's faithfulness extends through generations.

and loving devotion
The Hebrew word "chesed" is translated here as "loving devotion." It is a rich term that encompasses love, kindness, mercy, and loyalty. This word is often used to describe God's covenantal love, which is both unconditional and enduring. In the historical context, God's "chesed" is evident in His continual forgiveness and restoration of Israel, despite their repeated failures. This divine love is a model for believers, calling them to reflect God's character in their relationships.

to Abraham
Abraham is the patriarch with whom God first established His covenant, promising to make him a great nation and to bless all nations through him. The mention of Abraham highlights the foundational nature of God's promises and the faith that Abraham exhibited. This reference serves as a reminder of the origins of the covenant and God's long-term plan for redemption through Abraham's lineage, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

as You swore
The act of swearing an oath in ancient times was a solemn and binding commitment. God's swearing of an oath to the patriarchs underscores the seriousness and certainty of His promises. In the biblical narrative, God's oaths are unbreakable, providing assurance to His people that He will fulfill His word. This concept is crucial for believers, as it affirms the reliability of God's promises in their own lives.

to our fathers
This phrase connects the current generation of Israelites with their ancestors, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenantal relationship. The "fathers" refer to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—who were the original recipients of God's promises. This connection serves to remind the people of their heritage and the faithfulness of God throughout history, encouraging them to trust in His ongoing provision and care.

from the days of old
This phrase evokes a sense of timelessness and the ancient origins of God's covenant with His people. It points back to the early history of Israel and the foundational events recorded in Genesis. By referencing "the days of old," the text highlights the enduring nature of God's promises and His consistent character throughout history. For believers, this serves as a reminder that God's faithfulness is not limited by time and continues to be relevant and reliable today.

(20) Thou wilt perform.--The closing words in the prophecy of Micah are gloriously taken up some centuries later by Zechariah: "As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life" (Luke 1:54-55).

Verse 20. - Thou wilt perform (literally, give) the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham. Jacob and Abraham are mentioned as the chiefs and representatives of the chosen family; and "the truth" (i.e. God's faithfulness to his promises) and "mercy" are equally given to both, separately assigned only for the sake of the parallelism. Knabenbaner compares such passages as Psalm 114:1, "When Israel went forth out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language" (Psalm or. 6; Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 63:16, etc.). The general meaning, therefore, is that God will perform the promises made to the forefathers, as Luke 1:72, etc. Hast sworn, as in Genesis 22:16. etc.; Genesis 28:13, etc.; Deuteronomy 7:12. With the close of the ode Hengstenberg compares Romans 11:33-36. Thus the checkered prophecy ends with the glow of faith and happy hope.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You will show
תִּתֵּ֤ן (tit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

loyalty
אֱמֶת֙ (’ĕ·meṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

to Jacob
לְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב (lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

and loving devotion
חֶ֖סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

to Abraham,
לְאַבְרָהָ֑ם (lə·’aḇ·rā·hām)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

as
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

You swore
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתָּ (niš·ba‘·tā)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

to our fathers
לַאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ (la·’ă·ḇō·ṯê·nū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1: Father

from days
מִ֥ימֵי (mî·mê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of old.
קֶֽדֶם׃ (qe·ḏem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time


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OT Prophets: Micah 7:20 You will give truth to Jacob (Mc Mic. Mi)
Micah 7:19
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