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Isaiah and Micah: Assyrian Crisis

  1. Lesson One
    Isaiah - YHWH and the Nations
    22 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Isaiah - YHWH and His People
    23 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  3. Lesson Three
    Isaiah's Anticipated Messiah
    24 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  4. Lesson Four
    The Authorship and Unity of Isaiah
    24 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    Micah
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Isaiah and Micah: Assyrian Crisis Micah In | Puns
Lesson 5, Activity 11

In | Puns

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We talked in an earlier lesson about how the prophets were as much performance artists as preachers. They were colorful people who would use virtually any literary tactic to reach their audience. One of the most striking examples of this is Micah’s use of puns in 1:10-15. 

He plays off similarities between the names of cities and terms of doom. One scholar has attempted to render Micah’s punnery in full force:

Literal translation (NRSV)Micah’s Punnery (Dr. Clyde T. Francisco)
10 Tell it not in Gath,
weep not at all;
in Beth-leaphrah
roll yourselves in the dust.		10 Tell it not in Gath,
      in Weepville do not weep.
In Duston,
      Roll in the dust.
11 Pass on your way,
    inhabitants of Shaphir,
    in nakedness and shame;
the inhabitants of Zaanan
    do not come forth;
Beth-ezel is wailing
    and shall remove its support from you.		11 Pass over Beautytown
     in nakedness and shame;
the people of Rescueville
     have not been rescued;
the lamentation of Helpvillehouse
     has taken from you its help.
12 For the inhabitants of Maroth
    wait anxiously for good,
yet disaster has come down from the LORD
    to the gate of Jerusalem.		12 The people of Bittertown
     are longing for sweet,
for evil from YHWH has come
     to the gate of Jerusalem.
13 Harness the steeds to the chariots,
    inhabitants of Lachish;
it was the beginning of sin
    to daughter Zion,
for in you were found
    the transgressions of Israel.		13 Hitch your chariots to a reckesh (horse),
     people of Lachish.
The beginning of sin
     to the daughter Zion,
for in you has been found
     the apostasy of Israel.
14 Therefore you shall give parting gifts
    to Moresheth-gath;
the houses of Achzib shall be a deception
    to the kings of Israel.		14 Therefore you shall give a parting dowry,
       to Bridesburg.
The houses of Snaretown are a snare
      to the kings of Israel.  
15 I will again bring a conqueror upon you,
    inhabitants of Mareshah;
the glory of Israel
    shall come to Adullam.		15 Therefore the owner has come to you,
      Ownapolis.
The glory of Israel
      shall go into oblivion.

Translation from: Paul L. Redditt, Introduction to the Prophets, 2008, p. 272.