Micah 7:17

Translations

Modern

They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.

Traditional

They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of thee.

Literal

They will lick the dust like a snake, like the crawling things of the earth; they will come trembling from their enclosures to YHWH our God they will tremble, and they will be afraid of You.

Latin

Lingent pulverem sicut serpentes; velut reptilia terræ perturbabuntur in ædibus suis. Dominum Deum nostrum formidabunt, et timebunt te.

Original

Hebrew

English

They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.

Notes

Micah 7:17

Like snakes, the nations had attacked Israel's heel (compare Genesis 3:14–15). The prophets often described foreign nations as deceitful, poisonous serpents (Isaiah 14:29; Jeremiah 8:17; Ezekiel 29:1–3). Now these nations would face humiliation (compare Psalm 72:9). Crawling and "licking dust" were metaphors for defeat and humiliation.

Micah 7:14–20

The Lord promised to fully renew Israel, his special possession (see Exodus 19:5; Malachi 3:17). Judgment would not destroy hope but cleanse it so true hope could thrive. God alone would restore the remnant of his special people and remove their guilt through his love, compassion, and faithfulness (see Exodus 32:12–14).

Micah 7:1–20

Hopeless deception and corruption filled God’s people (Micah 7:1–6). Because of this, Micah mourned their condition and turned to the Lord for help (Micah 7:7–10).

Even so, God’s mercy would triumph. Israel would be restored by the Lord (Micah 7:11–13). God’s mercy, compassion, and unfailing love would prevail in the end (Micah 7:14–20).

Events

Prophecies of Micahc. 754 BC

Related verses

Isaiah 49:23
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”
Psalm 72:9
May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
Psalm 18:45
Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.
Genesis 3:14–15
So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and every beast of the field! On your belly will you go, and dust you will eat, all the days of your life.
Revelation 6:15–17
Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
Isaiah 60:14
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 9:20
Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah
Jeremiah 16:16
But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks.
Exodus 15:14–16
The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia.
Isaiah 65:25
The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the food of the serpent will be dust. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.
Isaiah 25:3
Therefore, a strong people will honor You. The cities of ruthless nations will revere You.
Lamentations 3:29
Let him bury his face in the dust—perhaps there is still hope.

Glossary

Book of Micah

Topics

Conviction of Sin Fear of God: Reverence Insects: Earthworm Serpent: Feeds Upon the Dust Serpents: Doomed to Eat Their Food Mingled with Dust Snakes

Micah 7:17

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Related verses?

Glossary?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics