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Micah 7:17

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Micah 7:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; they shall come with fear unto Jehovah our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.

Bible in Basic English BBE

They will take dust as their food like a snake, like the things which go flat on the earth; they will come shaking with fear out of their secret places: they will come with fear to the Lord our God, full of fear because of you.

Free Bible Version FBV

They will lick the dust like snakes; they will be like the creepy-crawlies of the earth. They will come trembling from their fortresses to meet the Lord our God, fearful and afraid before him.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

They shall licke the dust like a serpent: they shall mooue out of their holes like wormes: they shalbe afraide of the Lord our God, and shall feare because of thee.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

They lick dust as a serpent, as fearful things of earth, They tremble from their enclosures, Of Jehovah our God they are afraid, Yea, they are afraid of Thee.

World English Bible WEB

They will lick the dust like a serpent. Like crawling things of the earth, they will come trembling out of their dens. They will come with fear to the LORD our God, and will be afraid because of you.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

They shall lick the dust like serpents, as the creeping things of the earth, they shall be disturbed in their houses: they shall dread the Lord our God, and shall fear thee.

Translation for Translators T4T

Being very humiliated, they will crawl on the ground [MTY] like [SIM] snakes. They will come out of their homes trembling, and stand revering Yahweh our God. They will be very afraid of him, and will tremble in front of him.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Micah 7:17

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Micah 7:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB יְלַחֲכ֤וּ עָפָר֙ כַּ/נָּחָ֔שׁ כְּ/זֹחֲלֵ֣י אֶ֔רֶץ יִרְגְּז֖וּ מִ/מִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵי/הֶ֑ם אֶל יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֨י/נוּ֙ יִפְחָ֔דוּ וְ/יִֽרְא֖וּ מִמֶּֽ/ךָּ
יְלַחֲכ֤וּ lâchak H3897 to lick V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
עָפָר֙ ʻâphâr H6083 dust N-ms
כַּ/נָּחָ֔שׁ nâchâsh H5175 serpent Prep | N-ms
כְּ/זֹחֲלֵ֣י zâchal H2119 to crawl Prep | V-Qal
אֶ֔רֶץ ʼerets H776 land N-cs
יִרְגְּז֖וּ râgaz H7264 to tremble V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
מִ/מִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵי/הֶ֑ם miçgereth H4526 perimeter Prep | N-fp | Suff
אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep
יְהוָ֤ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
אֱלֹהֵ֨י/נוּ֙ ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp | Suff
יִפְחָ֔דוּ pâchad H6342 to dread V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
וְ/יִֽרְא֖וּ yârêʼ H3372 to fear Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
מִמֶּֽ/ךָּ min H4480 from Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Micah 7:17

יְלַחֲכ֤וּ lâchak H3897 "to lick" V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to lick, often referring to animals licking up food or water. It's used in various biblical stories to describe the actions of animals.
Definition: 1) to lick, lick up 1a) (Qal) to lick up 1b) (Piel) to lick up
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: lick (up). See also: Numbers 22:4; Psalms 72:9; Isaiah 49:23.
עָפָר֙ ʻâphâr H6083 "dust" N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
כַּ/נָּחָ֔שׁ nâchâsh H5175 "serpent" Prep | N-ms
A serpent is a snake, often symbolizing evil, as in Genesis 3:1 where the serpent tempts Eve. It can also represent danger or harm.
Definition: 1) serpent, snake 1a) serpent 1b) image (of serpent) 1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: serpent. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 58:5; Psalms 140:4.
כְּ/זֹחֲלֵ֣י zâchal H2119 "to crawl" Prep | V-Qal
Means to fear or be afraid, and can also mean to crawl like a worm or serpent. It is similar to the Aramaic word 'dechal', which also means 'to fear'.
Definition: 1) to shrink back, crawl away 1a) (Qal) crawling, creeping (participle) (meton)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: be afraid, serpent, worm. See also: Deuteronomy 32:24; Job 32:6; Micah 7:17.
אֶ֔רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
יִרְגְּז֖וּ râgaz H7264 "to tremble" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
In the Bible, this word means to shake or tremble with strong emotions like fear, anger, or excitement. It can also mean to provoke or disturb someone, causing them to become agitated. The KJV Bible translates it in various ways, including 'tremble', 'quake', and 'rage'.
Definition: 1) tremble, quake, rage, quiver, be agitated, be excited, be perturbed 1a)(Qal) to quake, be disquieted, be excited, be perturbed 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to quake, disquiet, enrage, disturb 1c) (Hithpael) to excite oneself
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth. See also: Genesis 45:24; Isaiah 5:25; Psalms 4:5.
מִ/מִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵי/הֶ֑ם miçgereth H4526 "perimeter" Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word means a border or perimeter of a region, like the edge of a city or a mountain. It is used in the Bible to describe the borders of Israel in Numbers 34:7-12 and the strongholds of God in Psalm 31:2-4. The word can also refer to a secure or fortified place.
Definition: 1) border, fastness, rim 1a) border, rim 1b) fastness
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: border, close place, hole. See also: Exodus 25:25; 1 Kings 7:31; Psalms 18:46.
אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
יְהוָ֤ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֵ֨י/נוּ֙ ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
יִפְחָ֔דוּ pâchad H6342 "to dread" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to feel fear or dread, like being startled by a sudden alarm. It appears in the Bible when people are in awe or fear of God. The book of Proverbs uses it to describe the fear of the Lord.
Definition: 1) to fear, tremble, revere, dread, be in awe or dread 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be in dread 1a2) to be in awe 1b) (Piel) to be in great dread 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to dread
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: be afraid, stand in awe, (be in) fear, make to shake. See also: Deuteronomy 28:66; Isaiah 12:2; Psalms 14:5.
וְ/יִֽרְא֖וּ yârêʼ H3372 "to fear" Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Definition: : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Usage: Occurs in 318 OT verses. KJV: affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). See also: Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 12:18; Psalms 3:7.
מִמֶּֽ/ךָּ min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

Study Notes — Micah 7:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 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.”
2 Psalms 72:9 May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
3 Psalms 18:45 Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.
4 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. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. ”
5 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. And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”
6 Lamentations 3:29 Let him bury his face in the dust— perhaps there is still hope.
7 Revelation 3:9 Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.
8 Isaiah 64:2 as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence!
9 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.
10 Zechariah 14:5 You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him.

Micah 7:17 Summary

[Micah 7:17 is a picture of what happens when people or nations try to oppose God - they will be humbled and forced to acknowledge His power, like a snake slithering on the ground. This is similar to what happens in Isaiah 49:23, where kings and queens bow down to God's people. As believers, we can learn from this verse to humble ourselves before God and recognize His authority in our lives, as seen in Psalm 95:6, where we are called to come before Him with thanksgiving and praise. By doing so, we can avoid the kind of judgment and shame that the nations experience in this verse, and instead experience God's mercy and compassion, as described in Micah 7:18-19.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'lick the dust like a snake' in Micah 7:17?

This phrase is a metaphor for humiliation and defeat, similar to what is described in Isaiah 49:23, where it says that kings and queens will bow down to the people of God, and in Psalm 72:9, where it says that enemies will lick the dust.

Why will the nations 'crawl from their holes' in the presence of the Lord?

This phrase suggests that the nations will be so fearful and ashamed in the presence of God that they will try to hide, but will be unable to escape His judgment, much like what is described in Revelation 6:15-17, where people try to hide from the wrath of God.

What is the significance of the nations trembling in fear of God in Micah 7:17?

This fear is a recognition of God's power and authority, similar to what is described in Psalm 96:9, where it says that the nations should tremble before God, and in Philippians 2:10-11, where it says that every knee will bow to Jesus.

How does Micah 7:17 relate to the rest of the chapter?

This verse is part of a larger description of God's judgment and redemption, where He will punish the nations for their sins, but also show mercy and compassion to His people, as seen in Micah 7:18-19, where God pardons iniquity and passes over transgression.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I can humble myself before God, like the nations in Micah 7:17?
  2. How can I cultivate a healthy fear of God, like the nations in this verse, and what are the benefits of doing so?
  3. What are some areas of my life where I may be trying to 'hide' from God, and how can I come out of those 'holes' and into the light of His presence?
  4. How can I balance the idea of God's judgment with the idea of His mercy and compassion, as seen in Micah 7:17-19?
  5. What are some ways that I can show reverence and awe for God's power and authority, like the nations in Micah 7:17?

Gill's Exposition on Micah 7:17

They shall lick the dust like a serpent,.... Whose food is the dust of the earth, according to the curse pronounced on it, Genesis 3:14; and which is either its, natural food it chooses to live on,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Micah 7:17

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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Micah 7:17

They, the proud and cruel enemies of Israel, the Babylonians, shall lick the dust; in the most submissive, servile manner testify their subjection, promise to serve and honour the Jews released out of captivity: it is an expression which alludes to the servile manner of those Eastern complimenters, , and was fulfilled in the days after the return. when the kings of Persia favoured the Jews, and (as the manner of courtiers is) in compliance with their kings the grandees forwarded the prosperity of the Jews, as may easily be conjectured from the 6th and 7th chapters of Ezra. Like a serpent; condemned to eat the dust and perpetually to crawl on the dust; it seems to intimate. the perpetuity of slavery and subjection that the enemy should fall under, and that it should be on them as a curse like that on the serpent. They shall move out of their holes, so the strong holds and fastnesses of the Babylonians, who kept Israel in captivity, are called, like worms of the earth; which do with trembling and haste wriggle themselves out of their holes when the earth is shaken about them, or as when ants tumultuously in their fright run about from the ant-hill scattered with the foot; so should these enemies of Israel flee out of their holds, and leave them to conquering Persians, as Isaiah foretold, . They shall be afraid; a panic fear, expressed by the loosening of the loins of kings, ; so did the conquering Cyrus proceed in the course of his victories, as ,3, God strengthened his arm, and left the heart of Babylonians sinking within them. Of the Lord our God; who did powerfully work for Cyrus in order to the delivering us out of captivity. It was our God, (saith the prophet in the person of Israel,) for his promise’ sake made to us, who did those great things by Cyrus and for us. And shall fear because of thee; so that the name of Jews, their power and greatness shall be terrible to their enemies.

Trapp's Commentary on Micah 7:17

Micah 7:17 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.Ver. 17. They shall lick the dust like a serpent] That is, be reduced not only to extreme hunger and penury, but to utmost vility and baseness of condition, so as to lick the very dust. And whereas it is added, like a serpent, he puts them in mind of that old malediction, Gen. iii., and gives them to know, that as, like that old serpent, they have lifted themselves up against God, so will God cast them down again to the condition of serpents, and abase them to the very dust. See Psalms 22:29; Psalms 72:9 Isaiah 49:23. They shall move out of their holes like worms (or creeping things) of the earth] They shall tumultuate, and be all on a huddle, like ants when their molehill is thrown up with a spade. The Hebrew word imports great commotion and bustle. They shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of thee] O God, or, O Church, terrible as an army with banners. Impiety triumpheth in prosperity, trembleth in adversity: and contrarily, saith holy Greenham, since the fall, we tremble before God, angels, and good men. What have I to do with thee, thou man of God (said she), art thou come to call to mind my sin and to kill my son? At the siege of Mountabove, in France, the people of God within the walls ever before a sally sang a psalm: with which holy practice of theirs, the enemy becoming acquainted, when they heard them singing would so quake and tremble, crying, They come, they come, as though the wrath of God had been breaking out upon them.

Ellicott's Commentary on Micah 7:17

(17) They shall lick the dust like a serpent.—The doom of the determined enemies of the Lord and His people recalls that of Satan, the great enemy, as personified by the serpent. “Dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life” (Genesis 3:14).

Cambridge Bible on Micah 7:17

17. they shall move out of their holes] Rather, ‘they shall come trembling out of their fastnesses’ (same word as in Psalms 18:46, where A. V. ‘close places’). like worms] Lit., ‘like creepers’ (or rather, trailers). The same term occurs in Deuteronomy 32:24. they shall be afraid of] Rather, ‘they shall turn with shuddering towards.’

Barnes' Notes on Micah 7:17

They shall lick the dust like a (the) serpent - To lick the dust, by itself, pictures the extreme humility of persons who east themselves down to the very earth (as in Psalms 72:9; Isaiah 49:23).

Whedon's Commentary on Micah 7:17

THE PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE, Micah 7:14-17.In Micah 7:14 occurs another change in speakers. The people, through the prophet, pray for the fulfillment of the promise of restoration. Feed… with thy rod — See on Micah 5:4.

Sermons on Micah 7:17

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen Eternal Values - Seeking God's Kingdom First by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of learning to trust the Lord and standing on our own feet. He uses the analogy of being carried on a stretcher versus learnin
Zac Poonen (The Works of Faith) Wait for God to Act by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Abraham and Lot in Genesis 13. He highlights the strife between their servants and emphasizes the significance of the last sent
Zac Poonen Winning God's Approval - Part 6 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God is in control of every aspect of our lives, including our relationships, jobs, and homes. He argues that if God, who runs the univer
Al Whittinghill Acid Test Series 7 of 8 - Waiting on God by Al Whittinghill In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of translating truth into living reality. He encourages listeners to make room in their lives for the Word of God and draw nea
Zac Poonen (Gaining God's Approval) 7. the Testing of David by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen emphasizes the testing of David as a man after God's own heart, highlighting his faithfulness in mundane tasks, concern for God's glory, and refusal to take revenge agai
Reggie Kelly Why the Jew? by Reggie Kelly Reggie Kelly delves into the profound mystery of 'The Tents of Shem' prophecy, emphasizing the unique role of the priestly people in mediating God's revelation and blessing. He exp
Zac Poonen Humbling Oneself by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of humility and being willing to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, as God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Spiritual e
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