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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Micah 7:17 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/micah/7-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/33_Mic_07_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Micah 7:17 - God's Compassion on Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. 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They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in fear to the LORD our God and will be afraid of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/micah/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Like snakes crawling from their holes, they will come out to meet the LORD our God. They will fear him greatly, trembling in terror at his presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/micah/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />they shall lick the dust like a serpent, like the crawling things of the earth; they shall come trembling out of their strongholds; they shall turn in dread to the LORD our God, and they shall be in fear of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/micah/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/micah/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/micah/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They shall lick the dust like a serpent; They shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. They shall be afraid of the LORD our God, And shall fear because of You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/micah/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will lick up dust like a snake, Like reptiles of the earth. They will come trembling out of their fortresses; To the LORD our God they will come in trepidation, And they will be afraid of You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/micah/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a serpent, Like reptiles of the earth. They will come trembling out of their fortresses; To the LORD our God they will come in dread And they will be afraid before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/micah/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a serpent, Like reptiles of the earth. They will come trembling out of their fortresses; To the LORD our God they will come in dread, And they will be afraid before Thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/micah/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a serpent, Like crawling things of the earth. They will come trembling out of their fortresses; To Yahweh our God they will come in dread, And they will be afraid before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/micah/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They shall lick the dust like a serpent; Like crawling things of the earth They shall come trembling out of their fortresses <i>and</i> hiding places. They shall turn <i>and</i> come with fear <i>and</i> dread to the LORD our God And they shall be afraid <i>and</i> stand in awe before You [O LORD].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/micah/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a snake; they will come trembling out of their hiding places like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will tremble in the presence of the LORD our God; they will stand in awe of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/micah/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a snake; they will come trembling out of their hiding places like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will tremble in the presence of Yahweh our God; they will stand in awe of You. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/micah/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/micah/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />because of their fear of me, your LORD and God. Then they will come trembling, crawling out of their fortresses like insects or snakes, lapping up the dust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/micah/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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 the LORD our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/micah/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They will lick dust like snakes, like animals that crawl on the ground. They will come out of their hiding places trembling. They will turn away from your presence in fear, O LORD our God. They will be afraid of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/micah/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They will crawl in the dust like snakes; they will come from their fortresses, trembling and afraid. They will turn in fear to the LORD our God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/micah/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a serpent; they will crawl from their strongholds like snakes. They will fear the LORD our God. They will be terrified because of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/micah/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/micah/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a snake, like serpents crawling on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds to the LORD our God; they will be terrified of you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/micah/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a serpent. Like crawling creatures of the earth they shall come trembling out of their dens. They will come with fear to the LORD our God, and will be afraid because of you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/micah/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/micah/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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 Yahweh our God, and will be afraid because of you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/micah/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They lick dust as a serpent, as fearful things of earth, "" They tremble from their enclosures, "" They are afraid of our God YHWH, "" Indeed, they are afraid of You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/micah/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/micah/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They shall lick the dust as the serpent, as crawlers of the earth they shall move out of their close places: for Jehovah our God they shall tremble and they shall fear from thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/micah/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/micah/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like serpents, and, like the creeping things of the earth, they will be disturbed in their houses. They will dread the Lord our God, and they will fear you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/micah/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a snake, like crawling things on the ground; They will come quaking from their strongholds; they will tremble in fear of you, the LORD, our God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/micah/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />they shall lick dust like a snake, like the crawling things of the earth; they shall come trembling out of their fortresses; they shall turn in dread to the LORD our God, and they shall stand in fear of you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/micah/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth; they shall tremble and be afraid of the LORD our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/micah/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they shall lick the dust like a serpent and like worms of the Earth they shall be provoked from their paths, and by LORD JEHOVAH our God they shall be shaken and they shall be afraid<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/micah/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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 the LORD our God, And shall be afraid because of Thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/micah/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They shall lick the dust as serpents crawling on the earth, they shall be confounded in their holes; they shall be amazed at the Lord our God, and will be afraid of thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/micah/7-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V9AM9A76_xQ?start=1247" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/micah/7.htm">God's Compassion on Israel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their might. They will put their hands over their mouths, and their ears will become deaf. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3897.htm" title="3897: yə·la·ḥă·ḵū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To lick. A primitive root; to lick.">They will lick</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ā·p̄ār (N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">the dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: kan·nā·ḥāš (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake.">like a snake,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2119.htm" title="2119: kə·zō·ḥă·lê (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To shrink back, crawl away. A primitive root; to crawl; by implication, to fear.">like reptiles slithering</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">on the ground.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7264.htm" title="7264: yir·gə·zū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed. A primitive root; to quiver.">They will crawl</a> <a href="/hebrew/4526.htm" title="4526: mim·mis·gə·rō·ṯê·hem (Prep-m:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- Border, rim, fastness. From cagar; something enclosing, i.e. A margin; concretely, a stronghold.">from their holes</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">in the presence of</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">our God;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6342.htm" title="6342: yip̄·ḥā·ḏū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To dread, be in dread or in awe. A primitive root; to be startled; hence, to fear in general.">they will tremble</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: wə·yir·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">in fear</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·me·kā (Prep:: 2ms) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">of You.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-14.htm">Isaiah 60:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9</a></span><br />May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-14.htm">Isaiah 45:14</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-7.htm">Isaiah 49:7</a></span><br />Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-19.htm">Isaiah 2:19</a></span><br />Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-21.htm">Isaiah 2:21</a></span><br />They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/3-9.htm">Revelation 3:9</a></span><br />As for 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-15.htm">Revelation 6:15-16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-15.htm">Exodus 15:15-16</a></span><br />Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, / and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-29.htm">Deuteronomy 33:29</a></span><br />Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-44.htm">Psalm 18:44-45</a></span><br />When they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cower before me. / Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/66-3.htm">Psalm 66:3</a></span><br />Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cower before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-2.htm">Isaiah 64:2</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/33-9.htm">Jeremiah 33:9</a></span><br />So this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I do for it. They will tremble in awe because of all the goodness and prosperity that I will provide for it.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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 you.</p><p class="hdg">lick.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Genesis 3:14,15</a></b></br> And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou <i>art</i> cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9</a></b></br> They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23</a></b></br> And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with <i>their</i> face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I <i>am</i> the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.</p><p class="hdg">move.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/14-11.htm">1 Samuel 14:11</a></b></br> And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/18-45.htm">Psalm 18:45</a></b></br> The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm">Jeremiah 16:16</a></b></br> Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.</p><p class="hdg">worms.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-14.htm">Exodus 15:14-16</a></b></br> The people shall hear, <i>and</i> be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/2-9.htm">Joshua 2:9-11</a></b></br> And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/9-24.htm">Joshua 9:24</a></b></br> And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/micah/4-4.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/amos/9-11.htm">Close</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm">Crawl</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-11.htm">Crawling</a> <a href="/hosea/2-18.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-14.htm">Dens</a> <a href="/hosea/10-5.htm">Dread</a> <a href="/micah/7-10.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/micah/7-13.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/micah/6-9.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/micah/7-14.htm">Food</a> <a href="/micah/5-11.htm">Fortresses</a> <a href="/micah/6-12.htm">Full</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-20.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Lick</a> <a href="/joel/2-7.htm">Move</a> <a href="/micah/5-11.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-33.htm">Reptiles</a> <a href="/amos/9-3.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/micah/5-11.htm">Strongholds</a> <a href="/hosea/13-1.htm">Trembling</a> <a href="/jonah/3-9.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/amos/4-9.htm">Worms</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nahum/2-11.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-5.htm">Close</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm">Crawl</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-14.htm">Crawling</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-14.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/nahum/2-12.htm">Dens</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-7.htm">Dread</a> <a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/nahum/1-5.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/nahum/2-11.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/nahum/2-11.htm">Food</a> <a href="/nahum/3-12.htm">Fortresses</a> <a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Full</a> <a href="/nahum/2-12.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/numbers/22-4.htm">Lick</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-4.htm">Move</a> <a href="/nahum/2-4.htm">Places</a> <a href="/acts/10-12.htm">Reptiles</a> <a href="/matthew/7-10.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/matthew/7-10.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/nahum/3-12.htm">Strongholds</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-7.htm">Trembling</a> <a href="/micah/7-19.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-14.htm">Worms</a><div class="vheading2">Micah 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/7-1.htm">The church, complaining of her small number,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/7-3.htm">and the general corruption,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/7-5.htm">puts her confidence not in man, but in God.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/7-8.htm">She triumphs over her enemies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/7-14.htm">She prays to God.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/7-15.htm">God comforts her by promises of confusion to her enemies;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/7-18.htm">and by his mercies.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/micah/7.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>They will lick the dust</b><br />This phrase evokes imagery of utter humiliation and defeat. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, to "lick the dust" was a metaphor for complete subjugation and disgrace. The Hebrew root word here, "עָפָר" (ʿāfār), often refers to dust or dry earth, symbolizing mortality and lowliness. This imagery is reminiscent of the curse upon the serpent in <a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Genesis 3:14</a>, where the serpent is condemned to crawl on its belly and eat dust. It signifies the humbling of nations or enemies before God's power and justice.<p><b>like a snake</b><br />The comparison to a snake further emphasizes the theme of humiliation and defeat. Snakes, often seen as symbols of deceit and danger in biblical texts, are here depicted in a position of vulnerability. The Hebrew word "נָחָשׁ" (nāḥāš) for snake can also remind readers of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, reinforcing the idea of a fallen state. This imagery suggests that those who oppose God will be brought low, just as the serpent was.<p><b>like reptiles slithering on the ground</b><br />This phrase continues the imagery of abasement. Reptiles, or "זֹחֲלֵי" (zōḥălē), are creatures that move close to the earth, emphasizing a position of lowliness and submission. The act of slithering on the ground is a vivid picture of defeat and disgrace. In the biblical context, it underscores the idea that those who defy God will be reduced to a state of powerlessness and shame.<p><b>They will come trembling out of their dens</b><br />The image of coming "trembling" suggests fear and reverence. The Hebrew word "חָרַד" (ḥārad) conveys a sense of quaking or shaking, often associated with awe or terror. Emerging from "dens" implies leaving a place of hiding or false security. This phrase indicates a recognition of God's supreme authority, prompting even the most defiant to acknowledge His power.<p><b>to the LORD our God</b><br />This phrase centers the focus on Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The use of "LORD" (יהוה, YHWH) emphasizes His personal and relational nature with His people. "Our God" signifies a communal relationship, highlighting the special bond between God and His chosen people. This acknowledgment by the nations or enemies underscores the universal recognition of God's sovereignty.<p><b>they will fear and dread You</b><br />The words "fear" and "dread" reflect a profound respect and acknowledgment of God's might and holiness. The Hebrew words "יָרֵא" (yārēʾ) for fear and "פָּחַד" (pāḥad) for dread convey a deep sense of awe and reverence. This response is not merely terror but a recognition of God's rightful place as the supreme ruler. It suggests a turning point where even those who once opposed God will come to honor and revere Him.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/micah/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">They shall lick the dust like a serpent.</span>--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" (<a href="/genesis/3-14.htm" title="And the LORD God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; on your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life:">Genesis 3:14</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/micah/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They shall lick the dust like a serpent</span> (<a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Genesis 3:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/65-25.htm">Isaiah 65:25</a>). The enemies of God's people "shall lick the dust" (<a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9</a>), shall be reduced to the utmost degradation (<a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23</a>). <span class="cmt_word">They shall move out of their holes,</span> etc.; rather, <span class="accented">they come trembling out of their close places</span> (or, <span class="accented">fastnesses</span>, <a href="/psalms/18-46.htm">Psalm 18:46</a>), <span class="accented">like crawling things of the earth</span>. They who prided themselves on their security shall come forth from their strongholds in utter fear, driven out like snakes from their lairs (comp. <a href="/psalms/2-11.htm">Psalm 2:11</a>; <a href="/hosea/11-10.htm">Hosea 11:10</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">They shall be afraid of</span> (<span class="accented">whine with fear unto</span>) <span class="cmt_word">the Lord our God.</span> They shall be driven by terror to acknowledge the God of Israel. The expression is ambiguous, and may mean servile fear, which makes a man shrink from God. or that fear. which is one step towards repentance; the latter seems intended here, as in <a href="/hosea/3-5.htm">Hosea 3:5</a>, where, as Pusey says, the words, "and his goodness," determine the character of the fear. <span class="cmt_word">Because of</span> (or, <span class="accented">before</span>) <span class="cmt_word">thee</span>. It is the heathen who are still the subject, not the Israelites (<a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm">Jeremiah 10:7</a>). The sudden change of persons is quite in the prophet's style. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/micah/7-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They will lick</span><br /><span class="heb">יְלַחֲכ֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·la·ḥă·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3897.htm">Strong's 3897: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lick</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the dust</span><br /><span class="heb">עָפָר֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a snake,</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּנָּחָ֔שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(kan·nā·ḥāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5175.htm">Strong's 5175: </a> </span><span class="str2">A serpent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like reptiles slithering</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kə·zō·ḥă·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2119.htm">Strong's 2119: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shrink back, crawl away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the ground.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֔רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They will crawl</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְגְּז֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yir·gə·zū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7264.htm">Strong's 7264: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from their holes</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(mim·mis·gə·rō·ṯê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4526.htm">Strong's 4526: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something enclosing, a margin, a stronghold</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the presence of</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our God;</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will tremble</span><br /><span class="heb">יִפְחָ֔דוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yip̄·ḥā·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6342.htm">Strong's 6342: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dread, be in dread or in awe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in fear</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִֽרְא֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yir·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of you.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּֽךָּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·me·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/micah/7-17.htm">OT Prophets: Micah 7:17 They will lick the dust like (Mc Mic. Mi)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/micah/7-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Micah 7:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Micah 7:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/micah/7-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Micah 7:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Micah 7:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>