King James Version

What Does Micah 5:7 Mean?

Micah 5:7 in the King James Version says “And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, tha...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.”

Micah 5:7 · KJV

Context

5

And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. principal: Heb. princes of

6

And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. waste: Heb. eat up in the: or, with her own naked swords

7

And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.

8

And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. sheep: or, goats

9

Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD. The phrase "remnant of Jacob" (שְׁאֵרִית יַעֲקֹב, she'erit Ya'akov) refers to the faithful surviving community—those who trust Messiah. In judgment, God preserves a remnant (Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 9:27; 11:5). This remnant becomes a blessing "in the midst of many people"—among Gentile nations. The simile "as a dew from the LORD" (כְּטַל מֵאֵת יְהוָה, ke-tal me'et Yahweh) pictures gentle, life-giving moisture descending from heaven. Dew in Israel's dry climate meant survival for crops during rainless summers.

"As the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men." This intensifies the imagery: like rain showers reviving vegetation, the remnant brings blessing. The phrase "tarrieth not for man" (לֹא יְקַוֶּה לְאִישׁ, lo yekavveh le-ish) emphasizes divine sovereignty—blessing doesn't depend on human initiation or merit but on God's gracious design. Rain falls at God's command, not man's manipulation. Similarly, the gospel spreads by divine power, not human scheming.

This describes the Church's mission: scattered among nations, believers bring spiritual refreshment. Jesus declared, "Ye are the light of the world...the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13-14). Paul wrote that God "always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place" (2 Corinthians 2:14). The remnant's presence brings blessing—evangelism, compassion, justice, truth. Where Christ's people dwell, nations are refreshed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Micah prophesied during a period when Israel faced extinction. The Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC; Judah teetered on collapse. Yet Micah promises a surviving remnant that would bless nations. This echoes God's promise to Abraham: "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). Israel was chosen not for exclusive privilege but to mediate blessing to all nations. The New Testament reveals the Church as this remnant—Jewish and Gentile believers united in Christ (Romans 11:17-24; Ephesians 2:11-22). Acts chronicles the gospel spreading from Jerusalem to Rome, fulfilling Micah's vision of the remnant blessing "many people." Wherever missionaries plant churches, communities are transformed—hospitals built, orphanages founded, literacy promoted, justice advanced. The remnant's influence exceeds its numbers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of "dew from the LORD" shape your understanding of the Church's role among the nations?
  2. In what ways can you serve as spiritual refreshment to those around you, bringing the life-giving gospel to spiritually dry places?
  3. How does recognizing that blessing "tarrieth not for man" guard against both pride (when ministry thrives) and despair (when ministry struggles)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהָיָ֣ה׀1 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שְׁאֵרִ֣ית2 of 20

“And the remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יַעֲקֹ֗ב3 of 20

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

בְּקֶ֙רֶב֙4 of 20

“shall be in the midst”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

עַמִּ֣ים5 of 20

“people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רַבִּ֔ים6 of 20

“of many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

כְּטַל֙7 of 20

“as a dew”

H2919

dew (as covering vegetation)

מֵאֵ֣ת8 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 20

“from the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּרְבִיבִ֖ים10 of 20

“as the showers”

H7241

a rain (as an accumulation of drops)

עֲלֵי11 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֵ֑שֶׂב12 of 20

“upon the grass”

H6212

grass (or any tender shoot)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר13 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא14 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְקַוֶּה֙15 of 20

“that tarrieth”

H6960

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

לְאִ֔ישׁ16 of 20

“not for man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְלֹ֥א17 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְיַחֵ֖ל18 of 20

“nor waiteth”

H3176

to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope

לִבְנֵ֥י19 of 20

“for the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָֽם׃20 of 20

“of men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Micah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Micah 5:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Micah 5:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 72:6Isaiah 44:3Micah 5:3Hosea 14:5Deuteronomy 32:2Psalms 110:3

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