King James Version

What Does Micah 7:17 Mean?

Micah 7:17 in the King James Version says “They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afrai...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. worms: or, creeping things”

Micah 7:17 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

15

According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things.

16

The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.

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. worms: or, creeping things

18

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

19

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Read Micah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall lick the dust like a serpent (yelechaku afar kannachash, יְלַחֲכוּ עָפָר כַּנָּחָשׁ). This vivid imagery draws from Genesis 3:14's curse on the serpent: "upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat." Licking dust symbolizes total humiliation and defeat—enemies reduced to crawling in submission like the cursed serpent. It reverses their former arrogance, showing complete subjugation.

They shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth (yirgezu mimisgroteihem kezochale eretz, יִרְגְּזוּ מִמִּסְגְּרֹתֵיהֶם כְּזֹחֲלֵי אֶרֶץ). Ragaz (רָגַז, "tremble/quake") indicates fear-induced trembling. Misgrot (מִסְגְּרוֹת, "holes/strongholds") are fortifications or hiding places where they sought security. Like worms emerging from soil when disturbed, nations will come out of their strongholds—not in confidence but in terrified submission. Zochalei eretz ("crawling things of earth") emphasizes their degradation.

They shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee (yipchadu el-YHWH Eloheinu veyir'u mimmenekha, יִפְחֲדוּ אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְיִרְאוּ מִמֶּךָּ). Pachad (פָּחַד, "be afraid/terrified") and yare (יָרֵא, "fear/revere") describe overwhelming dread before God's majesty. This fulfills prophecies that nations will ultimately acknowledge YHWH and Israel's God-given status (Isaiah 45:14, 60:14; Zechariah 8:23). Christ brings this reality—Philippians 2:10-11 promises every knee will bow and every tongue confess His lordship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern imagery frequently depicted defeated enemies as groveling in the dust before victorious kings. Micah employs this convention to describe God's ultimate triumph over Israel's oppressors. Partial fulfillment occurred when empires that conquered Israel (Assyria, Babylon) themselves fell and feared YHWH's judgment. Greater fulfillment came through Christ's victory over sin, death, and Satan (Colossians 2:15). The serpent's ultimate defeat was secured at the cross (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20). Final fulfillment awaits Christ's return when all enemies are put under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25; Revelation 20:10).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the serpent imagery connect Genesis 3's curse to God's ultimate victory over evil?
  2. What does it mean that even God's enemies will ultimately 'fear' Him—is this salvific fear or terror of judgment?
  3. How should Christ's assured victory over all enemies shape our confidence when facing opposition or spiritual warfare?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
יְלַחֲכ֤וּ1 of 13

“They shall lick”

H3897

to lick

עָפָר֙2 of 13

“the dust”

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

כַּנָּחָ֔שׁ3 of 13

“like a serpent”

H5175

a snake (from its hiss)

כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י4 of 13

“like worms”

H2119

by implication, to fear

אֶ֔רֶץ5 of 13

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יִרְגְּז֖וּ6 of 13

“they shall move”

H7264

to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)

מִמִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם7 of 13

“out of their holes”

H4526

something enclosing, i.e., a margin (of a region, of a panel); concretely, a stronghold

אֶל8 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֤ה9 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙10 of 13

“our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִפְחָ֔דוּ11 of 13

“they shall be afraid”

H6342

to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general

וְיִֽרְא֖וּ12 of 13

“and shall fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מִמֶּֽךָּ׃13 of 13
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

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 7:17 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 7:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 49:23Psalms 72:9Psalms 18:45Revelation 6:15-17Genesis 3:14-15Jeremiah 16:16

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