King James Version

What Does Micah 7:18 Mean?

Micah 7:18 in the King James Version says “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? h...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Micah 7:18 · KJV

Context

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.

20

Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Micah concludes his prophecy with a magnificent hymn celebrating God's incomparable character. "Who is a God like unto thee" (mi-El kamokhah) plays on Micah's name (Mikayahu, "who is like Yahweh?") and echoes Moses's song at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:11). The implied answer: no one—no god, power, or authority compares to Yahweh. What makes Him unique? "That pardoneth iniquity" (nose avon)—the verb nasa means to lift up, carry away, or forgive. God removes sin's guilt and penalty from His people.

"And passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage" continues the theme. "Passeth by" (over al-pesha) means overlooking or forgiving, not in the sense of ignoring justice but of satisfying justice through substitutionary atonement. "The remnant" (she'erit) indicates not all Israel but the faithful few who trust God's promises. "His heritage" (nachalato) recalls covenant language—Israel is God's special possession, treasured inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:9; Psalm 33:12).

"He retaineth not his anger for ever" (lo-hecheziq la'ad apo) reveals God's disposition toward His covenant people. Though sin provokes righteous wrath, God doesn't nurse eternal grudges or hold perpetual anger against those He has redeemed. "Because he delighteth in mercy" (ki-chafets chesed hu) explains why: mercy, covenant love, and loyal kindness define God's essential character. Chesed (translated variously as mercy, lovingkindness, steadfast love) describes God's covenant faithfulness—He keeps promises, shows loyal love, and delights in demonstrating grace to undeserving sinners. This concludes Micah's prophecy with hope rooted in God's merciful character, not human merit.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Micah 7:18-20 forms the book's concluding doxology, balancing earlier judgment oracles with hope for restoration. After pronouncing judgment on both kingdoms (1:5-7, 3:12), warning of exile (1:16), and describing social collapse (7:1-6), Micah ends with assurance that judgment isn't God's final word. His covenant faithfulness ensures restoration beyond exile—a promise fulfilled partially after Babylon's fall (538 BC) but ultimately fulfilled in Christ's redemptive work and new covenant.

These verses were later adapted for liturgical use in Jewish worship. The tradition of Tashlich ("casting") developed where Jews symbolically cast sins into water on Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), based on Micah 7:19: "thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." This ritual expresses faith in God's complete forgiveness—sins removed so thoroughly they're irrecoverable, drowned in the sea's depths, gone forever.

The theology here anticipates New Testament revelation. God pardons iniquity through Christ's substitutionary atonement—Jesus carries our sin (Isaiah 53:6, 12; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21). God passes by transgression because Jesus bore the penalty (Romans 3:25-26). God retains not His anger because wrath was poured out on Christ at Calvary (Romans 5:9). God delights in mercy, demonstrated supremely in sending His Son to die for sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-7). Micah's closing hymn finds full expression and fulfillment in the gospel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's unique character—pardoning iniquity and delighting in mercy—distinguish Him from all false gods and idols?
  2. What does it mean practically that God doesn't retain anger forever toward those covered by Christ's atonement?
  3. How should God's delight in showing mercy shape your approach to confession, repentance, and assurance of forgiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
מִי1 of 18
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

אֵ֣ל2 of 18

“Who is a God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

כָּמ֗וֹךָ3 of 18
H3644

as, thus, so

נֹשֵׂ֤א4 of 18

“like unto thee that pardoneth”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עָוֹן֙5 of 18

“iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וְעֹבֵ֣ר6 of 18

“and passeth by”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עַל7 of 18
H5921

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

פֶּ֔שַׁע8 of 18

“the transgression”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

לִשְׁאֵרִ֖ית9 of 18

“of the remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

נַחֲלָת֑וֹ10 of 18

“of his heritage”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

לֹא11 of 18
H3808

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

הֶחֱזִ֤יק12 of 18

“he retaineth”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

לָעַד֙13 of 18

“for ever”

H5703

properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or wit

אַפּ֔וֹ14 of 18

“not his anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

כִּֽי15 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חָפֵ֥ץ16 of 18

“because he delighteth”

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

חֶ֖סֶד17 of 18

“in mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

הֽוּא׃18 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 7:18 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 7:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 43:25Isaiah 44:22Psalms 103:8-9Ephesians 2:4-5Jeremiah 50:20Acts 13:38-39

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