Micah 7:16 kjv
The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
Micah 7:16 nkjv
The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; They shall put their hand over their mouth; Their ears shall be deaf.
Micah 7:16 niv
Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will put their hands over their mouths and their ears will become deaf.
Micah 7:16 esv
The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall lay their hands on their mouths; their ears shall be deaf;
Micah 7:16 nlt
All the nations of the world will stand amazed
at what the LORD will do for you.
They will be embarrassed
at their feeble power.
They will cover their mouths in silent awe,
deaf to everything around them.
Micah 7 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Micah 7:16 | The nations shall see and be put to shame because of all their might; they lay hand on mouth; their ears are stopped. | God's judgment on nations |
| Isaiah 26:11 | O LORD, you raise your hand, but they do not see; they will see your hand and be put to shame by zeal for your people; they will indeed be consumed by fire. | Nations' shame and God's power |
| Isaiah 49:23 | Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground, they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust from your feet. They will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame. | Gentiles submitting to God's people |
| Ezekiel 28:19 | All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and are no more forever. | Judgment on enemies |
| Psalm 79:10 | Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let it be known among the nations before our eyes that you avenge the shed blood of your servants. | Nations question God's presence |
| Psalm 115:2 | Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" | Nations question God's presence |
| Jeremiah 10:11 | Thus shall you say to them: "The gods who have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens." | Judgment on false gods |
| Zephaniah 3:11 | On that day you shall not be put to shame because of all your deeds with which you have transgressed against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proud and exultant ones, and you shall never again be haughty on my holy mountain. | Removal of pride |
| Psalm 2:4 | He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. | God's sovereign control |
| Isaiah 14:24 | The LORD of hosts has sworn: As I have purposed, so shall it be, and as I have planned, so shall it stand. | God's eternal purpose |
| Habakkuk 2:10 | You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples, thus forfeiting your life. | Shame from wicked deeds |
| Revelation 6:15-17 | Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." | Fear of God's wrath |
| Acts 4:25-26 | You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant, saying, "Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed." | Gentiles opposing God |
| Romans 3:4 | By no means! Let God be true though every man be a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged." | God's faithfulness |
| 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 | But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. | God shaming the wise |
| 1 Peter 2:12 | Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. | Gentiles observing believers |
| John 13:35 | By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. | Love among believers |
| 1 John 4:4 | Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. | God in believers greater than world |
| 2 Corinthians 12:9 | But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." | God's power in weakness |
| Philippians 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Strength through Christ |
Micah 7 verses
Micah 7 16 Meaning
This verse expresses a powerful declaration of faith and trust in God amidst overwhelming circumstances and opposition. It speaks to a profound assurance in God's righteous judgment and ultimate vindication, even when the surrounding nations act with fear and aggression.
Micah 7 16 Context
Micah chapter 7 presents a lament for Jerusalem's sin and the ensuing judgment, but it transitions into a powerful message of hope and restoration. The prophet Micah, speaking in a time of national distress, anticipates a future redemption. Verse 16 follows Micah's own profound statement of personal trust in God amidst hardship (Micah 7:7-10) and his prayer for deliverance. This verse describes the reaction of the surrounding, often hostile, nations when they witness God's divine intervention and vindication of His people. They will be astonished and silenced by God's mighty acts, recognizing His sovereign power which they had previously ignored or mocked.
Micah 7 16 Word Analysis
- וְרָא֧וּ (wərāʾû): "And they shall see." From the root רָאָה (rāʾâ), meaning "to see," "to perceive," or "to behold." It implies a comprehensive and unmistakable recognition. This seeing is not merely visual but also intellectual and spiritual, signifying an awareness of God's intervention.
- הַגּוֹיִ֧ם (haggôyîm): "the nations." The plural form of גּוֹי (gôy), often referring to non-Israelite peoples. Here, it signifies the surrounding Gentile nations, who often opposed or mistreated Israel.
- וְיֵבֹ֧שׁוּ (wəyêḇōšû): "and they shall be ashamed." From the root בּוֹשׁ (bôš), meaning "to be ashamed," "confounded," or "put to shame." This shame is a direct result of their failed opposition or arrogance.
- מִכֹּ֧ל (mikkōl): "from all" or "because of all." This preposition (מִן, min) indicates the source of their shame.
- עֻזָּ֧ם (ʿuzzām): "their might," "their strength," or "their power." From the root עֹז (ʿōz), denoting strength, power, and security. It refers to the military or political strength that these nations relied upon.
- וְיָשִׁ֧יתוּ (wəyāšîṯû): "and they shall lay." From the root שִׂית (śîṯ), meaning "to put," "to place," or "to lay." It signifies a deliberate action of placing their hands.
- יָד֙ (yāḏ): "hand." A literal hand, but often used metonymically for power, action, or control. Laying hand on mouth signifies silencing or astonishment.
- עַל־פִּ֔הֶם (ʿal-pihem): "on their mouth." The mouth represents speech and expression. Placing a hand on it signifies a cessation of speech, usually due to awe, shame, or shock.
- וְאָטְמ֣וּ (wəʾāṭməḵ): "and they shall be deafened" or "their ears are stopped." From the root אָטַם (ʾāṭam), meaning "to close up," "to stop," or "to be deafened." This implies a deliberate ignoring or inability to hear, perhaps the truth or God's word. This is further emphasis on their complete incapacitation by God's power and judgment.
Group of words analysis:
- "The nations shall see and be put to shame because of all their might": This phrase encapsulates the downfall of earthly power when confronted by divine power. The nations' reliance on their military strength (עֻזָּם - ʿuzzām) will be the very reason for their shame as it proves utterly insufficient against God.
- "they lay hand on mouth; their ears are stopped": This vividly describes the complete stunned silence and inability to comprehend or protest that the nations will experience. The hand on the mouth is a gesture of utter speechlessness, while the stopped ears signify their deafness to any further defense or even reality outside of God's overwhelming power. This illustrates a comprehensive shutdown of their faculties in the face of God's revealed judgment.
Micah 7 16 Bonus Section
The sentiment expressed in Micah 7:16 resonates with several New Testament themes, particularly the ultimate judgment of all opposing forces. Jesus speaks of kings and rulers being judged (Luke 21:24), and Paul declares that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). The ultimate "hand on the mouth" is described in Revelation where even kings and rulers hide in fear from God's wrath. The "ears stopped" could also echo Jesus' lament in Matthew 11:15 where some have ears but do not hear, signifying spiritual deafness to divine truth. The overall picture is one of God's inescapable justice and the universal recognition of His power and might, which will ultimately bring shame to all who stand against Him.
Micah 7 16 Commentary
Micah 7:16 presents a climactic scene of divine retribution and vindication. The surrounding nations, who had either oppressed Israel or boasted in their own strength, will witness God's powerful intervention on behalf of His people. This will lead to their profound shame and utter silencing. Their mighty defenses and proud declarations will be rendered null and void. The image of them laying their hand on their mouths and having their ears stopped depicts a state of shocked astonishment and an inability to comprehend or respond to the reality of God's sovereignty. They are left speechless and deaf to any further discourse, their confidence shattered. This verse is a powerful reminder that all earthly power is temporary and subordinate to God's ultimate authority and judgment.