Micah 7 18

Micah 7:18 kjv

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 nkjv

Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.

Micah 7:18 niv

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Micah 7:18 esv

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Micah 7:18 nlt

Where is another God like you,
who pardons the guilt of the remnant,
overlooking the sins of his special people?
You will not stay angry with your people forever,
because you delight in showing unfailing love.

Micah 7 verses

Micah 7 18 Meaning

The verse expresses the prophet's wonder and questioning regarding God's disposition toward His people. It highlights God's unique characteristic of overlooking or pardoning transgressions. God retains His anger not forever, but for a limited time, because His delight is in covenant loyalty or steadfast love. This indicates a persistent willingness to forgive and show mercy, a fundamental aspect of God's character as revealed in Scripture.

Micah 7 18 Context

Micah 7 is the concluding chapter of the book, offering a powerful contrast between God's judgment on sin and His ultimate mercy and restoration for His people. The prophet has detailed the widespread corruption and wickedness in Israel and Judah. Despite this, the chapter culminates in a message of hope, assuring Israel that God will bring them out of their exile, punish their enemies, and restore them to their land. Verse 18, therefore, serves as a profound expression of God's compassionate nature, highlighting His inherent unwillingness to remain angry forever due to His covenant love. This anticipates the further unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout the Old Testament and culminating in the New Testament.

Micah 7 18 Word Analysis

• מִ֣י (mii): "Who". A rhetorical question that emphasizes God's uniqueness and unparalleled character.
• כְּאֵ֕ל (ke-'el): "Like God". Compares God to Himself, asserting no other deity possesses these attributes.
• מִ֣י (mii): "Who". Repeated for emphasis.
• כָּמֹ֗כָה (kamokha): "Like You". Direct address to God, personalizing the declaration.
• נֹשֵׂא֙ (nose): "Bearing," "carrying," "forgiving." Implies taking upon oneself the burden of sin. It signifies a deep act of overlooking or pardoning. This Hebrew root relates to carrying a burden or lifting something.
• עָוֺן֙ (avon): "Iniquity," "guilt," "transgression." Refers to moral perversion and the resulting guilt. It speaks of wickedness and deviation from the divine standard.
• עֹבֵ֣ר (overe): "Passing over," "transgressing," "pardoning." Similar to nose, this word signifies God's deliberate act of not holding sin against His people. The emphasis is on a merciful disregard for transgression.
• עַל־ (al-): "Over," "concerning." Shows the object of God's action is the sin or transgression.
• פֶּ (${phrase: pesha'): "Transgression," "rebellion." A stronger term for sin, implying open defiance or revolt.
• שְׁאֵרִ֥ית (she'erith): "Remnant," "remainder." Refers to the portion of Israel that would be spared and restored. It points to a faithful residue.
• נַחֲלָתֹֽו׃ (nakhalatho): "His inheritance," "His possession." Refers to the people of Israel, whom God claimed as His own special possession.
• לֹא־ (lo-): "Not." Absolute negation.
• הֶחֱזִ֥יק (hekkhiz): "Hold fast," "retain," "keep." Implies a grip or persistent possession. God does not permanently hold onto His anger.
• לָנֶ="${phrase: ad)}: "Forever," "eternally." Emphasizes the temporary nature of God's wrath.
• כִּי־ (ki-): "Because," "for." Introduces the reason for God's merciful disposition.
• חָפֵ֑ץ (khafetz): "Delighting," "desiring," "pleased." Indicates where God's true pleasure lies.
• חֶ="${phrase: seth): "Kindness," "steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," "mercy." A key concept in the Old Testament, describing God's enduring, faithful love and commitment within the covenant relationship. It's more than mere goodwill; it's active, committed love.
• הוּא׃ (hu): "He." Refers back to God.

Micah 7 18 Bonus Section

The Hebrew terms used, nose (bearing/forgiving) and overe (passing over/pardoning), suggest a carrying away or overlooking of sin, portraying a powerful image of divine release from guilt. The emphasis on God's "delight" (khafetz) in chesed highlights that mercy and covenant love are not a burden to God but are fundamental to His very being and His joy. This stands in stark contrast to the capricious and often cruel deities of the ancient Near East, to whom Israel was often tempted to turn. Micah presents Yahweh as utterly unique in His merciful and patient disposition towards His covenant people. The anticipation of God not holding anger forever also points forward to the complete removal of sin's penalty and dominion through the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ.

Micah 7 18 Commentary

Micah 7:18 extols God's supreme characteristic: His pardoning grace. The prophet declares no other deity can compare to Yahweh's willingness to "bear," or forgive, iniquity and transgression. This is not an absence of justice, but a demonstration of God's enduring covenant faithfulness (chesed). Despite the repeated sins of His people, God does not "hold fast" to His anger eternally. Instead, He delights in extending mercy and demonstrating steadfast love. This foundational truth about God’s character is a beacon of hope, underscoring His readiness to forgive those who return to Him, even after deep rebellion. It anticipates the ultimate demonstration of this mercy in the atoning work of Christ.

• Practical application: When we falter, remembering God’s nature as described here can encourage us to confess and seek His forgiveness, knowing He desires to show mercy more than to punish.