Micah 7:18
What does Micah 7:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Micah 7:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Micah 7:18 means
Micah 7:18 extols God’s unique character, highlighting His incomparable willingness to pardon sin and overlook the disobedience of His people, the remnant of His heritage. The rhetorical question “Who is a God like you?” emphasizes His singular nature. God’s forgiveness is not reluctant; rather, He delights in lovingkindness, which drives His actions. He does not remain angry perpetually, but chooses compassion. The vivid imagery of treading iniquities underfoot and casting sins into the depths of the sea powerfully illustrates the completeness and finality of His forgiveness, depicting a God who actively removes and obliterates the transgressions of His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who is a God like you, offering forgiveness for evil-doing and overlooking the sins of the rest of his heritage? he does not keep his wrath for ever, because his delight is in mercy.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Who <FI>is<Fi> a God like Thee? taking away iniquity, And passing by the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance, He hath not retained for ever His anger, Because He--He delighteth <FI>in<Fi> kindness.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who is a God like to thee, who takest away iniquity, and passest by the sin of the remnant of thy inheritance? he will send his fury in no more, because he delighteth in mercy.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Who is aGod like unto thee, that forgiveth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in loving-kindness.
Context
This verse serves as a beacon of hope and a theological high point within Micah chapter 7. Immediately preceding it, Micah has lamented the moral decay and corruption prevalent in Israel, describing a society where even the best are like briars and thorns, leading to despair. The prophet, speaking for the remnant, cries out to God in confession and anticipation of His intervention. This verse, therefore, is not a standalone statement but a direct response to the preceding confession and a declaration of faith in God’s restorative power, contrasting sharply with the bleak societal outlook of the earlier verses in the chapter and setting the stage for further promises of restoration.
v.17They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; they shall come with fear unto Jehovah our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.
v.18This passage
v.19He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 71:19
Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high; Thou who hast done great things, O God, who is like unto thee?
- Luke 24:47
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
- Jonah 4:2
And he prayed unto Jehovah, and said, I pray thee, O Jehovah, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hasted to flee unto Tarshish; for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
- Luke 15:9
And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.
- Acts 13:38
Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:
- Luke 15:23
and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:
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