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.

MICAH 7:17KJV
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Micah 7:17 (KJV)

What does Micah 7:17 mean?

Micah 7:17 describes how the enemies of God’s people will be humbled and terrified, acting like snakes licking dust and worms coming out of their holes, overwhelmed by fear of the LORD and His power. The verse uses vivid images to show their complete submission and dread in response to God’s presence and actions.

The prophet Micah is speaking to the people of Israel, describing a future time when those who opposed them will be brought low and will tremble before God. The language paints a picture of total defeat and fear among Israel’s enemies, emphasizing how God’s intervention will leave them powerless and deeply afraid.

The Hebrew behind Micah 7:17

  • "Lick" (לָחַךְ, lakhakh) means to lick up, like an animal. Here, it shows utter humiliation, as if the enemies are forced to the ground in defeat.
  • "Serpent" (נָחָשׁ, nachash) is used to compare the enemies to snakes, which in ancient times symbolized lowliness and danger but also defeat when forced to eat dust (as in Genesis 3:14).
  • "Worms" (זֹחֲלֵי, zochalei) refers to crawling creatures, emphasizing how the enemies will be reduced to hiding and creeping out in fear.
  • "Afraid" (פָּחַד, pachad) and "fear" (יָרֵא, yare) both highlight the overwhelming terror and respect the enemies will have for the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) and God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim), showing a deep recognition of His power.

Why Micah 7:17 matters

  • The verse clears up that the fear described is not just respect but a deep terror and humiliation experienced by those who opposed God’s people.
  • It connects to the wider passage by showing the reversal of fortunes: Israel’s enemies, once powerful, are now utterly defeated and afraid.
  • The vivid imagery of snakes and worms helps the reader grasp the totality of the enemies’ downfall and the greatness of God’s deliverance.

Where else these words appear

“worms” Hebrew H2119 · used in 3 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
  • Job 32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

“lick” Hebrew H3897 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 22:4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
  • 1 Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
  • Psalms 72:9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

“holes” Hebrew H4526 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 25:25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
  • 2 Samuel 22:46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
  • 1 Kings 7:32 And under the borders were four wheels; and the axletrees of the wheels were joined to the base: and the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit.

“afraid” Hebrew H6342 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:66 And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:
  • Psalms 78:53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
  • Isaiah 44:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.