Micah 5:7

Authorized King James Version

And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית
H7611
And the remnant
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
#3
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
H3290
of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#4
בְּקֶ֙רֶב֙
H7130
shall be in the midst
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
#5
עַמִּ֣ים
H5971
people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#6
רַבִּ֔ים
H7227
of many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#7
כְּטַל֙
H2919
as a dew
dew (as covering vegetation)
#8
מֵאֵ֣ת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
יְהוָ֔ה
H3068
from the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
כִּרְבִיבִ֖ים
H7241
as the showers
a rain (as an accumulation of drops)
#11
עֲלֵי
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
עֵ֑שֶׂב
H6212
upon the grass
grass (or any tender shoot)
#13
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
יְקַוֶּה֙
H6960
that tarrieth
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
#16
לְאִ֔ישׁ
H376
not for man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#17
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#18
יְיַחֵ֖ל
H3176
nor waiteth
to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope
#19
לִבְנֵ֥י
H1121
for the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#20
אָדָֽם׃
H120
of men
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Micah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection