Micah 7:8
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Original Language Analysis
אַֽל
H408
אַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָפַ֖לְתִּי
when I fall
H5307
נָפַ֖לְתִּי
when I fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 13
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
קָ֑מְתִּי
I shall arise
H6965
קָ֑מְתִּי
I shall arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
7 of 13
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵשֵׁ֣ב
when I sit
H3427
אֵשֵׁ֣ב
when I sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בַּחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
in darkness
H2822
בַּחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
in darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
10 of 13
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
John 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.Isaiah 9:2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.Psalms 112:4Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.Psalms 27:1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?Obadiah 1:12But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.Psalms 38:16For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.Revelation 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.Psalms 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.Amos 9:11In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
Historical Context
Micah likely speaks for faithful Israel suffering under divine discipline. The "enemy" could be hostile nations (Assyria, Babylon) or internal opponents mocking the remnant's faithfulness. The passage teaches that God's discipline of believers includes restoration—we may fall but won't be utterly cast down (Psalm 37:24). This prophetic confidence sustained Jewish exiles in Babylon and encourages all believers facing temporary setbacks under God's fatherly discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11).
Questions for Reflection
- How does confidence in eventual restoration help endure present darkness?
- What does it mean to fall yet rise—how is this different from never falling?
- How does Christ as our light transform our experience of spiritual darkness?
Analysis & Commentary
"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me." This confession expresses triumphant faith amid adversity. The imperative "Rejoice not" (al-tismchi) forbids premature celebration by enemies. The confidence "when I fall, I shall arise" (ki naphalti qamti) demonstrates resilient faith—not "if" but "when," acknowledging difficulty while trusting restoration. "When I sit in darkness" describes present affliction, yet "the LORD shall be a light unto me" affirms divine illumination will come. This anticipates Christ as "the light of the world" (John 8:12) who brings those in darkness into marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).