Micah 5:8

Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The prophet Micah addresses Israel, announcing a future state for Jacob’s remnant among surrounding nations.

The words — The Hebrew שְׁאֵרִית יַעֲקֹב (she'ērît yaʿăqōḇ) translates literally to "remnant of Jacob," identifying the surviving portion of the nation. The simile כְּאַרְיֵה (kə'aryēh) means "like a lion," establishing a baseline of predatory force before describing its trampling action.

The thread — This lion imagery parallels Zechariah 10:5, where the remnant fights as mighty men, and echoes Micah 4:13’s command to thresh nations with iron horns. The theme of divine grant over the nations also connects to Psalms 2:8.

Why it lands — The text states that Jacob's remnant will act with unopposed authority among hostile peoples, leaving no rescue possible. It requires the reader to acknowledge that this outcome occurs without human intervention or prior waiting.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

Cross-references

Zechariah 10:5 They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.
Micah 4:13 Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron and hooves of bronze to break to pieces many peoples. Then you will devote their gain to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.
Psalms 2:8 Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession.
Psalms 50:22 Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
Isaiah 41:15 Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff.
Hosea 5:14 For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.
Obadiah 1:18 Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken.
Zechariah 9:15 The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar.
Zechariah 12:3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth gather against her, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who would heave it away will be severely injured.
Genesis 49:9 Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?