Paragraph 7:18–20
In this paragraph, the subject changes. In 7:14–17, the subject was the nations’ response to the marvelous things that the LORD would do. In this paragraph, the subject is the character of the LORD and his relationship to Israel.
The literary form of this paragraph is probably a hymn. Micah is the speaker. He represents people of Israel who believe in the LORD. In this hymn, the addressee alternates between the LORD and the people. In 7:18a–c, Micah addresses the LORD. In 7:18d–19b, he addresses the people. In 7:19c–7:20, he again addresses the LORD. The main themes are God’s love and his forgiveness of sin.
Some versions place a heading here. For example:
God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
No One is Like God (Contemporary English Version)
7:18
In this verse, Micah asks a rhetorical question to highlight how Israel’s God is unique. He forgives the sins of his people because of his special love for them, based on their covenant relationship.
7:18a
Who is a God like You:
This is a rhetorical question with the implied answer “no one.”
The question intends to imply that Israel’s God is unlike any of the false gods of other nations. However, in some languages, this question may wrongly imply that there are other gods. If that is true in your language, here is another way to translate it:
Our God, no one is like you. (Contemporary English Version)
This rhetorical question can also be expressed as a statement. An example is the Contemporary English Version above.
7:18b–c
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
18b
who pardons iniquity
18c and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—
In these lines, Micah explains how Israel’s God is unique. He forgives the iniquity of the remnant of his people.
who pardons iniquity…passes over the transgression: The phrase who pardons iniquity is more literally “lifts up/removes sin/guilt and its penalties.” The phrase passes over the transgression means “pass over rebellion/sin.” These phrases are two ways to say that God forgives sin.
Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:
removes guilt and pardons sin (New American Bible)
-or-
forgive sin and pardon the rebellion (NET Bible)
-or-
freely forgive our sin and guilt (Contemporary English Version)
the remnant of His inheritance: This phrase indicates who the referents are in this hymn. They are the ones whose transgression is passed over. There are two main interpretations of this phrase:
(1) This phrase refers to the people of Israel who remained after the nation was punished. For example:
your people who are left alive (New Century Version)
(2) The phrase refers to all of God’s people. The phrase the remnant is another way to say His inheritance. For example:
who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people (New Living Translation (2004))
Many versions are ambiguous. They can be understood as following either interpretation. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Micah uses the word remnant elsewhere with this meaning. See the notes on 2:12b.
His inheritance: This phrase gives attention to the special relationship that the LORD has with the people of Israel. They are the people he chose to be his own.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
your people (NET Bible)
-or-
His own people (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
See the footnote under 7:14b “the flock of Your inheritance” for additional advice on the translation of the word inheritance.
The Hebrew pronoun in this phrase is “his.” However, it may be more natural in some languages to use the second-person pronoun “your” to match the “you” in 7:18a, as some other versions have done.
7:18d
who does not retain His anger forever: Micah continues to explain how the God of Israel is unique. In Hebrew, the word retain means “hold.” God does not hold on to his anger against the people who sin.
The Hebrew pronouns in this clause are third-person forms: “he” and “his.” See the note on “His inheritance” above for suggestions on using the pronoun “you” or other forms. The same information also applies to 18d.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:
Who does not persist in anger forever (New American Bible)
-or-
You do not remain angry forever (NET Bible)
-or-
You will not be angry forever (God’s Word)
because: This word introduces the reason why God forgives people instead of remaining angry with them.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
but (NET Bible)
-or-
for (Revised English Bible)
-or-
since (New Jerusalem Bible)
He delights in loving devotion: This clause part gives the reason why he does not hold on to his anger.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:
He delights in unchanging love (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
He loves graciousness! (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
you take pleasure in showing us your constant love (Good News Translation)
delights: In Hebrew, this word means “desire,” “delight in,” or “have pleasure.” He wants to forgive.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
enjoy (New Century Version)
-or-
pleased to be (Contemporary English Version)
loving devotion: This phrase is more literally “covenant loyalty.” In Hebrew, this word means “unfailing love,” “loyal love,” “devotion,” “kindness.” It describes the attitude and actions that stem from the covenant relationship between the LORD and his people. The same Hebrew word is used in 6:8c. See the note there on “love mercy.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
loyal love (NET Bible)
-or-
be merciful (Revised English Bible)
-or-
faithful love (New Jerusalem Bible)
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