Micah 5:10

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots:

And it shall come to pass in that day {H3117}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that I will cut off {H3772} thy horses {H5483} out of the midst {H7130} of thee, and I will destroy {H6} thy chariots {H4818}:

"When that day comes," says ADONAI, "I will cut off your horses from among you and destroy your chariots.

“In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will remove your horses from among you and wreck your chariots.

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and will destroy thy chariots:

Context

Micah 5:10 is part of a prophetic section in the book of Micah that speaks to the future of Israel. Chapter 5 begins with the famous prophecy of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), followed by descriptions of His rule and the subsequent purification and restoration of His people. The phrase "in that day" points to a specific future time, often understood as the Messianic era or the "Day of the Lord," when God intervenes decisively in human history.

In the verses preceding this one (Micah 5:7-9), Israel is portrayed as a powerful and blessed remnant. However, immediately following this verse (Micah 5:11-15), God continues to list other things He will remove from His people: fortified cities, strongholds, witchcraft, soothsayers, graven images, and idolatrous groves. This comprehensive purging indicates a thorough spiritual cleansing and a demand for absolute reliance on God alone, removing all sources of human pride, false security, and idolatry.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The verse powerfully declares God's absolute authority and His intention to act decisively. The repeated "I will" emphasizes that this is a divine decree, not a human endeavor. God is actively involved in dismantling human sources of strength.
  • Reliance on God Alone: In ancient warfare, horses and chariots represented the pinnacle of military might and security. By promising to "cut off thy horses" and "destroy thy chariots," the Lord signifies His intent to strip His people of their conventional means of defense and power. This forces them to place their trust solely in Him, rather than in military prowess or human strength (Psalm 20:7).
  • Purification and Restoration: This act of demilitarization is not merely punitive but redemptive. It is part of God's larger plan to purify His people, removing anything that hinders their complete devotion and dependence on Him. This cleansing prepares them for a genuine, unadulterated relationship with their God, leading towards a future state of true peace and security under His divine protection (Isaiah 2:4).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used here are significant. "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karath) implies a decisive and complete severance, often associated with covenant making or breaking, or total destruction. "Destroy" (וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּי, v'hishmad'ti, from שָׁמַד, shamad) is an even stronger term, denoting utter ruin or annihilation. The combination of these terms underscores the thoroughness and finality of God's action in removing these symbols of human reliance and pride.

Practical Application

While ancient Israel's military might was in horses and chariots, the principle of this verse remains profoundly relevant today. What do we, as individuals or nations, tend to rely on instead of God? It could be wealth, political power, advanced technology, personal achievements, or even our own intellect and wisdom. This verse challenges believers to identify and surrender those things in which we place our ultimate security and trust, outside of God.

God's desire is for our absolute dependence on Him. Sometimes, He allows or orchestrates the removal of our perceived strengths and securities to draw us closer to Him, revealing that true peace and protection come only from His sovereign hand. This purification process, though potentially uncomfortable, ultimately leads to a deeper, more resilient faith and a clearer understanding of where our true help comes from (Hosea 1:7).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 9:10

    And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion [shall be] from sea [even] to sea, and from the river [even] to the ends of the earth.

  • Hosea 14:3

    Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

  • Psalms 20:7

    Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

  • Psalms 20:8

    They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

  • Psalms 33:16

    There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

  • Psalms 33:17

    An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength.

  • Hosea 1:7

    But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

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