Micah 7:11

KJV

[In] the day that thy walls are to be built, [in] that day shall the decree be far removed.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the day {H3117} that thy walls {H1447} are to be built {H1129}, in that day {H3117} shall the decree {H2706} be far removed {H7368}.

Complete Jewish Bible

That will be the day for rebuilding your walls, a day for expanding your territory,

Berean Standard Bible

The day for rebuilding your walls will come— the day for extending your boundary.

American Standard Version

A day for building thy walls! in that day shall the decree be far removed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Micah 7:11 delivers a powerful prophetic declaration of future restoration and hope for Judah, promising a definitive end to their period of judgment and desolation. Amidst the prophet's lament over the nation's spiritual decay and the impending consequences, this verse shifts focus to God's unfailing commitment to rebuild and renew His people, symbolizing a return to security, sovereignty, and divine favor after a time of severe affliction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Micah 7:11 is situated within the concluding section of the book of Micah, specifically within a passage (Micah 7:8-20) that marks a significant transition from lament and judgment to an emphatic expression of hope, trust, and divine promise. The preceding verses (Micah 7:1-7) paint a bleak picture of Israel's moral corruption, societal breakdown, and spiritual apostasy, leading to a profound sense of despair and the recognition that human trust is futile. However, starting in [Micah 7:8](/micah/7-8 "Micah 7:8 - Hope in God's Deliverance"), the prophet, speaking on behalf of the remnant, declares a resolute trust in God's redemptive power, anticipating deliverance from enemies and the lifting of divine discipline. Verse 11 serves as a concrete promise within this hopeful turn, detailing specific aspects of the anticipated restoration that culminate in the glorious vision of God's compassion and faithfulness in [Micah 7:18-20](/micah/7-18-20 "Micah 7:18-20 - God's Unfailing Mercy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Micah prophesied to Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (circa 740-687 BC), a tumultuous era marked by political instability, social injustice, and widespread idolatry. The northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria ([2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Israel's Exile")), and Judah faced constant threats from the Assyrian Empire, culminating in Sennacherib's invasion during Hezekiah's reign ([2 Kings 18:13](/2_kings/18-13 "2 Kings 18:13 - Sennacherib's Invasion")). In this period, city walls were paramount for defense, sovereignty, and identity. The destruction of walls symbolized utter defeat and subjugation, while their rebuilding signified restoration of independence and security. The "decree" mentioned in the verse would have resonated deeply with a people under foreign oppression, likely referring to the divinely ordained period of judgment or the oppressive edicts of their conquerors. The promise of its removal would have been a profound message of liberation from both divine discipline and human tyranny.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Micah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Restoration**, emphasizing God's commitment to rebuild His people and their land after judgment, echoing promises found in [Isaiah 44:26-28](/isaiah/44-26-28 "Isaiah 44:26-28 - Prophecy of Cyrus and Jerusalem's Rebuilding"). Secondly, it underscores the **Cessation of Judgment**, portraying a definitive end to God's disciplinary hand and the oppressive decrees of their enemies, a concept also seen in [Isaiah 40:1-2](/isaiah/40-1-2 "Isaiah 40:1-2 - Comfort for Jerusalem"). Thirdly, it powerfully affirms God's **Unfailing Faithfulness to His Covenant**, demonstrating that even in the face of His people's unfaithfulness, His ultimate plan is one of redemption and blessing, consistent with the covenant promises made to Abraham and David, and reiterated in passages like [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **built (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** This primitive root signifies not only the literal act of constructing a building or wall but also carries the broader sense of establishing, restoring, or causing to prosper. In this context, it implies a comprehensive act of divine re-creation and re-establishment for Judah, moving beyond mere physical construction to encompass the restoration of their national identity, security, and spiritual well-being. It suggests God's active involvement in bringing about a new, flourishing state.
* **decree (Hebrew, _chôq'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to engrave" or "to enact," this term refers to an established statute, ordinance, or appointed boundary. Here, it likely denotes a divinely appointed period of punishment, a set limit to their affliction, or even the oppressive edicts imposed by foreign powers that God allowed as part of His judgment. Its usage implies something fixed and binding, whether from God or human authority, that has held Judah captive or under duress.
* **far removed (Hebrew, _râchaq'_):** This primitive root means "to widen" or "to recede," implying a significant distance or separation. When applied to the "decree," it powerfully conveys its complete cessation, annulment, or removal beyond reach and influence. It suggests not just a temporary reprieve but a decisive and permanent end to the period of hardship, judgment, or oppression, signifying a complete reversal of their fortunes and the lifting of all constraints.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the day that thy walls are to be built,"**: This clause points to a specific future time when Jerusalem, and by extension Judah, will experience a profound restoration. The "walls" (H1447, _gâdêr_, meaning a circumvallation or enclosure) are a powerful symbol of security, sovereignty, and national identity in the ancient Near East. Their rebuilding signifies the re-establishment of the city's defenses, its independence, and the restoration of its people to a place of safety and strength after a period of devastation and vulnerability, likely referring to the post-exilic return and the work of figures like Nehemiah.
* **"in that day shall the decree be far removed."**: This second clause, linked by the repetition of "in that day," describes the concomitant spiritual and political liberation. The "decree" (H2706, _chôq_) refers to an established ordinance or appointed boundary, here understood as the period of divine judgment, exile, or the oppressive rule of foreign powers. Its being "far removed" (H7368, _râchaq_) signifies its complete and permanent cessation. This implies that God's disciplinary hand will be lifted, the set time of their affliction will conclude, and the burdens imposed by their enemies will be decisively annulled, ushering in an era of freedom and peace.

#### Literary Devices
Micah 7:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of hope and restoration. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "walls" representing not merely physical fortifications but the security, sovereignty, and restored identity of the nation. The act of "building" these walls symbolizes a comprehensive divine act of re-creation and re-establishment. The "decree" is also symbolic, standing for the period of divine judgment, the set limits of their suffering, or the oppressive edicts of foreign powers. Its "removal" symbolizes complete liberation and the end of affliction. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, by repeating "in that day" to emphasize the simultaneity and certainty of these two interconnected events: the rebuilding of the walls and the removal of the decree. This repetition underscores the divine timing and the holistic nature of God's redemptive work. Furthermore, the verse functions as a piece of **Prophetic Language**, shifting from the lament of the preceding verses to a declarative statement of future hope, characteristic of prophetic oracles that offer a vision of God's ultimate triumph over sin and desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Micah 7:11 stands as a powerful testament to God's enduring faithfulness and His ultimate plan for restoration, even in the wake of severe judgment. It reveals that divine discipline is not punitive in an ultimate sense, but redemptive, designed to lead His people back to Himself. The promise of rebuilding and the removal of the "decree" speaks to God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. This verse provides a glimpse into the eschatological hope for a renewed people in a restored land, where the consequences of sin are fully addressed, and God's presence brings ultimate security and freedom. It foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ in establishing a new spiritual reality, where the "walls" of salvation are built, and the "decree" of sin and death is forever removed.

* [Isaiah 58:12](/isaiah/58-12 "Isaiah 58:12 - Repairers of the Breach")
* [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")
* [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Micah 7:11 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating periods of personal brokenness, communal struggle, or spiritual barrenness. Just as ancient Judah faced the consequences of their unfaithfulness, we too experience seasons where our "walls" feel broken down, and we live under a "decree" of difficulty, whether it be the weight of sin, the pain of loss, or the oppression of circumstances. This verse reminds us that God's discipline is purposeful and finite. It assures us that even when circumstances seem bleak, God is actively working towards a future of rebuilding and renewal. We are called to cultivate a patient hope, trusting that God's ultimate plan for us involves restoration, security, and the definitive removal of the "decree" of our struggles. This requires us to look beyond our immediate trials to the faithfulness of God, who promises to complete the good work He has begun in us, ultimately leading us to a place of peace and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "walls" in your life or community feel broken down, and how does this verse invite you to trust God for their rebuilding?**
* **What "decrees" (e.g., persistent struggles, cycles of defeat, external pressures) do you long to see "far removed" by God's hand?**
* **How does the promise of God's restoration in Micah 7:11 shape your perspective on current difficulties and future hopes?**
* **In what ways can you actively participate in God's work of rebuilding and removing "decrees" in your sphere of influence, even as you await His ultimate fulfillment?**

### FAQ
**What do the "walls" in Micah 7:11 symbolize?**

Answer: In Micah 7:11, the "walls" (Hebrew: `gâdêr`) symbolize the security, sovereignty, and restored identity of Jerusalem and, by extension, the nation of Judah. In the ancient world, city walls were crucial for defense against enemies and represented the strength and independence of a city-state. Their destruction signified defeat, vulnerability, and subjugation, as seen in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem's walls ([2 Kings 25:10](/2_kings/25-10 "2 Kings 25:10 - Destruction of Jerusalem's Walls")). Therefore, the promise that "thy walls are to be built" signifies a complete reversal of fortune, a return to safety, self-governance, and a renewed national existence after a period of desolation and exile. This promise finds a partial historical fulfillment in the post-exilic rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah ([Nehemiah 2:17](/nehemiah/2-17 "Nehemiah 2:17 - Nehemiah's Call to Rebuild")).

**What does the "decree" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: The "decree" (Hebrew: `chôq`) in Micah 7:11 refers to an established ordinance, statute, or appointed boundary. In this context, it most likely signifies the divinely ordained period of judgment and affliction that Judah was experiencing or would experience due to their sins. It could also encompass the oppressive edicts and control imposed by foreign powers (like Assyria or Babylon) whom God used as instruments of His discipline. The phrase "shall the decree be far removed" indicates that this period of hardship, the limitations imposed by their circumstances, and the burdens of foreign rule would be decisively and permanently lifted. It represents the end of God's disciplinary hand and the ushering in of a new era of freedom and restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Micah 7:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the prophecy had a historical application to the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, its deeper spiritual reality is realized in Christ's establishment of His spiritual kingdom and the new covenant. Jesus is the ultimate "builder" who constructs the church, His spiritual "walls," against which "the gates of Hades will not prevail" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has "far removed" the most oppressive "decree" of all: the decree of sin and death that held humanity captive ([Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Cancellation of the Debt")). He has broken the power of sin and delivered us from the law's condemnation, offering true freedom and spiritual security to all who believe ([Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1-2 "Romans 8:1-2 - Life in the Spirit")). The promise of a restored city and the removal of affliction culminates in the vision of the New Jerusalem, where God dwells with His people, and there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3-4 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God's Dwelling with Humanity")). Thus, Micah's prophecy points forward to the comprehensive spiritual rebuilding and eternal liberation accomplished by Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 9:11

¶ In 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:

Amos 9:15

And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.

Nehemiah 2:8

And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which [appertained] to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

Nehemiah 4:6

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

Ezra 4:12

Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls [thereof], and joined the foundations.

Ezra 4:24

Then ceased the work of the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Nehemiah 4:3

Now Tobiah the Ammonite [was] by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.