Micah4
English Standard Version
1It shall come to pass in the that the of the of the Lord shall be as the of the , and it shall be the ; and shall to it,
2and shall , and : , let us to the of the Lord, to the of the of , that he may us his and that we may in his . For out of shall go the , and the of the Lord from .
3He shall , and shall for away; and they shall their into , and their into ; , shall they ;
4but they shall every his and his , and no shall , the of the Lord of has .
5 the in the of its , but we will in the of the Lord our and .
6In , the Lord, I will the and those who have been away and those I have ;
7and the I will the , and those who off, a ; and the Lord will them in from this and .
8And , O of the , of the of , to you shall it , the shall , for the of .
9 do you ? Is there in you? your , that you like a ?
10 and , O of , like a , you shall out from the and in the ; you shall to . you shall ; the Lord will you from the of your .
11 are you, , Let her be , and let our upon .
12 do the of the Lord; they do his , he has them as to the .
13 and , O of , I will your , and I will your ; you shall in pieces ; and shall their to the Lord, their to the of the whole .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Micah 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The peace of the kingdom of Christ. (1–8). The judgments to come upon Jerusalem, but the final triumph of Israel. (9–13).
vv1-8
The nations have not yet so submitted to the Prince of Peace, as to beat their swords into ploughshares, nor has war ceased. But very precious promises these are, relating to the gospel church, which will be more and more fulfilled, for He is faithful that has promised. There shall be a glorious church for God set up in the world, in the last days, in the days of the Messiah. Christ himself will build it upon a rock. The Gentiles worshipped their idol gods; but in the period spoken of, the people will cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and delight in doing his will. The word “halteth,” describes those who walk not according to the Divine word. The collecting the captives from Babylon was an earnest of healing, purifying, and prospering the church; and the reign of Christ shall continue till succeeded by the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Let us stir up each other to attend the ordinances of God, that we may learn his holy ways, and walk in them, receiving the law from his hands, which, being written in our hearts by his Spirit, may show our interest in the Redeemer's righteousness.
vv9-13
Many nations would assemble against Zion to rejoice in her calamities. They would not understand that the Lord had collected them as sheaves are gathered to be threshed; and that Zion would be strengthened to beat them to pieces. Nothing has yet taken place in the history of the Jewish church agreeing with this prediction. When God has conquering work for his people to do, he will furnish them with strength and ability for it. Believers should cry aloud under distresses, with the prayer of faith, not with despondency.
Key Words
אַחֲרִית: the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
הַר: a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כּוּן: properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)
רֹאשׁ: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
נָשָׂא: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
גִּבְעָה: a hillock
עַם: a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Micah 4Direct verbal parallel; Isaiah's nearly identical prophecy of the mountain of the Lord's house.
Supported by JFB
Direct textual match regarding nations saying, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.'
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct verbal parallel describing nations beating swords into plowshares and learning war no more.
Supported by JFB
The historical proverb of safety, sitting under one's own vine and fig tree.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic parallel of peace where every man invites his neighbor under the vine and fig tree.
Supported by JFB
God's pastoral promise to seek that which was lost and bind up that which halted.
Supported by JFB
Verbal parallel of gathering her that halteth and assembling her that was driven out.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the promise that the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount Zion and Jerusalem.
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Textual link to 'Migdal Eder' (tower of the flock), associated with the Bethlehem-Zion line.
Supported by JFB
Christ's use of the woman in travail metaphor for sorrow turning into joy.
Supported by JFB
Babylon itself compared to a threshing floor, mirroring the gathering of sheaves here.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Zion is promised to become a sharp threshing instrument with teeth to beat mountains.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The literal reversal where nations beat plowshares into swords for war.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The God of heaven setting up an everlasting, indestructible kingdom that consumes others.
Supported by JFB
Gabriel's declaration that the Messiah shall reign over the house of Jacob forever.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB