Micah4
New International Version
1In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
2Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
4Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.
5All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
6“In that day,” declares the Lord, “I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief.
7I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.
8As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”
9Why do you now cry aloud— have you no king? Has your ruler perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?
10Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.
11But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!”
12But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
13“Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations.” You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.
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.
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Christ's use of the woman in travail metaphor for sorrow turning into joy.
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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