1 But in the last H319 days H3117 it shall come to pass, that the mountain H2022 of the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 shall be established H3559 in the top H7218 of the mountains, H2022 and it shall be exalted H5375 above the hills; H1389 and people H5971 shall flow H5102 unto it.
The word H1697 that Isaiah H3470 the son H1121 of Amoz H531 saw H2372 concerning Judah H3063 and Jerusalem. H3389 And it shall come to pass in the last H319 days, H3117 that the mountain H2022 of the LORD'S H3068 house H1004 shall be established H3559 in the top H7218 of the mountains, H2022 and shall be exalted H5375 above the hills; H1389 and all nations H1471 shall flow H5102 unto it. And many H7227 people H5971 shall go H1980 and say, H559 Come H3212 ye, and let us go up H5927 to the mountain H2022 of the LORD, H3068 to the house H1004 of the God H430 of Jacob; H3290 and he will teach H3384 us of his ways, H1870 and we will walk H3212 in his paths: H734 for out of Zion H6726 shall go forth H3318 the law, H8451 and the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 from Jerusalem. H3389 And he shall judge H8199 among the nations, H1471 and shall rebuke H3198 many H7227 people: H5971 and they shall beat H3807 their swords H2719 into plowshares, H855 and their spears H2595 into pruninghooks: H4211 nation H1471 shall not lift up H5375 sword H2719 against nation, H1471 neither shall they learn H3925 war H4421 any more.
Thus saith H559 the LORD; H3068 I am returned H7725 unto Zion, H6726 and will dwell H7931 in the midst H8432 of Jerusalem: H3389 and Jerusalem H3389 shall be called H7121 a city H5892 of truth; H571 and the mountain H2022 of the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 the holy H6944 mountain. H2022
At that time H6256 they shall call H7121 Jerusalem H3389 the throne H3678 of the LORD; H3068 and all the nations H1471 shall be gathered H6960 unto it, to the name H8034 of the LORD, H3068 to Jerusalem: H3389 neither shall they walk H3212 any more after H310 the imagination H8307 of their evil H7451 heart. H3820
All the ends H657 of the world H776 shall remember H2142 and turn H7725 unto the LORD: H3068 and all the kindreds H4940 of the nations H1471 shall worship H7812 before H6440 thee.
And in the days H3118 of these H581 kings H4430 shall the God H426 of heaven H8065 set up H6966 a kingdom, H4437 which shall never H5957 H3809 be destroyed: H2255 and the kingdom H4437 shall not H3809 be left H7662 to other H321 people, H5972 but it shall break in pieces H1855 and consume H5487 all H3606 these H459 kingdoms, H4437 and it H1932 shall stand H6966 for ever. H5957
And the kingdom H4437 and dominion, H7985 and the greatness H7238 of the kingdom H4437 under H8460 the whole H3606 heaven, H8065 shall be given H3052 to the people H5972 of the saints H6922 of the most High, H5946 whose kingdom H4437 is an everlasting H5957 kingdom, H4437 and all H3606 dominions H7985 shall serve H6399 and obey H8086 him.
Therefore shall Zion H6726 for your sake H1558 be plowed H2790 as a field, H7704 and Jerusalem H3389 shall become heaps, H5856 and the mountain H2022 of the house H1004 as the high places H1116 of the forest. H3293
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left H3498 of all the nations H1471 which came H935 against Jerusalem H3389 shall even go up H5927 from H1767 year H8141 to year H8141 to worship H7812 the King, H4428 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 and to keep H2287 the feast H2282 of tabernacles. H5521 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up H5927 of all the families H4940 of the earth H776 unto Jerusalem H3389 to worship H7812 the King, H4428 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 even upon them shall be no rain. H1653 And if the family H4940 of Egypt H4714 go not up, H5927 and come H935 not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, H4046 wherewith the LORD H3068 will smite H5062 the heathen H1471 that come not up H5927 to keep H2287 the feast H2282 of tabernacles. H5521 This shall be the punishment H2403 of Egypt, H4714 and the punishment H2403 of all nations H1471 that come not up H5927 to keep H2287 the feast H2282 of tabernacles. H5521 In that day H3117 shall there be upon the bells H4698 of the horses, H5483 HOLINESS H6944 UNTO THE LORD; H3068 and the pots H5518 in the LORD'S H3068 house H1004 shall be like the bowls H4219 before H6440 the altar. H4196 Yea, every pot H5518 in Jerusalem H3389 and in Judah H3063 shall be holiness H6944 unto the LORD H3068 of hosts: H6635 and all they that sacrifice H2076 shall come H935 and take H3947 of them, and seethe H1310 therein: and in that day H3117 there shall be no more the Canaanite H3669 in the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635
And G2532 I saw G1492 a new G2537 heaven G3772 and G2532 a new G2537 earth: G1093 for G1063 the first G4413 heaven G3772 and G2532 the first G4413 earth G1093 were passed away; G3928 and G2532 there was G2076 no G3756 more G2089 sea. G2281 And G2532 I G1473 John G2491 saw G1492 the holy G40 city, G4172 new G2537 Jerusalem, G2419 coming down G2597 from G575 God G2316 out of G1537 heaven, G3772 prepared G2090 as G5613 a bride G3565 adorned G2885 for her G846 husband. G435 And G2532 I heard G191 a great G3173 voice G5456 out of G1537 heaven G3772 saying, G3004 Behold, G2400 the tabernacle G4633 of God G2316 is with G3326 men, G444 and G2532 he will dwell G4637 with G3326 them, G846 and G2532 they G846 shall be G2071 his G846 people, G2992 and G2532 God G2316 himself G846 shall be G2071 with G3326 them, G846 and be their G846 God. G2316 And G2532 God G2316 shall wipe away G1813 all G3956 tears G1144 from G575 their G846 eyes; G3788 and G2532 there shall be G2071 no G3756 more G2089 death, G2288 neither G3777 sorrow, G3997 nor G3777 crying, G2906 neither G3777 G3756 shall there be G2071 any more G2089 pain: G4192 for G3754 the former things G4413 are passed away. G565 And G2532 he that sat G2521 upon G1909 the throne G2362 said, G2036 Behold, G2400 I make G4160 all things G3956 new. G2537 And G2532 he said G3004 unto me, G3427 Write: G1125 for G3754 these G3778 words G3056 are G1526 true G228 and G2532 faithful. G4103 And G2532 he said G2036 unto me, G3427 It is done. G1096 I G1473 am G1510 Alpha G1 and G2532 Omega, G5598 the beginning G746 and G2532 the end. G5056 I G1473 will give G1325 unto him that is athirst G1372 of G1537 the fountain G4077 of the water G5204 of life G2222 freely. G1432 He that overcometh G3528 shall inherit G2816 all things; G3956 and G2532 I will be G2071 his G846 God, G2316 and G2532 he G846 shall be G2071 my G3427 son. G5207 But G1161 the fearful, G1169 and G2532 unbelieving, G571 and G2532 the abominable, G948 and G2532 murderers, G5406 and G2532 whoremongers, G4205 and G2532 sorcerers, G5332 and G2532 idolaters, G1496 and G2532 all G3956 liars, G5571 shall have their G846 part G3313 in G1722 the lake G3041 which G3588 burneth G2545 with fire G4442 and G2532 brimstone: G2303 which is G3603 the second G1208 death. G2288
And there was given H3052 him dominion, H7985 and glory, H3367 and a kingdom, H4437 that all H3606 people, H5972 nations, H524 and languages, H3961 should serve H6399 him: his dominion H7985 is an everlasting H5957 dominion, H7985 which shall not H3809 pass away, H5709 and his kingdom H4437 that which shall not H3809 be destroyed. H2255
And G2532 I saw G1492 thrones, G2362 and G2532 they sat G2523 upon G1909 them, G846 and G2532 judgment G2917 was given G1325 unto them: G846 and G2532 I saw the souls G5590 of them that were beheaded G3990 for G1223 the witness G3141 of Jesus, G2424 and G2532 for G1223 the word G3056 of God, G2316 and G2532 which G3748 had G4352 not G3756 worshipped G4352 the beast, G2342 neither G3777 his G846 image, G1504 G2532 neither G3756 had received G2983 his mark G5480 upon G1909 their G846 foreheads, G3359 or G2532 in G1909 their G846 hands; G5495 and G2532 they lived G2198 and G2532 reigned G936 with G3326 Christ G5547 a thousand G5507 years. G2094
Who G5101 shall G5399 not G3364 fear G5399 thee, G4571 O Lord, G2962 and G2532 glorify G1392 thy G4675 name? G3686 for G3754 thou only G3441 art holy: G3741 for G3754 all G3956 nations G1484 shall come G2240 and G2532 worship G4352 before G1799 thee; G4675 for G3754 thy G4675 judgments G1345 are made manifest. G5319
And G2532 the seventh G1442 angel G32 sounded; G4537 and G2532 there were G1096 great G3173 voices G5456 in G1722 heaven, G3772 saying, G3004 The kingdoms G932 of this world G2889 are become G1096 the kingdoms of our G2257 Lord, G2962 and G2532 of his G846 Christ; G5547 and G2532 he shall reign G936 for G1519 ever G165 and ever. G165
Hath G2980 in G1909 these G5130 last G2078 days G2250 spoken G2980 unto us G2254 by G1722 his Son, G5207 whom G3739 he hath appointed G5087 heir G2818 of all things, G3956 by G1223 whom G3739 also G2532 he made G4160 the worlds; G165
For G1063 I would G2309 not, G3756 brethren, G80 that ye G5209 should be ignorant G50 of this G5124 mystery, G3466 lest G3363 ye should be G5600 wise G5429 in G3844 your own conceits; G1438 that G3754 blindness G4457 in G575 part G3313 is happened G1096 to Israel, G2474 until G891 G3739 the fulness G4138 of the Gentiles G1484 be come in. G1525 And G2532 so G3779 all G3956 Israel G2474 shall be saved: G4982 as G2531 it is written, G1125 There shall come G2240 out of G1537 Sion G4622 the Deliverer, G4506 and G2532 shall turn away G654 ungodliness G763 from G575 Jacob: G2384
And G2532 it shall come to pass G2071 in G1722 the last G2078 days, G2250 saith G3004 God, G2316 I will pour out G1632 of G575 my G3450 Spirit G4151 upon G1909 all G3956 flesh: G4561 and G2532 your G5216 sons G5207 and G2532 your G5216 daughters G2364 shall prophesy, G4395 and G2532 your G5216 young men G3495 shall see G3700 visions, G3706 and G2532 your G5216 old men G4245 shall dream G1798 dreams: G1797
For from the rising H4217 of the sun H8121 even unto the going down H3996 of the same my name H8034 shall be great H1419 among the Gentiles; H1471 and in every place H4725 incense H6999 shall be offered H5066 unto my name, H8034 and a pure H2889 offering: H4503 for my name H8034 shall be great H1419 among the heathen, H1471 saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635
For then will I turn H2015 to the people H5971 a pure H1305 language, H8193 that they may all call H7121 upon the name H8034 of the LORD, H3068 to serve H5647 him with one H259 consent. H7926 From beyond H5676 the rivers H5104 of Ethiopia H3568 my suppliants, H6282 even the daughter H1323 of my dispersed, H6327 shall bring H2986 mine offering. H4503
Then H116 was the iron, H6523 the clay, H2635 the brass, H5174 the silver, H3702 and the gold, H1722 broken to pieces H1855 H1751 together, H2298 and became H1934 like the chaff H5784 of H4481 the summer H7007 threshingfloors; H147 and the wind H7308 carried H5376 them H1994 away, H5376 that H3606 no H3809 place H870 was found H7912 for them: and the stone H69 that smote H4223 the image H6755 became H1934 a great H7229 mountain, H2906 and filled H4391 the whole H3606 earth. H772
The hill H2022 of God H430 is as the hill H2022 of Bashan; H1316 an high H1386 hill H2022 as the hill H2022 of Bashan. H1316 Why leap H7520 ye, ye high H1386 hills? H2022 this is the hill H2022 which God H430 desireth H2530 to dwell in; H3427 yea, the LORD H3068 will dwell H7931 in it for ever. H5331
Because of thy temple H1964 at Jerusalem H3389 shall kings H4428 bring H2986 presents H7862 unto thee. Rebuke H1605 the company H2416 of spearmen, H7070 the multitude H5712 of the bulls, H47 with the calves H5695 of the people, H5971 till every one submit H7511 himself with pieces H7518 of silver: H3701 scatter H967 thou the people H5971 that delight H2654 in war. H7128 Princes H2831 shall come out H857 of Egypt; H4714 Ethiopia H3568 shall soon stretch out H7323 her hands H3027 unto God. H430 Sing H7891 unto God, H430 ye kingdoms H4467 of the earth; H776 O sing praises H2167 unto the Lord; H136 Selah: H5542
In his days H3117 shall the righteous H6662 flourish; H6524 and abundance H7230 of peace H7965 so long as the moon H3394 endureth. He shall have dominion H7287 also from sea H3220 to sea, H3220 and from the river H5104 unto the ends H657 of the earth. H776 They that dwell in the wilderness H6728 shall bow H3766 before H6440 him; and his enemies H341 shall lick H3897 the dust. H6083 The kings H4428 of Tarshish H8659 and of the isles H339 shall bring H7725 presents: H4503 the kings H4428 of Sheba H7614 and Seba H5434 shall offer H7126 gifts. H814 Yea, all kings H4428 shall fall down H7812 before him: all nations H1471 shall serve H5647 him.
There shall be an handful H6451 of corn H1250 in the earth H776 upon the top H7218 of the mountains; H2022 the fruit H6529 thereof shall shake H7493 like Lebanon: H3844 and they of the city H5892 shall flourish H6692 like grass H6212 of the earth. H776 His name H8034 shall endure for ever: H5769 his name H8034 shall be continued H5125 H5125 as long as H6440 the sun: H8121 and men shall be blessed H1288 in him: all nations H1471 shall call him blessed. H833 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 God, H430 the God H430 of Israel, H3478 who only doeth H6213 wondrous things. H6381 And blessed H1288 be his glorious H3519 name H8034 for ever: H5769 and let the whole earth H776 be filled H4390 with his glory; H3519 Amen, H543 and Amen. H543
Thy people H5971 shall be willing H5071 in the day H3117 of thy power, H2428 in the beauties H1926 of holiness H6944 from the womb H7358 of the morning: H4891 thou hast the dew H2919 of thy youth. H3208
They shall not hurt H7489 nor destroy H7843 in all my holy H6944 mountain: H2022 for the earth H776 shall be full H4390 of the knowledge H1844 of the LORD, H3068 as the waters H4325 cover H3680 the sea. H3220 And in that day H3117 there shall be a root H8328 of Jesse, H3448 which shall stand H5975 for an ensign H5251 of the people; H5971 to it shall the Gentiles H1471 seek: H1875 and his rest H4496 shall be glorious. H3519
And it shall come to pass in that day, H3117 that the great H1419 trumpet H7782 shall be blown, H8628 and they shall come H935 which were ready to perish H6 in the land H776 of Assyria, H804 and the outcasts H5080 in the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 and shall worship H7812 the LORD H3068 in the holy H6944 mount H2022 at Jerusalem. H3389
I will say H559 to the north, H6828 Give up; H5414 and to the south, H8486 Keep not back: H3607 bring H935 my sons H1121 from far, H7350 and my daughters H1323 from the ends H7097 of the earth; H776
And he said, H559 It is a light thing H7043 that thou shouldest be my servant H5650 to raise up H6965 the tribes H7626 of Jacob, H3290 and to restore H7725 the preserved H5341 H5336 of Israel: H3478 I will also give H5414 thee for a light H216 to the Gentiles, H1471 that thou mayest be my salvation H3444 unto the end H7097 of the earth. H776
For thy waste H2723 and thy desolate places, H8074 and the land H776 of thy destruction, H2035 shall even now be too narrow H3334 by reason of the inhabitants, H3427 and they that swallowed thee up H1104 shall be far away. H7368 The children H1121 which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost H7923 the other, shall say H559 again in thine ears, H241 The place H4725 is too strait H6862 for me: give H5066 place H4725 to me that I may dwell. H3427 Then shalt thou say H559 in thine heart, H3824 Who hath begotten H3205 me these, seeing I have lost my children, H7921 and am desolate, H1565 a captive, H1540 and removing to and fro? H5493 and who hath brought up H1431 these? Behold, I was left H7604 alone; these, where H375 had they been? Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 Behold, I will lift up H5375 mine hand H3027 to the Gentiles, H1471 and set up H7311 my standard H5251 to the people: H5971 and they shall bring H935 thy sons H1121 in their arms, H2684 and thy daughters H1323 shall be carried H5375 upon their shoulders. H3802 And kings H4428 shall be thy nursing fathers, H539 and their queens H8282 thy nursing mothers: H3243 they shall bow down H7812 to thee with their face H639 toward the earth, H776 and lick up H3897 the dust H6083 of thy feet; H7272 and thou shalt know H3045 that I am the LORD: H3068 for they shall not be ashamed H954 that wait H6960 for me.
Enlarge H7337 the place H4725 of thy tent, H168 and let them stretch forth H5186 the curtains H3407 of thine habitations: H4908 spare H2820 not, lengthen H748 thy cords, H4340 and strengthen H2388 thy stakes; H3489
And the Gentiles H1471 shall come H1980 to thy light, H216 and kings H4428 to the brightness H5051 of thy rising. H2225 Lift up H5375 thine eyes H5869 round about, H5439 and see: H7200 all they gather themselves together, H6908 they come H935 to thee: thy sons H1121 shall come H935 from far, H7350 and thy daughters H1323 shall be nursed H539 at thy side. H6654 Then thou shalt see, H7200 H3372 and flow together, H5102 and thine heart H3824 shall fear, H6342 and be enlarged; H7337 because the abundance H1995 of the sea H3220 shall be converted H2015 unto thee, the forces H2428 of the Gentiles H1471 shall come H935 unto thee. The multitude H8229 of camels H1581 shall cover H3680 thee, the dromedaries H1070 of Midian H4080 and Ephah; H5891 all they from Sheba H7614 shall come: H935 they shall bring H5375 gold H2091 and incense; H3828 and they shall shew forth H1319 the praises H8416 of the LORD. H3068 All the flocks H6629 of Kedar H6938 shall be gathered together H6908 unto thee, the rams H352 of Nebaioth H5032 shall minister H8334 unto thee: they shall come up H5927 with acceptance H7522 on mine altar, H4196 and I will glorify H6286 the house H1004 of my glory. H8597 Who are these that fly H5774 as a cloud, H5645 and as the doves H3123 to their windows? H699 Surely the isles H339 shall wait H6960 for me, and the ships H591 of Tarshish H8659 first, H7223 to bring H935 thy sons H1121 from far, H7350 their silver H3701 and their gold H2091 with them, unto the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 thy God, H430 and to the Holy One H6918 of Israel, H3478 because he hath glorified H6286 thee. And the sons H1121 of strangers H5236 shall build up H1129 thy walls, H2346 and their kings H4428 shall minister H8334 unto thee: for in my wrath H7110 I smote H5221 thee, but in my favour H7522 have I had mercy H7355 on thee. Therefore thy gates H8179 shall be open H6605 continually; H8548 they shall not be shut H5462 day H3119 nor night; H3915 that men may bring H935 unto thee the forces H2428 of the Gentiles, H1471 and that their kings H4428 may be brought. H5090 For the nation H1471 and kingdom H4467 that will not serve H5647 thee shall perish; H6 yea, those nations H1471 shall be utterly H2717 wasted. H2717 The glory H3519 of Lebanon H3844 shall come H935 unto thee, the fir tree, H1265 the pine tree, H8410 and the box H8391 together, H3162 to beautify H6286 the place H4725 of my sanctuary; H4720 and I will make the place H4725 of my feet H7272 glorious. H3513 The sons H1121 also of them that afflicted H6031 thee shall come H1980 bending H7817 unto thee; and all they that despised H5006 thee shall bow themselves down H7812 at the soles H3709 of thy feet; H7272 and they shall call H7121 thee, The city H5892 of the LORD, H3068 The Zion H6726 of the Holy One H6918 of Israel. H3478
For I know their works H4639 and their thoughts: H4284 it shall come, H935 that I will gather H6908 all nations H1471 and tongues; H3956 and they shall come, H935 and see H7200 my glory. H3519 And I will set H7760 a sign H226 among them, and I will send H7971 those that escape H6412 of them unto the nations, H1471 to Tarshish, H8659 Pul, H6322 and Lud, H3865 that draw H4900 the bow, H7198 to Tubal, H8422 and Javan, H3120 to the isles H339 afar off, H7350 that have not heard H8085 my fame, H8088 neither have seen H7200 my glory; H3519 and they shall declare H5046 my glory H3519 among the Gentiles. H1471 And they shall bring H935 all your brethren H251 for an offering H4503 unto the LORD H3068 out of all nations H1471 upon horses, H5483 and in chariots, H7393 and in litters, H6632 and upon mules, H6505 and upon swift beasts, H3753 to my holy H6944 mountain H2022 Jerusalem, H3389 saith H559 the LORD, H3068 as the children H1121 of Israel H3478 bring H935 an offering H4503 in a clean H2889 vessel H3627 into the house H1004 of the LORD. H3068 And I will also take H3947 of them for priests H3548 and for Levites, H3881 saith H559 the LORD. H3068 For as the new H2319 heavens H8064 and the new H2319 earth, H776 which I will make, H6213 shall remain H5975 before H6440 me, saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 so shall your seed H2233 and your name H8034 remain. H5975 And it shall come to pass, that from H1767 one new moon H2320 to another, H2320 and from H1767 one sabbath H7676 to another, H7676 shall all flesh H1320 come H935 to worship H7812 before H6440 me, saith H559 the LORD. H3068
O LORD, H3068 my strength, H5797 and my fortress, H4581 and my refuge H4498 in the day H3117 of affliction, H6869 the Gentiles H1471 shall come H935 unto thee from the ends H657 of the earth, H776 and shall say, H559 Surely our fathers H1 have inherited H5157 lies, H8267 vanity, H1892 and things wherein there is no profit. H3276
Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 I will also take H3947 of the highest branch H6788 of the high H7311 cedar, H730 and will set H5414 it; I will crop off H6998 from the top H7218 of his young twigs H3127 a tender one, H7390 and will plant H8362 it upon an high H1364 mountain H2022 and eminent: H8524 In the mountain H2022 of the height H4791 of Israel H3478 will I plant H8362 it: and it shall bring forth H5375 boughs, H6057 and bear H6213 fruit, H6529 and be a goodly H117 cedar: H730 and under it shall dwell H7931 all fowl H6833 of every wing; H3671 in the shadow H6738 of the branches H1808 thereof shall they dwell. H7931 And all the trees H6086 of the field H7704 shall know H3045 that I the LORD H3068 have brought down H8213 the high H1364 tree, H6086 have exalted H1361 the low H8217 tree, H6086 have dried H3001 up the green H3892 tree, H6086 and have made the dry H3002 tree H6086 to flourish: H6524 I the LORD H3068 have spoken H1696 and have done H6213 it.
And thou shalt come up H5927 against my people H5971 of Israel, H3478 as a cloud H6051 to cover H3680 the land; H776 it shall be in the latter H319 days, H3117 and I will bring H935 thee against my land, H776 that the heathen H1471 may know H3045 me, when I shall be sanctified H6942 in thee, O Gog, H1463 before their eyes. H5869
But H1297 there is H383 a God H426 in heaven H8065 that revealeth H1541 secrets, H7328 and maketh known H3046 to the king H4430 Nebuchadnezzar H5020 what H4101 shall be H1934 in the latter H320 days. H3118 Thy dream, H2493 and the visions H2376 of thy head H7217 upon H5922 thy bed, H4903 are these; H1836
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Micah 4
Commentary on Micah 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 4
Mic 4:1-13. Transition to the Glory, Peace, Kingdom, and Victory of Zion.
1-3. Almost identical with Isa 2:2-4.
the mountain of the house of the Lord—which just before (Mic 3:12) had been doomed to be a wild forest height. Under Messiah, its elevation is to be not that of situation, but of moral dignity, as the seat of God's universal empire.
people shall flow into it—In Isaiah it is "all nations": a more universal prophecy.
3. rebuke—convict of sin (Joh 16:8, 9); and subdue with judgments (Ps 2:5, 9; 110:5, 6; Re 2:27; 12:5).
many people … strong nations afar off—In Isa 2:4 it is "the nations … many people."
4. sit every man under his vine, &c.—that is, enjoy the most prosperous tranquillity (1Ki 4:25; Zec 3:10). The "vine" and "fig tree" are mentioned rather than a house, to signify, there will be no need of a covert; men will be safe even in the fields and open air.
Lord of hosts hath spoken it—Therefore it must come to pass, however unlikely now it may seem.
5. For—rather, Though it be that all people walk after their several gods, yet we (the Jews in the dispersion) will walk in the name of the Lord. So the Hebrew particle means in the Margin, Ge 8:21; Ex 13:17; Jos 17:18. The resolution of the exile Jews is: As Jehovah gives us hope of so glorious a restoration, notwithstanding the overthrow of our temple and nation, we must in confident reliance on His promise persevere in the true worship of Him, however the nations around, our superiors now in strength and numbers, walk after their gods [Rosenmuller]. As the Jews were thoroughly weaned from idols by the Babylonian captivity, so they shall be completely cured of unbelief by their present long dispersion (Zec 10:8-12).
6. assemble her that halteth—feminine for neuter in Hebrew idiom, "whatever halteth": metaphor from sheep wearied out with a journey: all the suffering exiles of Israel (Eze 34:16; Zep 3:19).
her … driven out—all Israel's outcasts. Called "the Lord's flock" (Jer 13:17; Eze 34:13; 37:21).
7. I will make her that halted a remnant—I will cause a remnant to remain which shall not perish.
Lord shall reign … in … Zion—David's kingdom shall be restored in the person of Messiah, who is the seed of David and at the same time Jehovah (Isa 24:23).
for ever—(Isa 9:6, 7; Da 7:14, 27; Lu 1:33; Re 11:15).
8. tower of the flock—following up the metaphor of sheep (see on Mic 4:6). Jerusalem is called the "tower," from which the King and Shepherd observes and guards His flock: both the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church now whose tower-like elevation is that of doctrine and practice (So 4:4, "Thy neck is like the tower of David"), and the literal hereafter (Jer 3:17). In large pastures it was usual to erect a high wooden tower, so as to oversee the flock. Jerome takes the Hebrew for "flock," Eder or Edar, as a proper name, namely, a village near Beth-lehem, for which it is put, Beth-lehem being taken to represent the royal stock of David (Mic 5:2; compare Ge 35:21). But the explanatory words, "the stronghold of the daughter of Zion," confirm English Version.
stronghold—Hebrew, "Ophel"; an impregnable height on Mount Zion (2Ch 27:3; 33:14; Ne 3:26, 27).
unto thee shall … come … the first dominion—namely, the dominion formerly exercised by thee shall come back to thee.
kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem—rather, "the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem shall come (again)"; such as it was under David, before its being weakened by the secession of the ten tribes.
9. Addressed to the daughter of Zion, in her consternation at the approach of the Chaldeans.
is there no king in thee?—asked tauntingly. There is a king in her; but it is the same as if there were none, so helpless to devise means of escape are he and his counsellors [Maurer]. Or, Zion's pains are because her king is taken away from her (Jer 52:9; La 4:20; Eze 12:13) [Calvin]. The former is perhaps the preferable view (compare Jer 49:7). The latter, however, describes better Zion's kingless state during her present long dispersion (Ho 3:4, 5).
10. Be in pain, and labour—carrying on the metaphor of a pregnant woman. Thou shalt be affected with bitter sorrows before thy deliverance shall come. I do not forbid thy grieving, but I bring thee consolation. Though God cares for His children, yet they must not expect to be exempt from trouble, but must prepare for it.
go forth out of the city—on its capture. So "come out" is used 2Ki 24:12; Isa 36:16.
dwell in the field—namely, in the open country, defenseless, instead of their fortified city. Beside the Chebar (Ps 137:1; Eze 3:15).
Babylon—Like Isaiah, Micah looks beyond the existing Assyrian dynasty to the Babylonian, and to Judah's captivity under it, and restoration (Isa 39:7; 43:14; 48:20). Had they been, as rationalists represent, merely sagacious politicians, they would have restricted their prophecies to the sphere of the existing Assyrian dynasty. But their seeing into the far-off future of Babylon's subsequent supremacy, and Judah's connection with her, proves them to be inspired prophets.
there … there—emphatic repetition. The very scene of thy calamities is to be the scene of thy deliverance. In the midst of enemies, where all hope seems cut off, there shall Cyrus, the deliverer, appear (compare Jud 14:14). Cyrus again being the type of the greater Deliverer, who shall finally restore Israel.
11. many nations—the subject peoples composing Babylon's armies: and also Edom, Ammon, &c., who exulted in Judah's fall (La 2:16; Ob 11-13).
defiled—metaphor from a virgin. Let her be defiled (that is, outraged by violence and bloodshed), and let our eye gaze insultingly on her shame and sorrow (Mic 7:10). Her foes desired to feast their eyes on her calamities.
12. thoughts of the Lord—Their unsearchable wisdom, overruling seeming disaster to the final good of His people, is the very ground on which the restoration of Israel hereafter (of which the restoration from Babylon is a type) is based in Isa 55:8; compare with Mic 4:3, 12, 13, which prove that Israel, not merely the Christian Church, is the ultimate subject of the prophecy; also in Ro 11:13. God's counsel is to discipline His people for a time with the foe as a scourge; and then to destroy the foe by the hands of His people.
gather them as … sheaves—them who "gathered" themselves for Zion's destruction (Mic 4:11) the Lord "shall gather" for destruction by Zion (Mic 4:13), like sheaves gathered to be threshed (compare Isa 21:10; Jer 51:33). The Hebrew is singular, "sheaf." However great the numbers of the foe, they are all but as one sheaf ready to be threshed [Calvin]. Threshing was done by treading with the feet: hence the propriety of the image for treading under foot and breaking asunder the foe.
13. thresh—destroy thy foes "gathered" by Jehovah as "sheaves" (Isa 41:15, 16).
thine horn—Zion being compared to an ox treading corn, and an ox's strength lying in the horns, her strength is implied by giving her a horn of iron (compare 1Ki 22:11).
beat in pieces many—(Da 2:44).
I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord—God subjects the nations to Zion, not for her own selfish aggrandizement, but for His glory (Isa 60:6, 9; Zec 14:20, with which compare Isa 23:18) and for their ultimate good; therefore He is here called, not merely God of Israel, but "Lord of the whole earth."