Micah 4
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
But in the last days it shall come to pass - These four verses contain, says Bp. Newcome, a prophecy that was to be fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah, when the Gentiles were to be admitted into covenant with God, and the apostles were to preach the Gospel, beginning at Jerusalem, Luk 24:47; Act 2:14, etc., when Christ was to be the spiritual Judge and King of many people, was to convince many nations of their errors and vices, and was to found a religion which had the strongest tendency to promote peace. Bp. Lowth thinks that "Micah took this passage from Isaiah;" or the Spirit may have inspired both prophets with this prediction; or both may have copied some common original, the words of a prophet well known at that time. The variations (few and of little importance) may be seen in the notes on the parallel passages, Isa 2:2, etc.; to which the reader is requested to refer.
Open source ↗TRANSITION TO THE GLORY, PEACE, KINGDOM, AND VICTORY OF ZION. (Mic 4:1-13) 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.
Open source ↗But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains,.... It appears by the adversative but, with which these words are introduced, that they have a dependence upon and a connection with the last of the preceding chapter; signifying, that though "the mountain of the house", on which the temple stood, should become desolate, yet "the mountain of the house of the Lord", which is not literally the same, but what that was typical of, the church of Christ, should be greatly exalted and enlarged; and which, according to this prophecy, would be "in the last days": that is, as Kimchi rightly interprets it, the days of the Messiah; and it should be observed, that all this will be in the last of his days, or of the Gospel dispensation: the first of these days were the days of Christ in the flesh, the times of his ministry, and of John the Baptist his forerunner, and of his disciples; and were indeed the last days of the Jewish world, or of their civil and church state; and when also it must be allowed the mountain of the Lord's house, or the temple literally taken, became glorious by the presence of Christ in it, by his doctrine and miracles there, and by the effusion of the Spirit on his disciples in that place, and the ministration of the Gospel; but then all this was before the destruction of the second temple; whereas this prophecy follows that, and is opposed to it, and supposes it; besides, in those times there was not such an exaltation and stability of the church of Christ; nor such a flow of nations to it; nor such a settled and universal peace and security as here promised: this prophecy therefore respects times yet to come, as Aben Ezra observes; the last of the days of the Messiah, or t…
Open source ↗The promise of salvation opens, in closest connection with the destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple, with a picture of the glory awaiting in the remotest future the temple mountain, which has now become a wild forest-height. Mic 4:1. "And it comes to pass at the end of the days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house will be established on the head of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills, and nations stream to it. Mic 4:2. And many nations go, and say, Up, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, and to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us of His ways, and we may walk in His paths: for from Zion will law go forth, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. Mic 4:3. And He will judge between many nations, and pronounce sentence on strong nations afar off; and they forge their swords into coulters, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation will not lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war any more. Mic 4:4. And they will sit, every one under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and no one will make them afraid: for the mouth of Jehovah of hosts hath spoken it." (Note: This promise is placed by Isaiah (Isa 2:2-4) at the head of his prophecy of Zion's way through judgment from the false glory to the true. The originality of the passage in Micah is open to no question. Delitzsch acknowledges this, and has given the principal arguments in its favour in the Commentary on Isaiah. For still more elaborate proofs, see Caspari's Micha, pp. 444-5.) By the phrase "at the end of the days," which always denotes the Messianic era when used by the prophets (see at Hos 3:5), the predicted exaltation of the temple mountain is assigned to the period of the completion of the kingdom of God. The mountain of the house of Jehovah is the temple mount…
Open source ↗It is a very comfortable but with which this chapter begins, and very reviving to those who lay the interests of God's church near their heart and are concerned for the welfare of it. When we sometimes see the corruptions of the church, especially of church-rulers, princes, priests, and prophets, seeking their own things and not the things of God, and when we soon after see the desolations of the church, Zion for their sakes ploughed as a field, we are ready to fear that it will one day perish between both, that the name of Israel shall be no more in remembrance; we are ready to give up all for gone, and to conclude the church will have neither root not branch upon earth. But let not our faith fail in this matter; out of the ashes of the church another phoenix shall arise. In the last words of the foregoing chapter we left the mountain of the house as desolate and waste as the high places of the forest; and is it possible that such a wilderness should ever become a fruitful field again? Yes, the first words of this chapter bring in the mountain of the Lord's house as much dignified by being frequented as ever it had been disgraced by being deserted. Though Zion be ploughed as a field, yet God has not cast off his people, but by the fall of the Jews salvation has come to the Gentiles, so that it proves to be the riches of the world, Rom 11:11, Rom 11:12. This is the mystery which God by the prophet here shows us, and he says the very same in the first three verses of this chapter which another prophet said by the word of the Lord at the same time (Isa 2:2-4), that out of the mouth of these two witnesses these promises might be established; and very precious promises they are, relating to the gospel-church, which have been in part accomplished, and will be yet more and mo…
Open source ↗4:1-5 Micah’s prophecy moves from utter despair to an eruption of hope as he expresses the future exaltation of Mount Zion in Jerusalem. God’s plan to bless all nations (Gen 12:3) through Abraham’s descendants will be realized when the nations and the Lord’s people stream to the Lord’s house . . . to worship. There (1) they will learn to follow God’s law and teachings; (2) the law and teachings will flow out among the nations as they are carried forth from God’s house; (3) peace and well-being will grow among the nations as they turn their energies to peaceful purposes and abandon war; and (4) the people will live without fear, having security, prosperity, and blessing (Mic 4:4). The idols of the nations fail them, but Israel’s faithful God accomplishes all this; the prosperity he brings lasts for endless ages (4:5). 4:1-2 In the last days: God promised to act in history to establish his kingdom. • The mountain of the Lord’s house was Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where Solomon’s Temple was built (see 2 Sam 24:18-25). It recalls Mount Sinai, the mountain of God (Exod 3:1; Num 10:33), where God appeared. The mountain of the Lord has significance as the place where God makes his identity known and his fellowship available. • teach us his ways . . . his paths: The wisdom of God’s laws and the knowledge of his ways will give the nations life (Deut 4:6; 32:47).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָהַר (nâhar, H5102) — to sparkle, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream)…
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch יָרָה (yârâh, H3384) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb אֹרַח (ʼôrach, H734) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
Open source ↗שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… עָצוּם (ʻâtsûwm, H6099) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… כָּתַת (kâthath, H3807) — to bruise or violently strike חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… אֵת (ʼêth, H855) — a hoe or other digging implement חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) מַזְמֵרָה (mazmêrâh, H4211) — a pruningknife נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
Open source ↗יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape תְּאֵן (tᵉʼên, H8384) — the fig (tree or fruit) חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… עַד (ʻad, H5703) — properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… צָלַע (tsâlaʻ, H6760) — to limp (as if one-sided) קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good…
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… צָלַע (tsâlaʻ, H6760) — to limp (as if one-sided) שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion הָלָא (hâlâʼ, H1972) — to remove or be remote עָצוּם (ʻâtsûwm, H6099) — powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed… עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals) מִגְדַּל־עֵדֶר (Migdal-ʻÊder, H4029) — Migdal-Eder, a place in Palestine עֹפֶל (ʻôphel, H6076) — a tumor; also a mound, i.e. fortress בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem אָתָה (ʼâthâh, H857) — to arrive רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshâlâh, H4475) — rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗רוּעַ (rûwaʻ, H7321) — to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7452) — a crash (of thunder), noise (of war), shout (of joy) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) חִיל (chîyl, H2427) — a throe (expectant of childbirth) חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show…
Open source ↗חוּל (chûwl, H2342) — properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to… גִּיחַ (gîyach, H1518) — to gush forth (as water), generally to issue בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,…
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָנֵף (chânêph, H2610) — to soil, especially in a moral sense עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) חָזָה (châzâh, H2372) — to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect עָמִיר (ʻâmîyr, H5995) — a bunch of grain גֹּרֶן (gôren, H1637) — a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) דּוּשׁ (dûwsh, H1758) — to trample or thresh בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement פַּרְסָה (parçâh, H6541) — a claw or split hoof נְחוּשָׁה (nᵉchûwshâh, H5154) — copper דָּקַק (dâqaq, H1854) — to crush (or intransitively) crumble רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… חָרַם (châram, H2763) — to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction);… בֶּצַע (betsaʻ, H1215) — plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
At that time Jerusalem will be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. They will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.
This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.”
Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.
This is the law of the temple: All its surrounding territory on top of the mountain will be most holy. Yes, this is the law of the temple.
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.
“On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.
“Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back. Lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes in deep.