1.
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, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
in the last days = at the end of the days. Here we are carried forward to a yet future day. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:1 , the same phrase. Numbers 24:14 ). App-92 . Compare Isaiah 2:2 , &c. Ezekiel 38:8 , Ezekiel 38:16 . Hosea 3:5
the mountain, &c. Compare Micah 3:12 ; and see Isaiah 2:2-4 . Both prophecies are independent, and complementary (see Psalms 24:3 .Ezekiel 28:16; Ezekiel 28:16 ).
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
established: abidingly: not merely for a time.
people = peoples.
2.
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
come = go.
Come = Come ye.
the God of Jacob. See notes on Psalms 20:1 .
God. Heb Elohim. App-4 .
the law. As contained in the Pentateuch. App-92 .
3.
And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
He shall judge = He shall rule (Psalms 2:5 , Psalms 2:9 ; Psalms 72:8 , Psalms 72:11 ; Psalms 72:8 ; Psalms 96:13 ; Psalms 98:9 ; Psalms 110:5 , Psalms 110:6 . Isaiah 11:3-5 ; Isaiah 51:6 . Matthew 25:31 , Matthew 25:32 ).
plowshares. Compare Isaiah 2:4 .Joel 3:10 .
pruninghooks: or, scythes.
nation. Some codices, with four early printed editions (one Rabbinic, margin), Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and nation".
4.
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
sit = dwell.
under, &c. Compare 1 Kings 4:25 .Zechariah 3:10 .
LORD of hosts. See note on 2 Samuel 1:3 .
saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.
halteth = is lame.
gather = gather out. Compare Psalms 147:2 .Ezekiel 34:13 ; Ezekiel 37:21 .
5.
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
6.
In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;
7.
And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
halted = was lame.
a remnant. Compare Micah 2:12 ; Micah 5:3 , Micah 5:7 , Micah 5:8 ; Micah 7:18 .
shall reign. Compare Isaiah 9:6 ; Isaiah 24:23 .Daniel 7:14 , Daniel 7:27 . Obadiah 1:21 .Luke 1:33 .Revelation 11:15 .
in mount Zion. Contrast Micah 3:12 .Psalms 2:6 . Isaiah 24:23 .
8.
And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
tower of the flock. Hebrew tower of 'Eder. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 35:21 ; nowhere else). Used here of Bethlehem (compare Genesis 35:19 with Micah 5:2 ); coupled here with "Ophel" in next clause, "David's birth-place" and "David's city".
the stronghold. Hebrew ' Ophel. See App-68 and App-54 , line 21, "citadel", p. 78. See note on 2 Chronicles 27:3 .
first = former. For this rendering compare Exodus 34:1 (tables). Numbers 21:26 (kings). Deuteronomy 4:32 ; Deuteronomy 10:10 , &c. (days). 2 Chronicles 9:29 ; 2Ch 16:11 ; 2 Chronicles 20:34 (acts).
9.
Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counseller perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.
why dost thou Cry. ? This refers to the birth-pangs of the new nation which will be brought forth in that day and at that time. Compare Isaiah 13:8 ; Isaiah 21:3 , &c.
10.
Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
now = mean-while: i.e. before that day. Compare Micah 4:11 and Micah 5:1 .
even to = as far as. Compare Isaiah 39:7 ; Isaiah 43:14 .
Babylon. May "not have been on Micah's political horizon", but it was on Jehovah's. Compare Amos 5:25-27 . Acts 7:42 , Acts 7:43 .
there . . . there. Note the repetition for emphasis: i.e. there and then in that future day.
redeem = redeem [as a kinsman]. Hebrew. ga'al. See note on Exodus 6:6 .
11.
Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
Now = Meanwhile: as in Micah 4:10 ; Micah 5:1 . Referring to the then immediately impending hostility.
many nations. Compare Isaiah 33:3 .Lamentations 2:16 . Obadiah 1:11-13 .
eye. So some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate; but Hebrew text reads "eyes". Compare Psalms 54:3 .
12.
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.
they know not. Compare Isaiah 55:8 . Jeremiah 29:11 .
thoughts = purposes, or plans: i.e. for Israel in purging him of idolatry by his tribulation.
counsel: i.e. with regard to themselves. The reason follows.
for: or, that.
floor = threshing-floor.
13.
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.
thresh = tread as oxen.
horn . . . hoofs. Referring to the strength of the oxen, and to the completeness of the destruction. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 25:4 ). App-92 . Compare Isaiah 41:15 .Jeremiah 51:33 .
I will. Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "thou shalt".
consecrate = devote; as in Joshua 6:19 , Joshua 6:24 . Compare Zechariah 14:14 . Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 27:28 ).
THE LORD. Hebrew. 'Adon. The Divine title, relating to dominion in the earth. See App-4 .