Micah 4:8-13 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Micah 4:8-13

These verses relate to Zion and Jerusalem, here called the tower of the flock or the tower of Edor; we read of such a place (Gen. 35:21) near Bethlehem; and some conjecture it is the same place where the shepherds were keeping their flocks when the angels brought them tidings of the birth of Christ, and some think Bethlehem itself is here spoken of, as Mic. 5:2. Some think it is a tower at that gate of Jerusalem which is called the sheep-gate (Neh. 3:32), and conjecture that through that gate... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:8

And thou, O tower of the flock ,.... The words "Migdal Eder" are left by some untranslated, and think that place to be intended so called, which was near to Bethlehem, Genesis 35:19 ; and perhaps is the same which Jerom F20 De locis Hebr. fol. 89. E. calls the tower of Ader, about a mile from Bethlehem: this is supposed to be the place where the shepherds were watching over their flocks at the time of Christ's birth, the tidings of which were first brought to them here; and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:9

Now why dost thou cry out aloud ?.... Or "cry a cry" F23 למה תריעי רע "quid vociferabis vociferationem", Pagninus, Montanus. So Vatablus, Drusius. ; a vehement one, or set up a most lamentable cry, as if no help or hope were to be had, but as in the most desperate condition: here the prophet represents the Jews as if they were already in captivity, and in the utmost distress, and as they certainly would be; and yet had no reason to despair of deliverance and salvation, since the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:10

Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion , like a woman in travail ,.... Bear thy troubles and calamities, sufferings and sorrows, patiently, and expect deliverance from them, as a woman in such circumstances does: or, as some render it in the future, "thou shalt be in pain", &c.; F25 חולי "dolebis ac suspirabis", so some in Vatablus. ; and so is a prediction of their distress and captivity, which is expressed in plainer terms in the following clauses: for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:11

Now also many nations are gathered against thee ,.... Which is to be understood, not of Sennacherib's army invading Judea, and besieging Jerusalem, in Hezekiah's time; for that was not threshed, as the phrase is afterwards used, or destroyed by the daughter of Zion, but by an angel from heaven: nor of the Babylonians or Chaldeans, since they succeeded in their attempt, and were the conquerors, and not conquered: rather this respects the times of the Maccabees, as the series of prophecy and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:12

But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel ,.... Which are very different from theirs: the thoughts and designs of the enemies of Zion, in the times of the Maccabees, were, to destroy utterly the people of God, and root them out of the earth, and abolish their religion and worship; but the intentions of God were to defeat them, and bring them to ruin: the views of the kings of the earth, being stirred up by unclean spirits to the battle of Almighty God,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:13

Arise, and thresh, O daughter of Zion ,.... The nations gathered against her, and now laid together on the floor as sheaves to be threshed. Here the people of God are aroused, and called out of a low and weak estate, and are animated and encouraged to exert themselves, and fall upon their enemies, and destroy them; alluding to the threshing of grain on the floor, the metaphor being here carried on from Micah 4:12 . The Targum is, "arise, and kill, O congregation of Zion;' for I will... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 4:8

O tower of the flock - I think the temple is meant, or Jerusalem; the place where the flock, the whole congregation of the people assembled to worship God. Newcome retains the Hebrew word עדר eder , a tower in or near Beth-lehem, Genesis 35:21 ; or, as some think, a tower near the sheep-gate in Jerusalem, I believe Jerusalem, or the temple, or both, are meant; for these were considered the stronghold of the daughter-of Zion, the fortress of the Jewish people. Even the first dominion... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 4:9

Is there no King in thee? - None. And why? Because thou hast rejected Jehovah thy king. Is thy counsellor perished? - No: but thou hast rejected the words and advices of the prophets. Pangs have taken thee - He is speaking of the desolations that should take place when the Chaldeans should come against the city; and hence he says, "Thou shalt go to Babylon;" ye shall be cast out of your own land, and sent slaves to a foreign country, He represents the people under the notion of a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 4:10

There shalt thou be delivered - There God shall meet thee; and by redeeming thee from thy captivity, bringing thee back to thine own land, and finally converting thee unto himself, shall deliver thee from the burden of grief and wo which thou now bearest, and under which thou dost groan. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Micah 4:8-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 4:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 4:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 4:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 4:10

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