Micah 4:11-13

Deliverance of Jerusalem; destruction of the enemy, 11-13.

This picture, like the preceding, starts from the present calamity and ends with a promise of complete victory. For the differences between the two pictures see comments on Micah 4:10.

Now Calls attention to the present condition in contrast with the future glory.

Many nations If, as suggested above (on Micah 4:10), this oracle comes from the period of Sennacherib’s invasion, this expression must refer to the Assyrians, whose armies might be called “many nations,” since they were made up of soldiers from many vassal states (compare Isaiah 10:8, “Are not my princes all of them kings?”).

Thee Jerusalem.

Defiled The hostile armies were determined to enter and destroy the holy city, but their very presence there would be, from the standpoint of the devout Jew, a defilement of the city (see on Joel 3:17). All their attempts will be futile, for the thoughts of the enemy are not the thoughts of Jehovah (compare Isaiah 7:5-7).

Gather them as the sheaves The cruel treatment of a conquered foe is often likened to the threshing of sheaves (Amos 1:3; 2 Samuel 12:31). The enemies have come for conquest, but the prophet declares that they have been permitted to gather around the holy city only to make possible a glorious triumph of the chosen people.

Floor See on Joel 2:24.

Micah 4:13 is an exhortation to the inhabitants of Zion to execute judgment upon the arrogant enemies.

Thresh The picture of Micah 4:12 is continued; the inhabitants of Zion are likened to the animals whose duty it is to tread out the grain with their hoofs (see on Amos 1:3; Hosea 10:11; Deuteronomy 25:4).

Hoofs brass The harder the hoofs the more effective the treading.

Make thine horns iron This introduces a new figure. With the powerful horns it will pierce and cast down the foe (Deuteronomy 33:17). Thus equipped, Jerusalem will have no difficulty in overthrowing the “many nations,” before the latter can do any harm (compare Isaiah 10:33-34).

I will consecrate The Hebrew verb form should be understood as an unusual form of the second person, and should be rendered “and thou shalt consecrate.” This reading is supported by nearly all the ancient versions. Israel is not to enrich itself by plundering the defeated foe; all the possessions taken from him are to be consecrated to Jehovah’s use (Leviticus 27:28; 1 Samuel 15:21; 1 Kings 20:42).

Gain… substance The two nouns are synonyms and are equivalent to “the sum and substance of their possessions.”

The Lord of the whole earth As such he is able to help Judah to victory; and as such he has a claim upon the spoil.