Micah 4:11 kjv
Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
Micah 4:11 nkjv
Now also many nations have gathered against you, Who say, "Let her be defiled, And let our eye look upon Zion."
Micah 4:11 niv
But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, "Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!"
Micah 4:11 esv
Now many nations are assembled against you, saying, "Let her be defiled, and let our eyes gaze upon Zion."
Micah 4:11 nlt
Now many nations have gathered against you.
"Let her be desecrated," they say.
"Let us see the destruction of Jerusalem. "
Micah 4 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Micah 4:11 | Now also many nations are gathered against you, who say, “Let her be defiled, and let our eyes look on Zion!” | Prediction of attack |
| Psalm 2:1-3 | Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves... | Hostility against God's people |
| Isaiah 5:26 | He will lift up an ensign to the nations from afar... and behold, swiftness! | Nations rising against Zion |
| Jeremiah 51:1 | Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will stir up a destructive wind against Babylon... | Divine judgment as a "wind" |
| Psalm 35:5 | Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD striking them! | Nations as "chaff" before the wind |
| Isaiah 17:13 | The nations roar like the roaring of many waters, but he will rebuke them and they will flee... | Nations fleeing divine rebuke |
| Isaiah 29:5 | But the multitude of your foes shall be like fine dust, and the multitude of the ruthless like... | Ruthless enemies like dust |
| Nahum 1:14 | The LORD has commanded concerning you: “No more shall your name be perpetuated... | Judgment on oppressive nations |
| Zechariah 12:3 | On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all peoples. All who lift it will severely... | Jerusalem as a burden |
| Revelation 11:13 | In that same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell... | Divine judgment on enemies |
| Psalm 1:4 | The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. | Wicked compared to chaff |
| Isaiah 41:15-16 | Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and with many teeth... | God making His people threshers |
| Obadiah 1:10 | Because of violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you... | Violence against Jacob |
| Jeremiah 50:30 | Therefore her young men shall fall in her squares... | Judgment on enemies' armies |
| Ezekiel 38:21 | I will call for a sword against him on all my mountains, declares the Lord GOD. Every man's... | Divine warfare |
| Psalm 76:5-6 | The stouthearted were put to sleep, and none of the warriors could use their hands... | Enemies defeated by God |
| Isaiah 42:13-14 | The LORD goes forth like a mighty man... He will raise a war cry... | God's triumphant war cry |
| Nahum 3:18 | Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; your nobles dwell in the dust... | Arrogant leaders defeated |
| Zephaniah 2:4-5 | For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation; Ashdod’s inhabitants shall be driven... | Judgment on Philistine cities |
| Job 15:33 | He shall put his sons to the rack, and shall send them to be drowned, and hide his fruit from... | Severe judgment on the wicked |
| Job 13:25 | Against whom will you do this? Against the leaf that is driven to and fro by the wind? Or against... | Leaf driven by wind |
| Joel 2:10 | The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the... | Cosmic signs accompanying judgment |
Micah 4 verses
Micah 4 11 Meaning
This verse describes an onslaught by many nations against Zion, likened to chaff blown by the wind and smoke dispersed by a strong gale. It signifies their futile and rapid destruction by divine judgment.
Micah 4 11 Context
Micah 4:11 is situated within a broader prophetic oracle concerning the future of Jerusalem and the nations. The preceding verses (4:9-10) speak of Jerusalem being attacked and taken captive, but assure its eventual deliverance and restoration. This verse then focuses on the immediate perpetrators of that attack, describing their boastful intentions and inevitable demise at the hands of God. It precedes verses that speak of God’s ultimate victory and the future reign of peace in Zion. The historical context likely refers to anticipated or actual invasions by Assyria or Babylon, portrayed as instruments of God's judgment, yet destined for their own destruction for their violence against His people.
Micah 4 11 Word Analysis
עתָּה (ʿattâ): "Now" - indicates immediate fulfillment or present action in the prophetic unfolding.
גַּם (gam): "also" or "even" - emphasizes that it's not just one group, but many nations joining in.
רַבִּ֞ים (rabbîm): "many" - signifies a multitude, a great number of hostile powers.
גּוֹיִ֞ם (gôyîm): "nations" or "Gentiles" - referring to the gentile world powers opposed to Israel.
נֶאֶסְפ֛וּ (neʾĕsəpû): "gathered themselves together" or "are gathered" (Pual participle) - a concerted effort, an assembly for war.
עָלַ֧יִךְ (ʿālāyik): "against you" - directly addresses Zion (Jerusalem).
וְאָמְר֖וּ (wəʾāmrû): "and they say" - voicing their arrogant intentions.
תִּתְחַלָּ֑ל (tiṯḥallāl): "let her be defiled" or "she will be profaned" (Qal perfect/Qal infinitive with consecutive "waw" of intent, or even a jussive sense) - expressing their desire to desecrate the holy city.
וְתִרְאֶ֨ינָה (wəṯirʾêna): "and let our eyes look" or "and our eyes will look" (Qal imperfect jussive or consecutive) - a visual confirmation of their conquest and desecration.
עֵינֵ֤ינוּ (ʿênênû): "our eyes" - emphasizing the human perspective and desire for satisfaction in seeing destruction.
צִיּ֧וֹן (ṣiyyôn): "Zion" - referring to Jerusalem, the city of God, His dwelling place.
Group Analysis: The phrase "many nations are gathered against you" establishes the collective hostility. "Let her be defiled, and let our eyes look on Zion" encapsulates the arrogant, defiling intent of these nations, highlighting their desire for personal witness to Zion's ruin.
Micah 4 11 Bonus Section
The imagery of chaff and smoke is significant. Chaff (Hebrew: מוּץ - mûṣ) is the inedible husk of grain, separated during threshing and considered worthless refuse. Its lightness makes it easily scattered by the wind (Psalm 1:4, Isaiah 17:13). Smoke (Hebrew: עָשָׁן - ʿāšān) also rises but is transient, dissipating quickly and offering no substance. These metaphors emphasize the ephemeral and insignificant nature of the opposing forces when faced with divine power. The "wind" is often a symbol of God's judgment or power (Jeremiah 51:1, Job 13:25). The impending scattering signifies their complete and utter ruin, leaving no trace. This imagery echoes themes found throughout Scripture concerning God's protection of His people and His judgment upon their enemies.
Micah 4 11 Commentary
The nations assembling against Zion are characterized by a profound hubris, believing they can successfully profane the city of God and witness its destruction. Their gathering is described as a deliberate act ("are gathered"). Their declared intent is not merely conquest, but desecration ("let her be defiled"), revealing a deep-seated animosity towards God's chosen dwelling place. Furthermore, they desire the personal gratification of witnessing this event ("let our eyes look on Zion"). This verse powerfully contrasts the nations' fleeting strength and arrogant intentions with God's ultimate power to scatter them. Their efforts are likened to insignificant and easily dispersed substances – chaff and smoke, overwhelmed by a superior force. This highlights the futility of any opposition against God's plans and His people, even when temporary success is achieved. It's a warning to aggressors and a comfort to the besieged, assuring that ultimate victory belongs to the Lord.