Micah 4:12 kjv
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.
Micah 4:12 nkjv
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, Nor do they understand His counsel; For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
Micah 4:12 niv
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
Micah 4:12 esv
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor.
Micah 4:12 nlt
But they do not know the LORD's thoughts
or understand his plan.
These nations don't know
that he is gathering them together
to be beaten and trampled
like sheaves of grain on a threshing floor.
Micah 4 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Micah 4:12 | "But now many nations have gathered against you, like one that threshes grain on a threshing floor." | Micah 4:12 (Theme Verse) |
| Isaiah 10:24 | "Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will send a wasting disease upon the stout of heart; and under his glory a fire will be kindled like a burning flame." | Isaiah 10:24 (God's judgment on enemies) |
| Jeremiah 50:15 | "Shout against her from every side: 'Babylon has rebelled against the LORD; present her reward to her; do to her as she has done to others.'" | Jeremiah 50:15 (Retribution) |
| Ezekiel 25:17 | "I will lay my vengeance upon Edom through the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD." | Ezekiel 25:17 (Vengeance theme) |
| Nahum 1:15 | "Look, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows, for never again will the wicked invade you; they are completely cut off." | Nahum 1:15 (End of invasion) |
| Psalm 2:1-4 | "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.'" | Psalm 2:1-4 (Nations opposing God) |
| Psalm 149:6-9 | "Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with links of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is the glory of his saints. Praise the LORD!" | Psalm 149:6-9 (God's people executing judgment) |
| Zechariah 14:1-3 | "Behold, a day is coming for the LORD, when the spoil taken from you will be divided within you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken..." | Zechariah 14:1-3 (Nations against Jerusalem) |
| Matthew 22:44 | "The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’" | Matthew 22:44 (Christ's victory) |
| Revelation 17:14 | "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”" | Revelation 17:14 (Christ's victory over nations) |
| Revelation 19:11-16 | "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. [...] And on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords." | Revelation 19:11-16 (Christ's victorious return) |
| Isaiah 25:10 | "For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, and Moab will be trampled down in his place, as a straw is trampled down in the dung of a midden." | Isaiah 25:10 (Similar imagery of trampling) |
| Joel 3:14 | "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision." | Joel 3:14 (Valley of decision for judgment) |
| Zephaniah 2:8 | "I have heard the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the people of Ammon, with which they have taunted my people and made arrogant claims against their territory." | Zephaniah 2:8 (Enemies' taunts) |
| 2 Samuel 5:6 | "And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will turn you away”—thinking that David could not come in." | 2 Samuel 5:6 (Overcoming strongholds) |
| Psalm 18:42 | "I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I crushed them and stamped them out like the mire of the streets." | Psalm 18:42 (David's enemies defeated) |
| Psalm 110:1 | "The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”" | Psalm 110:1 (Messianic prophecy) |
| Habakkuk 3:12 | "You march forward with your kingdom, you tramp down the earth in anger; you thresh the nations in fury." | Habakkuk 3:12 (God's anger and judgment) |
| Joshua 6:16 | "And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, 'Shout, for the LORD has given you the city.'" | Joshua 6:16 (Victory through God) |
| Jeremiah 51:33 | "For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time when it is trodden. Yet a little while, and the time of harvest for her will come." | Jeremiah 51:33 (Babylon as threshing floor) |
Micah 4 verses
Micah 4 12 Meaning
This verse paints a picture of a triumphant yet humbling scene for God's people. After their enemies are judged, they will return to Zion. Their former adversaries will be subdued, characterized by a surrender so profound that they become like threshing floors beaten by grain. This imagery signifies complete defeat and subjugation, with the people of Israel having mastery over them.
Micah 4 12 Context
Micah 4 describes a future era of peace and restoration centered around Mount Zion. Following verses depict a gathering of nations against Zion, portraying them as an attacking force likened to an army threshing grain. This immediate context sets the stage for God's intervention and the ultimate triumph of His people. Historically, the prophecies of Micah addressed the people of Judah during a time of both external threats and internal unfaithfulness. The imagery of nations gathering against Zion reflects historical instances and also serves as a eschatological depiction of opposition to God’s people.
Micah 4 12 Word Analysis
- כִּֽי־ (ki-): "For" or "Indeed." A conjunction introducing a reason or affirmation.
- עַתָּה֙ (ʿattâ): "Now." Indicates a shift in time or emphasis, moving from a previous state to a present or future reality.
- גּוֹיִם֙ (gôyim): "Nations," "Gentiles." Refers to the surrounding foreign nations, often antagonists to Israel.
- הִתְקַבְּצ֔וּ (hitqabbəṣû): "They have gathered themselves," "They are gathered." A Hithpael (reflexive) verb form, emphasizing a deliberate, active gathering by the nations.
- לָ֖ךְ (lāḵ): "For you," "Against you." A prepositional phrase indicating the target of the gathering.
- כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ (ka’ăšer): "As," "Like." A comparative particle introducing a simile.
- אֹסֵ֧ף (’ôṣep̄): "To gather," "to heap up." Used here in a specific agricultural sense.
- גֹּרֶ֤ן (gôren): "Threshing floor." A place where grain is separated from husks after harvesting.
- בִּגְרֵנַ֥ת (bigrênaṯ): "On the threshing floor." The preposition "b-" indicating location.
- דָּֽגֶן׃ (dāḡen): "Grain," "Corn." Specifically refers to the crop to be threshed.
Group of words analysis:
- "gathered against you, like one that threshes grain on a threshing floor": This phrase creates a vivid and disturbing image. The nations are not merely assembled, but they are actively preparing to process and exploit Zion as a crop is threshed. The threshing process was often destructive to the straw and could involve beating, all to extract the valuable grain. This highlights the hostile and aggressive intent of the nations against God's people, aiming to exploit and ruin them.
Micah 4 12 Bonus Section
The comparison to threshing has deep roots in the ancient Near East, both practically and metaphorically. In agricultural practice, threshing involved beating, trampling, or rubbing grain to separate the kernels from the husks and straw. This was a laborious and often destructive process for the straw, reducing it to chaff. When applied to nations, it signifies complete subjugation, reduction to nothing, and utter powerlessness. This specific imagery connects with numerous biblical passages where God promises to "thresh" His enemies, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty and power to bring ruin upon those who oppose Him and His people. It is a potent metaphor for destruction and defeat.
Micah 4 12 Commentary
This verse serves as a somber transition in the prophetic vision. While preceding verses speak of peace and security under God's rule on Zion, verse 12 describes the hostile environment immediately prior to final deliverance. The gathering of nations against Zion, compared to threshing grain on a floor, emphasizes the overwhelming power and perceived inevitability of their opposition. This imagery, though depicting severe tribulation, ultimately underscores God's control over these hostile forces. It foreshadows the divine judgment that will be enacted, reducing these powerful nations to a state of utter subjugation. The nations' actions, though severe, become instruments in God's larger plan, much like the tools of threshing serve the purpose of harvesting.