Micah 4:1

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֣ה׀ H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית But in the last H319
בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית But in the last
Strong's: H319
Word #: 2 of 16
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
הַיָּמִ֗ים days H3117
הַיָּמִ֗ים days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 3 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יִ֠הְיֶה H1961
יִ֠הְיֶה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 4 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הֶהָרִ֔ים it shall come to pass that the mountain H2022
הֶהָרִ֔ים it shall come to pass that the mountain
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 5 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
בֵּית of the house H1004
בֵּית of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 6 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֤ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נָכוֹן֙ shall be established H3559
נָכוֹן֙ shall be established
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 8 of 16
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ in the top H7218
בְּרֹ֣אשׁ in the top
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 9 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הֶהָרִ֔ים it shall come to pass that the mountain H2022
הֶהָרִ֔ים it shall come to pass that the mountain
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 10 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְנִשָּׂ֥א and it shall be exalted H5375
וְנִשָּׂ֥א and it shall be exalted
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 11 of 16
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
ה֖וּא H1931
ה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 12 of 16
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִגְּבָע֑וֹת above the hills H1389
מִגְּבָע֑וֹת above the hills
Strong's: H1389
Word #: 13 of 16
a hillock
וְנָהֲר֥וּ shall flow H5102
וְנָהֲר֥וּ shall flow
Strong's: H5102
Word #: 14 of 16
to sparkle, i.e., (figuratively) be cheerful
עָלָ֖יו H5921
עָלָ֖יו
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 15 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמִּֽים׃ and people H5971
עַמִּֽים׃ and people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 16 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Cross References

Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.Psalms 22:27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.Psalms 86:9All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.Zechariah 8:3Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.Ezekiel 43:12This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.Acts 2:17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:Hosea 3:5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 54:2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;Zechariah 2:11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

Analysis & Commentary

But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established (vehayah be'acharit hayamim yihyeh har beit-YHWH nakhon, וְהָיָה בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים יִהְיֶה הַר בֵּית־יְהוָה נָכוֹן). The phrase "last days" (acharit hayamim, אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים) refers to the Messianic age inaugurated by Christ and consummated at His return. Nakhon (נָכוֹן, "established/firm") indicates permanent, unshakable establishment—contrasting with earthly kingdoms that rise and fall.

In the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills (berosh heharim venissa migeva'ot, בְּרֹאשׁ הֶהָרִים וְנִשָּׂא מִגְּבָעוֹת). Zion's mountain will be elevated above all others—not necessarily physical elevation but supremacy in authority, glory, and significance. This reverses Babel's prideful attempt to build a tower reaching heaven (Genesis 11:4)—now God Himself exalts His dwelling to preeminence over all earthly powers and false religions.

And people shall flow unto it (veneharu alav ammim, וְנָהֲרוּ עָלָיו עַמִּים). The verb nahar (נָהַר, "flow") suggests river-like movement—multitudes streaming from all directions like tributaries flowing into a great river. Ammim (עַמִּים, "peoples/nations") emphasizes Gentile inclusion in God's redemptive plan. This passage parallels Isaiah 2:2-4 and anticipates Revelation 21:24-26 where nations bring their glory into the New Jerusalem. The prophecy finds progressive fulfillment in Christ's church (Acts 2; Ephesians 2:11-22) and ultimate fulfillment in the New Creation.

Historical Context

Micah prophesied during dark times—Israel's fall to Assyria (722 BC), threats against Judah, social injustice, and corrupt leadership. Yet chapter 4 opens with stunning hope: God's kingdom will ultimately triumph over all earthly kingdoms. The mountain imagery draws from ancient Near Eastern thought where gods dwelt on mountains and kings built temples on high places. But YHWH's mountain will surpass all—not through human conquest but divine exaltation. Partial fulfillment came when Gentiles joined the church (Acts 15:14-18). Fuller realization continues as the gospel spreads globally. Complete fulfillment awaits Christ's return when the knowledge of the Lord covers earth as waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).

Questions for Reflection