Micah 4:2
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Original Language Analysis
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall come
H1980
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall come
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
גּוֹיִ֣ם
nations
H1471
גּוֹיִ֣ם
nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 24
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
רַבִּ֗ים
And many
H7227
רַבִּ֗ים
And many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
3 of 24
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall come
H1980
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall come
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה
and let us go up
H5927
וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה
and let us go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַר
to the mountain
H2022
הַר
to the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
8 of 24
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בֵּית֙
and to the house
H1004
בֵּית֙
and to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְיוֹרֵ֙נוּ֙
and he will teach
H3384
וְיוֹרֵ֙נוּ֙
and he will teach
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
מִדְּרָכָ֔יו
us of his ways
H1870
מִדְּרָכָ֔יו
us of his ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
15 of 24
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall come
H1980
וְנֵלְכָ֖ה
shall come
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
16 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּאֹֽרְחֹתָ֑יו
in his paths
H734
בְּאֹֽרְחֹתָ֑יו
in his paths
Strong's:
H734
Word #:
17 of 24
a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִצִּיּוֹן֙
of Zion
H6726
מִצִּיּוֹן֙
of Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
19 of 24
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
תֵּצֵ֣א
shall go forth
H3318
תֵּצֵ֣א
shall go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
20 of 24
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
תוֹרָ֔ה
for the law
H8451
תוֹרָ֔ה
for the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
21 of 24
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
וּדְבַר
and the word
H1697
וּדְבַר
and the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
22 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Isaiah 2:3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.Jeremiah 31:6For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.Isaiah 54:13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Psalms 25:12What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.John 7:17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.Mark 16:20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.Romans 15:19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.Zechariah 14:16And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.Luke 24:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Historical Context
Written in 8th century BC when nations were Israel's enemies. The vision of Gentiles voluntarily seeking Israel's God and His torah was radical. Partial fulfillment occurred through Second Temple Judaism's proselytes and 'God-fearers.' But Acts 2 (Pentecost) and the Gentile mission (Acts 10-15, Romans 11:11-24, Ephesians 2:11-22) show fuller realization: the gospel going from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), Gentiles incorporated into God's people, and torah's spiritual fulfillment in Christ (Romans 8:3-4). The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:24-26) depicts nations bringing glory into the city—ultimate fulfillment. God's plan always included universal redemption (Genesis 12:3), not merely ethnic Israel's blessing.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Old Testament promises of Gentile inclusion help me understand God's global redemptive plan?
- Am I zealous for God's word to 'go forth' to all nations, or am I content with personal/tribal blessing?
Analysis & Commentary
Messianic prophecy of universal pilgrimage: 'And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.' This envisions Gentiles streaming to Jerusalem to learn God's torah (law/instruction). The Hebrew 'we-yoreinu mi-derakav' (and He will teach us from His ways) and 'we-nelkah be-orhotav' (and we will walk in His paths) describes eager discipleship. Partial fulfillment: proselytes joining Israel. Ultimate fulfillment: gospel going to all nations (Isaiah 2:2-4 parallels this), the church incorporating Gentiles, and eschatological consummation when 'the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD' (Isaiah 11:9).