Micah 4:3

Authorized King James Version

And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשָׁפַ֗ט
And he shall judge
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#2
בֵּ֚ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#3
עַמִּ֣ים
people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#4
רַבִּ֔ים
among many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#5
וְהוֹכִ֛יחַ
and rebuke
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
#6
גּוֹי֙
against nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#7
עֲצֻמִ֖ים
strong
powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
#8
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#9
רָח֑וֹק
afar off
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
#10
וְכִתְּת֨וּ
and they shall beat
to bruise or violently strike
#11
חֶ֔רֶב
a sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#12
לְאִתִּ֗ים
into plowshares
a hoe or other digging implement
#13
וַחֲנִיתֹֽתֵיהֶם֙
and their spears
a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
#14
לְמַזְמֵר֔וֹת
into pruninghooks
a pruning-knife
#15
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
יִשְׂא֞וּ
shall not lift up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#17
גּוֹי֙
against nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#18
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#19
גּוֹי֙
against nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#20
חֶ֔רֶב
a sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#21
וְלֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#22
יִלְמְד֥וּן
neither shall they learn
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
#23
ע֖וֹד
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#24
מִלְחָמָֽה׃
war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Micah. The concept of covenant community reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Micah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection