Micah 7:14

Authorized King James Version

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Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

Original Language Analysis

יִרְע֥וּ Feed H7462
יִרְע֥וּ Feed
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 1 of 15
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
עַמְּךָ֣ thy people H5971
עַמְּךָ֣ thy people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 2 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְשִׁבְטֶ֗ךָ with thy rod H7626
בְשִׁבְטֶ֗ךָ with thy rod
Strong's: H7626
Word #: 3 of 15
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
צֹ֚אן the flock H6629
צֹ֚אן the flock
Strong's: H6629
Word #: 4 of 15
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
נַֽחֲלָתֶ֔ךָ of thine heritage H5159
נַֽחֲלָתֶ֔ךָ of thine heritage
Strong's: H5159
Word #: 5 of 15
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
שֹׁכְנִ֣י which dwell H7931
שֹׁכְנִ֣י which dwell
Strong's: H7931
Word #: 6 of 15
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
לְבָדָ֔ד solitarily H910
לְבָדָ֔ד solitarily
Strong's: H910
Word #: 7 of 15
separate; adverb, separately
יַ֖עַר in the wood H3293
יַ֖עַר in the wood
Strong's: H3293
Word #: 8 of 15
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
בְּת֣וֹךְ in the midst H8432
בְּת֣וֹךְ in the midst
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 9 of 15
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
כַּרְמֶ֑ל of Carmel H3760
כַּרְמֶ֑ל of Carmel
Strong's: H3760
Word #: 10 of 15
karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine
יִרְע֥וּ Feed H7462
יִרְע֥וּ Feed
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 11 of 15
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
בָשָׁ֛ן in Bashan H1316
בָשָׁ֛ן in Bashan
Strong's: H1316
Word #: 12 of 15
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
וְגִלְעָ֖ד and Gilead H1568
וְגִלְעָ֖ד and Gilead
Strong's: H1568
Word #: 13 of 15
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
כִּימֵ֥י as in the days H3117
כִּימֵ֥י as in the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 14 of 15
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
עוֹלָֽם׃ of old H5769
עוֹלָֽם׃ of old
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 15 of 15
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis & Commentary

Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage (re'eh ammekha beshivtekha tson nachalatekha, רְעֵה עַמְּךָ בְשִׁבְטֶךָ צֹאן נַחֲלָתֶךָ). This prayer addresses God as Shepherd—ra'ah (רָעָה, "to shepherd/feed") indicates both feeding and leading. The shebet (שֵׁבֶט, "rod/staff") is the shepherd's tool for guiding and protecting sheep (Psalm 23:4). Nachalah (נַחֲלָה, "heritage/inheritance") recalls Israel as God's special possession (Deuteronomy 32:9).

Which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel (shokenim levadad ya'ar betokh Karmel, שֹׁכְנִים לְבָדָד יַעַר בְּתוֹךְ כַּרְמֶל). "Dwelling solitarily" (levadad) suggests isolation during exile or threat—sheep scattered and vulnerable. Yet even in the forest (danger, isolation), God can shepherd them. Carmel, known for lush vegetation, promises provision.

Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old (yir'u Bashan veGil'ad kimei olam, יִרְעוּ בָשָׁן וְגִלְעָד כִּימֵי עוֹלָם). Bashan (east of Jordan) and Gilead were famous for rich pastures and livestock (Deuteronomy 32:14; Jeremiah 50:19). "As in days of old" recalls Israel's golden age under David/Solomon when they possessed these territories and enjoyed prosperity. The prayer asks God to restore former blessings—both territorial possession and spiritual prosperity. Christ fulfills this as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-14) who feeds His flock and will ultimately restore all things (Acts 3:21).

Historical Context

During exile and oppression, Israel lost control of their historic grazing lands. Bashan and Gilead, once Israelite territories, were occupied by others. The prayer for restoration looked back to the united monarchy's territorial extent and forward to Messianic restoration. Jesus as the Good Shepherd provides the ultimate answer—He feeds His people spiritually (John 6:35), protects them (John 10:28), and will gather them from every nation (John 10:16). The millennial kingdom promises literal restoration of Israel's land and peace (Isaiah 11:6-9), while the New Heavens and Earth provide eternal rest for God's flock (Revelation 7:17, 21:1-4).

Questions for Reflection