Micah 2:12

ยถ I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of [the multitude of] men.

I will surely {H622} assemble {H622}, O Jacob {H3290}, all of thee; I will surely {H6908} gather {H6908} the remnant {H7611} of Israel {H3478}; I will put {H7760} them together {H3162} as the sheep {H6629} of Bozrah {H1223}{H1224}, as the flock {H5739} in the midst {H8432} of their fold {H1699}: they shall make great noise {H1949} by reason of the multitude of men {H120}.

"I will assemble all of you, Ya'akov; I will gather the remnant of Isra'el, I will put them together like sheep in a pen, like a herd in its pasture - it will hum with the sounds of people."

I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will collect the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in the midst of its pastureโ€” a noisy throng.

I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the midst of their pasture; they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.

Commentary

Micah 2:12 offers a powerful promise of restoration and hope, contrasting sharply with the prophet's earlier pronouncements of judgment against Israel and Judah. Following strong indictments against the people's sins and the consequences they would face, this verse shifts to a future divine intervention, revealing God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant people.

Context

The book of Micah largely addresses the sins of Israel and Judah, warning of impending desolation and exile due to their idolatry, injustice, and oppression of the poor. Chapters 1 and 2 detail this judgment. However, amidst these severe warnings, Micah frequently intersperses messages of hope and future restoration, a common characteristic of prophetic literature. This verse acts as a beacon of light, promising a reversal of their scattered state.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative: The repeated phrase "I will surely assemble," "I will surely gather," and "I will put them together" emphasizes that this restoration is entirely God's work. It is not dependent on human effort but on God's sovereign will and unwavering commitment to His promises.
  • Gathering the Remnant: God promises to gather "all of thee, O Jacob" and specifically "the remnant of Israel." This concept of a faithful remnant who survive judgment and are brought back is a recurring theme in the prophets, signifying God's preservation of a core group to fulfill His purposes.
  • Unity and Security: The imagery of "the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold" paints a picture of a large, unified, and secure gathering. Bozrah, a city in Edom, was known for its rich pastures and large flocks, symbolizing abundance, safety, and careful tending by the Shepherd. This contrasts with the scattered, vulnerable state of exiled people.
  • Multitude and Prosperity: The phrase "they shall make great noise by reason of [the multitude of] men" suggests a vast increase in population and a vibrant, thriving community. This noise could be one of bustling activity, joyful celebration, or simply the sound of a very large assembly, signifying God's blessing and the reversal of desolation.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "make great noise" translates the Hebrew word hamah (ื”ึธืžึธื”), which can mean to make a great sound, roar, murmur, or be tumultuous. In this context, it likely conveys the bustling sound of a vast multitude, a vibrant and thriving population, rather than a sound of distress. The imagery of "sheep of Bozrah" is a powerful metaphor for a large, well-tended, and secure flock, illustrating God's meticulous care for His people.

Practical Application

Micah 2:12 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances seem dire or His people are scattered and in distress. Just as God promised to gather Israel, He continues to gather His people into His spiritual fold, the church, and promises a future and ultimate restoration. This verse speaks to God's ability to bring order out of chaos, unity out of division, and hope out of despair. It points forward to the ultimate gathering of God's people in His eternal kingdom, a promise echoed in passages like Revelation 7:9, describing a great multitude from every nation.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Micah 4:6

    In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

  • Micah 4:7

    And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

  • Jeremiah 31:7

    For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 31:10

    ยถ Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.

  • Ezekiel 36:37

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for] this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

  • Ezekiel 37:21

    And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

  • Jeremiah 23:3

    And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
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