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.
And he shall judge {H8199} among many {H7227} people {H5971}, and rebuke {H3198} strong {H6099} nations {H1471} afar off {H7350}; and they shall beat {H3807} their swords {H2719} into plowshares {H855}, and their spears {H2595} into pruninghooks {H4211}: nation {H1471} shall not lift up {H5375} a sword {H2719} against nation {H1471}, neither shall they learn {H3925} war {H4421} any more.
He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for many nations far away. Then they will hammer their swords into plow-blades and their spears into pruning-knives; nations will not raise swords at each other, and they will no longer learn war.
Then He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war.
and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
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Isaiah 2:4
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. -
Matthew 25:31
¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: -
Matthew 25:32
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: -
Joel 3:9
¶ Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: -
Joel 3:16
The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. -
Hosea 2:18
And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and [with] the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. -
Acts 17:31
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Micah 4:3 is a profound prophetic verse envisioning a future era of universal peace and divine justice. It paints a vivid picture of a world transformed by God's righteous rule, where instruments of war are repurposed for agricultural prosperity, and conflict ceases entirely.
Context
This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Micah chapters 4 and 5, which describes the glorious future of Jerusalem (Zion) and the establishment of God's kingdom. It immediately follows the declaration that "the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains" (Micah 4:1), indicating a time when God's authority and law will be supreme and sought after by all nations. This vision of peace is strikingly similar to that found in Isaiah 2:4, suggesting a shared prophetic expectation among Israel's prophets regarding the ultimate reign of the Messiah.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew terms for "plowshares" (אֵת / 'et) and "pruninghooks" (מַזְמֵרוֹת / mazmerot) specifically refer to agricultural implements. A "plowshare" is the cutting blade of a plow, used for tilling soil, and a "pruninghook" is a curved knife used for trimming vines. The deliberate choice of these terms underscores the transformation from instruments of death to tools of life and cultivation, emphasizing a world focused on flourishing rather than fighting.
Practical Application
Micah 4:3 offers profound hope for a future world free from the ravages of war and injustice. While its ultimate fulfillment awaits the full establishment of God's kingdom, it also calls believers to be agents of peace and reconciliation in the present. We are encouraged to work towards resolving conflicts, promoting justice, and investing our energies in life-affirming pursuits rather than destructive ones. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate plan for creation and humanity—a plan rooted in peace, righteousness, and the abundant life that comes from His sovereign rule. It inspires us to pray and work for the day when peacemakers are truly blessed.