Micah 4:3
New International Version
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

New Living Translation
The LORD will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

English Standard Version
He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; 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 anymore;

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; 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 anymore.

New American Standard Bible
And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift a sword against nation, And never again will they train for war.

NASB 1995
And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war.

NASB 1977
And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war.

Legacy Standard Bible
And He will judge between many peoples And will render decisions for mighty, distant nations. And they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war.

Amplified Bible
And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for strong and distant nations. Then they shall hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks [so that the implements of war may become the tools of agriculture]; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Nor shall they ever again train for war.

Christian Standard Bible
He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows, and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
He will settle arguments between distant and powerful nations. They will pound their swords and their spears into rakes and shovels; they will never again make war or attack one another.

English Revised Version
and he shall judge between many peoples, and shall reprove strong nations afar off; 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he will judge disputes between many people and settle arguments between many nations far and wide. They will hammer their swords into plowblades and their spears into pruning shears. Nations will never fight against each other, and they will never train for war again.

Good News Translation
He will settle disputes among the nations, among the great powers near and far. They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again.

International Standard Version
And he will judge among many people, rebuking strong nations far away; and they will reshape their swords as plowshares and their spears as pruning hooks. No nation will threaten another, nor will they train for war anymore.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
He will arbitrate between many peoples and settle disputes between many distant nations. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations will not use weapons against other nations, and they will no longer train for war.

New Heart English Bible
and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

World English Bible
and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He has judged between many peoples, "" And given a decision to mighty nations far off, "" They have beaten their swords to plowshares, "" And their spears to pruning-hooks, "" Nation does not lift up sword to nation, "" Nor do they learn war anymore.

Young's Literal Translation
And He hath judged between many peoples, And given a decision to mighty nations afar off, They have beaten their swords to ploughshares, And their spears to pruning-hooks, Nation lifteth not up sword unto nation, Nor do they learn war any more.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he judged between many peoples, and he admonished to strong nations even to far off; and they beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning-knives: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and they shall no more learn war.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into spades: nation shall not take sword against nation: neither shall they learn war any more.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he will judge among the many peoples, and he will correct strong nations, even from afar. And they will cut up their swords into plows, and their spears into hoes. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will no longer learn to wage war.

New American Bible
He shall judge between many peoples and set terms for strong and distant nations; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.

New Revised Standard Version
He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; 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;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall judge between many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you will judge among the nations and you will strike the strong nations that are at a distance, and they shall beat their swords into blades of plows and their spears into sickles, and people shall not pick up a sword against people, and they shall learn war no more
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And He shall judge between many peoples, And shall decide concerning mighty nations afar off; 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall judge among many peoples, and shall rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles; and nation shall no more lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn to war any more.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Mountain of the House of the LORD
2And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3Then 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. 4And each man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, with no one to frighten him. For the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken.…

Cross References
Isaiah 2:4
Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.

Joel 3:10
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’

Zechariah 9:10
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 72:7
May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound until the moon is no more.

Isaiah 11:6-9
The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. / The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. / The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. ...

Hosea 2:18
On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and battle in the land, and will make them lie down in safety.

Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 60:18
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

Isaiah 32:17-18
The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. / Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.

Isaiah 65:25
The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the food of the serpent will be dust. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.

Romans 14:19
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Ephesians 2:14-17
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility / by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace / and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. ...

James 3:18
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.


Treasury of Scripture

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 pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

he shall judge.

1 Samuel 2:10
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Psalm 82:8
Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Psalm 96:13
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

and rebuke.

Micah 5:15
And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.

Micah 7:16,17
The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf…

Psalm 2:5-12
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure…

they shall.

Psalm 46:9
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

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.

Isaiah 11:6-9
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them…

pruninghooks.

Psalm 72:7
In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 60:17,18
For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness…

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Afar Beat Decide Hooks Judge Lift Mighty Nation Nations Peoples Plowshares Plow-Shares Pruning Pruning-Hooks Rebuke Spears Strong Sword Swords War
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Afar Beat Decide Hooks Judge Lift Mighty Nation Nations Peoples Plowshares Plow-Shares Pruning Pruning-Hooks Rebuke Spears Strong Sword Swords War
Micah 4
1. The glory,
5. and the peace of Christ's kingdom.
6. The restoration,
11. and victory of the church.














Then He will judge
The phrase "Then He will judge" refers to the divine role of God as the ultimate judge over the nations. The Hebrew root for "judge" is "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), which implies not only legal judgment but also governance and leadership. In the context of Micah, this judgment is not merely punitive but restorative, aiming to bring about peace and righteousness. Historically, this reflects the hope for a messianic era where God's justice prevails over human affairs.

between many peoples
This phrase emphasizes the universal scope of God's judgment. The Hebrew word for "peoples" is "עַמִּים" (amim), indicating various ethnic groups and nations. The prophetic vision here is inclusive, suggesting that God's justice transcends national boundaries and is applicable to all humanity. This aligns with the conservative Christian belief in the universality of God's kingdom.

and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide
The term "arbitrate" comes from the Hebrew "תוֹכֵחַ" (tokheach), meaning to mediate or decide disputes. The phrase "strong nations" suggests that even powerful and influential countries will submit to God's authority. This reflects a future where divine wisdom guides international relations, promoting peace over conflict. The historical context of Micah's time, marked by war and political turmoil, contrasts sharply with this vision of divine arbitration.

They will beat their swords into plowshares
This imagery of transformation from weapons to agricultural tools symbolizes a shift from war to peace. The Hebrew word for "swords" is "חֶרֶב" (cherev), and "plowshares" is "אִתִּים" (ittim). This transformation signifies a profound change in priorities, from destruction to cultivation, reflecting God's desire for human flourishing. Archaeologically, this imagery resonates with ancient practices where metal was repurposed, underscoring the tangible reality of this prophetic vision.

and their spears into pruning hooks
Similar to the previous phrase, this transformation from "spears" (רֹמַח, romach) to "pruning hooks" (מַזְמֵרוֹת, mazmerot) further emphasizes the cessation of hostilities. Pruning hooks are tools for growth and maintenance, symbolizing care and stewardship. This reflects the conservative Christian hope for a future where resources are devoted to life-giving activities rather than warfare.

Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation
This phrase envisions a time when international conflict ceases. The repetition of "nation" (גּוֹי, goy) underscores the global nature of this peace. Historically, this prophecy stands in stark contrast to the constant warfare experienced by Israel and its neighbors. The conservative Christian perspective sees this as a promise of the peace that will be fully realized in the reign of Christ.

nor will they train anymore for war
The cessation of military training indicates a complete and lasting peace. The Hebrew root for "train" is "לָמַד" (lamad), which means to learn or exercise. This suggests a future where the knowledge and skills of war are obsolete. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this aligns with the eschatological hope for a new creation where peace and righteousness dwell permanently.

(3) The name of the Messiah is the Prince of Peace; and we still look into the dim future out of a present life, rife with wars and rumours of wars, for the full realisation of His reign of peace. And we are sure that the time will come, for "the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."

They shall beat their swords . . .--See Note on Joel 3:10.

Verse 3. - The effect of this reception of true religion shall be universal peace. He shall judge among many people; or better, between many peoples. The Lord shall be the Arbiter to whom all disputes shall be referred, as in the next clause. When his reign is acknowledged and his Law obeyed, all war and all causes of war shall cease. The gospel is a gospel of peace and love, and when "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ" (Revelation 11:15), peace and love shall everywhere abound. (For the phrase in the text, comp. Judges 11:27; 1 Samuel 24:12, 15.) Rebuke strong nations afar off. The word rendered '"rebuke" means here "decide concerning," "act as umpire for." The arbitration of the sword shall no more be resorted to. The words "afar off" are omitted in the similar passage of Isaiah. Beat their swords into ploughshares; i.e. they shall practise the arts of peace instead of war. Literally, the short broad sword of the Israelites might readily be converted into a share, and the spear forged into a pruning hook (comp. Hosea 2:18; Zechariah 9:10). Martial has an epigram entitled, "Falx ex ense" (14:34) -

"Pax me certa ducis placidos curvavit in usus:
Agricolae nunc sum, militis ante fui."
The reverse process is seen in Joel 3:10, where ploughshares are beaten into swords. Thus Virgil, 'Georg.,' 1:508 -

"El curvae rigidum falces conflantur in ensem."

(Comp. Ovid, 'Fast.,' 1:699, etc.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then He will judge
וְשָׁפַ֗ט (wə·šā·p̄aṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

between
בֵּ֚ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

many
רַבִּ֔ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

peoples
עַמִּ֣ים (‘am·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and arbitrate
וְהוֹכִ֛יחַ (wə·hō·w·ḵî·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict

for strong
עֲצֻמִ֖ים (‘ă·ṣu·mîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6099: Powerful, numerous

nations
לְגוֹיִ֥ם (lə·ḡō·w·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

far and wide.
רָח֑וֹק (rā·ḥō·wq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious

Then they will beat
וְכִתְּת֨וּ (wə·ḵit·tə·ṯū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3807: To bruise, violently strike

their swords
חַרְבֹתֵיהֶ֜ם (ḥar·ḇō·ṯê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

into plowshares
לְאִתִּ֗ים (lə·’it·tîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 855: A hoe, other digging implement

and their spears
וַחֲנִיתֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ (wa·ḥă·nî·ṯō·ṯê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2595: A lance

into pruning hooks.
לְמַזְמֵר֔וֹת (lə·maz·mê·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4211: A pruning knife

Nation
גּ֤וֹי (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

will no longer
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

take up
יִשְׂא֞וּ (yiś·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the sword
חֶ֔רֶב (ḥe·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

nation,
גּוֹי֙ (gō·w)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

nor
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

will they train
יִלְמְד֥וּן (yil·mə·ḏūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 3925: To exercise in, learn

anymore
ע֖וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

for war.
מִלְחָמָֽה׃ (mil·ḥā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war


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OT Prophets: Micah 4:3 And he will judge between many peoples (Mc Mic. Mi)
Micah 4:2
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