Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Micah 7:12
[In] that day [also] he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and [from] the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and [from] mountain to mountain.
12. Comp. the extent of the dispersion as described in Isa 11:11.
He shall come even to thee ] Rather, men shall come to thee. It is a promise of the conversion of the heathen to the true religion.
and from the fortified cities ] Rather, and from the cities of Egypt. ‘Egypt’ is here not Mizraim, but Mzr, an abnormal form, which occurs again in Isa 19:6; Isa 37:25. It is not an Egyptian word, but the Assyrians gave almost the same name to Egypt (Muur). The phrase, ‘the cities of Egypt,’ reminds us how thickly peopled the Nile-valley was.
and from the fortress ] Rather, and from Egypt.
even to the river ] i.e. the Euphrates.
from sea to sea ] i.e. from the Mediterranean Sea in the West to the Persian Gulf in the East (comp. Joe 2:20).
from mountain to mountain ] i.e. from Sinai in the South to Lebanon in the North. The Peshito (Syriac) however reads this clause, ‘even to the sea on the west and to mount Hor.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 12. In that day also he shall come] Bp. Newcome translates: –
“And in that day they shall come unto thee
From Assyria and the fenced cities;
And from Egypt even unto the river.”
Calmet translates: –
“They shall come to thee from Assyria even unto Egypt;
And from Egypt even to the river; (Euphrates;)
And from one sea to another, and from one mountain to
another.”
This, says he, gives an easy sense; whereas we cannot tell where to find those fortified cities spoken of by other translators. The Israelites were to return from their captivity, and re-occupy their ancient country from Assyria to Egypt; that is, from the river Euphrates to the river Nile; and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Ocean, and from Mount Libanus to the mountains of Arabia Petraea, or Mount Seir. See Am 8:12. This prediction was literally fulfilled under the Asmoneans. The Jewish nation was greatly extended and very powerful under Herod, at the time that our Lord was born. See Calmet.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In that day, after the Jews return out of captivity, and Jerusalem rebuilt, he who is of Jewish race, and proselyted Gentile,
shall come even to thee, O Jerusalem, seat of Gods solemn worship, type of the gospel church, restored to thy promised glory.
From Assyria; in which many Israelites were found captives when the Babylonian kingdom swallowed up the Assyrian, and were continued in that servitude by the Babylonians till the Medes and Persians overthrew the Babylonians, and proclaimed a release to all captive Jews; then from Assyria did captive Israel, i.e. some of them, go up to Jerusalem.
From the fortified cities; in which it is probable many Jews were kept for servile works: Shalmaneser did place the captivity of the ten tribes in the cities of the Medes, which, for aught I know, may be the cities here spoken of.
From the fortress: one mentioned for all the rest, and I suppose these fortresses might be frontier garrisons made for defence of the country, where the Jews were in policy placed by the Assyrian; from these places, and through all the country,
even to the river; to Euphrates or Chebar, where also were of the captive Jews.
From sea to sea; from the Caspian to the Persian and to the Midland Sea.
From mountain to mountain; on which many of the dispersed Jews did in all likelihood settle themselves in process of time for security and retirement, as the persecuted Waldenses and Albigenses settled in the mountainous parts bordering on France, Savoy, and Italy. Or from Mount Taurus to Mount Libanus or Carmel. In brief, from all parts of their captivity they shall return to their own country, a singular type of the redemption of the church by Christ, the bringing in the Gentiles, and enlarging the Messiahs kingdom.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. In that day alsorather,an answer to the supposed question of Zion, When shall my walls bebuilt? “The day (of thy walls being built) is the day when he(that is, many) shall come to thee from Assyria,” c. [LUDOVICUSDE DIEU].The Assyrians (including the Babylonians) who spoiled thee shallcome.
and fromthe fortified citiesrather, to suit the parallelism, “fromAssyria even to Egypt.” (Matzor may be sotranslated). So Assyria and Egypt are contrasted in Isa19:23 [MAURER]. CALVINagrees with English Version, “from all fortified cities.”
from the fortress even to theriver“from Egypt even to the river” Euphrates(answering in parallelism to “Assyria”) [MAURER].Compare Isa 11:15 Isa 11:16;Isa 19:23-25; Isa 27:13;Hos 11:11; Zec 10:10.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[In] that day [also] he shall come even to thee,…. Which words also are not directed to the enemy, as some interpret them; as to Chaldea or Babylon; and the sense be, that Cyrus should come thither, and take it; or any more remote enemy of the Jews in the latter day, to whom the day of the Lord should come, or his decree of vengeance or judgment upon them, or any enemy to waste and destroy them; but they are a continued address to Jerusalem or the church, signifying that “he”, the people of the Jews, the body of them, with the proselyted Gentiles, should come from all parts to Jerusalem to rebuild it upon the decree of Cyrus; and that multitudes of all, or at least many nations, should flock to the church of Christ, upon the publication of the Gospel:
from Assyria: where many of the Jews, and even of the ten tribes, were, whither they were carried captive:
and [from] the fortified cities; in Assyria, and other countries, where the Jews might be placed, either as prisoners, or to do servile work, as repairing the fortifications; or for the defence of the country, from which they were to be and were released upon Cyrus taking of Babylon; and was a type of the redemption by Christ from greater bondage. It may be rendered the cities of Egypt, as Kimchi observes, here and in 2Ki 19:24; and so Ben Melech: it is interpreted by some Matzor, being the same with Mitzraim, which is the name for Egypt; and the sense would be more easy, as well as the words run more smoothly, thus, “shall come from Assyria even to the cities of Egypt”: and then it follows,
and from the fortress even to the river; or from Egypt, to the river Euphrates, which was one of the boundaries of the land of Israel:
and from sea to sea; from the Persian sea to the Mediterranean sea, or from the Red sea thither, and from the several maritime parts where they inhabited:
and [from] mountain to mountain; from Mount Taurus to Carmel, or Lebanon, or Hor; or from the several mountains to which they had fled to, safety, and where they had dwelt. It may respect the extent of the church and kingdom of Christ in the latter day, enlarged by the numerous conversions of Jews and Gentiles in all parts of the world. The Jews shall be gathered from all places where they are, and join themselves to the church of Christ; and these several places, particularly Assyria, Egypt and the islands of the sea from whence they shall be brought, are mentioned in other prophecies; see Isa 11:11; though this may respect, not barely the conversion and gathering of them to Christ and his church, but of the Gentiles also in those several countries, thus; they “shall come from Assyria, and the fortified cities”; that is, from the Turkish empire; the land of Assyria, and its fortified cities, being in the possession of the Turks, and in whose dominions many Jews at this day reside; and not only they, but multitudes in the Ottoman empire, shall be converted in the latter day, and become members of Christian churches; signified by the flocks of Kedar, and the rams of Nebaioth, that shall be gathered to the church, and minister there, Isa 60:7; and they shall come “from the fortress even to the river”; from everyone of the fortified cities before mentioned to the river Euphrates, which will be dried up to make way for the kings or kingdoms of the east, for their conversion to Christ, and embracing his Gospel; even the large kingdoms of Persia, Tartary, China, c. Re 16:12 or “from Egypt to the river Euphrates”; and so signifies the same as before, Egypt being part of the Turkish dominions; or else the Roman jurisdiction, spiritually called Egypt, may be meant,
Re 11:8; and in several Popish countries are many Jews, who will be called from thence; as well as many of the Papists themselves shall be called out of mystical Babylon, and embrace the true religion of Christ: “and from sea to sea”; this is a well known description of the amplitude of Christ’s church and kingdom in Gospel times, especially in the latter day; see Ps 72:8; or, as it may be rendered, “the sea from the sea” e; that is, the inhabitants of the sea, or of the islands of it, shall come from thence to the church, see Isa 11:11; these are the same with the abundance of the sea, that shall be converted to Christ, and join his people in the latter day, as in our isle and others, Isa 40:5; “and [from] mountain to mountain”; or rather, “and mountain shall come to the mountain” f; that is, the inhabitants of the mountain, or of Rome, that is situated on seven mountains, of mystical Babylon, the great mountain; these shall be called from hence to Mount Zion, the church of the living God, where Christ with the 144,000 will be; and which shall then be established on the top of the mountains, and all nations shall flow unto it, Re 14:1. The Targum is,
“at that time the captives shall be gathered from Assyria, and the strong cities, and from Churmini (or Armenia), the great and the fortified cities, even unto Euphrates, and the western sea, and the mountains of the mountain.”
e “et mare a mari”, Montanus, Burkius. f “et mons [veniet] ad montem”, Cocceius, Burkius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He afterwards adds, In that day also to thee shall they come from Asshur. There is some obscurity in the words; hence interpreters have regarded different words as being understood: but to me the meaning of the Prophet appears not doubtful. In that day, he says, to thee shall they come from Asshur, and cities of the fortress and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain; but some think הר, er, to be a proper name, and render the last clause, “And from mount Hor:” and we know that Aaron was buried on this mount. But the Prophet, no doubt, alludes here to some other place; and to render it mount Hor is a strained version. I doubt not, therefore, but that the Prophet repeats a common name, as though he said, “From mountains to mountains.”
Let us now see what the Prophet means. With regard to the passage, as I have said, there is no ambiguity, provided we bear in mind the main subject. Now the Prophet had this in view, — That Jerusalem, when restored by God, would be in such honor along all nations that there would be flowing to her from all parts. He then says, that the state of the city would be very splendid, so that people from all quarters would come to it: and therefore the copulative vau is to be taken twice for even for the sake of emphasis, In that day, even to thee, and then, even to the river; for it was not believed that Jerusalem would have any dignity, after it had been entirely destroyed, together with the temple. It is no wonder then that the Prophet so distinctly confirms here what was by no means probable, at least according to the common sentiments of men, — that Jerusalem would attract to itself all nations, even those far away. Come, then, shall they, (for the verb יבוא, ibua, in the singular number must be taken indefinitely as having a plural meaning,) Come, then, shall they from Asshur even to thee. But the Assyrians had previously destroyed every land, overturned the kingdom of Israel, and almost blotted out its name; and they had also laid waste the kingdom of Judah; a small portion only remained. They came afterwards, we know, with the Chaldeans, after the seat of empire was translated to Babylon, and destroyed Nineveh. Therefore, by naming the Assyrians, he no doubt, taking a part for the whole, included the Babylonians. Come, then, shall they from Asshur, and then, from the cities of the fortress, that is, from every fortress. For they who take צור, tsur, for Tyre are mistaken; for מצור, metsur (192) is mentioned twice, and it means citadels and strongholds. And then, even to the river, that is, to utmost borders of Euphrates; for many take Euphrates, by way of excellence, to be meant by the word river; as it is often the case in Scripture; though it might be not less fitly interpreted of any or every river, as though the Prophet had said, that there would be no obstacle to stop their course who would hasten to Jerusalem. Even to the river then, and from sea to sea, that is, they shall come in troops from remote countries, being led by the celebrity of the holy city; for when it shall be rebuilt by God’s command, it shall acquire new and unusual honor, so that all people from every part shall assemble there. And then, from mountain to mountain, that is, from regions far asunder. This is the sum of the whole.
The Prophet then promises what all men deemed as fabulous, — that the dignity of the city Jerusalem should be so great after the return of the Jews from exile, that it would become, as it were, the metropolis of the world. One thing must be added: They who confine this passage to Christ seem not indeed to be without a plausible reason; for there follows immediately a threatening as to the desolation of the land; and there seems to be some inconsistency, except we consider the Prophet here as comparing the Church collected from all nations with the ancient people. But these things will harmonize well together if we consider, that the Prophet denounces vengeance on the unbelieving who then lived, and that he yet declares that God will be merciful to his chosen people. But the restriction which they maintain is too rigid; for we know that it was usual with the Prophets to extend the favor of God from the return of the ancient people to the coming of Christ. Whenever, then, the Prophets make known God’s favor in the deliverance of his people, they make a transition to Christ, but included also the whole intermediate time. And this mode the Prophet now pursues, and it ought to be borne in mind by us. Let us go on —
(192) It is somewhat singular that Newcome renders the first “fenced” and the second “Egypt:” but Henderson renders both “Egypt.” It is not the common name for Egypt, which is מצרים; the places referred to, 2Kg 19:24, and Isa 19:6, do not justify this application. The word “day” in three instances is here without a preposition: it may therefore be regarded as the nominative absolute, or the verb, is nigh, or approaches, as Jerome proposes, is understood. I would give this version of the two verses, —
11. The day for building thy walls! That day! Removed far shall be the decree:
12. That day! Even to thee shall they come, From Assyria and cities of fortress, And from the fortress even to the river, And from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain, or, word for word, And from the fortress even to the river and the sea, From the sea and the mountain of the mountain.
The last expression seems to mean, “every mountain.” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) In that day also he shall come.Rather translate, In that day shall they (impersonal) come even to thee from Assyria and (from) the cities of Matzor (i.e., Egypt), and from Matzor even to the river (Euphrates), and from sea to sea, and (from) mountain to mountain. The prophet beholds people coming from all parts of the earth to Jerusalem. Isaiah foresaw the like future, and spoke of Assyria, Egypt, and Israel being assembled together, whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt, my people, and Assyria, the work of my hands, and Israel, mine inheritance (Isa. 19:25). The Christian reader can hardly refrain from discerning on the horizon of Micahs vision that marvellous assembly of the representatives of the nations in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Mic 7:12. In that day, &c. That day shall bring thine enemies, as from Assyria, so also from Egypt; as from Egypt, so also from the river, &c. The Roman forces came against the Jews, both from Egypt, and from the countries of the East, which were formerly subject to the Assyrians. Houbigant.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mic 7:12 [In] that day [also] he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and [from] the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and [from] mountain to mountain.
Ver. 12. In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria ] To thee, Jerusalem, in the type, shall recourse be had from all parts, as if thou wert the chief city of the world (Pliny saith, that in his time she was the most famous of all the cities of the East; and Titus himself is said to have wept at the last destruction of it by his soldiers, whom he could not restrain from firing the temple). To the new Jerusalem, the Church of the New Testament, in the antitype: from whence the gospel was sent out to “every creature which is under heaven,” Col 1:23 , and whereunto people of all sorts flowed, and many nations came, Mic 4:1-2 , with highest acclamations, most vigorous affections, and utmost endeavours bestowing themselves upon the Lord Christ, Act 2:9 . Jerusalem in the Hebrew tongue is of the dual number; in regard of the two parts of the city, the upper and the nether town. Or (as the Cabalists give the reason), in regard of a two-fold Jerusalem, the heavenly and the earthly; and the taking away of the earthly, they say, was signified by the taking away of the letter jod out of Jerushalajim, 2Sa 5:13 . “But Jerusalem which is above is free,” firm and full; “the desolate” (once so) “having many more children than she that hath a husband,” Gal 4:26-27 , “Whom the Lord of hosts also doth bless, saying” (as a father to them all), “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance,” Isa 19:25 .
And from the fortress even to the river
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
he = one. But a special various reading called Sevir (App-34), reads “they”: i.e. thine exiles. come = come home; as in 1Sa 11:5. Psa 45:15. Pro 2:10, or, into blessing; as in Psa 69:27. Nothing has “fallen out” of the text!
Assyria. See the “enemy”, Mic 7:10.
the fortified cities = the cities of Matzor (i.e. the fortress) put for Egypt. Compare Isa 19:6; Isa 19:37.
the river. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6, for the Euphrates. Also the Figure of speech Antonomasia.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
also: Isa 11:16, Isa 19:23-25, Isa 27:12, Isa 27:13, Isa 43:6, Isa 49:12, Isa 60:4-9, Isa 66:19, Isa 66:20, Jer 3:18, Jer 23:3, Jer 31:8, Eze 37:21, Eze 29:21, Hos 11:11
and from: or, even to, This verse may be rendered, “In that day they – peopleshall come to thee from Assyria and the fenced cities; and from the fortress – probably Pelusium at the entrance of Egypt even to the river – Euphrates;” etc. The expressions employed in this prophecy appear to be too strong for the events which transpired after the Babylonian captivity; and seem to refer to the future restoration of Israel, after their land has lain desolate for ages.
Reciprocal: Isa 2:11 – in that day Isa 11:11 – from Assyria Eze 20:41 – I bring Zec 10:10 – out of the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mic 7:12. The general return of Gods people from all places of exile is predicted in this verse. Assyria is named because the first deportation out of Palestine was to be at the hand of that people, but before the final return to the home land they will have been taken over by another great empire, the Babylonians. The river refers to the Euphrates River which was the easternmost boundary of the territory promised to Abraham (Genesis 15; Genesis 18).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
7:12 [In] that day [also] he shall come even to thee from {l} Assyria, and [from] the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and [from] mountain to mountain.
(l) When the Church will be restored, those that were enemies before will come out of all the corners of the world to her, so that neither fortresses, rivers, seas, nor mountains will be able to stop them.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Israel’s former enemies from all over the world, represented by Assyria and the Euphrates River on the northwest and Egypt on the southeast, would come to the Israelites in their land (cf. Isa 19:23-25; Amo 9:11-15). They would come from everywhere between the seas and the mountains, a synecdoche for everywhere on earth (cf. Psa 72:8; Zec 9:10).