Micah 2:12 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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 assemble, O Jacob, all of thee. A sudden transition from threats to the promise of a glorious restoration. Compare a similar transition, Hosea 1:9-10. Yahweh, too, prophesies of good things to come, but not like the false prophets, "of wine and strong drink" (Micah 2:11). After I have sent you into captivity, as I have just threatened, I will thence assemble you again (cf. Micah 4:6-7).

All of thee - the restoration from Babylon was partial. Therefore that here meant must be still future, when "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26). The restoration from "Babylon" (specified Micah 4:10) is the type of the future one.

Jacob ... I will surely gather the remnant of Israel - the ten tribes' kingdom (Hosea 12:2, "Judah ... and Jacob") and Judah (2 Chronicles 19:8, "In Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set ... of the chief of the fathers of Israel:" whence it appears that the name "Israel" was applied to Judah; 2 Chronicles 21:2; 2 Chronicles 21:4).

The remnant - the elect remnant, which shall survive the previous calamities of Judah, and from which the nation is to spring into new life (Isaiah 6:13; Isaiah 10:20-22, "The remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God" of Jacob).

I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah - a region famed for its rich pastures (cf. 2 Kings 3:4). Bozrah was in Moab. Gesenius, for Bozrah, translated, 'sheepfold.' But thus there will be tautology, unless the next clause be translated, 'in the midst of their pasture.' The English version is more favoured by the Hebrew usage.

Micah 2:12

12 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.