King James Version

What Does Micah 4:6 Mean?

Micah 4:6 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 4:6 · KJV

Context

4

But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.

5

For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

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;

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.

8

And thou, O tower of the flock , the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא נְאֻם־יְהוָה אֹסְפָה צֹלֵעָה, bayyom hahu ne'um-YHWH osefah tsole'ah). "That day" (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayyom hahu) points to the messianic age. God promises to אָסַף (asaph, assemble/gather) the צֹלֵעָה (tsole'ah, lame/limping/halting one). This feminine singular personifies Israel—wounded, disabled by judgment, unable to walk straight. Physical lameness metaphorically depicts spiritual condition after exile—broken, scattered, weak.

And I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted (וְהַנִּדָּחָה אֲקַבֵּצָה וַאֲשֶׁר הֲרֵעֹתִי, we-hanniddachah aqabetsah wa-asher hare'oti). The נִדַּח (niddach, driven away/banished/outcast) describes exile's dispersal. God acknowledges: אֲשֶׁר הֲרֵעֹתִי (asher hare'oti, whom I have afflicted)—He caused the affliction. This isn't arbitrary cruelty but covenant discipline. Hebrews 12:5-11 explains: "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth... no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness."

The imagery is pastoral and tender—God gathering wounded sheep. Ezekiel 34:11-16 similarly depicts God seeking lost sheep, binding up the broken, strengthening the sick. Jesus fulfilled this role: "I am come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). He healed the lame literally (Matthew 15:30-31; Luke 7:22) and spiritually (John 5:1-9), demonstrating Messianic credentials. The prophecy assures: judgment isn't God's final word; restoration follows discipline for the repentant remnant.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Exile was Israel's ultimate covenant curse—expulsion from the promised land (Deuteronomy 28:36-37, 63-68). Assyria scattered the Northern Kingdom (722 BC); Babylon exiled Judah (586 BC). These events left survivors traumatized—physically displaced, culturally disoriented, spiritually shaken. Ezekiel's vision of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) captured this hopeless condition: dead, scattered, without breath or life.

Yet God promised restoration. Cyrus's edict (538 BC) allowed return; Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah led groups home. Yet prophetic promises transcended this partial fulfillment. Jesus's ministry focused on "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6, 15:24). Pentecost began regathering scattered Jews (Acts 2:5-11). Paul's mission extended to Gentiles, creating one new humanity (Ephesians 2:11-22). The ultimate regathering occurs at Christ's return (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:9-10)—gathering elect from all nations into eternal kingdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to gather 'her that halteth' demonstrate His compassion for those broken by the consequences of sin and rebellion?
  2. What does God's acknowledgment 'whom I have afflicted' teach about divine discipline being purposeful chastening rather than vindictive punishment?
  3. In what ways does Christ's ministry of healing the lame fulfill this prophecy both literally and spiritually?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
בַּיּ֨וֹם1 of 10

“In that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֜וּא2 of 10
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נְאֻם3 of 10

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 10

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֹֽסְפָה֙5 of 10

“will I assemble”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

הַצֹּ֣לֵעָ֔ה6 of 10

“her that halteth”

H6760

to limp (as if one-sided)

וְהַנִּדָּחָ֖ה7 of 10

“her that is driven out”

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

אֲקַבֵּ֑צָה8 of 10

“and I will gather”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

וַאֲשֶׁ֖ר9 of 10
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֲרֵעֹֽתִי׃10 of 10

“and her that I have afflicted”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Micah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Micah 4:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Micah 4:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zephaniah 3:19Ezekiel 34:12-17Isaiah 56:8John 10:16Psalms 147:2Isaiah 35:3-6

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