Micah 4:12
New International Version
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

New Living Translation
But they do not know the LORD’s thoughts or understand his plan. These nations don’t know that he is gathering them together to be beaten and trampled like sheaves of grain on a threshing floor.

English Standard Version
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor.

Berean Standard Bible
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD or understand His plan, for He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

King James Bible
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

New King James Version
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, Nor do they understand His counsel; For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

New American Standard Bible
“But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, And they do not understand His plan; For He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

NASB 1995
“But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, And they do not understand His purpose; For He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

NASB 1977
“But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, And they do not understand His purpose; For He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

Legacy Standard Bible
But they do not know the thoughts of Yahweh, And they do not understand His counsel; For He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

Amplified Bible
“But they (Gentile nations) do not know the thoughts of the LORD, Nor do they understand His purpose and plan; For He has gathered them (Gentiles) like sheaves to the threshing floor [for destruction].

Christian Standard Bible
But they do not know the LORD’s intentions or understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But they do not know the LORD’s intentions or understand His plan, that He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

American Standard Version
But they know not the thoughts of Jehovah, neither understand they his counsel; for he hath gathered them as the sheaves to the threshing-floor.

Contemporary English Version
But they don't know that I, the LORD, have gathered them here to grind them like grain.

English Revised Version
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he hath gathered them as the sheaves to the threshingfloor.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They don't know the thoughts of the LORD or understand his plan. He will bring them together like cut grain on the threshing floor.

Good News Translation
But these nations do not know what is in the LORD's mind. They do not realize that they have been gathered together to be punished in the same way that grain is brought in to be threshed.

International Standard Version
But they don't know the thoughts of the LORD, and they don't understand his tactics, for he will gather them like harvested grain to his threshing floor.

Majority Standard Bible
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD or understand His plan, for He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

NET Bible
But they do not know what the LORD is planning; they do not understand his strategy. He has gathered them like stalks of grain to be threshed at the threshing floor.

New Heart English Bible
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, neither do they understand his counsel; for he has gathered them like the sheaves to the threshing floor.

Webster's Bible Translation
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he will gather them as sheaves into the floor.

World English Bible
But they don’t know the thoughts of Yahweh, neither do they understand his counsel; for he has gathered them like the sheaves to the threshing floor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They have not known the thoughts of YHWH, "" Nor have they understood His counsel, "" For He has gathered them as a sheaf [into] a threshing-floor.

Young's Literal Translation
They have not known the thoughts of Jehovah, Nor have they understood His counsel, For He hath gathered them as a sheaf into a threshing-floor.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they knew not the purposes of Jehovah, and they understood not his counsel for he gathered them as sheaves of the threshing-floor.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But they have not known the thoughts of the Lord, and have not understood his counsel: because he hath gathered them together as the hay of the floor.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But they have not known the thoughts of the Lord, and they have not understood his counsel. For he has gathered them together like hay on a threshing floor.

New American Bible
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, nor understand his plan: He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

New Revised Standard Version
But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither do they understand his counsel; for he shall gather them as sheaves into the threshing floor.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But they have not known the reasonings of LORD JEHOVAH, and they have not understood his thoughts, for he gathered them as the ears of corn of a threshing floor
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, Neither understand they His counsel; For He hath gathered them as the sheaves to the threshing-floor.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But they know not the thought of the Lord, and have not understood his counsel: for he has gathered them as sheaves of the floor.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Restoration of Zion
11But now many nations have assembled against you, saying, “Let her be defiled, and let us feast our eyes on Zion.” 12But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD or understand His plan, for He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor. 13Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron and hooves of bronze to break to pieces many peoples. Then you will devote their gain to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.…

Cross References
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8
No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Isaiah 10:7
But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.

Romans 11:33-34
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”

Psalm 33:10-11
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

1 Corinthians 1:19-20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

Job 5:12-13
He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. / He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Psalm 2:1-4
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ...

Ephesians 1:9-11
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ / as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ. / In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

Isaiah 14:24-27
The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. / I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountain. His yoke will be taken off My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.” / This is the plan devised for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations. ...


Treasury of Scripture

But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

they know.

Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 11:33,34
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! …

for he shall.

Isaiah 21:10
O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

Joel 3:12,13
Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about…

Zechariah 14:1-3
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee…

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Micah 4
1. The glory,
5. and the peace of Christ's kingdom.
6. The restoration,
11. and victory of the church.














But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD
This phrase highlights the omniscience of God, contrasting human understanding with divine wisdom. In the biblical context, the nations surrounding Israel often acted in ways that seemed wise to them but were ultimately futile against God's sovereign plans. This echoes Isaiah 55:8-9, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than those of humans. It serves as a reminder of the limitations of human wisdom and the need for reliance on divine revelation.

or understand His plan
The inability to comprehend God's plan underscores the mystery of divine providence. Historically, the nations around Israel, such as Assyria and Babylon, believed they were acting on their own accord, but they were instruments in God's larger redemptive history. This aligns with Romans 11:33-34, which speaks of the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge. The plan of God often involves unexpected means and outcomes, ultimately pointing to the fulfillment of His purposes in Christ.

for He has gathered them
This gathering can be seen as a divine orchestration of events, where God brings nations together for His purposes. In the prophetic literature, God often gathers nations for judgment or to fulfill His covenant promises to Israel. This gathering is reminiscent of the eschatological gathering in Joel 3:2, where God assembles nations for judgment in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. It reflects God's control over history and His ability to use even the actions of nations to accomplish His will.

like sheaves to the threshing floor
The imagery of sheaves and the threshing floor is rich with agricultural symbolism, common in the ancient Near East. The threshing floor was a place where grain was separated from chaff, symbolizing judgment and purification. This metaphor suggests that the nations, like sheaves, will be brought to a place of judgment where God will separate the righteous from the wicked. This imagery is also found in Matthew 3:12, where John the Baptist speaks of Jesus gathering His wheat into the barn and burning the chaff with unquenchable fire, pointing to the final judgment and the establishment of God's kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The central figure in this verse, representing God's sovereignty and omniscience. His thoughts and plans are beyond human understanding.

2. The Nations
Implicit in the context, these are the enemies of Israel who are gathered against God's people, unaware of God's ultimate plan.

3. Micah
The prophet delivering God's message to Israel, providing insight into God's plans and purposes.

4. Sheaves
A metaphor for the nations gathered for judgment, symbolizing how God will deal with them.

5. Threshing Floor
A place of separation and judgment, where grain is separated from chaff, symbolizing God's judgment and purification process.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic. His plans are perfect and will ultimately prevail.

Trust in God's Plan
Even when we do not understand God's ways, we are called to trust in His wisdom and timing.

Judgment and Purification
Understand that God's judgment is a process of purification, separating what is valuable from what is not.

Humility Before God
Acknowledge our limited understanding and approach God with humility, seeking His guidance and wisdom.

Hope in God's Justice
Take comfort in knowing that God will bring justice and righteousness, gathering and dealing with the nations according to His perfect plan.(12) They know not the thoughts of the Lord.--As a commentary upon this passage, we may compare the message of God with reference to the haughty thoughts of Sennacherib. Then the Lord declared that the Assyrian king was but His instrument in all he had done; so that when he presumed to arrogate to himself the glory of his victories, the Lord revoked his commission: "I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou carnest." And so it came to pass.

Verse 12. - But the enemies who came to exult over Zion do not know God's design while blindly working it out. God's people are not to be destroyed, but their adversaries. They know not the thoughts of the Lord. The heathen, who were the instruments of God's wrath against his people, knew nothing of his purpose in thus afflicting them, nor perceived that they themselves were drawn together for punishment. He shall gather (hath gathered) them as the sheaves into the floor. Their blindness is proved by their not perceiving till too late that God has brought them together before Jerusalem, as sheaves are brought into the threshing floor, in order to be broken up and destroyed (comp. Isaiah 21:10; Jeremiah 51:23). The metaphor is carried on in the next verse. Various are the explanations of the prophet's reference in this prophecy. Many commentators see in it a reference to the destruction of the army of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35); others discern a defeat of the Scythians after the return from captivity; others, again, place it in the times of the Maccabees; and others interpret it of the defeat of the mystical adversaries of God's Church adumbrated in Ezekiel 38; Zechariah 12; and Revelation 20. But the prophet has not one definite event in view, but looks forward to the general conflict between the powers of the world and the Church, of which the historical events and material enemies were the types. Certain historical circumstances may exactly suit the prediction, but they do not exhaust it. And indeed we do wrong to seek for minute and definite fulfilment of particular predictions. Such utterances are often conditional and are modified by subsequent circumstances. The prophets are concerned with great moral truths and the righteous government of the world, and are not always to be interpreted with literal exactness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But they
וְהֵ֗מָּה (wə·hêm·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

do not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָֽדְעוּ֙ (yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

the thoughts
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת (maḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

or
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

understand
הֵבִ֖ינוּ (hê·ḇî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

His plan:
עֲצָת֑וֹ (‘ă·ṣā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He has gathered them
קִבְּצָ֖ם (qib·bə·ṣām)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

like sheaves
כֶּעָמִ֥יר (ke·‘ā·mîr)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5995: A swath, row of fallen grain

to the threshing floor.
גֹּֽרְנָה׃ (gō·rə·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1637: A threshing-floor, open area


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OT Prophets: Micah 4:12 But they don't know the thoughts (Mc Mic. Mi)
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