Micah 4:8 And you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion--the former dominion will be restored to you; sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem."

◄ Micah 4:8 ►

New International Version
As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”

New Living Translation
As for you, Jerusalem, the citadel of God’s people, your royal might and power will come back to you again. The kingship will be restored to my precious Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
And you, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, the former dominion shall come, kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem.

Berean Standard Bible
And you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion—the former dominion will be restored to you; sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And you, O tower of the flock, The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, To you shall it come, Even the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.”

New American Standard Bible
“As for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come— Yes, the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
“As for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come— Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
“And as for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come— Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
And as for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come— Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
“As for you [Jerusalem], tower of the flock [of Israel], Hill and stronghold of the Daughter of Zion (Jerusalem’s inhabitants), To you the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the Daughter of Jerusalem [when the Messiah reigns in Jerusalem, and the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled].

Christian Standard Bible
And you, watchtower for the flock, fortified hill of Daughter Zion, the former rule will come to you; sovereignty will come to Daughter Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And you, watchtower for the flock, fortified hill of Daughter Zion, the former rule will come to you, sovereignty will come to Daughter Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
And thou, O tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, yea, the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

Contemporary English Version
Mount Zion in Jerusalem, guardian of my people, you will rule again.

English Revised Version
And thou, O tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come; yea, the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You, Jerusalem, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of the people of Zion, your former government will come back to you. The kingdom will return to the people of Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
And you, Jerusalem, where God, like a shepherd from his lookout tower, watches over his people, will once again be the capital of the kingdom that was yours.

International Standard Version
"And you, watchtower of the flock, you stronghold of the daughter of Zion, it will happen even to you: The former dominion, even the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem, will come.

Majority Standard Bible
And you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion?the former dominion will be restored to you; sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.?

NET Bible
As for you, watchtower for the flock, fortress of Daughter Zion--your former dominion will be restored, the sovereignty that belongs to Daughter Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
And you, tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come, the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

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

World English Bible
You, tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come. Yes, the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you, O Tower of Eder, "" Fort of the daughter of Zion, to you it comes, "" Indeed, the former rule has come in, "" The kingdom to the daughter of Jerusalem.”

Young's Literal Translation
And thou, O tower of Eder, Fort of the daughter of Zion, unto thee it cometh, Yea, come in hath the former rule, The kingdom to the daughter of Jerusalem.

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, even to thee shall it come, and the first dominion: came the kingdom to the daughter of Jerusalem.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou, O cloudy tower of the flock, of the daughter of Sion, unto thee shall it come: yea the first power shall come, the kingdom to the daughter of Jerusalem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you, cloudy tower of the flock of the daughter of Zion, even to you it will come. And the first power will arrive, the kingdom to the daughter of Jerusalem.

New American Bible
And you, O tower of the flock, hill of daughter Zion! To you it shall come: the former dominion shall be restored, the reign of daughter Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
And you, O tower of the flock, hill of daughter Zion, to you it shall come, the former dominion shall come, the sovereignty of daughter Jerusalem.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you, O gloomy ruler of the daughter of Zion, your time has come, and the former ruler of the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem is coming.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But you, tower of the cloudy Shepherd, of the daughter of Zion, your time has arrived and the first Ruler of the Kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem has come

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou, Migdal-eder, the hill of the daughter of Zion, Unto thee shall it come; Yea, the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou, dark tower of the flock, daughter of Sion, on thee the dominion shall come and enter in, even the first kingdom from Babylon to the daughter of Jerusalem.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Restoration of Zion
…7And I will make the lame into a remnant, and the outcast into a strong nation. Then the LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. 8And you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion— the former dominion will be restored to you; sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.” 9Why do you now cry aloud? Is there no king among you? Has your counselor perished so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor?…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 2:2-4
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples 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. / 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.

Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. / 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.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / 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.

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Isaiah 11:1-10
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Zechariah 14:9-11
On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone. / All the land from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem will be turned into a plain, but Jerusalem will be raised up and will remain in her place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses. / People will live there, and never again will there be an utter destruction. So Jerusalem will dwell securely.

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

Matthew 21:5
“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”

Revelation 21:2-4
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. / ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Psalm 2:6-8
“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” / I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. / Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession.

Ezekiel 37:24-28
My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes. / They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live there forever with their children and grandchildren, and My servant David will be their prince forever. / And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary among them forever. ...

Daniel 7:13-14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Hosea 3:5
Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.

Amos 9:11-12
“In that day I will restore the fallen tent of David. I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, / that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.

Treasury of Scripture

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

O tower.

Psalm 48:12,13
Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof…

Isaiah 5:2
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

Matthew 21:33
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

the flock.

Genesis 35:21
And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.

the strong.

2 Samuel 5:7
Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

Isaiah 10:32
As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

Zechariah 9:12
Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

the first.

Numbers 24:19
Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.

Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Daniel 7:18
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

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Authority Daughter Dominion Earlier Eder First Flock Former Fort Hill Hold Jerusalem Kingdom Migdal-Eder Ophel Restored Rule Strong Stronghold Tower Watchtower Zion

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Authority Daughter Dominion Earlier Eder First Flock Former Fort Hill Hold Jerusalem Kingdom Migdal-Eder Ophel Restored Rule Strong Stronghold Tower Watchtower Zion

Micah 4

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

Berean Study Bible

And you, O watchtower of the flock
The phrase "watchtower of the flock" is translated from the Hebrew "Migdal-eder," which literally means "tower of the flock." This term is historically significant, as it refers to a location near Bethlehem, traditionally associated with shepherds watching over their flocks. In a spiritual sense, it symbolizes vigilance and protection. The watchtower serves as a metaphor for God's protective oversight over His people, ensuring their safety and guiding them. This imagery evokes the pastoral care of a shepherd, reminiscent of Christ as the Good Shepherd, who watches over His flock with love and diligence.

O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion
The "stronghold" signifies a place of refuge and defense, a fortress that provides safety against adversaries. "Daughter of Zion" is a poetic term for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, representing the people of God. Historically, Zion was the hill upon which Jerusalem was built, and it became synonymous with God's chosen people. This phrase reassures the faithful of God's unwavering protection and strength, emphasizing that despite current trials, they are secure in His mighty fortress. It is a call to trust in God's enduring power and presence.

the former dominion will be restored to you
"Former dominion" refers to the past glory and sovereignty of Israel, particularly during the reigns of David and Solomon when the kingdom was united and prosperous. The promise of restoration is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, offering hope to a people often besieged and exiled. This restoration is not merely political but also spiritual, pointing to a future where God's kingdom is fully realized. It is a message of hope and renewal, assuring believers that God's promises are steadfast and that He will restore what has been lost.

kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem
The "kingship" here is a prophetic reference to the coming of the Messiah, who will reign over God's people with justice and righteousness. "Daughter of Jerusalem" again symbolizes the people of God, who will witness the fulfillment of God's covenant through the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This phrase anticipates the coming of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, whose reign brings peace and salvation. It is a forward-looking promise that encourages believers to remain faithful, as God's ultimate plan for redemption and kingship will be fulfilled in Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) O tower of the flock.--Israel having been compared to a flock, Jerusalem is called its tower, or protection; and in Messiah the ancient dominion shall return to the Holy City. This is a more satisfactory interpretation than that which makes the tower of the flock Migdol-Edah (Genesis 35:21), a place near Bethlehem.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 8-10. - § 6. After a certain period of calamity and captivity the kingdom of David shall be revived. Verse 8. - And thou, O tower of the flock (migdal-edar). There was a village with a tower so called near Bethlehem (Genesis 35:21), and it is thought that Micah refers to it as the home of David and as destined to be the birthplace of Messiah. But the context compels us to consider the expression as a periphrasis for Jerusalem, which the prophet here addressee, declaring that the royal power shall be restored to her. It is evidently the same place as the stronghold (ophel, "the hill") of the daughter of Zion. The name "Ophel" is affixed to the southern spur of Moriah, opposite to the Mount Zion, from which it was separated by the Tyropoeon Valley. It was fortified by Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:3) and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:14), and on it were the king's house, i.e. the old palace of David, and "the tower that lieth out," or the upper tower (see Nehemiah 3:26, 27). This is probably the "flock tower" mentioned in the text (comp. Isaiah 32:14, where Ophel and the watch tower are named together); and it is so called as having been originally a place of refuge for flocks, or of observation for shepherds. Micah uses the two expressions to represent the power and dominion of Jerusalem. The propriety of the usa of the term "flock tower" is seen when we remember that David was a shepherd before he was king, and that the Israelites are the sheep of the Lord's pasture. The reference to a flock in the prceeding verses may also have influenced the prophet's thought. Owing to a slight variation in the reading, the LXX. renders Ophel by αἰχμώδης, "dark;" so Jerome, "nebulosa;" Aquila, σκοτώδης: Symmachus, ἀπόκρυφος. These translators would refer the term to the ruinous condition of the tower. The first dominion shall come, i.e. the former, original empire, such as it was in the days of David and Solomon, and which had been lost in later times. The LXX. adds, ἐκ Βαβυλῶνος: and hence the Greek expositors explain the passage as referring to the siege of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. The verb "shall come" is better taken with "the first dominion," and this clause in apposition to the former, "the kingdom of" or "the reign over the daughter of Jerusalem." Sovereignty over Jerusalem, or, as others take it, that appertains to Jerusalem, represents rule over the whole country. In Messiah the glory and power are restored to the throne of David (Luke 1:32, 33).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And you,
וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

O watchtower
מִגְדַּל־ (miḡ·dal-)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers

of the flock,
עֵ֗דֶר (‘ê·ḏer)
Noun
Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster

O Stronghold
עֹ֛פֶל (‘ō·p̄el)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6076: A tumor, a mound, fortress

of the daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Zion—
צִיּ֖וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

the former
הָרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה (hā·ri·šō·nāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

dominion
הַמֶּמְשָׁלָה֙ (ham·mem·šā·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4475: Rule, a realm, a ruler

will be restored
תֵּאתֶ֑ה (tê·ṯeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 857: To arrive

to you;
עָדֶ֣יךָ (‘ā·ḏe·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

sovereignty
מַמְלֶ֖כֶת (mam·le·ḵeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign

will come
וּבָאָ֗ה (ū·ḇā·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to the Daughter
לְבַ֥ת־ (lə·ḇaṯ-)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

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OT Prophets: Micah 4:8 You tower of the flock the hill (Mc Mic. Mi)