Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary-4 Verse 1-4. But in the last days it shall come to pass] These four verses contain, says Bp. Newcome, a prophecy that was to be fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah, when the Gentiles were to be admitted into covenant with God, and the apostles were to preach the Gospel, beginning at Jerusalem, Luke xxiv. 47; Acts ii. 14, &c., when Christ was to be the spiritual Judge and King of many people, was to convince many nations of their errors and vices, and was to found a religion which had the strongest tendency to promote peace. Bp. Lowth thinks that "Micah took this passage from Isaiah;" or the Spirit may have inspired both prophets with this prediction; or both may have copied some common original, the words of a prophet well known at that time. The variations (few and of little importance) may be seen in the notes on the parallel passages, Isa. ii. 2, &c.; to which the reader is requested to refer.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off , etc.] That are in the most distant parts of the world; not only the isles afar off, but the remotest parts of the continent, the American nations found out since. In ( Isaiah 2:4), it is, “and he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people”; that is, the King Messiah, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech. Some render it, “it shall judge”, etc. and interpret it either of the Church, the mountain of the Lord’s house; or of the word and doctrine of the Lord; or of the Lord in the church, by the ministry of the word, The phrase, “afar off”, is not in ( Isaiah 2:4); which the Targum interprets “for ever”, and the “strong nations” of strong kings; signifying that the kingdom of Christ should not only be to the ends or the earth, but should endure for ever, unto distant time, even till it shall be no more; as well as shall reach to distant lands, as to situation, and to the Gentiles afar off, as to state and condition; (see Ephesians 2:14); and they shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation , neither shall they learn war any more ; which as yet has never been fulfilled; but will be the case when Christ’s kingdom appears in its glory, and the kingdoms of this world become his, and all the enemies of the church are destroyed; (see Gill on “ Isaiah 2:4”). These words are by the Jews f134 applied to the days of the Messiah.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - The nations have not yet so submitted to the Prince of Peace, as to beat their swords into ploughshares, nor has war ceased. But very precious promises these are, relating to the gospel church, which wil be more and more fulfilled, for He is faithful that has promised. Ther shall be a glorious church for God set up in the world, in the las days, in the days of the Messiah. Christ himself will build it upon rock. The Gentiles worshipped their idol gods; but in the period spoke of, the people will cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, an delight in doing his will. The word "halteth," describes those who wal not according to the Divine word. The collecting the captives from Babylon was an earnest of healing, purifying, and prospering the church; and the reign of Christ shall continue till succeeded by the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Let us stir up each other to attend the ordinances of God, that we may learn his holy ways, and walk in them receiving the law from his hands, which, being written in our hearts by his Spirit, may show our interest in the Redeemer's righteousness.
Original Hebrew
ושׁפט 8199 בין 996 עמים 5971 רבים 7227 והוכיח 3198 לגוים 1471 עצמים 6099 עד 5704 רחוק 7350 וכתתו 3807 חרבתיהם 2719 לאתים 855 וחניתתיהם 2595 למזמרות 4211 לא 3808 ישׂאו 5375 גוי 1471 אל 413 גוי 1471 חרב 2719 ולא 3808 ילמדון 3925 עוד 5750 מלחמה׃ 4421
