Lexical Summary botsrah: fold Original Word: בָּצְרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bozrah Feminine from batsar; an enclosure, i.e. Sheep fold -- Bozrah. see HEBREW batsar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom batsar Definition an enclosure, a fold (for sheep) NASB Translation fold (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. בָּצְרָה noun feminine enclosure, i.e. (sheep-) fold, ׳צאן ב Micah 2:12. Topical Lexicon Pastoral Setting of the Word The single biblical occurrence of בָּצְרָה appears in Micah 2:12, where the Lord promises to gather His scattered people “like sheep in a fold”. In the hilly terrain of ancient Palestine, shepherds built low-walled enclosures from fieldstones to protect their flocks at night. These folds provided shelter from predators, weather, and theft. By choosing this specific term, Micah evokes a concrete image of security, ordering, and communal rest. Use in Micah 2:12 Micah alternates between sharp denunciations (Micah 1:2-2:11) and bright promises (Micah 2:12-13). The “fold” scene marks the turning point from judgment to restoration. The verse unites three themes: 1. Regathering: “I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob… the remnant of Israel.” Prophetic and Eschatological Resonance Micah’s fold anticipates later prophecies of national reunion (Jeremiah 23:3; Ezekiel 34:13-15) and culminates in the New Testament vision of the Good Shepherd who brings “one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). The image therefore stretches from the post-exilic return to the final in-gathering at the end of the age (Matthew 24:31), affirming God’s unbroken commitment to covenant promises. Theological Themes Security in Covenant: The fold is a tangible pledge that divine judgment is never God’s last word to His people. Corporate Identity: Individual sheep gain safety only when enclosed together; so too Israel—and, by extension, the Church—flourishes in unity. Divine Tenderness: While Micah is often stern, the pastoral metaphor underscores God’s gentleness toward the repentant (Isaiah 40:11). Connections with the Wider Shepherd Motif Psalm 23: “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Instruments of guidance correspond to walls of the fold. Ezekiel 34:11-16: God searches, rescues, and grazes His flock, echoing Micah’s regathering promise. John 10:1-18: Jesus speaks of a “sheepfold” (Greek aulē), stressing legitimate entry through the gate. Micah’s Hebrew term enriches the background of this discourse. Historical Perspective Eighth-century B.C. Judah faced social injustice and looming Assyrian threat. Micah’s audience, largely rural, knew that a shepherd’s fold was indispensable once darkness fell. By applying the picture to national restoration, Micah reassures farmers and herders that the God who knows their daily routines also controls international events. Ministry Implications Pastoral Care: Congregational life should mirror the fold—a place of doctrinal safety, mutual accountability, and restorative discipline (Acts 20:28). Mission: The fold is not the final goal; the Shepherd later “brings them out” to fruitful pasture (Micah 2:13). Churches must balance nurture with commissioning. Assurance: Believers under pressure can rest in the Shepherd’s promise that none whom He gathers will be lost (John 10:28). Homiletical Suggestions • Contrast Micah 2:12 with John 10 to show continuity from prophecy to fulfillment. Summary בָּצְרָה portrays God’s people enclosed, protected, and unified under the watchful eye of the Shepherd-King. Though the word surfaces only once, it crystallizes a sweeping biblical narrative: judgment gives way to gathering; exile yields to homecoming; and the fold becomes the launch point for a renewed, mission-ready flock. Forms and Transliterations בָּצְרָ֑ה בצרה bāṣ·rāh bāṣrāh botzrahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Micah 2:12 HEB: אֲשִׂימֶ֖נּוּ כְּצֹ֣אן בָּצְרָ֑ה כְּעֵ֙דֶר֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ NAS: like sheep in the fold; Like a flock KJV: as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock INT: will put sheep the fold A flock the midst 1 Occurrence |
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