Keraia
Micah 5

Micah 5:2

A Ruler from Bethlehem · Micah 5:1–6
Read Micah 5

Translations

Modern
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
Traditional
But thou, Beth–lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Literal
And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the thousands of Judah: From you will come forth unto Me One to be Ruler in Israel, and his goings forth are of old, from everlasting.
Latin
Et tu, Bethlehem Ephrata, parvulus es in millibus Juda; ex te mihi egredietur qui sit dominator in Israël, et egressus ejus ab initio, a diebus æternitatis.

Original

Hebrew
English
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

Notes

Micah 5:2

Ephrathah was the ancient name of Bethlehem (Genesis 35:16; Ruth 4:11), where David was born. In the future, a ruler greater than David would come from there (Matthew 2:5–6; John 7:42). This future king's influence would span from the distant past (Hebrew qedem; compare Deuteronomy 33:27; Proverbs 8:22–23; Isaiah 37:26) to a time yet to come, suggesting a divine-human being.

Micah 5:1–15

This section urges Israel to prepare for the fierce attack by Assyria, Israel's enemy (Micah 5:5b–6). This terrifying siege will not destroy Israel, because God will provide a leader (Micah 5:2–5a) to guide the people back from exile. God will preserve and purify the remaining people (Micah 5:7–14), completing their restoration as God's victorious people.

Micah 3:1–5:15

This message accuses the evil leaders who harmed God's people. It contrasts them with a vision of God's kingdom and a righteous king's rule. After facing judgment and exile, a purified Israel would return and receive God's blessings.

Events

Parallels

Matthew 2:1–12

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Bethlehem: City of David's birth and Jesus' birth

Glossary

Bethlehem Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Book of Micah City of David David, City of Ephrath (Place) King Magi Messiah Ruler

Topics

Bethlehem: A City Southwest of Jerusalem: Birthplace of Jesus Bethlehem: A City Southwest of Jerusalem: Called Ephratah and Ephrath Christ is God: As Eternal Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Ephratah: Also Called Ephrath: The Ancient Name of Beth-Lehem-Judah Eternity: God Inhabits God: Eternity of Jesus, the Christ: Eternity of Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Jesus, the Christ: King Jesus, the Christ: Mission of Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Ruler in Israel Messiah Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Being Born in Bethlehem of Judea Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament From, and To, the Old Testament the King Christ: Foretold The Providence of God: Connected with the Use of Means Titles and Names of Christ: Ruler of Israel