Micah 5:1-10

Call to arms; the future is secure

1 Now muster your troops, Daughter Troop! They have laid siege against us; with a rod they will strike the cheek of the judge of Israel.

2 As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah's forces, one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you. His origin is from remote times, from ancient days.

3 Therefore, he will give them up until the time when she who is in labor gives birth. The rest of his kin will return to the people of Israel.

4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. They will dwell secure, because he will surely become great throughout the earth;

5 he will become one of peace. When Assyria invades our land and treads down our fortresses, then we will raise up against him seven shepherds and eight human princes.

6 They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword. He will rescue us from Assyria when he invades our land and treads within our territory.

7 Then the few remaining in Jacob will be amid many peoples like dew from the LORD, like spring showers upon the grass, which does not hope for humans or wait for human ones.

8 Then the few remaining in Jacob will be among the nations, amid many peoples, like a lion among the creatures of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which when it passes by, tramples and tears to pieces with no one to deliver.

9 Your hand will be lifted over your foes; all your enemies will be cut off.

Doom for Israel’s enemies

10 On that day—says the LORD— I will cut down your horses in your midst; I will destroy your chariots!

Read Chapter Compare

Images for Micah 5:1-10

Micah 5:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 5

This chapter begins with a prophecy of the siege of Jerusalem, Mic 5:1; and then follows another concerning the place of the Messiah's birth, Mic 5:2; and of the case of the Jews, either before or after it, Mic 5:3; and of Christ's office as a shepherd, and of his grandeur in the world, Mic 5:4; and of his being a peacemaker, and protector of his people from their enemies, Mic 5:5,6; and of his people, the great increase of them, and their usefulness, and also of their courage, strength, and prowess, Mic 5:7-9; likewise that the Lord will remove from them their vain confidence, and all occasion of it, and whatsoever illicit arts and practices were found among them; and all idolatry, and the instruments of it, Mic 5:10-14; and the chapter is concluded with a threatening of vengeance to the Heathens, Mic 5:15.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 4

[a]. 4:14 in Heb
[b]. Heb uncertain
[c]. Heb lacks his flock.
[d]. Or this will ensure peace.