Micah 5:1-3

Birth of the King in Bethlehem

1 "Now muster yourselves in troops, daughter of troops; They have laid siege against us; With a rod they will ¹smite the judge of Israel on the cheek.

2 "But as for ²you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From ³you One will go forth for Me to be ⁴ruler in Israel. His goings forth are ⁵from long ago, From the days of eternity."

3 Therefore He will ⁶give them up until the time When she ⁷who is in labor has borne a child. Then the ⁸remainder of His brethren Will return to the sons of Israel.

Micah 5:1-3 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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 22:24; Job 16:10; Lamentations 3:30
• 2. Genesis 35:19; Genesis 48:7; Ruth 4:11; Matthew 2:6
• 3. Isaiah 11:1; Luke 2:4; John 7:42
• 4. Jeremiah 30:21; Zechariah 9:9
• 5. Psalms 102:25; Proverbs 8:22, 23
• 6. Hosea 11:8; Micah 4:10; Micah 7:13
• 7. Micah 4:9, 10
• 8. Isaiah 10:20-22; Micah 5:7, 8

Footnotes

• [a]. Ch 4:14 in Heb
• [b]. Lit "He has"
• [c]. Ch 5:1 in Heb
• [d]. Or "His appearances are from long ago, from days of old"