Micah 5:2-15

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans^[a] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

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. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

5 And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders,

6 who will rule^[b] the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.^[c]He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders.

7 The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for anyone or depend on man.

8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue.

9 Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed.

10 “In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will destroy your horses from among you and demolish your chariots.

11 I will destroy the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds.

12 I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.

13 I will destroy your idols and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands.

14 I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles^[d]when I demolish your cities.

15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that have not obeyed me.”

Micah 5:2-15 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. S John 7:42
• 2. S Genesis 35:16; S Genesis 48:7
• 3. S Numbers 24:19; S 1 Samuel 13:14; S 2 Samuel 6:21; S 2 Chronicles 7:18
• 4. Psalms 102:25
• 5. Matthew 2:6*
• 6. S Jeremiah 7:29
• 7. Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 49:9; S Eze 34:11-15,23; Micah 7:14
• 8. Isaiah 52:13; Luke 1:32
• 9. S Isaiah 9:6; S Luke 2:14; Colossians 1:19-20
• 10. Isaiah 8:7
• 11. Isaiah 10:24-27
• 12. Genesis 10:8
• 13. Zephaniah 2:13
• 14. Nahum 2:11-13
• 15. S Amos 5:15; S Micah 2:12
• 16. S Psalms 133:3
• 17. Isaiah 44:4
• 18. S Genesis 49:9
• 19. Micah 4:13; Zechariah 10:5
• 20. S Psalms 50:22; S Isaiah 5:29; S Hosea 5:14
• 21. S Psalms 10:12
• 22. Exodus 15:4,19; S Hosea 14:3; Haggai 2:22; Zechariah 9:10
• 23. S Deuteronomy 29:23; Isaiah 6:11
• 24. S Lamentations 2:2; S Hosea 10:14; Amos 5:9
• 25. Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Isaiah 2:6; Isaiah 8:19
• 26. Nahum 1:14
• 27. Hosea 10:2
• 28. S Isaiah 2:18; S Ezekiel 6:9; Zechariah 13:2
• 29. S Exodus 34:13; S Judges 3:7; S 2 Kings 17:10
• 30. S Isaiah 65:12

Footnotes

• [a] Or "rulers"
• [b] Or "crush"
• [c] Or "Nimrod in its gates"
• [d] That is, wooden symbols of the goddess Asherah