Micah 5:2

‘Bethlehem in Ephrathah, small among the tribes of Judah, from you will come a king who will rule for me over Israel, whose family line goes back to the distant past.’

Open English Bible (UK)

In The King James Version

But thou, Bethlehem 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.

In Context

1‘Now cut yourself in bitter grief, daughter besieged by soldiers. They have set a wall around you. They strike the ruler of Israel, in the face with a rod.

3So the Lord will only abandon Israel to its enemies until the woman in labour gives birth. Then the survivors will be reunited with their own people.

Read all of Micah 5

Cross References

Genesis 35:19So Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem),

Genesis 49:10The sceptre will not pass from Judah, nor the royal staff from between his feet, and to him is due the obedience of the people.

Matthew Henry on Micah 5:2-7

The Abasement and Distress of Zion; Birth of the Messiah Predicted; The Glory of Messiah. ( b. c. 720.) 1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 2 But thou, Bethlehem 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. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the… Read the whole commentary →

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