Micah 5:2

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 1 even though you are small among the clans of Judah, 1 out of you one will come to me 1 to rule in Israel, 1 whose beginning is from ancient times, 1 from everlasting. 1

Unlocked Literal Bible

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

1Now come together in battle ranks, 1 daughter of soldiers; 1 the soldiers have set up a siege around city, 1 with a rod they will strike the judge of Israel 1 on the cheek. + 5:1 Instead of come together in battle ranks , some interpreters translate cut yourselves , referring to the pagan practice of cutting oneself while praying to idols. Also, some modern versions follow an ancient version that reads build up your fortifications . 1

3Therefore God will give them up, 1 until the time when she who is in labor bears a child, 1 and the rest of his brothers return to the people of Israel. 1

Read all of Micah 5

Cross References

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

Genesis 49:10The scepter will not depart from Judah, 1 nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, 1 until Shiloh comes. The nations will obey him. 1

Exodus 18:25Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

Judges 17:7Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the clan of Judah, who was a Levite. He stayed there to fulfill his duties.

1 Samuel 8:12He will appoint for himself captains of thousands and captains of fifties. He will make some plow his ground, some reap his harvest, and some make his weapons of war and the equipment for his chariots.

1 Samuel 17:12Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse. He had eight sons. Jesse was an old man in the days of Saul, very old among men.

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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