Micah 2 13

Micah 2:13 kjv

The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

Micah 2:13 nkjv

The one who breaks open will come up before them; They will break out, Pass through the gate, And go out by it; Their king will pass before them, With the LORD at their head."

Micah 2:13 niv

The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD at their head."

Micah 2:13 esv

He who opens the breach goes up before them; they break through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their king passes on before them, the LORD at their head.

Micah 2:13 nlt

Your leader will break out
and lead you out of exile,
out through the gates of the enemy cities,
back to your own land.
Your king will lead you;
the LORD himself will guide you."

Micah 2 verses

Micah 2 13 Meaning

Micah 2:13 is a powerful prophetic declaration promising a divine leader who will "break open" the way for God's people, enabling them to burst forth from captivity or confinement. This "Breaker" is followed by the people, who themselves "break up" and pass through the gate, achieving liberation. The verse emphasizes dual leadership: "their King" who passes before them, and critically, the "LORD on the head of them," signifying ultimate divine leadership and assurance of deliverance. It speaks of a victorious exodus, where barriers are overcome, and the people are led to freedom by God's own presence.

Micah 2 13 Context

Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, in a period of intense moral decay and political instability for both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The immediate preceding verses in Micah 2 condemn the injustice, greed, and oppression rampant among the people and their leaders. False prophets mislead the people, promising peace despite their sins (Micah 2:1-11). Amidst these pronouncements of judgment and inevitable exile, Micah 2:12-13 stands out as a sudden, profound promise of hope and restoration. It speaks of God gathering the remnant of Israel and Jacob like sheep, and then, in verse 13, provides the triumphant image of their return led by a divine "Breaker" and "King," with the LORD Himself at their head. This verse thus shifts from judgment to a powerful future hope, emphasizing the Lord's redemptive power even after a period of deserved punishment. The "gate" imagery would have resonated with audiences facing the siege or loss of their cities, signifying both escape from a destroyed city and entry into a new state of freedom.

Micah 2 13 Word analysis

• The breaker (הַפֹּרֵץ - ha-pōrēṣ): This Hebrew term literally means "the one who bursts forth" or "the one who breaks through/open." It is an active participle, emphasizing an ongoing or decisive action. It suggests a pioneer, a vanguard, someone who smashes through obstacles, or initiates a breach. This figure sets the example and makes the path for others. In this context, it speaks to an unparalleled leadership, especially when paired with the King and the LORD. Many interpretations see this as a Messianic title or a description of Christ's pioneering work in salvation.
• is come up before them: This signifies leading the way, taking the initiative, being at the forefront. The Breaker is not following but forging ahead.
• they have broken up (פָּרְצוּ - pāreṣū): This verb comes from the same root as "breaker" (paraṣ). It means "they have burst forth," "they have broken out." This is significant because it shows the people are not passive recipients but participate in the act of liberation, empowered by the Breaker. Their movement is a direct response to the Breaker's action, a breaking out from their state of captivity.
• and have passed through the gate: The "gate" represents a barrier, a confinement, or an exit from a place of restriction. To pass through it means overcoming the obstruction or successfully exiting confinement. This imagery powerfully evokes freedom from literal siege or spiritual bondage.
• they are gone out by it: A confirmation of successful exit and liberation. They are no longer contained.
• and their king (מַלְכָּם - malkām): This refers to the king belonging to "them" (the restored remnant of Israel/Jacob). This king is typically understood to be the Messiah. The shift from "breaker" to "their king" consolidates the identity of the leader, implying the "Breaker" is their promised king.
• shall pass before them: Reinforces the leadership role, emphasizing the king as the forerunner, leading the entire company out of captivity into freedom.
• and the LORD (וַיהוָה - vYHWH, the divine personal name of God, Yahweh): The ultimate divine presence. This clause is the pinnacle of the leadership.
• on the head of them (בְּרֹאשָׁם - b'ro'sham): Literally "in their head" or "at their head." This signifies the LORD's supreme position as the guiding authority, the supreme leader of the procession. The combined leadership of "the King" and "the LORD on the head of them" either identifies the King as divine, or indicates the earthly King acts entirely under divine direct command and presence.

Words-group analysis:

• "The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate": This phrase paints a dynamic picture of a path being forcibly opened. The initial breach is made by the "Breaker," and then the people, invigorated and enabled, follow suit, themselves breaking free and traversing the barrier. This depicts a coordinated movement, led by a powerful pioneer.
• "and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them": This powerful culmination of the verse describes a unique, dual leadership. The "Breaker" is clarified as "their King," identifying a specific sovereign. Crucially, the "LORD" (God Himself) is positioned "on the head of them," indicating the ultimate authority and divine presence over the entire exodus. This guarantees the success and divine sanction of the liberation. The ultimate King of the people is not just a human leader but God Himself or a divinely appointed Messiah acting under direct divine supervision, ensuring triumphant passage and deliverance.

Micah 2 13 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a pivotal theme in biblical prophecy: the anticipation of a glorious "New Exodus." Just as God led Israel out of Egyptian bondage, He would once again lead His people out of captivity (often symbolic of sin or Babylonian exile) into a new era of freedom and blessing. The "Breaker" here can be seen as embodying both the strength and wisdom required for such a pioneering work. The emphasis on God's personal presence, "the LORD on the head of them," establishes a powerful spiritual reality that no human barrier or opposition can withstand. It highlights the security and triumph of God's covenant people when led by Him. This passage gives great hope regarding the unfailing power of God to deliver His chosen, making a way where there was none.

Micah 2 13 Commentary

Micah 2:13 is a beacon of hope following dire pronouncements of judgment. It promises an extraordinary, divinely orchestrated liberation. The central figure, "the Breaker" (Ha-Porets), is a pioneer, one who decisively smashes through obstacles and clears a path. This image is intensely powerful, conveying a forceful and effective liberation. The people's subsequent act of "breaking up" themselves signifies their active participation in this divinely initiated movement, flowing forth from captivity. The "gate" serves as the concrete image of the confinement they burst from.

The identification of this "Breaker" with "their King" points strongly to the Messiah, a figure prophesied throughout the Old Testament as the Shepherd and ultimate Ruler. The crucial addition, "and the LORD on the head of them," underscores that this entire movement is under the ultimate, supreme command and guidance of God Himself. It’s a divine exodus. This could mean the Messiah is indwelt by the LORD, or that the LORD is the true sovereign leading through His anointed King. Ultimately, it signifies a guaranteed, supernaturally enabled triumph over all confining forces—be they physical empires, sin, or death. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who, by His crucifixion and resurrection, broke the power of sin and death, opened the way to eternal life, and now leads His people into true freedom.