Micah 5:2 kjv
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.
Micah 5:2 nkjv
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
Micah 5:2 niv
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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."
Micah 5:2 esv
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Micah 5:2 nlt
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on my behalf.
Micah 5 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Genesis 35:16 (Jacob's wife dies giving birth near Bethlehem) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Ruth 4:11-22 (Bethlehem as ancestral home of David) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Matthew 2:6 (Quoting Micah 5:2 for Jesus' birth) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | John 7:42 (Jesus born in Bethlehem as prophesied) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (David, the first prominent ruler from Bethlehem) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Psalm 110:1 (Messianic psalm pointing to divine authority) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Isaiah 9:6-7 (Prophecy of an eternal ruler born) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Jeremiah 23:5-6 (Messiah, a righteous branch from David) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | John 1:1, 14 (The Word, eternally with God, became flesh) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Colossians 1:15-17 (Christ as creator and sustainer) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Hebrews 1:1-3 (Jesus as the radiance of God's glory) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Revelation 1:8 (Alpha and Omega, eternal God) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Genesis 1:1 (In the beginning, God created) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | John 17:5 (Jesus' pre-incarnate glory with the Father) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Romans 11:26 (Salvation comes from Zion, from Jacob) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Galatians 4:4 (Born under the law, when the fullness of time had come) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Titus 2:13 (Our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | 1 Peter 1:18-21 (Redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, foreordained before the foundation of the world) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Jude 1:24-25 (Able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless) |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans 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." | Revelation 5:9-10 (Worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, a ruler of kings on earth) |
Micah 5 verses
Micah 5 2 Meaning
This verse proclaims the eternal pre-existence and divine nature of the Ruler who will come from Bethlehem. He is identified as originating from antiquity, from the days of old.
Micah 5 2 Context
Micah 5 is a pivotal chapter, transitioning from pronouncements of judgment on Israel and surrounding nations to a message of hope and restoration. Chapter 5 begins with a dire prediction of judgment for Israel, particularly highlighting the corrupt leadership and their misrule. However, this leads into a glorious prophecy about the coming Messiah. Micah 5:2 specifies the birthplace of this significant future ruler. Historically, Micah delivered his prophecy during a time of political instability and the threat of Assyrian invasion. The smallness and apparent insignificance of Bethlehem Ephrathah make the prophecy of a world-ruling figure emerging from it particularly striking, contrasting with the grand expectations often placed upon rulers from major political centers.
Micah 5 2 Word Analysis
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,:
- Bethlehem: Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם (bet lehem), meaning "house of bread."
- Ephrathah: Hebrew: אֶפְרָתָה (ephratáh), likely signifying "fruitfulness" or possibly a descendant named Ephrath. It distinguished this Bethlehem from another Bethlehem in Zebulun.
- This specifies the precise location, identifying a seemingly obscure village.
though you are small among the clans of Judah,:
- small: Hebrew: צָעִיר (tsa`ir), meaning little, young, least.
- Emphasizes its humble and minor status, highlighting divine election over human prominence.
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler:
- out of you: Indicates origin and emergence from this specific place.
- will come: Future tense, pointing to a specific future individual.
- for me: The ruler is appointed by and for Yahweh.
- one: Singular focus on a unique individual.
- ruler: Hebrew: מֹשֵׁל (moshel), one who exercises dominion or authority; also root for "shepherd."
over Israel:
- Specifies the domain of this ruler's authority – the covenant people of God.
whose origins are from of old,:
- origins: Hebrew: מוֹצָאוֹת (motza'ót), literally "goings forth," "issues," "origins."
- from of old: Hebrew: מִקֶּדֶם (miqqedem), meaning from ancient times, from the east (also a reference to eternity or pre-existence). This phrase speaks to His eternal nature.
from ancient times:
- Reinforces the idea of pre-existence and eternal origin. This is not just a historical origin but an eternal one, predating creation itself.
Micah 5 2 Bonus Section
The concept of "origins from of old" (Hebrew: מִקֶּדֶם - miqqedem) is critical. In some contexts, "qedem" can refer to the "east" or "primordial past." However, here it strongly implies eternal existence, predating even the creation of the world. This aligns with New Testament declarations of Jesus Christ as being "with God" before the foundation of the world and as the eternal Word (John 1:1). The selection of Bethlehem, the city of David, links this eternal ruler to the Davidic covenant, highlighting continuity with Israel's history while also transcending it through divine nature. The contrast between Bethlehem's lowliness and the ruler's supreme, eternal authority emphasizes God's characteristic method of working through the seemingly weak and insignificant.
Micah 5 2 Commentary
Micah 5:2 is a profound Messianic prophecy. It pinpoints Bethlehem Ephrathah, a geographically insignificant village, as the birthplace of the future Davidic ruler. This ruler's lineage is not merely historical but has an eternal origin, indicating a divine, pre-existent being. This emphasis on pre-existence and eternal origin is crucial, differentiating this ruler from any human king of Israel, however righteous. It sets the stage for identifying Jesus Christ as this promised ruler, born in Bethlehem, whose "goings forth" were from eternity, a concept foundational to Christian theology regarding Christ's divinity. The verse contrasts earthly smallness with divine greatness and future, eternal authority.