Micah 5:2

Cited in 1 topic on this site.

Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.”

— WEB

“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.”

— KJV

“But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

— ASV

Bible Verses About the Birth of Jesus

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Matthew 2:6 "‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd m…"
John 7:42 "Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the offspringor, seed of David, 2 Samuel 7:12 and from Bethlehem,Micah 5:2 the village…"
Isaiah 9:6-7 "For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselo…"
Luke 1:31-33 "Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’"
Psalms 90:2 "Before the mountains were born, before you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God."
Isaiah 11:1 "A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit."
Genesis 49:10 "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the o…"
Colossians 1:17 "He is before all things, and in him all things are held together."

Commentary

Beth-lehem Ephratah-- (Gen 48:7), or, Beth-lehem Judah; so called to distinguish it from Beth-lehem in Zebulun. It is a few miles southwest of Jerusalem. Beth-lehem means "the house of bread"; Ephratah means "fruitful": both names referring to the fertility of the region. though thou be little among--though thou be scarcely large enough to be reckoned among, &c. It was insignificant in size and population; so that in Jos 15:21, &c., it is not enumerated among the cities of Judah; nor in the list in Neh 11:25, &c. Under Rehoboam it became a city: Ch2 11:6, "He built Beth-lehem." Mat 2:6 seems to contradict Micah, "thou art not the least," But really he, by an independent testimony of the Spirit, confirms the prophet, Little in worldly importance, thou art not least (that is, far from least, yea, the very greatest) among the thousands, of princes of Judah, in the spiritual significance of being the birthplace of Messiah (Joh 7:42). God chooses the little things of the world to eclipse in glory its greatest things (Jdg 6:15; Joh 1:46; Co1 1:27-28). The low state of David's line when Messiah was born is also implied here. thousands--Each tribe was divided into clans or "thousands" (each thousand containing a thousand families), which had their several heads or "princes"; hence in Mat 2:6 it is quoted "princes," substantially the same as in Micah, and authoritatively explained in Matthew.

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

Newsletter

A short reflection, a single passage, three articles to read. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Topics that cite this verse

Commentary

One verse, every Tuesday.