Micah 5:2

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.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

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

BSB

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel— One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

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.

ASV

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.

BBE

And you, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, the least among the families of Judah, out of you one will come to me who is to be ruler in Israel; whose going out has been purposed from time past, from the eternal days.

Original Hebrew

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וְאַתָּה ve·'a·tah and you H859 בֵּית־ beit- O Beth- H1035 לֶחֶם le·chem -lehem H1035 אֶפְרָתָה 'ef·ra·tah Ephrathah H672 צָעִיר tza·'ir [are] insignificant H6810 לִהְיוֹת lih·yot to be H1961 בְּאַלְפֵי be·'al·fei among [the] families of H505 יְהוּדָה ye·hu·dah Judah H3063 מִמְּךָ mi·me·kha from you H4480 לִי li for (the) me H9030 יֵצֵא ye·tze' someone will go out H3318 לִהְיוֹת lih·yot to be H1961 מוֹשֵׁל mo·shel ruler H4910 בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל be·yis·ra·'el over Israel H3478 וּמוֹצָאֹתָיו u·mo·tza·'o·tav and origins his H4163 מִקֶּדֶם mi·ke·dem [are] from antiquity H6924 מִימֵי mi·mei from days of H3117 עוֹלָם o·lam antiquity H5769

The early church

Further, the same prophet foretold even the place in which Christ was to be born: "But you, O Bethlehem Eph'rathah, who are little among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days."
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430City of God
According to prophecy, Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judah, at the time, as I said, when Herod was king in Judea. At Rome, the republic had given way to the entire empire, and the emperor Caesar Augustus had established a worldwide peace. Christ was born a visible man of a virgin mother, but he was a hidden God because God was his Father. So the prophet had foretold: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son; and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is interpreted, God with us." To prove that he was God, Christ worked many miracles, some of which—as many as seemed necessary to establish his claim—are recorded in the Gospels. Of these miracles the very first was the marvelous manner of his birth.
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430City of God

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–6

Having showed how low the house of David would be brought, a prediction of the Messiah and his kingdom is added to encourage the faith of God's people. His existence from eternity as God, and his office as Mediator, are noticed. Here is foretold that Bethlehem should be his birthplace. Hence it was universally known among the Jews, Mt 2:5. Christ's government shall be very happy for his subjects; they shall be safe and easy. Under the shadow of protection from the Assyrians, is a promise of protection to the gospel church and all believers, from the designs and attempts of the powers of darkness. Christ is our Peace as a Priest, making atonement for sin, and reconciling us to God; and he is our Peace as a King, conquering our enemies: hence our souls may dwell at ease in him. Christ will find instruments to protect and deliver. Those that threaten ruin to the church of God, soon bring ruin on themselves. This may include the past powerful effects of the preached gospel, its future spread, and the ruin of all antichristian powers. This is, perhaps, the most important single prophecy in the Old Testament: it respects the personal character of the Messiah, and the discoveries of himself to the world. It distinguishes his human birth from his existing from eternity; it foretells the rejection of the Israelites and Jews for a season, their final restoration, and the universal peace to prevail through the whole earth in the latter days. In the mean time let us trust our Shepherd's care and power. If he permits the assault of our enemies, he will supply helpers and assistance for us.

Read Matthew Henry on Micah 5 →

Cross-references

51

People & places

Ephratah Bethlehem Ephrathah

Topics

Jesus, The ChristGodChurchQuotations And AllusionsProphecyBethlehemEternityEphratah

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.