Micah 2:13

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

עָלָ֤ה

H5927

is come up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

פָּֽרְצוּ֙

H6555

The breaker

to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

פָּֽרְצוּ֙

H6555

The breaker

to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר

H5674

and have passed through

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

שַׁ֖עַר

H8179

the gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וַיֵּ֣צְאוּ

H3318

and are gone out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

ב֑וֹ

וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר

H5674

and have passed through

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

#10

מַלְכָּם֙

H4428

by it and their king

a king

#11

לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#12

וַיהוָ֖ה

H3068

them and the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#13

בְּרֹאשָֽׁם׃

H7218

on the head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Micah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?