Micah 5:2

Authorized King James Version

But thou, Beth-lehem 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְאַתָּ֞ה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בֵּֽית

לֶ֣חֶם

H1035

But thou Bethlehem

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

אֶפְרָ֗תָה

H672

Ephratah

ephrath, another name for bethlehem

צָעִיר֙

H6810

though thou be little

little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble

לִֽהְיוֹת֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּאַלְפֵ֣י

H505

among the thousands

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

יְהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

מִמְּךָ֙

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#10

לִ֣י

#11

יֵצֵ֔א

H3318

yet out of thee shall he come forth

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

#12

לִֽהְי֥וֹת

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#13

מוֹשֵׁ֖ל

H4910

unto me that is to be ruler

to rule

#14

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

in Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#15

וּמוֹצָאֹתָ֥יו

H4163

whose goings forth

a family descent; also a sewer

#16

מִקֶּ֖דֶם

H6924

have been from of old

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

#17

מִימֵ֥י

H3117

from everlasting

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#18

עוֹלָֽם׃

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Cross References

Related verses that illuminate this passage (hover to preview):

¹ Matthew 2:6 Matthew 2:6
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
— Out of thee shall come a Governor
² John 7:42 John 7:42
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
— Christ cometh of Bethlehem

Analysis

Within the broader context of Micah, this passage highlights kingdom of God through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Micah.

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 kingdom of God 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?
How does this verse's literary context within Micah chapter 5 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?