Micah 5:3
Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This verse follows Micah 5:2's prophecy of Messiah's birth in Bethlehem. The immediate context addresses Israel's sufferings under foreign domination until Messiah's advent. Historically, Israel endured Assyrian conquest (722 BC), Babylonian exile (586 BC), and continued subjection under Persians, Greeks, and Romans until Christ's first coming. The "remnant" theology runs through prophetic literature—not all ethnic Israel would be saved, but a faithful core preserved by grace (Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 9:27; 11:5).
"She which travaileth" connects to the "woman clothed with the sun" in Revelation 12:1-6 who brings forth the male child (Christ) while the dragon (Satan) seeks to devour Him. The imagery spans from Jesus's birth through church history to His second coming. The "remnant of his brethren" returning could refer to post-exilic restoration, first-century Jewish believers accepting Jesus as Messiah, or eschatological conversion of Israel (Romans 11:26: "all Israel shall be saved"). The prophecy's layers reveal God's faithfulness through judgment to restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Israel's 'travail' as both exile suffering and Messiah's birth pains deepen appreciation for God's redemptive timeline?
- What does the prophecy of Messiah's brethren returning teach about God's faithfulness to ethnic Israel alongside His inclusion of Gentiles?
- How does the concept of 'the remnant' challenge assumptions about automatic salvation for all who claim covenant relationship with God?
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. This cryptic prophecy bridges judgment and restoration. "He give them up" (יִתְּנֵם, yittenem) describes God delivering Israel to enemies—historical fulfillment in Assyrian and Babylonian conquests. Yet this isn't permanent abandonment but temporary discipline "until" (עַד, ad) a specified time.
"She which travaileth hath brought forth" (יוֹלֵדָה יָלָדָה, yoleḏâ yālaḏâ, lit. "the one giving birth has given birth") most naturally refers to the virgin bringing forth Messiah (v. 2 mentions Bethlehem). The birth pangs (חֵבֶל, ḥeḇel) represent Israel's suffering during exile and Messiah's advent. Some interpreters see the woman as Israel corporately (Isaiah 66:7-9; Revelation 12:1-6), travailing through exile until Messiah's birth inaugurates restoration.
"Then the remnant of his brethren shall return" (יְתֶר אֶחָיו יָשׁוּבוּ, yeter eḥāyw yāšûḇû) prophesies restoration after Messiah's coming. "The remnant" (יֶתֶר, yeter) refers to preserved, faithful Israel—those who return from exile and ultimately accept Messiah. "His brethren" connects to Messiah; the "children of Israel" are reunited under His reign. This anticipates Messiah gathering scattered Israel (Isaiah 11:11-12; Ezekiel 37:21-22) and Gentiles being grafted in (Romans 11:25-27).