Micah 5:4

Authorized King James Version

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And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Original Language Analysis

וְעָמַ֗ד And he shall stand H5975
וְעָמַ֗ד And he shall stand
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 1 of 15
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וְרָעָה֙ and feed H7462
וְרָעָה֙ and feed
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 2 of 15
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
בְּעֹ֣ז in the strength H5797
בְּעֹ֣ז in the strength
Strong's: H5797
Word #: 3 of 15
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בִּגְא֕וֹן in the majesty H1347
בִּגְא֕וֹן in the majesty
Strong's: H1347
Word #: 5 of 15
the same as h1346
שֵׁ֖ם of the name H8034
שֵׁ֖ם of the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 6 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֑יו his God H430
אֱלֹהָ֑יו his God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 8 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְיָשָׁ֕בוּ and they shall abide H3427
וְיָשָׁ֕בוּ and they shall abide
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 10 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַתָּ֥ה H6258
עַתָּ֥ה
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 11 of 15
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
יִגְדַּ֖ל for now shall he be great H1431
יִגְדַּ֖ל for now shall he be great
Strong's: H1431
Word #: 12 of 15
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 13 of 15
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אַפְסֵי unto the ends H657
אַפְסֵי unto the ends
Strong's: H657
Word #: 14 of 15
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
אָֽרֶץ׃ of the earth H776
אָֽרֶץ׃ of the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 15 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis & Commentary

Messianic King's peaceful reign: 'And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.' The Ruler from Bethlehem (v. 2) will 'stand and shepherd' (we-amad we-ra'ah) His flock with YHWH's strength and majesty. 'They shall abide/dwell securely' (we-yashavu) contrasts with Israel's exile and instability. 'Great unto the ends of the earth' (ad-apsey-aretz) indicates universal dominion. Jesus fulfills this: the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-14) who draws all peoples (John 12:32), reigning over an everlasting kingdom (Luke 1:32-33, Revelation 11:15). His greatness extends globally through gospel spread; His peaceable kingdom manifests progressively now, consummately at His return.

Historical Context

Micah prophesied during tumultuous 8th century BC: Assyrian threat, political instability, social injustice. The promise of a shepherd-king from Bethlehem offered hope beyond immediate crisis. David, the shepherd-king from Bethlehem, typified this greater David (Matthew 1:1). Jesus's birth in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6, Luke 2:4-7) fulfilled the geographic prophecy; His ministry as teaching, healing, and sacrificial Shepherd fulfilled the functional aspect. His resurrection and ascension established His universal reign. The church age sees progressive expansion of His kingdom 'unto the ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8). The second coming will consummate the peaceable kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9, Revelation 20-22).

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