Micah 5:1-2 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

At the time of Zion's deepest distress, and when her earthly king is suffering the grossest degradation, reduced as it were to the shepherd house at Bethlehem, a Deliverer shall arise thence who shall do wonderful things. This passage was quoted by the Sanhedrin to answer Herod's question where the Christ was to be born ( Matthew 2:5 , Matthew 2:6 ; comp. John 7:42 ). But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah. Ephratah (Ephrathah, or Ephrath), "fruitfulness," is another name for Bethlehem, "House... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

Bethlehem Ephratah. I. THE NAME OF THE PLACE IS VERY SUGGESTIVE . Bethlehem; i.e. "House of bread." Ephratah; i.e. " Fruitfulness. " Both thus signified plenty, abundance, fertility. They were most appropriate as designating the spot, for fertility has been and is still characteristic of that locality. "It is now a large village, beautifully situated on the brow of a high hill, which commands an extensive view of the surrounding mountainous country, and rises in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

The nature of the Messiah's rule. That is to be Ruler in Israel. In the first verse Micah had spoken of the failure of earthly rulers. "The judge of Israel should be smitten with a rod upon the cheek." The rulers who had so lamentably failed in their administration should come to nought, but there should rise up in the time appointed "a King to reign in righteousness," and who should establish a kingdom which should never be moved. Unfortunately, however, in the Jewish mind, the nature of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

A new David: the lowliness and majesty of the Messiah. Thoughts respecting the lowliness of the Messiah cluster around the reference to his birthplace. Bethlehem was so small and unimportant that it was "little to be among the thousands of Israel." It was like one of our hamlets, not even attaining to the dignity of a parish. From this village there went forth a youth unknown to fame, and almost unnoticed among his own kindred ( 1 Samuel 16:11 ; Psalms 78:70 , Psalms 78:71 ).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

The promise of Messiah. "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." This is one of the most definite of the Messianic prophecies. In the previous verse Micah foretells a period of deep degradation. The people of God would troop together before the invader, as sheep huddle together before a snowstorm. All resistance... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

Christ. "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." For the sake of continuity we here transfer thoughts on this passage which have appeared before. Our subject is Christ, and the text leads us to consider— I. HIS BIRTH AS THE SON OF MAN . Two remarks are suggested here. 1 . He was born in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Micah 5:1

Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops - The “daughter of troops” is still the same who was before addressed, Judah. The word is almost always . used of “bands of men employed in irregular, marauding, in-roads.” Judah is entitled “daughter of troops,” on account of her violence, the robbery and bloodshed within her (Micah 2:8; Micah 3:2; etc. Hosea 5:10), as Jeremiah says, “Is this house which is called by My Name become a den of robbers in your eyes?” (Jeremiah 7:11, compare... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Micah 5:2

But - (And) thou, Bethlehem Ephratah With us, the chequered events of time stand in strong contrast, painful or gladdening. Good seems to efface evil, or evil blots out the memory of the good. God orders all in the continuous course of His Wisdom. All lies in perfect harmony in the Divine Mind. Each event is the sequel of what went before. So here the prophet joins on, what to us stands in such contrast, with that simple, And. Yet he describes the two conditions bearing on one another. He had... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Micah 5:1

Micah 5:1. Now gather thyself, &c. It seems this verse ought to be joined to the foregoing chapter, as it evidently belongs to it, and not to this, which is upon a quite different subject. Thus considered, after the promises given of a restoration from the captivity into which they should be carried, and of victory over their surrounding enemies, the prophecy concludes with bidding them first expect an enemy to come against them, who should lay siege to their chief city, and carry their... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2. But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah Here we have evidently the beginning of another subject, quite different from any thing that the first verse can relate to, and with which it seems to have no connection. The word Ephrah, or Ephratah, is here added, to distinguish Beth-lehem in the tribe of Judah, from another Beth-lehem in the tribe of Zebulun. It is called Ephratah, from the fruitfulness of the land where it stood: the word whence that term is derived importing fruitfulness. ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Micah 5:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Micah 5:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Micah 5:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Micah 5:2

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