Micah 5:1-2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Micah 5:1-6

Here, as before, we have, I. The abasement and distress of Zion, Mic. 5:1. The Jewish nation, for many years before the captivity, dwindled, and fell into disgrace: Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops! It is either a summons to Zion's enemies, that had troops at their service, to come and do their worst against her (God will suffer them to do it), or a challenge to Zion's friends, that had troops too at command, to come and do their best for her; Let them gather in troops, yet... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 5:1

Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops ,.... Not Jerusalem, full of people, called to draw out their forces, and fall upon the enemy besieging them, whether Chaldeans or Romans; but rather the Babylonians, whose armies were large, and their troops numerous; who are called upon by the people of God, encouraged by the foregoing prophecies, as well as by what follows, to come forth with all their forces, and muster up all their armies, and exert all the power and strength they had,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah ,.... But though Jerusalem should be besieged and taken, and the land of Judea laid waste, yet, before all this should be, the Messiah should be born in Bethlehem, of which this is a prophecy, as is evident from Matthew 2:4 ; the place is called by both the names it went by, to point it out the more distinctly, and with the greater certainty, Genesis 35:19 ; the former signifies "the house of bread", and a proper place for Christ to be born in, who is the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 5:1

O daughter of troops - The Chaldeans, whose armies were composed of troops from various nations. He (Nebuchadnezzar) hath laid siege against us; (Jerusalem ); they shall smite the judge of Israel (Zedekiah) with a rod upon the cheek - They shall offer him the greatest indignity. They slew his sons before his face; and then put out his eyes, loaded him with chains, and carried him captive to Babylon. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 5:2

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah - I have considered this subject in great detail in the notes on Matthew 2:6 , to which the reader will be pleased to refer. This verse should begin this chapter; the first verse belongs to the preceding chapter. Bethlehem Ephratah, to distinguish it from another Beth-lehem, which was in the tribe of Zebulun, Joshua 19:15 . Thousands of Judah - The tribes were divided into small portions called thousands; as in our country certain divisions of counties... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 5:1

Verse 1 To encourage the faithful to patience, the Prophet again reminds them that hard and severe time was nigh; for it was needful to put them in mind often of the approaching calamity, lest terror should wholly discourage them. As then there was danger from despair, the Prophet often repeats what he has already said of God’s judgment, which was then suspending over the people of Israel. And this mode and order of teaching ought to be observed. When the Prophets threaten us, or denounce the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 5:2

Verse 2 Thou Bethlehem Ephratah, art small, that thou shouldest be among the thousands of Judah As Matthew quotes this passage differently, some think that it ought to be read as a question, And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, art thou the least among the provinces of Judah? Matthew says “Thou art by no means the least, thou excellest. (142) ” But what need there is of distorting the words of the Prophet, as it was not the design of the Evangelist to relate the expressions of the Prophet, but only to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:1

This verse is joined to the preceding chapter in the Hebrew. Jerusalem is addressed, as in Micah 4:9 , Micah 4:11 , not the invading army. The prophet returns to the view of the misery and humiliation expressed in that passage. Gather thyself in troops; or, thou shalt gather thyself, etc. Jerusalem must collect its armies to defend itself from the enemy. O daughter of troops. Jerusalem is thus named from the number of soldiers collected within her walls, from whence marauding... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:1

The Church of God. "Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek." The prophet, as if fearful that his previous promises would be somewhat too reassuring, so that the people would lose the due impression of the perils to which they would be exposed, here reminds them of the calamities which would befall them before the promised prosperity would be realized. "O daughter of troops!" Jerusalem... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:1-4

§ 8 . After Zion ' s degradation Messiah shall be born, and shall bring the world into subjection. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Micah 5:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 5:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Micah 5:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 5:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 5:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 5:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Micah 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Micah 5:1-4

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