King James Version

What Does Micah 2:13 Mean?

Micah 2:13 in the King James Version says “The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and t...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.”

Micah 2:13 · KJV

Context

11

If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people. walking: or, walk with the wind, and lie falsely

12

I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah , as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.

13

The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The breaker is come up before them (עָלָה הַפֹּרֵץ לִפְנֵיהֶם, alah happore ts lifneihem). פֹּרֵץ (porets, breaker/one who breaks through) depicts a military leader breaking through enemy lines or a shepherd breaking down obstacles for his flock. This figure leads the way, clearing paths, removing barriers. Historically, this may picture leaders like Zerubbabel or Nehemiah; messianically, it points to Christ who breaks through sin's barriers, death's grip, and Satan's kingdom.

They have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it (פָּרְצוּ וַיַּעַבְרוּ שַׁעַר וַיֵּצְאוּ בוֹ, paretsu va-ya'avru sha'ar va-yetse'u vo). The verbs depict forceful exodus—breaking through (פָּרַץ, parats), passing through (עָבַר, avar), going out (יָצָא, yatsa). They escape captivity, passing through gates that once imprisoned them. This echoes the Exodus—God's people liberated from bondage, marching to freedom under divine leadership.

And their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them (וַיַּעֲבֹר מַלְכָּם לִפְנֵיהֶם וַיהוָה בְּרֹאשָׁם, va-ya'avor malkam lifneihem va-YHWH be-rosham). מֶלֶךְ (melekh, king) leads them; explicitly identified as יְהוָה (YHWH) at their רֹאשׁ (rosh, head). This is messianic—the divine King personally leads His people's exodus. Jesus fulfills this: He is both King of Israel (John 1:49, 12:13) and Yahweh incarnate (John 1:1, 14, 20:28; Philippians 2:6-11). He broke through death's barrier (Romans 4:25), passed through Hades' gates (Matthew 16:18; Revelation 1:18), and leads His people to freedom (Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The imagery draws from exodus typology—God leading Israel from Egyptian bondage through the Red Sea (Exodus 14) toward the promised land. The pillar of cloud/fire represented Yahweh's presence at their head (Exodus 13:21-22). This pattern repeats: Cyrus's edict freed exiles from Babylon (538 BC); God led the return through wilderness (Isaiah 40:3-5, 43:16-21, 48:20-21). Yet historical returns only partially fulfilled these prophecies, pointing forward to greater exodus.

The New Testament presents Christ as the new Moses leading the new exodus. He liberates from sin's bondage (John 8:34-36; Romans 6:17-22), passes through death's waters (baptism imagery—Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12), and leads to eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:3-5). Revelation depicts Him as conquering King leading His people to new creation (Revelation 19:11-16, 21:1-5). The Breaker breaks every chain—sin, death, Satan, hell—securing complete redemption for His people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the title 'the Breaker' describe Christ's work in breaking through barriers of sin, death, and Satan's kingdom?
  2. What does the explicit identification of Israel's King as 'the LORD' teach about Messiah's divine identity?
  3. In what ways does understanding redemption as a new exodus—with Christ as the new Moses—enrich our appreciation of salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
עָלָ֤ה1 of 13

“is come up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

פָּֽרְצוּ֙2 of 13

“The breaker”

H6555

to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם3 of 13

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

פָּֽרְצוּ֙4 of 13

“The breaker”

H6555

to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר5 of 13

“and have passed through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

שַׁ֖עַר6 of 13

“the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וַיֵּ֣צְאוּ7 of 13

“and are gone out”

H3318

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

ב֑וֹ8 of 13
H0
וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר9 of 13

“and have passed through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

מַלְכָּם֙10 of 13

“by it and their king”

H4428

a king

לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם11 of 13

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וַיהוָ֖ה12 of 13

“them and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּרֹאשָֽׁם׃13 of 13

“on the head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Micah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Micah 2:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Micah 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 52:12Isaiah 45:1-2Zechariah 9:14-15Revelation 7:17John 10:27-30Hebrews 2:14-15

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