King James Version

What Does Micah 5:2 Mean?

Micah 5:2 in the King James Version says “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth un...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 . everlasting: Heb. the days of eternity”

Micah 5:2 · KJV

Eternal Life

Context

1

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.

2

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 . everlasting: Heb. the days of eternity

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.

4

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. feed or, rule

Read Micah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse contains one of the Old Testament's clearest Messianic prophecies, precisely fulfilled in Jesus Christ's birth. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah" identifies the specific location—not just Bethlehem ("house of bread") but Bethlehem Ephratah ("fruitful") to distinguish it from Bethlehem in Zebulon (Joshua 19:15). This small town six miles south of Jerusalem was David's birthplace (1 Samuel 17:12), making it significant in redemptive history as the royal city.

"Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah" acknowledges Bethlehem's insignificance—it wasn't a major city, military fortress, or administrative center. The phrase "thousands" (alafim) refers to clans or tribal divisions. Among Judah's family groups, Bethlehem ranked low in size, power, and prestige. This sets up divine reversal: God chooses the small, weak, and despised to accomplish His greatest purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27-29), humbling human pride and glorifying His sovereign grace.

"Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me" prophesies the Messiah's emergence from this humble town. The pronoun "he" (li) is emphatic and singular, pointing to one specific individual—the ruler promised to David's line. "That is to be ruler in Israel" uses moshel (ruler, governor), indicating kingly authority. "Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (motsa'otav miqqedem mimei olam) is remarkable—this coming ruler existed before His earthly birth, from ancient times, even from eternity. This verse thus affirms both Messiah's human birth (in Bethlehem) and divine pre-existence (from everlasting)—a mystery fulfilled in Christ's incarnation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Matthew 2:1-6 records this prophecy's fulfillment. When wise men asked Herod where the King of the Jews was born, Jerusalem's chief priests and scribes immediately quoted Micah 5:2, identifying Bethlehem. Though written 700 years earlier, Micah's prophecy remained recognized Messianic expectation. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem for Caesar Augustus's census (Luke 2:1-7), providentially ensuring Jesus's birth in the prophesied location despite their residence in Nazareth.

The phrase "from everlasting" (mimei olam) is significant. In Hebrew thought, olam denotes indefinite past or future—often translated "eternal" though its precise meaning depends on context. Applied to God or divine attributes, it indicates true eternity. Micah's use here, combined with "goings forth" (plural), suggests the coming ruler's activity extends into immemorial past—He existed and acted before His human birth. This prepared for New Testament revelation of Christ's pre-existence and deity (John 1:1-3, 14; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2-3).

Bethlehem's significance extends beyond geography. As David's birthplace, it connects Messiah to Davidic covenant promises (2 Samuel 7:12-16). David, though youngest son of an insignificant family, became Israel's greatest king. Jesus, born in David's town, fulfills and transcends Davidic kingship—He is David's greater son (Matthew 22:41-46) whose kingdom has no end (Luke 1:32-33).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's choice of insignificant Bethlehem reveal His values and purposes in contrast to human wisdom?
  2. What does Micah's prophecy of Messiah's eternal pre-existence teach about Jesus's identity and nature?
  3. How should fulfilled prophecy like Micah 5:2 strengthen our confidence in Scripture's divine inspiration and authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאַתָּ֞ה1 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בֵּֽית2 of 18
H0
לֶ֣חֶם3 of 18

“But thou Bethlehem”

H1035

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

אֶפְרָ֗תָה4 of 18

“Ephratah”

H672

ephrath, another name for bethlehem

צָעִיר֙5 of 18

“though thou be little”

H6810

little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble

לִֽהְיוֹת֙6 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּאַלְפֵ֣י7 of 18

“among the thousands”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

יְהוּדָ֔ה8 of 18

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

מִמְּךָ֙9 of 18
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לִ֣י10 of 18
H0
יֵצֵ֔א11 of 18

“yet out of thee shall he come forth”

H3318

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

לִֽהְי֥וֹת12 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מוֹשֵׁ֖ל13 of 18

“unto me that is to be ruler”

H4910

to rule

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל14 of 18

“in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּמוֹצָאֹתָ֥יו15 of 18

“whose goings forth”

H4163

a family descent; also a sewer

מִקֶּ֖דֶם16 of 18

“have been from of old”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

מִימֵ֥י17 of 18

“from everlasting”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עוֹלָֽם׃18 of 18
H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

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 5:2 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 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 2:6John 7:42Isaiah 9:6-7Luke 1:31-33Psalms 90:2Isaiah 11:1

Places in This Verse

Bethlehem 1Settlement · Modern: Bethlehem · 31.70°N, 35.21°E52 verses across 14 books
View all places in Micah 5 →

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