King James Version

What Does Micah 5:3 Mean?

Micah 5:3 in the King James Version says “Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his bre...” — study this verse from Micah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Micah 5:3 · KJV

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

5

And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. principal: Heb. princes of

Read Micah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This cryptic prophecy bridges judgment and restoration. "He give them up" (יִתְּנֵם, yittenem) describes God delivering Israel to enemies—historical fulfillment in Assyrian and Babylonian conquests. Yet this isn't permanent abandonment but temporary discipline "until" (עַד, ad) a specified time.

"She which travaileth hath brought forth" (יוֹלֵדָה יָלָדָה, yoleḏâ yālaḏâ, lit. "the one giving birth has given birth") most naturally refers to the virgin bringing forth Messiah (v. 2 mentions Bethlehem). The birth pangs (חֵבֶל, ḥeḇel) represent Israel's suffering during exile and Messiah's advent. Some interpreters see the woman as Israel corporately (Isaiah 66:7-9; Revelation 12:1-6), travailing through exile until Messiah's birth inaugurates restoration.

"Then the remnant of his brethren shall return" (יְתֶר אֶחָיו יָשׁוּבוּ, yeter eḥāyw yāšûḇû) prophesies restoration after Messiah's coming. "The remnant" (יֶתֶר, yeter) refers to preserved, faithful Israel—those who return from exile and ultimately accept Messiah. "His brethren" connects to Messiah; the "children of Israel" are reunited under His reign. This anticipates Messiah gathering scattered Israel (Isaiah 11:11-12; Ezekiel 37:21-22) and Gentiles being grafted in (Romans 11:25-27).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse follows Micah 5:2's prophecy of Messiah's birth in Bethlehem. The immediate context addresses Israel's sufferings under foreign domination until Messiah's advent. Historically, Israel endured Assyrian conquest (722 BC), Babylonian exile (586 BC), and continued subjection under Persians, Greeks, and Romans until Christ's first coming. The "remnant" theology runs through prophetic literature—not all ethnic Israel would be saved, but a faithful core preserved by grace (Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 9:27; 11:5).

"She which travaileth" connects to the "woman clothed with the sun" in Revelation 12:1-6 who brings forth the male child (Christ) while the dragon (Satan) seeks to devour Him. The imagery spans from Jesus's birth through church history to His second coming. The "remnant of his brethren" returning could refer to post-exilic restoration, first-century Jewish believers accepting Jesus as Messiah, or eschatological conversion of Israel (Romans 11:26: "all Israel shall be saved"). The prophecy's layers reveal God's faithfulness through judgment to restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Israel's 'travail' as both exile suffering and Messiah's birth pains deepen appreciation for God's redemptive timeline?
  2. What does the prophecy of Messiah's brethren returning teach about God's faithfulness to ethnic Israel alongside His inclusion of Gentiles?
  3. How does the concept of 'the remnant' challenge assumptions about automatic salvation for all who claim covenant relationship with God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
לָכֵ֣ן1 of 12
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יִתְּנֵ֔ם2 of 12

“Therefore will he give them up”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עַד3 of 12
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עֵ֥ת4 of 12

“until the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

יָלָ֑דָה5 of 12

“hath brought forth”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

יָלָ֑דָה6 of 12

“hath brought forth”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

וְיֶ֣תֶר7 of 12

“then the remnant”

H3499

properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)

אֶחָ֔יו8 of 12

“of his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

יְשׁוּב֖וּן9 of 12

“shall return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עַל10 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּנֵ֥י11 of 12

“unto the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃12 of 12

“of Israel”

H3478

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

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 5:3 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 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 12:1-2Matthew 1:21Romans 9:27-28Micah 4:7Hosea 11:8Isaiah 10:20-21

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