King James Version

What Does Micah 5:4 Mean?

Micah 5:4 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Micah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Micah 5:4 · KJV


Context

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

6

And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. waste: Heb. eat up in the: or, with her own naked swords


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Messianic King's peaceful reign: '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.' The Ruler from Bethlehem (v. 2) will 'stand and shepherd' (we-amad we-ra'ah) His flock with YHWH's strength and majesty. 'They shall abide/dwell securely' (we-yashavu) contrasts with Israel's exile and instability. 'Great unto the ends of the earth' (ad-apsey-aretz) indicates universal dominion. Jesus fulfills this: the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-14) who draws all peoples (John 12:32), reigning over an everlasting kingdom (Luke 1:32-33, Revelation 11:15). His greatness extends globally through gospel spread; His peaceable kingdom manifests progressively now, consummately at His return.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Micah prophesied during tumultuous 8th century BC: Assyrian threat, political instability, social injustice. The promise of a shepherd-king from Bethlehem offered hope beyond immediate crisis. David, the shepherd-king from Bethlehem, typified this greater David (Matthew 1:1). Jesus's birth in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6, Luke 2:4-7) fulfilled the geographic prophecy; His ministry as teaching, healing, and sacrificial Shepherd fulfilled the functional aspect. His resurrection and ascension established His universal reign. The church age sees progressive expansion of His kingdom 'unto the ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8). The second coming will consummate the peaceable kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9, Revelation 20-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus as the Shepherd-King from Bethlehem provide security and peace for my soul?
  2. In what ways do I participate in extending Christ's reign 'unto the ends of the earth' through witness and discipleship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְעָמַ֗ד1 of 15

And he shall stand

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

וְרָעָה֙2 of 15

and feed

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

בְּעֹ֣ז3 of 15

in the strength

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 15

of the LORD

H3068

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

בִּגְא֕וֹן5 of 15

in the majesty

H1347

the same as h1346

שֵׁ֖ם6 of 15

of the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָ֣ה7 of 15

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָ֑יו8 of 15

his God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְיָשָׁ֕בוּ9 of 15

and they shall abide

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

כִּֽי10 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עַתָּ֥ה11 of 15
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יִגְדַּ֖ל12 of 15

for now shall he be great

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

עַד13 of 15
H5704

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

אַפְסֵי14 of 15

unto the ends

H657

cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f

אָֽרֶץ׃15 of 15

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 5:4 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 5:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study