Bible Commentaries
Micah 5

Verse 1

Now = Meanwhile; as in Micah 4:10 , Micah 4:11 . Showing that Micah 5:1 relates to the interval between the then present time and "that day" of Micah 4:1 , Micah 4:6 .

gather thyself, &c.: or, thou shalt have sore tribulation [for thy sins], thou daughter of affliction.

he: i.e. the enemy. The Assyrian.

us. The prophet includes himself.

the judge. Or, the then ruler (compare 1 Kings 22:24 .Lamentations 3:30 ; Lamentations 4:20 ; Lamentations 5:8 , Lamentations 5:12 ), who would thus be the type of the Messiah (Matthew 27:30 ).

rod = sceptre. Hebrew shebet = the club (of defence), as in Micah 7:14 ; hence, of office; not matteh, the rod or staff (of support), as in Micah 6:9 . See note on Psalms 23:4 .

Verse 2

But thou. This marks out the Structure. Compare Micah 4:8 with Micah 5:2 . Quoted in Matthew 2:5 , Matthew 2:6 . John 7:42 .

Beth-lehem Ephratah. The full name given, as in Genesis 35:19 , thus connecting Genesis 35:21 with Micah 4:8 .

little = too little [to rank among]. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 .

thousands = districts (1 Samuel 23:23 ). Like our old English divisions, called "hundreds". Compare Exodus 18:25 . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 18:25 ).

come forth. Note the difference between Hebrew here ( yatza ) and bo' = come unto, in Zechariah 9:9 . All the events between these two make up the period we call "the first Advent", and thus are typical of the "second Advent"; the coming forth being 1 Thessalonians 4:16 , and the coming unto being 1 Thessalonians 5:2 , 1 Thessalonians 5:3 , and 2 Thessalonians 2:8 , the former being in grace, the latter in judgment. A similar period may elapse in the antitypical comings as in the typical comings of Micah 5:2 , and Zechariah 9:9 .

unto = for.

everlasting. Compare Psalms 90:2 .Proverbs 8:22 , 3 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1 , John 1:2 .

Verse 3

until the time: i.e. the end of the "meanwhile" (Micah 5:1 ).

she which travaileth. Compare Micah 4:9 , Micah 4:10 -, above. and note there; also John 16:21 , John 16:22 , and Revelation 12:1-6 .

children = sons.

Verse 4

He: i.e. the Shepherd of Israel. Ref to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:24 ). App-92 . Compare Psalms 80:1 .Jeremiah 31:10 . Ezekiel 34:23 .

feed = tend, or shepherd (as a flock). Compare Micah 7:14 .Isaiah 40:11 ; Isaiah 49:10 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

they. Israel, His flock.

shall abide. In everlasting security.

shall He be great. Compare Psalms 22:27 ; Psalms 72:8 ; Psalms 98:1 .Isaiah 49:5 , Isaiah 49:7 ; Isaiah 52:13 .Zechariah 9:10 . Luke 1:32 .Revelation 11:15 .

Verse 5

this Man, &c. = this [great Shepherd of Israel]. Compare Psalms 72:7 . Isaiah 9:6 , Isaiah 9:7 . Zechariah 9:10 .

Assyrian. This is emphatic in Hebrew.

when, &c. Compare Isaiah 7:20 Isaiah 8:7-10 ; Isaiah 37:31-36 .

then, &c. Compare Isaiah 44:28 ; Isaiah 59:19 . Zechariah 1:18-21 ; Zechariah 9:13 ; Zechariah 10:3 ; Zechariah 12:6 .

seven shepherds . . . men. When that time comes the meaning of this will be seen.

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 6

waste = eat up.

the land of Nimrod. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 10:8-10 ). App-92 . The name occurs elsewhere only in 1 Chronicles 1:10 and none can deliver.

entrances = passes. Compare Nahum 3:13 .

when. See note on Micah 5:5 .

Verse 7

as a dew, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:2 , the same verbal idiom). App-92 .

a dew = a night mist. See note on Psalms 133:3 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 8

shall be, &c. This refers to restored Israel "in that day"; not to any other people now.

people. Hebrew = peoples.

as a lion, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 23:24 ; Numbers 24:9 ). App-92 .

Verse 9

shall be out off. Note the Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ), in the repetition, "cut off", four times in verses: Micah 5:9-13 . All this refers eventually to restored Israel.

Verse 10

in that day. The Structure connects Micah 5:10-14 with Micah 4:6 -- Micah 5:8 , and shows it to be the same, and yet future time, called in Micah 4:1 "the last days".

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

I will cut off, &c. See note on Micah 5:9 . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:16 ). App-92 . Compare Isaiah 2:7 . Zechariah 9:10 .

Verse 12

witchcrafts = sorceries. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 22:18 . Leviticus 19:26 . Deuteronomy 18:10 ). App-92 .

hand. Some codices, with Septuagint, and Syriac, read "hands".

soothsayers: i.e. users of secret or occult arts.

Verse 13

graven images. See Micah 1:7 , the same word.

standing images = pillars. Probably = 'Asherahs. See App-42 . Compare "groves", Micah 5:14 . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:24 ; Exodus 34:13 .Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 7:5 ). App-92 .

Verse 14

pluck up = root up, or tear down.

thy groves = thine 'Asherahs. App-42 . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:13 .Deuteronomy 7:5 ; Deuteronomy 12:3 ).

thy cities. Ginsburg thinks "thine idols". Authorized Version margin suggests "enemies".

Verse 15

heathen = nations.