The Coming Shepherd from Bethlehem
Micah 5:1-5
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Revelation
Mic.5.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפרתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- צעיר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- באלפי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,const
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- מושל: VERB,qal,ptc,0,m,sg
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומוצאתיו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- מקדם: PREP
- מימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Matthew 2:6 (quotation): The Matthean account (citing Micah) explicitly attributes to Bethlehem the coming of a ruler in Israel: a direct citation of the Bethlehem prophecy (Matt.2:5–6 in Greek manuscripts corresponding to Micah 5:2).
- Luke 2:4-7 (structural): Luke places Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (the city of David) as part of the nativity narrative, structurally linking the Messiah’s origin to Micah’s prediction of a ruler from Bethlehem.
- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (thematic): The anointing of David—chosen from Bethlehem (the house of Jesse) to be Israel’s king—provides the historical prototype for a ruler arising from Bethlehem, a theme echoed in Micah’s prophecy.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): The Davidic covenant promises an enduring king from David’s line; Micah’s declaration of a ruler arising from Bethlehem ties into this broader promise of a Davidic/royal figure with ancient origin.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, small to be among the clans of Judah— from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose going forth is from of old, from ancient days.
- And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, little among the thousands of Judah— from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; his goings forth are from of old, from ancient days.
Mic.5.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- יתנם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- עת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יולדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ילדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אחיו: NOUN,3,m,sg,abs
- ישובון: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Matthew 2:6 (quotation): Matthew explicitly cites Micah's Bethlehem prophecy to identify the birthplace of the Messiah (fulfillment citation).
- Luke 2:4-7 (structural): Luke's birth narrative locates Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, thematically echoing Micah's prediction of a ruler originating there.
- Genesis 49:10 (thematic): Jacob's blessing foresees a future ruler from Judah—Micah likewise points to a specific Davidic-origin ruler associated with Bethlehem in Judah.
- Numbers 24:17 (allusion): Balaam's oracle about a rising star and ruler from Israel is an earlier messianic motif that parallels Micah's expectation of a coming leader for Israel.
- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (thematic): David's anointing from Bethlehem establishes the Davidic–Bethlehem association that Micah draws on when predicting a future sovereign from that town.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore he will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne; then the remainder of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel.
- Therefore he will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a child; then the remainder of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
Mic.5.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ורעה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעז: PNOUN,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בגאון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- עתה: ADV
- יגדל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- אפסי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 40:11 (thematic): Uses the shepherd-king image—'He will tend his flock like a shepherd'—paralleling Micah’s depiction of the ruler who 'shall stand and shepherd in the strength of the LORD.'
- Ezekiel 34:23-24 (allusion): God promises to set 'one shepherd' over his people (a Davidic figure); parallels Micah’s portrayal of a singular shepherd-ruler who leads by the LORD’s strength and name.
- Psalm 78:70-72 (verbal): Speaks of God choosing David and that 'he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,' echoing Micah’s language of a leader who 'stands and feeds' God’s people.
- John 10:11-16 (thematic): Jesus’ self‑description as the 'good shepherd' who lays down his life for the sheep echoes the shepherd‑ruler motif in Micah describing the one who will shepherd in the LORD’s strength.
- Isaiah 11:1-5 (thematic): Portrays a messianic ruler from Jesse endowed with the Spirit who will rule righteously—thematically aligned with Micah’s expectation of a Davidic leader reigning by the LORD’s power and majesty.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he shall stand and shepherd in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall dwell, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
- And he shall stand and shepherd in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
Mic.5.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשור: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בארצנו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1,pl
- וכי: CONJ
- ידרך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בארמנתינו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,1,pl
- והקמנו: VERB,hiph,perf,1,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- שבעה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושמנה: NUM,card,sg
- נסיכי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isa.9:6 (verbal): The coming ruler is called the 'Prince of Peace' (Heb. שַׂר־שָׁלוֹם), directly echoing Micah's declaration that 'he shall be their peace.'
- Isa.10:5-12 (thematic): Isaiah depicts Assyria as God's instrument of judgment that will itself be punished—paralleling Micah's mention of an Assyrian invasion and the promise of divine deliverance.
- Ezek.34:23-24 (thematic): Ezekiel promises God will set up 'one shepherd' (a Davidic figure) to care for Israel; this shares the shepherd-leadership motif and the theme of God raising leaders to restore the people, echoed in Micah's 'seven shepherds and eight princely men.'
- Zech.9:9-10 (thematic): Zechariah portrays a future king who brings peace and commands wide dominion—parallel to Micah's Messianic hope that yields peace and deliverance from foreign oppression.
Alternative generated candidates
- And this one shall be peace: when Assyria comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will rise against him seven shepherds and eight princely men.
- And he shall be peace— when the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces— then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princely men.
Mic.5.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ורעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשור: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נמרד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בפתחיה: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- והציל: CONJ+VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- מאשור: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m
- כי: CONJ
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בארצנו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1,pl
- וכי: CONJ
- ידרך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בגבולנו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 10:12 (thematic): Both predict that Yahweh will punish Assyria for its pride and activity against Israel—divine retribution of the Assyrian power and ensuing deliverance for Israel.
- Isaiah 37:36 (thematic): Narrative example of God striking the Assyrian host to deliver Judah; parallels Micah’s assurance that God will strike Assyria and save his people.
- Zephaniah 2:13-15 (allusion): Pronounces judgment on Assyria/Nineveh and desolation of its strongholds—another prophetic oracle against the northern empire comparable to Micah’s attack on Assyria and ‘the land of Nimrod.’
- Genesis 10:8-12 (allusion): Early ethnological tradition identifying Nimrod with the founding of Assyrian/Nineveh territory; Micah’s phrase “land of Nimrod” echoes this ancestral/territorial link.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its gates; and he will deliver us from Assyria when he comes into our land and treads on our borders.
- They shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod at its gates; and he will deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our borders.
And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, little to be among the thousands of Judah— from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; and his goings forth are from of old, from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne; then the remnant of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be our peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princely men.
He will strike the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; he will deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and when he treads within our borders.