Bible Commentaries

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.

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, Proverbs 8:23. John 1:1, John 1:2.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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). App-92.

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".

heathen = nations.