Micah 5:2
But thou, Beth–lehem 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.
Study Note
Study Note
'But thou, Beth-lehem 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.' This precise geographic prophecy — a ruler from Bethlehem — is cited in Matthew 2:6 and John 7:42 as the recognized messianic birth-expectation that led the Magi to Bethlehem. The paradox of the 'little' town producing the ruler inverts human calculations of significance, anticipating Jesus's pattern of choosing the weak, the small, and the overlooked as vehicles of divine purpose. The mysterious phrase 'whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting' has fueled centuries of christological reflection on the pre-existence of the Son.
Other Translations
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.
And thou, Beth-Lehem Ephratah, Little to be among the chiefs of Judah! From thee to Me he cometh forth--to be ruler in Israel, And his comings forth <FI>are<Fi> of old, From the days of antiquity.
And you, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, the least among the families of Judah, out of you one will come to me who is to be ruler in Israel; whose going out has been purposed from time past, from the eternal days.
Cross References
And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Beth–lehem.
And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the …
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him …
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; …
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers …
So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over …
And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the …
And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, …
And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; …
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth–lehem–judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and …