Micah 5

1. Now gather thyself. Rather, as R.V., “Now shalt thou gather thyself.”

daughter of troops. An appellation of Zion, perhaps derived from the military spirit and skill shown by the people in the obstinate defence of their city.

he hath laid siege. That is, the enemy.

the judge of Israel. Probably meaning “king.”

2. Beth-lehem Ephratah. See Psa. cxxxii. 6.

[Though] thou be little (which art little). The littleness of Bethlehem is referred to probably as forming a link of connexion between the past and the future deliverance of Israel, through the fact that the “Ruler” in each case would spring from an origin so despised. The Sanhedrin (Matt. ii. 6) quote the words, “art not the least,” etc., keeping to the general sense of the passage:—little, indeed, in size and estimation, yet in spiritual importance and greatness not least.

thousands. Districts.

Whose goings forth [have been] from of old, etc. The word rendered “goings forth,” is the noun derived from the verb meaning to “come forth,” used in the former clause; and it indicates that the Ruler, who hereafter shall “come forth” from Bethlehem, had already repeatedly gone forth in ancient times, “from everlasting,” in the exercise of the same beneficent authority. And this clearly proves the personal pre-existence of the Messiah as the Lord of all: cp. John i. 1-3; Col. i. 16, 17; Heb. i. 2, 3.

3. Therefore will He give them up. In the accomplishment of His great purpose, Jehovah will for a time suffer His people to fall under the power of their enemies.

she which traveleth. Some commentators, including Hengstenberg, suppose this to be the mother of our Lord, and connect the passage with the prediction in Isa. vii. 14, on which see note. Others, among whom are Theodoret and Calvin, think that the allusion is to the Church, which has shortly before been represented (iv. 9, 10) as being in the pangs of suffering, but which shall be delivered and blessed by the coming of the Messiah.

4 and feed. i.e., “and feed [his flock].”

5 [the] (our) peace. That is, “the author of peace”: cp. Isa. ix. 6; Eph. ii. 14.

seven shepherds. “Seven” and “eight” are used, as in Eccles. xi. 2, to signify an abundance—enough and more than enough. As the degradation of Israel is represented by a lack of governors (see Isa. iii. 1-12), its strength and safety are shown by the large number of rulers and defenders.

6 waste. Rather, “rule.” Lit., “feed,” i.e., “be shepherds over,” as ver. 4.

the land of Assyria. The enemies who threatened Israel in the prophet’s time (cp. Isa. x.) represent all future foes of the people of the Messiah.

the land of Nimrod. So called because Nimrod had taken possession of it: see marginal reading of Gen. x. 11.

13 standing images. Or, “pillars” (R.V.).

14 thy groves. R.V., “Asherim”: see note on Judges iii. 7.