Catholic Bible
Mosaico decorativo

Micah, 5

1. But you (Bethlehem) Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, from you will come for me a future ruler of Israel whose origins go back to the distant past, to the days of old.

1. Now you are walled about with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike upon the cheek the ruler of Israel.

2. Hence Yahweh will abandon them only until she who is in labour gives birth, and then those who survive of his race will be reunited to the Israelites.

2. But you, O Bethlehem Eph'rathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.

3. He will take his stand and he will shepherd them with the power of Yahweh, with the majesty of the name of his God, and they will be secure, for his greatness will extend henceforth to the most distant parts of the country.

3. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in travail has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel.

4. He himself will be peace! Should the Assyrian invade our country, should he set foot in our land, we shall raise seven shepherds against him, eight leaders of men;

4. And he shall stand and feed his flock 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.

5. they will shepherd Assyria with the sword, the country of Nimrod with naked blade. He will save us from the Assyrian, should he invade our country, should he set foot inside our frontiers.

5. And this shall be peace, when the Assyrian comes into our land and treads upon our soil, that we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men;

6. Then what is left of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, will be like a dew from Yahweh, like showers on the grass, which do not depend on human agency and are beyond human control.

6. they shall rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword; and they shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.

7. Then what is left of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, will be like a lion among the forest beasts, like a fierce lion among flocks of sheep trampling as he goes, mangling his prey which no one takes from him.

7. Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers upon the grass, which tarry not for men nor wait for the sons of men.

8. You will be victorious over your foes and all your enemies will be torn to pieces.

8. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver.

9. When that day comes- declares Yahweh- I shall tear your horses away from you, I shall destroy your chariots;

9. Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.

10. I shall tear the cities from your country, I shall overthrow all your fortresses;

10. And in that day, says the LORD, I will cut off your horses from among you and will destroy your chariots;

11. I shall tear the spells out of your hands and you will have no more soothsayers;

11. and I will cut off the cities of your land and throw down all your strongholds;

12. I shall tear away your images and your sacred pillars from among you, and no longer will you worship things which your own hands have made!

12. and I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more soothsayers;

13. I shall uproot your sacred poles and shall destroy your cities!

13. and I will cut off your images and your pillars from among you, and you shall bow down no more to the work of your hands;

14. In furious anger I shall wreak vengeance on the nations who have disobeyed me!

14. and I will root out your Ashe'rim from among you and destroy your cities.

15.

15. And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance upon the nations that did not obey.



Read the Bible in a Year

Join our community and complete the entire Bible in 365 days. A structured and inspiring path to deepen your faith and knowledge of Scripture.

Join the Program Download the PDF Plan

Footnotes:

5:1-3 - Micah prophesies the coming of the Messiah from Bethlehem, a ruler who will be the shepherd of the people of Israel. This verse highlights the humility and greatness of Christ, who will arise from an insignificant place but bring peace and salvation (see also Matthew 2:6 and John 7:42).

5:4-6 - The Messiah will rule with divine authority and bring peace to the people. His leadership will be marked by justice, contrasting with the terrible rulers the people have experienced (see also Isaiah 9:6-7 and Revelation 19:11-16).

5:7-9 - Micah describes the remnant of Israel as a light to the nations, contrasting it with the world powers that will be defeated. This reinforces the people's hope that restoration will come through divine power (see also Isaiah 60:1-3 and Matthew 5:14).

5:10-15 - God promises to purify Israel and destroy enemy nations. The message emphasizes the purification the Messiah will bring, removing idols and bringing faithfulness to God (see also Isaiah 2:18-21 and Revelation 21:8).

Verses related to Micah, 5:

Micah chapter 5 prophesies the Messiah and the liberation of Israel. Where will the promised liberator come from? This crucial text predicts the birth of the eternal ruler in Bethlehem, linking him to the lineage of David. Micah describes the strength and peace that this leader will bring, as well as the purification and exaltation of Israel among the nations. The chapter balances promises of restoration with warnings of judgment. Reflect with us on five biblical passages that illuminate the messianic themes of this profound chapter.

Matthew 2:6: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the chief cities of Judah; for from you will come the leader who, like shepherd, will lead Israel, my people'." - This verse directly quotes Micah 5:2, applying it to the birth of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government is upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." - Like Micah 5:2-5a, Isaiah prophesies of a divine ruler who will bring peace.

John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." - Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd, echoing the description of the ruler in Micah 5:4.

Zechariah 9:10: "I will cut off the war chariots of Ephraim and the war horses of Jerusalem, and the war bows will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth." - This prophecy about the Messiah's kingdom of peace aligns with Micah 5:5-6.

Revelation 19:15: "Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword, with which he will strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with a rod of iron.' He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of the almighty God." - This verse reflects the judgmental aspect of the Messianic ruler described in Micah 5:15.

FAQ:

What does Micah prophesy about the birth of the Messiah?

Micah prophesies that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, bringing salvation and peace to Israel, and will be a figure of divine leadership and strength. (Micah 5:2)

How will the Messiah rule the people of Israel according to Micah?

The Messiah will rule with justice and divine strength, bringing peace and restoring dignity to the people of Israel. He will be a firm and wise leader. (Micah 5:4)

What does Micah say about the destruction of Israel's enemies?

Micah prophesies that Israel's enemies will be destroyed by divine intervention, and the people of Israel will be restored to their position of honor. (Micah 5:9)

What does God promise to do to purify the people of Israel?

God promises to purify the people of Israel, removing their idolatries and corrupt practices, and restoring them to true worship and faithfulness. (Micah 5:12-14)

How does Micah speak about God's vengeance against Israel's sins?

Micah speaks of God's vengeance against the nations that attack Israel, and also against the people's internal sins, calling them to repentance. (Micah 5:15)


Bibles

Old Testament

New Testament

Follow us