Micah 5, From Bethlehem to the Ends of the Earth

Micah speaks of future devastation followed by renewal.

Micah 5:1, Siege

Marshal your troops, O city of troops, 

for a siege is laid against us. 

They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod.

A siege and conquest is coming.

Micah 5:2-5a, A ruler from Bethlehem

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

 though you are small among the clans of Judah, 

out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, 

whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."  

Therefore Israel will be abandoned 

until the time when she who is in labor gives birth

 and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, 

in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. 

And they will live securely, 

for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

And he will be their peace. 

Judah and Israel will appear to be abandoned until the birth of a new ruler, from little Bethlehem.  A new shepherd will come and he will bring peace, bringing back Judah and "the rest of his brothers" (Israel.) This new future ruler is "from of old, from ancient times," suggesting (says McComiskey) that Micah saw this ruler as a supernatural being. This passage is consistent with the end of the first prophecy, where in Micah 2:12-13, Micah describes the Breaker-Shepherd-King.

Micah 5:5b-6, Assyrian invaders

When the Assyrian invades our land 

and marches through our fortresses, 

we will raise against him seven shepherds, 

even eight leaders of men.

They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, 

the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.

He will deliver us from the Assyrian 

when he invades our land and marches into our borders.  

Assyrian invaders will will conquer Israel but numerous future shepherd-leaders from Israel will arise to deliver Israel from Assyrian. (The "seven... even eight" description of the shepherds is classic x/x+1 Hebrew emphasis, indicating some unknown number.) Assyria, like Babylon and Egypt in other similar passages, simply represents enemies of Israel (see Psalm 2:2-3.)

Micah 5:7-9, Like dew and showers

The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples 

like dew from the LORD, 

like showers on the grass, 

which do not wait for man or linger for mankind.

The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, 

in the midst of many peoples, 

like a lion among the beasts of the forest,

 like a young lion among flocks of sheep, 

which mauls and mangles as it goes,

 and no one can rescue.

Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, 

and all your foes will be destroyed.

A remnant will arise from Judah, a remnant that will triumph. The remnant will arrive like fresh dew or showers, provided by YHWH and not by mankind. This remnant will not only be refreshed but, against its enemies, will be a powerful and triumphant lion.

Micah 5:10-15, Horses, chariots, witches

"In that day," declares the LORD, 

"I will destroy your horses from among you

 and demolish your chariots.

I will destroy the cities of your land 

and tear down all your strongholds.

 I will destroy your witchcraft 

and you will no longer cast spells.

I will destroy your carved images

 and your sacred stones from among you; 

you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands. 

 I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles

and demolish your cities.

 I will take vengeance in anger 

and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me."

                  
The second prophecy of Micah, covering chapters 3, 4 and 5. That second prophecy ends here, with a return to statements about sins and judgment. In a future day, horses, chariots, witches, idols, and all instruments of war and idolatry (including ancient Asherah poles) will be destroyed.

Micah's prophecies overlap similar statements from his contemporary, Isaiah, especially the statements in Isaiah 2. In Isaiah 2:6-8, Isaiah describes a Jerusalem full of horses and chariots, idols, diviners and pagan rituals. Here Micah announces that in this future day, those relics of idolatry and rebellion will be removed.

First published July 17, 2025; updated July 17, 2025