MIC 5:2 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=vital (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) But you, Beyt-Lekem (Bethlehem) Efratah,
⇔ even though you’re insignificant among Yehudah’s (Judah’s) clans,
⇔ out of you, one will come to me to rule in Yisrael,
⇔ whose beginning is from ancient times—
⇔ ≈ from everlasting.[ref]

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Διατοῦτο δώσει αὐτοὺς ἕως καιροῦ τικτούσης, τέξεται, καὶ οἱ ἐπίλοιποι τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτῶν ἐπιστρέψουσιν ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραήλ.
(Diatouto dōsei autous heōs kairou tiktousaʸs, texetai, kai hoi epiloipoi tōn adelfōn autōn epistrepsousin epi tous huious Israaʸl. )

BrTr Therefore shall he appoint them to wait till the time of her that travails: she shall bring forth, and then the remnant of their brethren shall return to the children of Israel.

ULT But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
⇔ even though you are small among the clans of Judah,
⇔ out of you one will come to me
⇔ to rule in Israel,
⇔ whose beginning is from ancient times,
⇔ from everlasting.

UST But you people of Bethlehem in the district of Ephrathah,
⇔ even though your town is a very small one among all the towns in Judah,
⇔ someone who will rule Israel will be born in your town.
⇔ He will be someone whose family existed a very long time ago.

BSB But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
⇔ who are small among the clans[fn] of Judah,
⇔ out of you will come forth for Me
⇔ One to be ruler over Israel[fn]—
⇔ One whose origins are of old,
⇔ from the days of eternity.

OEB ⇔ ‘Bethlehem in Ephrathah,
⇔ small among the tribes of Judah,
⇔ from you will come a king
⇔ who will rule for me over Israel,
⇔ whose family line goes back to the distant past.’

CSB Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.

NLT But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.

NIV “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.”

CEV Bethlehem Ephrath, you are one of the smallest towns in the nation of Judah. But the LORD will choose one of your people to rule the nation--someone whose family goes back to ancient times.

ESV But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

NASB “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”

LSB But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from everlasting, From the ancient days.”

WEBBE But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
⇔ being small amongst the clans of Judah,
⇔ out of you one will come out to me who is to be ruler in Israel;
⇔ whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.

WMBB (Same as above)

MSG ^(2-4)But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,
  the runt of the litter—
From you will come the leader
  who will shepherd-rule Israel.
He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.
  His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes
  until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,
And the scattered brothers come back
  home to the family of Israel.
He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,
  centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.
And the people will have a good and safe home,
  for the whole world will hold him in respect—
  Peacemaker of the world!

NET As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
⇔ seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah –
⇔ from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf,
⇔ one whose origins are in the distant past.

LSV “And you, Beth-Lehem Ephratah,
Little to be among the chiefs of Judah! From you He comes forth to Me—to be ruler in Israel,
And His comings forth [are] of old,
From the days of antiquity.”

FBV But from you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, (though you are only a small place in Judah), will come a ruler of Israel to do my will. His existence is from the ages of eternity past.

T4T But you people of [APO] Bethlehem in Ephrathah district need to know that
⇔ even though your town is a very small one among all the towns in Judah,
⇔ someone who will rule Israel will be born in your town.
⇔ He will be someone whose family has existed a very long time ago [DOU].

LEB   • But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah,
• from you one will go out for me,
  • to be ruler in Israel;
• and his origins are from of old,
  • from ancient days.

NRSV But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.

NKJV “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

NAB But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah least 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 times.

BBE 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.

Moff O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
⇔ tiniest of townships in all Judah,
⇔ out of you a king shall come to govern Israel,
⇔ one whose origin is of old,
⇔ of long descent

JPS (5-1) 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 ancient days.

ASV 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.

DRA AND THOU, BETHLEHEM Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel: and his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity.

YLT 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 [are] of old, From the days of antiquity.

Drby (And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me [who is] to be Ruler in Israel: whose goings forth are from of old, from the days of eternity.)

RV 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.
(But thou/you, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Yudah, out of thee/you shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. )

SLT And thou, house of bread, of Ephratah, for being small among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth to me he being ruler in Israel; and his goings forth from of old from the days of eternity.

Wbstr But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou art little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

KJB-1769 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.[fn]
(But thou/you, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou/you be little among the thousands of Yudah, yet out of thee/you shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. )

5.2 everlasting: Heb. the days of eternity

KJB-1611 [fn]But thou Beth-leem Ephratah, though thou bee little among the thousands of Iudah, yet out of thee shall he come foorth vnto mee, that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings foorth haue bene from of old, from euerlasting.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from marking of added words (and possibly capitalisation and punctuation and footnotes))

5:2 Hebr. the dayes of eternitie.

Bshps And thou Bethlehem Ephrata art little among the thousandes of Iuda, out of thee shal he come foorth vnto me which shalbe the gouernour in Israel, whose out going hath ben from the beginning, and from euerlasting.
(And thou/you Bethlehem Ephrata art little among the thousands of Yuda, out of thee/you shall he come forth unto me which shall be the governor in Israel, whose out going hath/has been from the beginning, and from everlasting.)

Gnva And thou Beth-leem Ephrathah art litle to bee among the thousandes of Iudah, yet out of thee shall he come forth vnto me, that shalbe the ruler in Israel: whose goings forth haue bene from the beginning and from euerlasting.
(And thou/you Beth-lehem Ephrathah art little to be among the thousands of Yudah, yet out of thee/you shall he come forth unto me, that shall be the ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from the beginning and from everlasting. )

Cvdl And thou Bethleem Ephrata, art litle amonge the thousandes off Iuda, Out off the shal come one vnto me, which shall be ye gouernoure i Israel: whose outgoinge hath bene from the begynnynge, and from euerlastinge.
(And thou/you Beth-lehem Ephrata, art little among the thousands off Yuda, Out off the shall come one unto me, which shall be ye/you_all governor 1 Israel: whose outgoing hath/has been from the beginning, and from everlasting.)

Wycl And thou, Bethleem Effrata, art litil in the thousyndis of Juda; he that is the lordli gouernour in Israel, schal go out of thee to me; and the goyng out of hym is fro bigynnyng, fro daies of euerlastyngnesse.
(And thou/you, Beth-lehem Effrata, art little in the thousands of Yuda; he that is the lordli governor in Israel, shall go out of thee/you to me; and the going out of him is from beginning, from days of everlastingness.)

Luth Indes läßt er sie plagen bis auf die Zeit, daß die, so gebären soll, geboren habe. Da werden dann die übrigen seiner Brüder wiederkommen zu den Kindern Israel.
(Indes lets he they/she/them plague(v) until on/in/to the time/period, that that, so give_birth should, born have. So become then the remaining his brothers come_back to/for the children Israel.)

ClVg [Et tu, Bethlehem Ephrata, parvulus es in millibus Juda; ex te mihi egredietur qui sit dominator in Israël, et egressus ejus ab initio, a diebus æternitatis.
([And you(sg), Bethlehem Ephrata, little_one you_are in/into/on thousands Yuda; from you(sg) to_me will_go_out who/which be dominator in/into/on Israel, and going_out his away at_first/in_the_beginning, from days eternaltatis. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–6: A ruler will be born in Bethlehem

In this section, Micah told the people of Jerusalem that an enemy would come against them who would cause them to suffer. But their suffering would end when a strong ruler came from Bethlehem. He would enable the people to defeat their enemies and would bring peace.

Here are some other examples of section headings:Some versions place a similar heading before verse 2. For example, the NRSV has “The Ruler from Bethlehem,” and the NET has “A King Will Come and a Remnant Will Prosper.”

A Promised Ruler (CEV)

The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem (ESV)

Birth of the King in Bethlehem (NASB)

Note: TN and most English versions number the verses in this chapter as 5:1–15. The NAB, NJB, and NJPS number the verses according to the Hebrew Text (BHS): 4:14–5:14.NET footnote (a). When TN quotes one of these four versions, it will adjust the numbering to follow the BSB and most English versions.

Paragraphs:In some cases, the paragraph divisions are not indicated or else differ between Paratext, TW, Logos, and Bible Gateway. In such cases, TN has tried to follow the majority. The Notes will divide this section into the following paragraphs: 5:1, 2–4, 5–6 (NJB). Divide the paragraphs in a way that will be appropriate and acceptable to the readers in your language area.

Paragraph 5:2–4

These verses describe the birthplace and origin of the coming ruler, the Messiah. They also identify the time of his coming in relation to the return of his kindred from exile, and describe the way in which he will lead and care for his people like a shepherd.

5:2

In this verse, the phrase “for Me” in 2c refers to the LORD, so the LORD is probably the speaker.

5:2a

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

¶ “But you^(sing), town of Bethlehem Ephrathah,
¶ But Yahweh says, “O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
¶ Nevertheless, Yahweh says that from Bethlehem Ephrathah,

But you: This phrase introduces a strong contrast between the helpless ruler of Israel in 5:1c and the strong ruler that 5:2c–e describes.See NAC (page 96), TOTC (pages 198–199), and Pusey (page 67). In Hebrew, the placement of this phrase first in the clause also gives it emphasis. Introduce this contrast and emphasis in a natural way in your language.

Bethlehem Ephrathah: This refers to the birthplace of King David mentioned in Ruth 4:11 and 1 Sam. 17:12. Here it is used as a term of address (vocative) in which the LORD speaks to the town of Bethlehem in Judah. Some versions have added the word “O” to indicate this.

In some languages, it may be more natural to use indirect speech here. For an example, see the third meaning line for 5:2a in the Display.

The word Ephrathah may refer to the region where Bethlehem is located (NRSV “of Ephrathah” and REB “in Ephrathah”). The word may also refer to a clan/family name rather than a region (NJPS “Bethlehem of Ephrath” has a footnote: “The clan to which the Bethlehemites belonged”).

TN will follow most versions, which translate the name of the town as Bethlehem Ephrathah. Here are some other ways to translate 5:2a:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah (ESV)

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah (NASB)

The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah (GNT)

5:2b–c

Verse 5:2c describes the unexpected result of 5:2b. People did not expect that a ruler over the nation of Israel would come from a small and insignificant town such as Bethlehem Ephrathah. Here are some ways to indicate the relationship between the true statement that Bethlehem was small and the unexpected result:

Begin 5:2b with a conjunction such as “though.” For example:
though you are small… (NIV)
Begin 5:2c with a conjunction such as “yet” or “but.” For example:
Yet, from you Israel’s future ruler will come for me. (GW)
But the Lord will choose one of your people to rule the nation (CEV)
Leave the relationship implied. For example:
who are one of the little…, from you shall come forth for me… (NRSV)

Express this relationship in a clear and natural way in your language.

5:2b

who are small among the clans of Judah,

although you^(sing) are not highly regarded among the towns of Judah,
even though people do not regard you as important in Judah,
an insignificant place compared to others in Judah,

The GNT has been used as the source line for 5:2b, because it follows the two recommended interpretations.

(GNT) you are one of the smallest towns in Judah: In Hebrew, this verse part is more literally “insignificant to be among the thousands of Judah.” There are at least two interpretation issues. The Notes will first consider the issue of the size or significance of Bethlehem Ephrathah:

Bethlehem Ephrathah is small. It is unimportant compared to other cities/towns or clans. For example:
Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in the nation of Judah. (CEV)
As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah (NET) (CEV, KJV, NABRE, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV, REB, BSB, GNT)
Bethlehem Ephrathah is too small/insignificant to be a city/clan. For example:
You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, are too small to be included among Judah’s cities. (GW)
But you. O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah (ESV) (ESV, GW, NAB, NASB, NCV, RSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions.According to Waltke 2007 (page 268), the meaning “too small” requires the Hebrew word to have a comparative min affix. That affix is not present here.

(GNT) towns: In Hebrew, this word is literally “thousands,” (as in the KJV). It often refers to large groups of people, such as groups of soldiers, clans or kinship/family groups.Mounce #548: 3 ʾelep “by extension from ‘thousand,’ this refers to any large unit or group: (family) clan, (military) unit.” Also, DCH (p 300): 13.0.2 “clan—…tribal unit smaller than tribe, sometimes loosely equivalent to family…or tribe.” See also NIDOTTE vol. 2 (page 419), which discusses more than one sense of ʾelep as well as ʾallup “chief” in relation to a hierarchy of categories from nation and tribe down to family. The NCV has “army groups from Judah.” Here, however, the word probably refers to non-military groups whose size would be appropriate for a small town or a clan or an extended group of relatives.ZIBBC (page 136) says that although the town and clan are not equivalent, one was often used as shorthand for the other.

The Notes will now consider the issue of whether Bethlehem Ephrathah is a town or a clan. Versions from either of the two interpretations above will be listed:

Bethlehem Ephrathah is the name of a town. For example:
are only a small village among all the people of Judah (NLT) (CEV, GW,The GW has been listed here, because its rendering “too small…among Judah’s cities” clearly implies a comparable unit such as a town or village. NLT, GNT)
Bethlehem Ephrathah is the name of a clan. For example:
small as you are among Judah’s clans (REB) (BSB, ESV, NABRE, NASB, NET, NIV, NJB, NRSV, REB)

You may follow either interpretation. TN will follow interpretation (1). Although more versions follow interpretation (2), there is significant commentary and lexicon support for (1).A&F (page 466) identifies this verse as the only one in which “the originally kin-oriented unit ʾelep” has been designated as a town. HALOT (electronic ed. page 60) identifies this verse as referring to a “settlement > region” in Judah. UBS (page 207) says that the word refers to a social unit (clan), but that this is a case of metonymy in which the clan represents “the town where the clan members lived.” It recommends the “plain meaning” of the GNT “one of the smallest towns in Judah,” and says that “smallest probably refers both to size and to importance.” Interpretation (1) is also much simpler and avoids the confusion over who belonged to a clan and how big a clan was in relation to other groups.

5:2c

out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—

from you^(sing) will come one who rules for me over Israel.
yet out of you will be born a ruler of Israel who represents me.
from there will come one who will rule on his behalf over Israel.

out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel: This clause is a prophecy about the coming of a future ruler. He will rule over Israel for the LORD. In the New Testament, Matthew (1:6) quoted this verse to indicate that Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.

out of you will come forth: The pronoun you in this phrase refers to Bethlehem Ephrathah. That is the place where the ruler will come from. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

a ruler of Israel will come from you (NLT)

out of you will come (NIV)

for Me: The pronoun Me refers to the LORD. The phrase for Me means “on my behalf.”Waltke 2007 (page 272) affirms this understanding of the Hebrew word as “dative of advantage to whom the action is directed, and of referring the pronoun to God….” Here are some implications of this phrase:

The ruler will act on behalf of the LORD.
The ruler will truly obey the LORD.Both a) and b) are suggested by UBS (page 207).
The ruler will follow the plan of the LORD and will promote His kingdom.KD (page 324).
The ruler (the Messiah) will come to serve the LORD and not himself.Waltke 2007 (page 272) and ABC (page 1080).

Some versions make one or more of these implications clearer. Consider if it will be helpful to do the same in your translation. For example:

will rule over Israel on my behalf (NET)

will rule Israel for me (NCV)

One to be ruler over Israel: The Hebrew word for ruler rather than the more specific word “king” is used here. If your language has a general word or phrase that refers to a person who rules a country, you should use it here.Some scholars believe there is no essential meaning difference between the Hebrew words for “ruler” and “king.” For example, NAC (page 97) mentions that both words can refer either to humans or to God in Micah as well as elsewhere in the OT. A&F (page 467) makes the same point and cites Genesis 37:8 in which both words are used to refer to Joseph. Others believe it is significant that the Hebrew word for “ruler” is used instead of the word for “king.” For example, NICOT (page 343) suggests that the word “ruler” indicates a lesser, subordinate status to the divine “king.” Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

But out of you will come for me a ruler out of Israel. (NIrV)

from you will come one who will rule Israel for me (NCV)

5:2d

One whose origins are of old,

He came from long ago,
His family line/origin is from the distant past.

5:2e

from the days of eternity.

in the distant past.”
It goes back many generations.”

5:2d–e

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

^2dOne whose origins are of old,

^2e from the days of eternity.

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 5:2e. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 5:2d. For example:

^2e whose origins are from days of eternity.

One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity: In Hebrew, the word origins can refer to the place or the time period that something is from. A form of this word is translated as “come forth” in 5:2c. There it refers to the place that the ruler comes from. In 5:2d–e the word origins refers to the time period. This time period is indicated by the words of old and from the days of eternity.

There is more than one way to interpret this verse part:

The ruler is ancient. He is the son of God and he has always existed.JFB (page 692) says that “as the Son of God, His goings forth are from everlasting.” KD (page 325), says that the Hebrew word for “origins” “can only affirm the going forth from God at the creation of the world….” For example:
His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. (NASB)
The lineage of the ruler is ancient. His coming from Bethlehem implies that his ancestry goes back to the time of David.According to Waltke 2007 (page 275), the meaning of the Hebrew word for “origins” should be connected to the meaning in the first part of the verse. He comes from Bethlehem, which implies his ancestral origin from Jesse and the house of David. A&F (page 467) also states that his lineage is the more likely meaning here. For example:
I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times. (GNT)

The LORD (speaking through Micah) may have meant both (1) and (2) here. If possible, translate these lines in a way that allows either or both interpretations to be understood. For example:

His origins go back to the distant past, to days long ago. (GW)

Parallel MIC 5:2