Micah 5:2

Bethlehem. For the meaning see on Genesis 35:19. A town 5¼ mi. (8.4 km.) south of Jerusalem, the modern Beit Lahm. The town was also called Ephrath (Genesis 35:19; cf. Ruth 4:11) and Bethlehem-judah, doubtless to distinguish it from Bethlehem in Zebulun (Joshua 19:15, 16). Bethlehem was the birthplace of David (1 Samuel 16:1, 4; cf. Luke 2:11).

Thousands. Hebrew ’alaphim, which may define tribes, or clans, from a numerical point of view. Hence the translation “clans” (RSV). “Little” may thus refer either to the clan represented by the inhabitants of Bethlehem or possibly to the town itself, which never assumed very great importance.

Shall he come forth. The Jews recognized this prophecy as Messianic, and in response to Herod’s request as to where the Messiah was to be born, they quoted this passage in Micah (Matthew 2:3-6; cf. John 7:42).

Goings forth. Hebrew mosa’oth, the plural of mosa’ah, from the root yasa’, “to go out.” It is not entirely clear just what is referred to by this term. Since the Messiah is here represented as a king, some have thought that the reference is to a king going forth in kingly function. Others see a reference to the various Old Testament appearances of Christ, such as to Abraham (Genesis 18) and Jacob (Genesis 32:24-32).

From everlasting. Micah clearly sets forth the pre-existence of the One who was to be born in Bethlehem. The “goings forth” of Christ reach to eternity in the past. “In the beginning was the Word” (see on John 1:1-3). “From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father” (Desire of Ages 19; cf. Desire of Ages 530; Evangelism 615).

Instead of mosa’oth (see above on “goings forth”), the RSV reads “origin.” This is the only place in that version where mosa’oth, or its corresponding masculine form mosa’, is so translated. If “origin” be construed as signifying that there was a time when Christ did not exist, then this translation is misleading (see Problems in Bible Translation, pp. 188-190).