Does Micah 5:2 predict that Jesus would be the Messiah? The
Historical and Literary Context Micah was a contemporary of the
prophet Isaiah who lived in the 8th century B.C. In this short
passage, he predicts that the Messiah will be born in the
Bethlehem of David. Micah presents the idea of a coming ruler
against the backdrop of the invasion of Judah by the
Babylonians. This text was intended to bring comfort to the
despairing covenant people. In contrast to a smitten king (5:1),
a great ruler (5:2) would come to shepherd God’s people. 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 (Micah 5:2). There are a number of important
aspects of this text. First, Ephrathah is simply the older form
of Bethlehem in this passage (cf. Genesis 35:16, 19; 48:7).
Second, linguistically a case can be made for showing a strong
affinity between this figure and God. Qedem, t