The Book of Micah with Brit-Am/Hebrew Awareness Commentary
Continued from Micah ch.5. part 1.
ch. 5. Part Two.
a/
Micah (ESV) 5:
1 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;
siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
on the cheek.
This verse is actually, in the Hebrew Bible, the last verse of the previous chapter 4. Rashi explains it to mean that the Jews who were under siege in the time of Nebuchadnessar had only themselves to blame for not respecting the prophets and judges.
2 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.
Rashi explains this to mean that Bethlehem in the region of Ephrathah (present-day "Ephrat" south of Jerusalem) was not expected to account for much.
Nevertheless, from here emerged David king of Israel and from him will come the future Messiah.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
Rashi quotes a tradition (Talmud, Sanhedrin 98;b) that in the End Times there will be a period of nine months, "she who is in labor has given birth, " during which the Adversary Forces will rule over all the world.
At the end of this time or during it the Lost Ten Tribes and Judah will re-unite. The Radak also says that it is referring to the re-union of the Ten Tribes with Judah meaning the Jews.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd 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.
Rashi says this is referring to the Future Messiah.
5 And he shall be their peace.
When the Assyrian comes into our land
and treads in our palaces,
then we will raise against him seven shepherds
and eight princes of men;
Radak explains this to mean that if an adversary such as Assyria once was should come against us at that time then we shall rule over him.
Another tradition indicates that first Israel will be conquered but after that throw the conquerors off.
The Sages understood the term "Assyria" here to represent "Paras" meaning Persia but it could mean any other Asiatic power.
"seven shepherds
and eight princes of men." Abarbanel explains this to mean 7 major rulers and 8 lesser officials.
CONTINUED at Micah ch 5 part 3.