Micah 5

Translation Note

In the Hebrew text this line is Micah 5:1. The King James reads “from of old, from everlasting.” The 1917 Jewish Publication Society reads “from of old, from ancient days.” Brenton reads “from the beginning, even from eternity,” and names “Bethleem, house of Ephratha.” The Jewish Publication Society names “Beth-lehem Ephrathah.”

“Ancient days” and “everlasting” are both readings of עוֹלָם. The Jewish Publication Society does not say the ruler is God. Christians say the ruler from Bethlehem is Jesus, whose goings forth are from everlasting because he is God the Son.

King James Version. But thou, Bethlehem 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.

Jewish Publication Society (1917). “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.”

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English. “And thou, Bethleem, house of Ephratha, art few in number to be reckoned among the thousands of Juda; yet out of thee shall one come forth to me, to be a ruler of Israel; and his goings forth were from the beginning, even from eternity.”

Septuagint, Brenton’s Greek (1851). Καὶ σὺ Βηθλεὲμ οἶκος Ἐφραθὰ, ὀλιγοστὸς εἶ τοῦ εἶναι ἐν χιλιάσιν Ἰούδα· καὶ ἔξοδοι αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς ἐξ ἡμερῶν αἰῶνος.

Why don’t Jews believe Jesus is the Messiah? What Does Messiah Mean?