Miquéias 5

Miquéias 5

Morris - Defender's Study Bible) interpret the stricken judge as Jesus (cf Mt 26:67-68, 27:30, Mk 15:19, Jn 19:3, cf Isa 50:6), the context does not support that interpretation, for the first part of the verse seems to refer to the Babylonian siege. Certainly, Jerusalem was not under siege when Christ was smitten, nor was He actually smitten with a rod. Most writers interpret the smitten judge as King Zedekiah who received humiliating treatment from Nebuchadnezzar when Judah fell in 586 BC (2 Ki 25:4-5, 6, 7, context = 2Ki 24:17-25:7) Of course it is still reasonable to consider that this OT picture was a foreshadowing of what happened to Jesus. Morris - Smiting an official on the cheek was considered a bitter insult, and the ultimate insult was for the representatives of a godless pagan government to strike the true Judge of Israel and of all the earth (2 Ti 4:1+) on the cheek--as they did repeatedly during the mock trial of Christ (Matthew 26:67; 27:30). The entire context here is Messianic, involving aspects of both comings of Messiah (Micah 5:2b, 4 = Second Coming). It goes well beyond any public humiliation of King Zedekiah by the Babylonians, as many have interpreted it. IVP Background Commentary - To be struck on the cheek is generally considered a gesture of contempt (see 1 Kings 22:24; Job 16:10). Hammurabi’s Code provides for a variety of punishments for the person who strike others on the cheek—from flogging and mutilation to stiff fines. Striking Judah’s “judge” implies both the contempt of the nations as well as the impotence of Judah’s ruler to respond. In the New Year festival (akitu) that was practiced in both Assyria and Babylon, the priest slapped the king on the cheek in a ritual that led to the king claiming he was innocent of injustice. Micah 5:2 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. But as for you Matthew 2:6; John 7:42 Ephrathah Genesis 35:19; 48:7 Ruth 4:11; 1Samuel 17:12; 1Chronicles 2:50,51,54; 4:4; Ps 132:6 among 1Samuel 10:19; 23:23 Clans Exodus 18:21,25; Deuteronomy 1:15; 1Samuel 8:12; 17:18 From you Isaiah 11:1; 53:2; Ezekiel 17:22-24; Amos 9:11; Luke 2:4-7; 1Corinthians 1:27,28 To be ruler Genesis 49:10; 1Chronicles 5:2; Isaiah 9:6,7; Jeremiah 13:5,6; Ezekiel 34:23,24; 37:22-25; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 28:18; Luke 1:31-33; 23:2,38; John 19:14-22; Revelation 19:16 His goings Psalms 90:2; 102:25-27; Proverbs 8:22; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 13:8; 1John 1:1; Revelation 1:11-18; 2:8; 21:6 Spurgeon's Sermon on this passage The Incarnation and Birth of Christ (57) - Micah 5:2 Micah Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Notice that Micah 5:2 is God the Father Himself issuing this great prophecy, whereas the remainder of the verses in Micah 5:1-15 appear to be the voice of Micah. Matthew