Matthew 2:6

Matthew 2:6

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

a. NLT: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.

b. NIV: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

c. Young’s Literal Translation: And thou, Beth-Lehem, the land of Judah, thou art by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for out of thee shall come one leading, who shall feed My people Israel.'

d. Amplified Bible: And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are not in any way least or insignificant among the chief cities of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler (Leader) Who will govern and shepherd My people Israel.

e. Worrell Translation: “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the governors of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Governor, who shall be shepherd of My people Israel.”

1. “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda…”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. thou [4771 * su] [Strong: the person pronoun of the second person singular; thou:-- thou.]

c. Bethlehem [965 * Bethleem] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (1036); Bethleem (i.e. Beth-lechem), a place in Palestine:--Bethlehem.]

d. in the land [1093 * ge] [Strong: contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.]

e. Juda [Iouda * 2448] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (3063 or perhaps 3194); Judah (i.e. Jehudah or Juttah), a part of (or place in) Palestine:--Judah.]

2. “…art not the least among the princes of Juda…”

a. art [1488 * ei] [Strong: second person singular present of 1510; thou art:--art, be.]

b. not [3760 * oudamos] [Strong: adverb from (the feminine) of 3762; by no means:--not.]

c. the least [1646 * elachistos] [Strong: superlative of elachus (short); used as equivalent to 3398; least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.):--least, very little (small), smallest.]

d. among [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

e. princes [2232 * hedgemon] [Strong: from 2233; a leader, i.e. chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province:--governor, prince, ruler.]

f. Judah [2448 * Iouda] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (3063 or perhaps 3194); Judah (i.e. Jehudah or Juttah), a part of (or place in) Palestine:--Judah.]

3. “…for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

a. for [1063 * gar] [Strong: primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. out of [1537 * ek] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.]

c. thee [4675 * sou] [Strong: genitive case of 4771; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.]

d. shall come [1831 * exerchomai; ek-out; erchomai-to come] [Strong: from 1537 and 2064; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.]

e. Governor [2233 * hegeomai] [Strong: middle voice of a (presumed) strengthened form of 71; to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); figuratively, to deem, i.e. consider:--account, (be) chief, count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think.]

f. that [3748 * hostis] [Strong:  including the feminine hetis hay'-tis, and the neuter ho,ti hot'-ee from 3739 and 5100; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever).]

g. shall rule [4165 * poimaino] [Strong: from 4166; to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser):--feed (cattle), rule.]

h. my [3450 * mou] [Strong: the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

i. people [2992 * laos] [Strong: apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from 1218, which denotes one's own populace):--people.]

j. Israel [2474 * Israel] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (3478); Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively):--Israel.]

1). The verse quoted by the priest is found in Micah.

a). Micah 5:2 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.

2). In the Micah verse, the words describing the person that is to be born, who shall rule Israel is, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” These same words are used to describe the LORD God in Psalms.

a). Psalm 90:1, 2 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

3). everlasting [5769 * owlam] Strong: from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+ without end).]

4). The person born in Bethlehem was, is and always will be God, Christ Jesus the LORD. Hallelujah!