Micah 5:5

And this [man] shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.

And this man shall be the peace {H7965}, when the Assyrian {H804} shall come {H935} into our land {H776}: and when he shall tread {H1869} in our palaces {H759}, then shall we raise {H6965} against him seven {H7651} shepherds {H7462}, and eight {H8083} principal {H5257} men {H120}.

and this will be peace. If Ashur invades our land, if he overruns our fortresses, we will raise seven shepherds against him, eight leaders of men.

And He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land and tramples our citadels. We will raise against it seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.

And this man shall be our peace. When the Assyrian shall come into our land, and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.

Micah 5:5 stands as a powerful prophecy within the book of Micah, offering a vision of peace and deliverance in the face of impending foreign invasion. It continues the theme introduced in Micah 5:2, focusing on the future ruler from Bethlehem who will bring security to God's people.

Context

This verse immediately follows the famous prophecy of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The "this [man]" refers directly to the divine ruler who will emerge from Israel. The historical backdrop is the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire, a dominant power in the ancient Near East known for its brutal conquests. Judah faced the very real prospect of invasion and destruction. Micah 5:5 paints a picture of God's response to this threat, providing a deliverer who will not only repel the enemy but also establish lasting peace.

Key Themes

  • The Messiah as Peace (Shalom): The central declaration is that "this [man] shall be the peace." The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, is far more comprehensive than merely the absence of conflict. It encompasses wholeness, well-being, prosperity, and harmony. This Messianic ruler, Jesus Christ, is the ultimate source of true peace, both internally and in the world (He is called the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6). His coming ensures the security and restoration of God's people.
  • Deliverance from Oppression: The prophecy directly addresses the "Assyrian shall come into our land" scenario. This highlights God's promise to protect His people from their enemies. While the immediate threat was Assyria, the prophecy also speaks to the ultimate victory over all adversaries, including spiritual ones.
  • Divinely Appointed Leadership: The "seven shepherds, and eight principal men" symbolize a sufficient and abundant number of leaders raised by God to defend His people. The numbers seven (completeness) and eight (new beginnings, superabundance) suggest a comprehensive and more than adequate response to the enemy's threat. This points to God's provision of wise and strong leadership to guide and protect His flock.

Linguistic Insights

The term "peace" is the Hebrew word shalom (שָׁלוֹם), which signifies not just the cessation of war but a state of complete well-being, wholeness, and harmony in all aspects of life. When this verse declares that "this [man] shall be the peace," it means He embodies and brings about this comprehensive well-being for His people. The numbers "seven" and "eight" are often used symbolically in biblical literature: seven typically represents completeness or perfection, while eight can signify new beginnings or superabundance, emphasizing the thoroughness and overwhelming nature of the deliverance provided by God through these leaders.

Practical Application

Micah 5:5 offers profound comfort and hope for believers today. It reminds us that even in times of great threat or uncertainty, God has provided the ultimate "peace" in Jesus Christ. He is our security and our refuge, capable of delivering us from any "Assyrian" in our lives—whether literal oppression, spiritual attack, or personal turmoil. The verse also underscores God's commitment to raising up capable leaders ("shepherds" and "principal men") to guide and protect His people. We are called to trust in His sovereign provision and to find our ultimate peace in Him, knowing that His victory is assured.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 2:14

    Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

  • Zechariah 10:3

    Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

  • Job 5:19

    He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

  • Colossians 1:20

    And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

  • Colossians 1:21

    And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

  • Zechariah 9:10

    And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion [shall be] from sea [even] to sea, and from the river [even] to the ends of the earth.

  • John 14:27

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

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