Ishodad of Merv

In his own words on Micah

• Micah 5:2

  "But you, O Bethlehem, you are too little for what you are." That is, even though in comparison with your enemies you are little in force and number and incapable to lead "the thousand of Judah," yet, thanks to the help that I give you, the powerful ruler will be able to make war against them. For I have destined him to that from the beginning, through the promises already made to David. This is said with the usual reference to Zerubbabel, but its true meaning has been revealed in Christ, because when he appeared, all the promises made to Abraham and David were fulfilled.

  COMMENTARY ON MICAH

• Micah 5:2

  The text says, "His origin is from the beginning," the beginning, that is, according to the promises made to Abraham and David.

  COMMENTARY ON MICAH

• Micah 5:3

  "He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth." This is what the prophet calls Jerusalem. This means he will abandon them to the afflictions of captivity until the time of the return. This means that these predictions will not come true before they are back from their captivity. Henana of Adiabene says "she who is in labor" means Jerusalem because she is in the pains of labor, which are her afflictions, and waits the birth of her salvation, until according to her expectations it sets to her return and her pains' end. But in the same manner they will endure different difficulties until the Virgin gives birth to Christ.

  COMMENTARY ON MICAH

• Micah 5:5

  "We will raise against them seven shepherds and eight princes." By means of the events that happened in the days of Hezekiah, at the time of the ruin of the Assyrians, Micah provides information about those things that will happen through the agency of Zerubbabel toward the people of the house of Gog. By the numbers seven and eight he has indicated the complete and total destruction that befell the Assyrians through the intervention of the angel. The allusion is to the words of Ecclesiastes: "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what evil may happen on earth."However, others suppose that he means by "seven shepherds" the prophets who lived before the invasion of the Assyrians, who prophesied their ruin, and that he means by the "eight princes of men" Hezekiah and the princes who assisted him.… The phrase "seven shepherds" may indicate the fullness of the punishment that the Assyrians will undergo through the agency of the angel, while "eight bites of men" indicates what was in store for the survivors after their flight. What happened was that the Assyrian king was murdered by his sons and the others were exterminated by their fellow citizens.… From the spiritual point of view the verse applies to Satan, the abolisher of the law and the gospel, who was defeated by the prophets, the apostles and the angels.

  COMMENTARY ON MICAH