Micah 5:8

Mic 5:8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

Ver. 8. And the remnant of Jacob … as a lion among the beasts of the forest] The saints shall prosper and do great exploits, as being endued with an invincible force of the spirit, making them as so many Coeur-de-lions; or as Chrysostom saith of Peter, that he was like a man made all of fire walking among stubble. What lion-like men were all the apostles, those white horses upon which the Lord Christ rode about the world, "conquering and to conquer?" Rev 6:2. That Lion of the tribe of Juda, Rev 5:5, had put upon them of his own spirit; and of his fulness bestowed upon them grace for grace, Joh 1:16; hence their transcendent zeal and courage for the truth. Stephen was among his countrymen, the Jews, as a lion among the beasts of the forest. So were in their several generations Athanasius, Basil, Ambrose, Luther, Latimer, Farel, &c., that noble army of martyrs. One of them told the persecutors that they might pluck the heart out of his body, but never pluck the truth out of his heart. Another, that the heavens should sooner fall than he would turn. A third, that if every hair of his head were a man he would suffer death in the opinion and faith that he was now in. A fourth said, Can I die but once for Christ? And generally, the valour of the patient and the savageness of the persecutors strove together; till both exceeding nature and belief bred wonder and astonishment in beholders and readers, and in some effectual conversion, as in Justin Martyr, in Calberius, in those four hundred said to be converted at the martyrdom of Cecilia; and lastly, in Silvester, the executioner at the martyrdom of Simon Laloe, at Dijon, in France; where seeing the great faith and constance of that heavenly martyr, he was so compuncted with repentance, and fell into such despair of himself, that after much ado, being comforted and converted, he moved with all his family to the Church of Geneva. But what a silly conceit is that of the Jews at this day, that when Messiah comes they shall be these lions among the Gentiles in the midst of all other people to tread them down, and to tear in pieces without rescue; and what a true character hath a late writer (Sir H. Blount) given of them, that they are a light, aerial, and fanatical brained people; and easily apt to work themselves into the fool’s paradise of a sublime dotage!

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Mic 5:8. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles as a lion — For strength and courage, which the beasts of the forest dare not oppose, and cannot resist. This seems to be a prediction of what was to be effected in the times of the Maccabees, and those following them, when the Jewish people gained great advantages over the Idumeans, Moabites, Ammonites, Samaritans, &c. Or, as the former verse describes the benefits which the converted Jews should bring to those Gentiles that were disposed to embrace the gospel; this shows us what the enemies and opposers of the truth had to expect: see notes on Psa 2:5; Psa 2:9; Isa 60:12.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Mic_5:8. Lion] To take vengeance on her enemies (Isa_66:15-16; Zec_12:3-6; Zec_14:17-18); and strike terror into all opponents. A prediction of victory under the Maccabees and after-times.

Mic_5:9.] Exultant feeling; High be thy hand (Isa_26:11) to destroy the foe (Exo_13:9).

ISRAEL AS A LION.—Mic_5:8-9

God and his people have not only a benignant but a terrible aspect towards men,—as dew to the well-disposed, and as a lion to the assailants. In many respects the Church may be like the lion.

I. In that religious awe which they exercise over the minds of ungodly men. The lion among beasts of the forest and the young lion among flocks of sheep are feared beyond description. The good examples and consistent lives of pious men often strike terror into the conscience, and check the evil practices of the wicked. They are awed by them and dare not harm them. Herod feared John because he was a holy man (Mar_6:20).

II. In the courage with which they attack antagonists. “If he go through, both treadeth down and teareth in pieces.” It boldly faces and braves the force of arms. Wounds rather provoke than repress its fierceness. It is not daunted by numbers; will often attack an entire caravan, and if overpowered in the combat, instead of flying, will gradually retreat with its face to the enemy until it dies. Luther and Latimer were the lions of the Church. Christians now through God are Cœur-de-lions, and endued with invincible power. “Terrible as an army with banners.”

III. In the victory which they gain over the enemy. “Lifted up upon thine adversaries.”

1. The victory is resistless. “None can deliver,” however strong and determined.

2. The victory is complete. “All thine enemies shall be cut off.” Ceasing to be enemies or destroyed in their opposition. The victories of the Maccabees were earnests of future glories. The hand of the Church shall be strengthened by the might of Jehovah. All adversaries will shortly be bruised under her feet. “And he went forth conquering and to conquer.”

ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 5

Mic_5:8-9. The lion was the emblem of strength and sovereignty (The Lion of England). Illustrative of Israel (Num_24:9), and Judah (Gen_49:9); the courage of brave men (2Sa_1:23; 2Sa_23:20), and the boldness of saints (Pro_28:1). The lion is fearless of men (Isa_31:4.; Nah_2:11). What can a javelin do against his strength! But even the king of the forest can read the eye and the language of man. Moral force is greater than physical force. What then must be the strength of the Christian Church under the leadership of “The Lion of the tribe of Judah”!

The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.

5:8-9 God’s people will have a unique place among the nations of the world (Gen 12:3; Exod 19:4-6). They will be the head and not the tail (Deut 28:13), and invincible as a lion (cp. Esth 6:13) as God gives them hegemony over the nations. • The Lord will judge their foes (see Mic 5:15) if they continue to rebel against him. The Lord’s desire, however, is ultimately to bless the nations, not to curse or destroy them (Gen 12:3; Jon 4:11; John 3:16).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

as a lion--In Mic 5:7 Israel's benignant influence on the nations is described; but here her vengeance on the godless hosts who assail her (Isa 66:15-16, Isa 66:19, Isa 66:24; Zac 12:3, Zac 12:6, Zac 12:8-9; Zac 14:17-18). Judah will be "as as lion," not in respect to its cruelty, but in its power of striking terror into all opponents. Under the Maccabees, the Jews acquired Idumea, Samaria, and parts of the territory of Ammon and Moab [GROTIUS]. But this was only the earnest of their future glory on their coming restoration.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 8. As a lion] In this and the following verse the victories of the Maccabees are supposed to be foretold.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Then follows this promise, — that God will arm his people with invincible and irresistible power, that they may be superior to all their enemies. Hence he says, that the residue of Israel shall be like a lion among the beasts of the forests and like a young lion among a flock of sheep As a strong lion then is superior to other beasts, and as a young lion dares ferociously to attack a flock of sheep; so he says, the people of Israel shall be; they shall be like lions, filling their enemies with terror, yea, and plundering and scattering them, so that no one will dare to resist them. The Prophet, by speaking thus, does not mean, that the people of God would be cruel and sanguinary: for we know that when the Prophets use similes of this kind, they express something not strictly suitable; for who would be so foolish as to select every thing that belongs to a lion, and apply it to the Church of God. Then the reason for this similitude must be observed; it was to show, that the faithful shall be endued with a power so superior to that of their enemies, that they shall be a terror to them. It does not hence follow that they shall be cruel.

But we must, at the same time, see what the Lord promises to his Church. Though God then recommends to his children the spirit of meekness, yet the faithful may still be a thread to their enemies; they ought, however, to observe what is just towards them, and to keep themselves within proper bounds. And yet Micah says, that they shall be endued with such power that they shall drive their enemies afar off; yea, that they shall plunder and tear them in pieces, while no one will be able to resist them. But these two things are necessary as to the preservation of the Church, that God may make it grow; for except it be miraculously increased, it can never grow; and then it has need of a strong and powerful defense against her enemies; for we know that there are always wicked men who oppose the Church, yea, who apply all their powers to destroy it: it is therefore necessary that it should be supplied by the Lord with invincible strength, as our Prophet declares here. Let us proceed —

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(8) As a lion among the beasts of the forest.—There is righteous wrath as well as all-embracing mercy with God. Christ, whose graciousness is likened to the dew, and His gentleness to the lamb, is at the same time the Lion of the tribe of Judah. At the opening of the “sixth seal” the kings of the earth and great men are represented as in extreme terror at “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev_6:16).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people,.... The same persons are meant here as before; who are compared to dew and showers of rain, because numerous; and full of blessings in themselves, and useful and beneficial to others: and here are said to be

as a lion among the beasts of the forest; strong, mighty, powerful, and courageous, and superior to their enemies, as the lion is strongest among beasts, and keeps all others in awe of him. Some refer this to the times of the Maccabees; when Judas and his brethren behaved with great fortitude and courage, and were victorious, and prevailed over the armies of Antiochus, and others; but it seems rather to belong to the latter day, when the Jews shall be superior to their enemies the Turks, who would disturb them in the possession of their land: and shall be a terror to them,

as a young lion among the flocks of sheep; signifying that their enemies shall be no more to them, and no more able to oppose them, than a flock of sheep are to a young lion, or they to resist him The design of the metaphor is; not to signify the harmlessness and innocence of their enemies, but their weakness, and the strength and courage of them;

who, if he go through; the flock: on whatsoever he seizes,

both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver; brings it to the ground at once, tramples upon it, and tears it in pieces as its prey; and none in the flock, or to whom it belongs, can deliver out of his hand. This will be the case when the Jews shall turn to the Lord, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah shall be at the head of them; though some interpret this of the first times of the Gospel, and take it to be fulfilled in the apostles and first ministers of the word, who were Jews; and who were valiant defenders of truth, and conquerors over the devil and the world, and were the instruments of bringing many into subjection to Christ; but it seems best to apply it to the last times, and not to the converted Jews only, though in the first place; but to all the, spiritual Israel of God, the whole Christian church, which will then be in such happy circumstances.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

And the remnant of Jacob shall be as a young lion - o: “What more unlike than the sweetness of the dew and the fierceness of the lion? What so different as the gentle shower distilling on the herb, and the savageness or vehemence of a lion roaring among “the flocks of sheeps?” Yet both are ascribed to “the remnant of Jacob.” Why? Because the Apostles of Christ are both tender and severe, tender in teaching and exhorting, severe in rebuking and avenging. How does Paul teach, “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation; now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God!” 2 Cor. 5:19–6:11. What sweeter than the dew of love, the shower of true affection? And so, on to that, “our heart is enlarged.” They are such drops of dew as no one could doubt came from “the Lord, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” 2Co 1:3.

Yet the same Apostle after a little writes, “This is the third time I am coming to you. I told you before and foretell you, and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned and to all others, that if I come again, I will not spare, since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me” 2Co 13:1-3. See the severity of a master, like the roaring of “a lion among the beasts of the forest.” For such surely are they whom he rebukes for the 2Co 12:21 uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they had committed. Was he not to such as a lion? 1Co 5:2-5? Was not Peter such, when he rebuked Ananias first and then Sapphira his wife, and they fell down and gave up the ghost? They tread down or “cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” 2Co 10:5; as Christ Himself, who spake in them, is both a lamb and the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” Rev 5:5, and nothing is so terrible as “the wrath of the Lamb” Rev 6:16.

And none can deliver - Dionysius: “For as the Apostles past from nation to nation, and trod down paganism, subduing it to Christ, and taking within their net the many converted nations, none could withdraw from the Apostles’ doctrine those whom they had converted.” The pagan world “cried out that the state is beset, that the Christians are in their fields, their forts, their islands.” : “We are a people of yesterday, and yet we have filled every place belonging to you, cities, islands, castles, towns, assemblies, your very camp, your tribes, companies, palace, senate, forum! We leave you your temples only. We can count your armies, our numbers in a single province will be greater.”

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Lion. This denotes the fortitude of these first preachers, and their success in their spiritual enterprises. (Challoner) --- The Jews, by leave of Assuerus, defended themselves; and the Machabees became terrible, Esther ix., and 1 Machabees iii. 4. The power of the latter was established, while the efforts of Eupator and of other Syrian persecutors for sixty years, down to Zebina, proved fruitless or destructive to themselves. (Calmet)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

In the midst of many people; see Mic 5:7; who are enemies, that do injure them.

As a lion for strength and courage, which the beasts of the forest dare not oppose: and cannot resist, so Should this remnant; much like that Lev 26:8.

As a young lion among the flocks of sheep; a second allusion of the same import, but yet with some greater emphasis; in the former comparison, the greater cattle, called behemoth, in this sheep, much lesser and weaker cattle, are compared with the lion and young lion.

Treadeth down; overbeareth, and throws down by his strength, and treads under foot with as much ease as a man would tread on worms, or tread down straw for the dunghill.

Teareth in pieces; to devour, satisfy his hunger, and repair his strength for a new assault on his prey.

None can deliver; that dares attempt a rescue; but the prey is left under the lion’s paw, to satisfy the hungry beast: so shall Israel be after their return out of captivity, and while they keep the ways of the Lord; so they were in Esther’s time, against such as would have destroyed them; so in the Maccabees’ time, when they subdued the nations about them. But the conquering power of the word, the rod of Christ’s strength, doth greater wonders than the sword of the Maccabees ever did. It is the mighty conquering power of the gospel that is here shadowed forth to us.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Secondly, Israel shall be a terrible power among the nations, and invincible in strength. ("Nova theocratica agit suaviter et fortiter" (Knabenbauer). As a lion. The Lamb of God is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah, (Rev_5:5 Num_23:24) and he "is set for the fall and rising again of many". (Luk_2:34) In his irresistible strength Israel shall overcome all enemies. So Judas Maccabaeus is compared to a lion. (RAPC 1Ma 3:4)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

As a lion - For strength and courage, which the beasts of the forest dare not oppose, and cannot resist.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

General Information:

Yahweh promises that the Israelites who are alive after Yahweh has punished his people with war will completely defeat and rule over their enemies.

remnant of Jacob

descendants of Jacob who survive the war

among the nations, among many peoples

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the "remnant of Jacob" will live in many different nations. (See: Doublet)

like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep

Lions are able to kill and eat any wild animal of the forest, and they easily kill sheep. AT: "like the fiercest of wild animals, like a wild animal that kills helpless livestock" (See: Simile)

When he goes through them

when the young lion goes through the flocks of sheep

will trample over them and tear

"will jump on them so they fall down, and then he will tear"

Your hand ... your enemies

The writer is speaking to Yahweh, so both instances of "your" are masculine singular. (See: Forms of You)

Your hand will be lifted against your enemies

The hand is a metonym for the power that the hand exercises or a synecdoche for the whole person. To lift the hand is to exercise power. AT: "You will completely defeat your enemies" (See: Metonymy and Synecdoche)

it will destroy them

The hand is a synecdoche for the whole person. AT: "you will destroy them" (See: Synecdoche)

translationWords

remnant

Jacob

nation

people group

lions

flocks

ewe

save

hand

adversary

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.