Bethlehem in the Book of Micah

[Terry_from_Ypsi]

Hello:

In the RSV translation, Micah 5:2 reads:
“But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel;”

Does this mean that Bethlem was a very, very small town ?

What does the phrase “too small to be among the clans of Judah” mean ?

Was Bethlehem not a part of Judah ?

Merry Christmas,

Terry

PS Is today December 26, 2006 the second or first day of Christmas ?

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Hi Terry it had more to do with status than size. Bethlehem was not considered to be the cream of the crop so to speak.

Just like when God choose David to rule. God went to the least important tribe, the least important family, and the least important person in that family.