6 Ephrathah is either an alternate name for Bethlehem or the name of the district in which Bethlehem was located. See Ruth 4:11. For location of Bethlehem see ; ; ; .
7 Heb “being small.” Some omit לִהְיוֹת (lihyot, “being”) because it fits awkwardly and appears again in the next line.
8 Heb “from you for me one will go out to be a ruler over Israel.”
9 Heb “his goings out.” The term may refer to the ruler’s origins (cf. , , , ) or to his activities.
10 Heb “from the past, from the days of antiquity.” Elsewhere both phrases refer to the early periods in the history of the world or of the nation of Israel. For מִקֶּדֶם (miqqedem, “from the past”) see Neh 12:46; Pss 74:12; 77:11; Isa 45:21; 46:10. For מִימֵי עוֹלָם (mimey ’olam, “from the days of antiquity”) see Isa 63:9, 11; Amos 9:11; Mic 7:14; Mal 3:4. In Neh 12:46 and Amos 9:11 the Davidic era is in view. In riddle-like fashion this verse alludes to David, as the references to Bethlehem and to his ancient origins/activities indicate. The passage anticipates the second coming of the great king to usher in a new era of national glory for Israel. Other prophets are more direct and name this coming ideal ruler “David” (Jer 30:9; Ezek 34:23–24; 37:24–25; Hos 3:5). Of course, this prophecy of “David’s” second coming is actually fulfilled through his descendant, the Messiah, who will rule in the spirit and power of his famous ancestor and bring to realization the Davidic royal ideal in an even greater way than the historical David (see Isa 11:1, 10; Jer 33:15).
11 Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
12 Heb “them”; the referent (the people of Israel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
13 The words “to their enemies” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
14 The woman in labor. Personified, suffering Jerusalem is the referent. See 4:9–10.
15 Gives birth. The point of the figurative language is that Jerusalem finally finds relief from her suffering. See 4:10.
16 Heb “his”; the referent (the king) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
17 Heb “to the sons of Israel.” The words “be reunited with” are supplied in the translation for clarity. The rest of the king’s brothers are the coming king’s fellow Judahites, while the sons of Israel are the northern tribes. The verse pictures the reunification of the nation under the Davidic king. See Isa 11:12–13; Jer 31:2–6, 15–20; Ezek 37; Hos 1:11; 3:5.
18 Heb “stand up”; “stand firm”; “will arise.”
19 The words “the people” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
20 Heb “by the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.”
21 The words “in peace” are supplied in the translation for clarification. Perhaps וְיָשָׁבוּ (véyashavu, “and they will live”) should be emended to וְשָׁבוּ (véshavu, “and they will return”).
22 Heb “be great.”
23 Or “to the ends of.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old,

from ancient days.

Therefore he shall give them up until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of his brothers shall return

to the people of Israel.

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me

one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old,

from ancient times.”

Therefore Israel will be abandoned

until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,

and the rest of his brothers return

to join the Israelites.

He will stand and shepherd his flock

in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they will live securely, for then his greatness

will reach to the ends of the earth.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Bethlehem Ephrathah,

you are small among the clans of Judah;

one will come from you

to be ruler over Israel for me.

His origin is from antiquity,

from ancient times.

Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of the ruler’s brothers will return

to the people of Israel.

He will stand and shepherd them

in the strength of the Lord,

in the majestic name of the Lord his God.

They will live securely,

for then his greatness will extend

to the ends of the earth.

NLTNew Living Translation

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

are only a small village among all the people of Judah.

Yet a ruler of Israel

whose origins are in the distant past,

will come from you on my behalf.

The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies

until the woman in labor gives birth.

Then at last his fellow countrymen

will return from exile to their own land.

And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

Then his people will live there undisturbed,

for he will be highly honored around the world.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

too small to be among the clans of Judah,

from you one will go out for me,

to be ruler in Israel;

and his origins are from of old,

from ancient days.

Therefore he will give them up

until the time of she who is with child has given birth.

And the rest of his brothers will return

to the children of Israel.

And he will stand and shepherd his flock

in the strength of Yahweh,

in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God.

And they will live,

for now he will be great unto the ends of the earth.

KJV 1900King James Version

But thou, Beth-lehem 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.

Therefore will he give them up,

Until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth:

Then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord,

In the majesty of the name of the Lord his God;

And they shall abide:

For now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

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