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Christian Argument:
A typical Christian argument is that Micah 5 refers to Jesus as being the ruler who comes forth from Bethlehem.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2 – NKJV)
The argument specifically from Christians is that Jesus is everlasting. The Hebrew used in this passage is “olam” [עולם].
What “Olam” Means
This term is a noun that can mean many things – including everlasting, perpetual, ancient, and old. This can be seen at the end of the Noah story.
And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual [olam] generations… (Genesis 9:12 – NKJV)
“Olam” does not necessarily mean everlasting or perpetual though ,as can be seen in the reference to the Nephilim.
There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old [olam], men of renown. (Genesis 6:4 – NKJV)
Or how about when the term “olam” is used to reference a human?
…then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever. (Exodus 21:6 – NKJV)
By Christianity’s arguments, the Nephilim would necessarily have to have been eternal in the first example. In the second, example, the servant would necessarily have been a servant to his master for eternity – meaning even after death.
Christian Mistranslation
The translation Christians often use mistranslates the end of the verse.
It actually says: And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah-you should have been the lowest of the clans of Judah-from you [he] shall emerge for Me, to be a ruler over Israel; and his origin is from of old, from days of yore. (Chabad)
The Hebrew here means FROM ancient times or from days of yore.
This very same phrase is used six times in the Tanakh. Let’s see how the Christian version of the “Old Testament” translates those phrases.
In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old [ye-mei-olam]. (Isaiah 63:9 – NKJV)
Then he remembered the days of old [ye-mei-olam], Moses and his people, saying: “Where is He who brought them up out of the sea With the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them, (Isaiah 63:11 – NKJV)
On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old [kiy-mei-olam]… (Amos 9:11 – NKJV)
Shepherd Your people with Your staff, The flock of Your heritage, Who dwell solitarily in a woodland, In the midst of Carmel; Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, As in days of old [kiy-mei-olam]. (Micah 7:14 – NKJV)
Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the Lord, As in the days of old [kiy-mei-olam], As in former years. (Malachi 3:4 – NKJV)
*There are some translations that do get this phrase correct – such as the ESV, New Catholic Bible, and NIV.
So, in five of the six passages, the Christian text translates it correctly. So, why the purposeful MISTRANSLATION in Micah 5? Obviously this was done so the Christian translators can harmonize this passage with their own beliefs. This is FRAUD.
“From ancient days” means from the long ago past. However, how could this relate to Jesus when he is allegedly eternal? The Christian translators couldn’t have this known, so they MISTRANSLATED it on purpose to fit into their own mistaken beliefs.
Funny how the author of Matthew decided to leave this part of the prophecy out! If this was so important, why wasn’t it included?
So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” (Matthew 2:5-6 – NKJV)
What is really means
This passage from Micah is speaking about the line of David which originated in Bethlehem. However, this doesn’t mean that the messiah will necessarily be born in Bethlehem (or that it is even a requirement that he is born there).