Matthew Poole and continuators on Micah 5:2

2 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.

And Heb.

Not in the Tribe of Zebulun, Iosh. 19.15. but in the Tribe of Judah, stiled therefore Beth-lehem of Judah, Mat. 2.1, 6.

So called say some from Calebs Wife, but that's not probable, for it had the name long before Calebs. Wife was thought of, as appears, Gen. 35.19. It is more likely to be called Ephratah from the richness and fruitfulness of the Land where it was scituate, the Heb. word whence this is derived importing fruitfulness, whence also 'twas called Beth-lehem, the house of Bread.

Some read this as an interrogation, art thou little? which ought to be resolved by a negative, thou art not little, and so reconcile Matth. 2.6. to this of the Prophet. Some do read it in the Neuter Gender, It is a little thing for thee to be among the thousands, to have a Captain, or Ruler of a Thousand in Judah, it is much greater honour which shall be put upon thee, out of thee shall come he that is to be chief Ruler and Head of all the people of God, the Messiah, much like phrase is that 2 Kings 20.10. and Isa. 49.6. there is an exposition of the word Tsair in the Text, as denoting the contrary to our usual notion of it, so Jer. 48.4. the Chald. Paraphr. explains it by Sultans or Princes, but I question whether one instance from the Scriptures can be given in which Tsair signifies great, notable or chief, our Translators have better rendred it with supplying the adversative Though! and make the sense plain and easie as for Beth-lehem Ephratah she is so little that she is scarce to be ranged among the Cities of Judah which go out by a thousand, or are led out by one that is Head, Prefect or Captain of a thousand.

This was the Royal Tribe from which the Messiah was to rise, this (as other Tribes) was divided into thousands, and a Head appointed to each thousand, and of these the thousand, or in our language, the Regiment of Beth-lehem was one of the least to the eye.

Out of the Tribe of Judah, and out of the City Beth-lehem shall he come i. e. be born.

For to do that great work God hath designed to do by the Messiah.

King and Soveraign.

Amidst the Israel of God, the whole Israel as well that after the Faith, as that after the Flesh. Christ the Lord in the midst of them, chap. 4.7.

Whose generation as he is the Son of God equal with his Father is eternal, this asserts the Eternity of his Divine Nature.

Marginal references: Joh. 7.42.; Heb. the daye of eternity.