Micah 5:3 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Therefore will he give them up— Notwithstanding, he will give them up, until the time that she that beareth, &c. The Hebrew word יתנם itneim, rendered give up, signifies properly, says Dr. Sharpe, so to give, as to continue or accomplish; and the pronoun them is to be referred to the goings-forth. These proceedings, or goings-forth as of old, he was not to give up, or surrender, but to give, and continue, or accomplish, until he should be born of the virgin; until she which travaileth hath brought forth. Houbigant understands it in nearly the same sense. The Hebrew word יתר ieter, rendered remnant, in the next clause of the verse, is used to signify excellency, Genesis 49:3-4 and to excel, Job 4:21.Proverbs 12:26; Proverbs 17:7. And that this is the sense of the word here seems evident, because another word is used for remnant in the 7th and 8th verses. The word ישׁובון ieshubun, rendered to return, may without the vau, when different!y pointed, signify to dwell; Psalms 23:6 and is translated in that sense by the LXX. Isai. xxl. 12. According to these observations, the prophet may be understood as implying, "After his birth, then shall his excellent brethren,—and not the remnant of his brethren,—dwell among the children of Israel." These brethren are the disciples and companions of the Lord, who are spoken of, Psalms 110 as eminent for worth and excellence.