What Does Matthew 2:6 Mean in the King James?
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Here, the promised ruler’s defining action is shepherding: authority takes the form of tending the people.
THE MEANING
The verse meets you where you feel least: the overlooked place is named as a source from which care can come. Bethlehem (בֵּית לֶחֶם, bêt leḥem, “house of bread”) carries provision in its name, while its ruler tends the people as a flock. Smallness does not cancel what can emerge from a place.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that a place regarded as insignificant cannot become a source of leadership or provision.
THE ROOT
ποιμανεῖ
poimanei
GROWS FROM
ποιμ-
Shepherd; tend a flock
The Greek verb ποιμανεῖ (poimanei, “he will shepherd”) describes what the coming ruler does. Its ποιμ- family includes both shepherd and flock, so “rule” also carries the texture of active tending; Bethlehem’s name, “house of bread,” adds an image of provision.
ALSO GROWS
poimēn: Shepherd
ποιμήν
This branch names the figure whose work gives the ruler’s authority its concrete shape.
poimnē: Flock
ποίμνη
This branch shows the people as a flock to be tended.
poimainō: To shepherd, tend a flock
ποιμαίνω
This is the verb’s lexical form and makes the ruler’s action explicit.
THE PATTERN
Scripture pictures authority that serves life as a shepherd gathering and tending the people.
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.THE THREAD
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.The Greek verb behind “Feed” shares the ποιμ- root with the verb translated “rule” here. That shared root lets you see the ruler’s work as tending the flock.
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