The Jewish Messiah

[searchinmyroots]

Also, if I'm not mistaken, Micah 5 says the ruler over Israel shall arise from the clan of Bethlehem Ephrathah, not specifically be born in Bethlehem.

Yes, born in Bethlehem Ephrata, and Bethlehem is mentioned first. Does this prophecy refer to the Messiah in Jewish tradition?

Hello BlueBird,

Yes, in Jewish tradition, this refers to the awaited Jewish messiah. 

If I'm not mistaken, Bethlehem Ephrathah may be the name of the clan of people from that area. That would indicate the messiah is to be from that clan of people, not necessarily have to be born in Bethlehem.

Hello searchinmyroots, 

thanks for your answer, that's interesting. So the prophecy wouln't be fulfilled if the person were born in today's town of Bethlehem, he has to be a descendent of the clan that originated in ancient Bethlehem. Can this be traced back after all these years?

Most likely yes, we should have genealogical tracings that go that far back. Don't forget, the Jewish people were very good at record keeping, just look at all of the genealogies in the Hebrew bible!