[889] Uncertain.
[890] The name Bethlehem is probably a later insertion. I read with Hitzig and others אפרת הצעיר, and omit להיות.
[891] Smallest form of district: cf. English hundreds.
[892] Cf. the prophecy of Immanuel, Isa. vii.
[893] This seems like a later insertion: it disturbs both sense and rhythm.
[894] So LXX.
[895] Take this clause from ver. 4 and the following oracle and put it with ver. 3.
[896] Wellhausen alleges in the numbers another trace of the late Apocalyptic writings—but this is not conclusive.
[897] So LXX. Cf. the refrain at the close.