7
His reputed birth at Bethlehem was in fulfillment of what prophecy?
“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” ([Matthew ii, 6]).
This is a misquotation of [Micah v, 2]. The passage as it appears in our version of the Old Testament is itself a mistranslation. Correctly rendered it does not mean that this ruler shall come from Bethlehem, but simply that he shall be a descendant of David whose family belonged to Bethlehem.
Concerning this prophecy it may be said, 1. That Jesus never became governor or ruler of Israel; 2. That the ruler referred to was to be a military leader who should deliver Israel from the Assyrians. “And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into the land ... thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian” ([Micah v, 5, 6]).
8
Jesus is called the Son of David. Why?
Matthew and Luke: Because Joseph, who was not his father, but merely his guardian or foster father, was descended from David.