Etymology and Meaning:
Beth-lehem-judah, often simply referred to as Bethlehem, is a compound name meaning "House of Bread" in Hebrew. The addition of "Judah" distinguishes it from another Bethlehem located in the territory of Zebulun (Joshua 19:15). The name reflects its location within the tribal allotment of Judah.

Biblical Significance:
Beth-lehem-judah holds a prominent place in biblical history and prophecy. It is first mentioned in the context of the tribal allotments in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 15:60). The town is most famously known as the birthplace of King David and, according to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ.

Historical Context:
Beth-lehem-judah is situated approximately six miles south of Jerusalem. In the time of the Judges, it was a small, yet significant town. The Book of Ruth provides a vivid narrative set in Bethlehem, where Ruth, a Moabite woman, becomes the great-grandmother of David (Ruth 1:1-2, 4:11-22). This connection to David is crucial, as it establishes Bethlehem as the "City of David."

Prophetic Importance:
The prophet Micah foretold that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of a ruler in Israel, whose origins are from ancient times (Micah 5:2). This prophecy is understood by Christians to refer to the birth of Jesus Christ, as recounted in the Gospels. The Gospel of Matthew explicitly cites this prophecy in the context of Jesus' birth (Matthew 2:1-6).

New Testament References:
Beth-lehem-judah is central to the nativity narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. According to Luke, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem due to a Roman census, and it was there that Jesus was born (Luke 2:1-7). The Gospel of Matthew describes the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem, guided by the star, to worship the newborn King (Matthew 2:1-12).

Cultural and Theological Impact:
Beth-lehem-judah's significance extends beyond its historical and geographical context. It symbolizes God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises. The town's association with both David and Jesus underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan through the lineage of David, culminating in the birth of the Messiah.

Archaeological Insights:
Modern archaeological efforts have sought to uncover the ancient layers of Bethlehem, providing insights into its historical setting during biblical times. While the exact location of the ancient town remains a subject of study, the Church of the Nativity, built in the 4th century AD, stands as a traditional site commemorating the birth of Jesus.

Conclusion:
Beth-lehem-judah remains a focal point of Christian pilgrimage and devotion, celebrated for its pivotal role in biblical history and prophecy. Its legacy as the birthplace of both David and Jesus continues to resonate with believers worldwide, affirming its enduring spiritual and theological significance.Beth-lehem-judah (9 Occurrences)

Judges 17:7
And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he sojourned there.
(ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Judges 17:8
And the man departed out of the city, out of Beth-lehem-judah, to sojourn where he could find 'a place', and he came to the hill-country of Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
(ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Judges 17:9
And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find 'a place'.
(ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Judges 19:1
And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the farther side of the hill-country of Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth-lehem-judah.
(ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Judges 19:2
And his concubine played the harlot against him, and went away from him unto her father's house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there the space of four months.
(ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Judges 19:18
And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah unto the farther side of the hill-country of Ephraim; from thence am I, and I went to Beth-lehem-judah: and I am 'now' going to the house of Jehovah; and there is no man that taketh me into his house.
(ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Ruth 1:1
Now there came a time, in the days of the judges, when there was no food in the land. And a certain man went from Beth-lehem-judah, he and his wife and his two sons, to make a living-place in the country of Moab.
(BBE WBS YLT)

Ruth 1:2
And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and were there for some time.
(BBE WBS YLT)

1 Samuel 17:12
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man was an old man in the days of Saul, stricken 'in years' among men.
(ASV BBE WBS YLT)

Bethlehemjudah (9 Occurrences)
...Bethlehemjudah (9 Occurrences). Judges 17:7 And there was a young man out of
Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there. ...
/b/bethlehemjudah.htm - 9k

Beth-lehem-judah (9 Occurrences)
Beth-lehem-judah. Bethlehem-judah, Beth-lehem-judah. Bethlomon .
Multi-Version Concordance Beth-lehem-judah (9 Occurrences). ...
/b/beth-lehem-judah.htm - 9k

Beth-lehem (49 Occurrences)
... (ASV BBE JPS WBS YLT). Judges 17:7 And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah,
of the family of Judah, who was a Levite; and he sojourned there. ...
/b/beth-lehem.htm - 21k

Inmost (49 Occurrences)
... no king in Israel, a certain Levite was living in the inmost parts of the hill-country
of Ephraim, and he got for himself a servant-wife from Beth-lehem-judah. ...
/i/inmost.htm - 20k

Living-place (83 Occurrences)
... Judges 17:8 And he went away from the town of Beth-lehem-judah, looking for somewhere
to make his living-place; and on his journey he came to the hill-country ...
/l/living-place.htm - 32k

Servant-wife (12 Occurrences)
... no king in Israel, a certain Levite was living in the inmost parts of the hill-country
of Ephraim, and he got for himself a servant-wife from Beth-lehem-judah. ...
/s/servant-wife.htm - 10k

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)
... Judges 19:18 And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the
side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I ...
/r/receiveth.htm - 20k

Sides (170 Occurrences)
... that there is a man a Levite, a sojourner in the sides of the hill-country of Ephraim,
and he taketh to him a wife, a concubine, out of Beth-Lehem-Judah; (YLT). ...
/s/sides.htm - 38k

Gathering (71 Occurrences)
... Judges 19:18 And he saith unto him, 'We are passing over from Beth-Lehem-Judah unto
the sides of the hill-country of Ephraim -- thence I 'am', and I go unto ...
/g/gathering.htm - 28k

Beth-lehemite (4 Occurrences)
Beth-lehemite. Bethlehemite, Beth-lehemite. Bethlehemjudah . Int. ... (ASV BBE JPS
WBS YLT). Bethlehemite, Beth-lehemite. Bethlehemjudah . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-lehemite.htm - 8k

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