Topical Bible: Bethlehem: A City Southwest of Jerusalem: And Beth-Lehem-Judah

◄ Bethlehem: A City Southwest of Jerusalem: And Beth-Lehem-Judah ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction:
Bethlehem, a city of profound biblical significance, is located approximately six miles southwest of Jerusalem. Known as "Bethlehem Ephrathah" in ancient texts, it is also referred to as "Beth-Lehem-Judah" to distinguish it from another Bethlehem in the territory of Zebulun. The name "Bethlehem" means "House of Bread," which is fitting given its historical role as a fertile region.

Biblical Significance:

1. Old Testament References:
· Ruth and Boaz: Bethlehem is prominently featured in the Book of Ruth. Ruth, a Moabite widow, travels to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi. It is here that Ruth meets Boaz, a relative of Naomi, and eventually becomes his wife. This union is significant as it places Ruth in the genealogy of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. Ruth 1:22 states, "So Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest."
· Birthplace of David: Bethlehem is celebrated as the birthplace of King David, Israel's second king and a man after God's own heart. In 1 Samuel 16:1 , the Lord instructs Samuel, "Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for Myself from among his sons."

2. Prophetic Importance:
· Micah's Prophecy: The prophet Micah foretold the birth of a ruler in Bethlehem, a prophecy fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ. Micah 5:2 declares, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

3. New Testament Fulfillment:
· Birth of Jesus Christ: Bethlehem's most significant event is the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. The Gospel of Matthew records the fulfillment of Micah's prophecy with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1 states, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem."

Historical and Cultural Context:
Bethlehem's location in the Judean hills made it a strategic and fertile area, contributing to its historical importance. The city was a center for agriculture, particularly known for its grain production, which aligns with its name, "House of Bread." The town's small size and humble beginnings contrast with its monumental role in biblical history.

Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological excavations in and around Bethlehem have uncovered artifacts and structures dating back to the Iron Age, providing evidence of its long-standing habitation and significance. The Church of the Nativity, a major Christian pilgrimage site, stands over the traditional site of Jesus' birth and is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world.

Conclusion:
Bethlehem's rich biblical heritage and its role as the birthplace of both King David and Jesus Christ make it a city of unparalleled importance in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Its prophetic and historical significance continues to resonate with believers around the world.

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Judges 17:7-9
And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.
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Judges 19:1,18
And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
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Ruth 1:1
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
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1 Samuel 17:12
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
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