Meaning of BETHLEHEM

City of Judah also called Bethlehem of Judah (Judges 17: 7-9) It is mentioned for the first time in relation to the death and burial of Rachel (Gen. 35:19)

The story of Ruth is related to Jesse the Bethlehemite so it was evidently the birthplace of King David (1 Sam. 16:4; 17:12, 15) It was also the birthplace of the Lord Jesus.

It was originally called “Ephratah” (Gen. 35:16, 19; 48:7; Rt. 4:11; Ps. 132:6). It was once called Bethlehem Ephrathah, that is, "the fruitful one," because the Lord of Israel was to proceed from there (Mi. 5:2; Luke 2:4, 15; John 7:42). This prophecy led Herod to massacre the children of Bethlehem and its surroundings (Mt. 2:16, 18).

It is located about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem, 31° 42' N, 35° 12' E, on a narrow mountain range that begins in the central system. The mountain range is covered with terraces, dedicated to the cultivation of olive trees and vines. There are convents of the Latin, Greek and Armenian churches, and the so-called Church of the Nativity.

Since 1967 in the hands of the Israelites (previously it was part of the Palestinian West Bank annexed by Transjordan in 1948), it has about 30,000 inhabitants. Its Arabic name is "Beit Lahm."