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Bible Dictionaries
Bethlehem

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

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Known originally as Ephrath, Bethlehem was a small town a few kilometres south of Jerusalem. It was already an established settlement in the time of Jacob. Not far from the town was the place where Jacob buried his wife Rachel (Genesis 35:19-20).

Bethlehem was situated in the tribal territory of Judah, in country that was hilly but suitable for growing grain and raising sheep (Ruth 1:1; Ruth 2:1-4; 1 Samuel 17:15; Luke 2:8-15). It was the home of Israel’s greatest king, David (1 Samuel 17:12; 1 Samuel 20:6; 2 Samuel 23:14-16; cf. Ruth 4:11-17), and the birthplace of the great ‘son of David’, the promised Messiah, Jesus (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:4; Luke 2:11; Luke 2:15; John 7:42).

Bibliography Information
Fleming, Don. Entry for 'Bethlehem'. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​bbd/​b/bethlehem.html. 2004.
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