Topical Bible: Bethlehem: A City Southwest of Jerusalem

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Geographical and Historical Context:
Bethlehem, located approximately six miles southwest of Jerusalem, is a city of profound historical and theological significance in the biblical narrative. Known as "Bethlehem Ephrathah" in ancient times, it is situated in the hill country of Judah. The name "Bethlehem" means "House of Bread," which is fitting given its fertile surroundings and historical role as a center for agriculture and shepherding.

Biblical Significance:
Bethlehem is first mentioned in the Bible in connection with Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, who died and was buried there (Genesis 35:19). It is also the setting for the Book of Ruth, where Ruth the Moabitess gleaned in the fields of Boaz, leading to her marriage to him and her inclusion in the genealogy of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Ruth 1:22; 4:13-22).

Davidic Connection:
Bethlehem is most famously known as the birthplace and early home of King David, Israel's second and most revered king. The prophet Samuel anointed David as king in Bethlehem, marking the beginning of a dynasty that would have eternal significance (1 Samuel 16:1-13). This connection to David is crucial, as it establishes Bethlehem as the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah, a descendant of David.

Messianic Prophecy:
The prophet Micah foretold the birth of a ruler in Bethlehem, a prophecy fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ. Micah 5:2 states, "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." This prophecy underscores Bethlehem's role in God's redemptive plan.

Birthplace of Jesus:
The New Testament Gospels of Matthew and Luke record the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah. Luke 2:4-7 describes how Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for a census, and there Mary gave birth to Jesus, laying Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. The angelic announcement to the shepherds in the fields nearby further highlights Bethlehem's significance in the nativity account (Luke 2:8-14).

Theological Implications:
Bethlehem's role as the birthplace of Jesus emphasizes the humility and accessibility of the Messiah. Despite its small size and seeming insignificance, Bethlehem was chosen by God as the entry point for the Savior of the world. This choice reflects the biblical theme of God using the humble and lowly to accomplish His divine purposes.

Modern-Day Bethlehem:
Today, Bethlehem is a city of both historical reverence and contemporary challenges. It remains a focal point for Christian pilgrimage, with sites such as the Church of the Nativity marking the traditional location of Jesus' birth. The city's enduring legacy continues to draw believers who seek to connect with the foundational events of their faith.

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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.
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Judges 19:18
And he said to him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from there am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receives me to house.
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Library

The Story of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem
... quietly and quickly went with them down to Egypt, which was on the southwest of
Judea ... Perhaps it was his thought to go again to Bethlehem, the city of David ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of jesus the.htm

The Holy See and the Wandering of the Nations.
... The city was completely plundered, but the lives of the ... the advance of the last great
Gothic host to the southwest. ... Jerome at Bethlehem how he had been in the ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter i the holy see.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... where we find a list of the towns fortified by Rehoboam: Bethlehem, Etam, Beth ... priest
of the Lord,* and he was master in his own city of Jerusalem or Samaria ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm