Bethlehem
A place in the Bible
The town in Judea where Jesus was born, near Jerusalem. It was the town of King David.
What happened here
- Why they went: Joseph was of the house and family of David. That is why he went with Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
- The prophecy: Matthew recalls that from Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, would come the one who would shepherd the people.
- In the Old Testament: Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem. And there God sent Samuel to anoint David.
Today
Today it is the city of Bethlehem, in the West Bank, about five miles from Jerusalem.
Where it appears in the Bible
Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4; Matthew 2:6; Ruth 1:19; 1 Samuel 16:1
What the Bible says
Matthew 2:1
When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
Luke 2:4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David,
Matthew 2:6
And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Britannica, “Bethlehem”; Luke 2:4