BETHLEHEM (‘house of bread’ or, according to some, ‘of the god Lakhmu’). The name of two places in Palestine. 1 . Bethlehem of Judah, otherwise Ephrath or Ephrathah , now represented by the town of Beit Lahm , 5 miles S. of Jerusalem. On the way thither Rachel was buried ( Genesis 35:19; Genesis 48:7 ). Hence came the two Levites whose adventures are related in Judges 17:1-13; Judges 19:1-30 . It was the home of Elimelech, the father-in-law of Ruth ( Ruth 1:1 ), and here Ruth settled with her second husband Boaz, and became the ancestress of the family of David, whose connexion with Bethlehem is emphasized throughout his history ( 1 Samuel 16:1-18; 1 Samuel 17:12; 1 Samuel 20:6 etc.). The Philistines had here a garrison during David’s outlawry ( 2 Samuel 23:14 , 1 Chronicles 11:16 ). Here Asahel was huried ( 2 Samuel 2:32 ), and hence came Elhanan, one of the mighty men ( 2 Samuel 23:24; cf. 2 Samuel 21:19 ). Rehoboam fortified it ( 2 Chronicles 11:6 ), and here the murderers of Gedaliah took refuge ( Jeremiah 41:17 ). Whether the Salma referred to in 1 Chronicles 2:51; 1 Chronicles 2:54 as ‘father of Bethlehem’ (whatever that expression may exactly mean) be the same as the Salmon who was father of Boaz ( Ruth 4:20 ) a theory the Greek version seems to justify is doubtful. The town had some sanctity, and is indicated ( Psalms 132:6 ) as a suitable place for the Tabernacle. The birth of the Messiah there is prophesied in Micah 5:2 (quoted Matthew 2:6 , John 7:42 ), a prophecy fulfilled by the birth of Christ ( Matthew 2:1; Matthew 2:5 , Luke 2:4; Luke 2:15 ). Here Herod sent to seek the new-born Christ, and not finding Him ordered the massacre of the infants of the city ( Matthew 2:8; Matthew 2:16 ). The modern town, containing about 8000 inhabitants, is Christian and comparatively prosperous. Within it stands the basilica of the Nativity, founded by Constantine (about 330), and restored by Justinian (about 550) and many later emperors. Within it are shown grottoes in which the various events of the Nativity are localized with the usual unreasoning definiteness. 2 . Bethlehem of Zebulun, a place named but once ( Joshua 19:15 ), in enumerating the towns of that tribe. It is identified with Beit Lahm , 7 miles N.W. of Nazareth. It is probable that this was the home of Ibzan, the judge ( Judges 12:8-10 ), as almost all the judges belonged to the northern tribes. R. A. S. Macalister.
Bethlehem. [Beth'-lehem]1. City of Judah, also called BETH-LEHEM-JUDAH (Judges 17:7-9). It is first mentioned in connection with the death and burial of Rachel. Gen. 35:19. The history of Ruth is also connected with Beth-lehem. Ruth 1:1-22; Ruth 2:4. David was anointed in the house of Jesse the Bethlehemite, so that apparently it was the place of David's birth, 1 Sam. 16:4; 1 Sam. 17:12, 15; and this accounts for its being called in Luke 2:11 the 'city of David.' It was also the birth-place of Jesus: though it was "little among the thousands of Judah," it the better agreed with His humiliation. Beth-lehem, signifying 'house of bread,' is a very appropriate name for a place whence the Saviour should proceed as a man — He who was the living bread that came down from heaven. Apparently it was originally called EPHRATH, Gen. 35:16, 19; Gen. 48:7; and was afterwards called EPHRATAH, Ruth 4:11; Ps. 132:6. It is once called BETH-LEHEM EPHRATAH, that is, the fruitful, for the ruler of Israel was to come from thence. Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4, 15; John 7:42. This led to the massacre of the infants by Herod. Matt. 2:16-18. In 1 Chr. 2:51, 54; 1 Chr. 4:4, 'father of Beth-lehem' may signify 'prince of Beth-lehem.' It is identified with Beit Lahm, 31 42' N, 35 12' E, situated 6 miles south of Jerusalem, on a narrow ridge which runs from the central range of hills. The ridge is cut into terraces, which are covered with olives and vines. There are now about 5,000 inhabitants, almost all called Christian, with convents for the Latins, Greeks, and Armenians. An enormous pile of buildings called the 'Church of the Nativity' is connected with the convents. 2. Town in Zebulun, mentioned only in Joshua 19:15, also called Beit Lahm, 32 44' N, 35 10' E, described as a most miserable village. (It is not known which of the above places is referred to in Judges 12:8,10.)