Difference between revisions of "Bethlehem"

<p> ("house of bread"), i.e. in a fertile region. Two hours journey, in a southward or rather southwesterly direction from Jerusalem, by the Jaffa gate. Existing at the time of Jacob's return to Palestine; originally called [[Ephrath]] or Ephrath, i.e. fruitful (&nbsp;Genesis 35:16; &nbsp;Genesis 35:19; &nbsp;Genesis 48:7; &nbsp;Psalms 132:6). [[Hur]] and Salma, Hur's son, both have the title "father of Bethlehem" (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:51; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:4). Hur is the father of Uri, father of [[Bezaleel]] (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:20; &nbsp;Exodus 31:2-11). Tradition made [[Jesse]] "a weaver of the veils of the sanctuary"; and as trades are hereditary in the E. he may have inherited the embroidering skill of his forefather whom Moses employed for the tabernacles being "filled with the spirit of God" (&nbsp;Exodus 25:35). Hence appears the appropriateness of the allusions to the "weaver's beam" in representing the spears of giants slain by David and his heroes. </p> <p> After the conquest of Canaan it bears the name Bethlehem Judah; distinguishing it from Bethlehem in [[Zebulun]] (&nbsp;Joshua 19:15-16; now Beit-lahm, six miles W. of Nazareth). It was occupied once by a [[Philistine]] garrison, when David desired a draught from the well by the gate, so familiar to his childhood (&nbsp;2 Samuel 23:14-15; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 11:15-19). The [[Levite]] Jonathan, son of Gershom, who became the Danites' priest at their northern settlement, and the Levite's concubine whose cruel death at [[Gibeah]] caused the destruction of Benjamin, came from Bethlehem (&nbsp;Judges 17:7; &nbsp;Judges 18:30; &nbsp;Judges 19:9.) The connection of Bethlehem with Moab appears in the book of Ruth. Hence the undesigned propriety appears of David, Ruth's descendant, choosing the king of Moab's house at [[Mizpeh]] as the safest retreat for his parents, when he was outlawed by Saul (&nbsp;1 Samuel 22:3-4). </p> <p> Bethlehem was fortified by [[Rehoboam]] (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 11:6). In Jeremiah's time (&nbsp;Jeremiah 41:17) the caravansary of [[Chimham]] near Bethlehem (see &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:37-40) was the usual starting place for Egypt. The inn ( '''''Kataluma''''' ) mentioned in Luke 2 was a similar one, and possibly the same. At the return from Babylon, 123 "children of Bethlehem" accompanied [[Zerubbabel]] (&nbsp;Ezra 2:21; &nbsp;Nehemiah 7:26). Bethlehem is called the "city of David" (&nbsp;Luke 2:4), but the "town (Greek village) where David was" in &nbsp;John 7:42. Now Beitlahm, "the house of flesh." Solomon's pools and "gardens" (&nbsp;Ecclesiastes 2:5) lay S. of Bethlehem. Thekoa, built (fortified)by Rehoboam, lay S.E., the place of Amos' (&nbsp;Amos 1:1) birth (&nbsp;Amos 7:10-15). S.W. is the valley of Sennacherib's overthrow. N.E. is the traditional scene of the angels' vision to the shepherds; but the hills were more likely to have been the scene of the flocks being kept than the grain abounding valley. </p> <p> Dr. Clarke identified a well of pure water here with that which David thirsted for; but the traditional site is a group of three cisterns half a mile away on the other side of the wady on the N., and Robinson denies the existence of any well of living water in or near the town (&nbsp;2 Samuel 23:15-18). Bethlehem is now a village with one chief street, and population (wholly Christian) of 3,000. The slopes outside abound in figs, vines, almonds and olives. The Church of the Nativity at the N. side was originally built by the empress Helena over the Lord's presumed birthplace; Justin Martyr in the 2nd century said that our Lord's birth took place in a cave close to the village. Justinian erected a more sumptuous church, with gray limestone columns and a lofty roof of cedar wood; but the present roof is of English oak, presented by Edward IV. The grotto of the nativity is beneath a crypt, 39 feet long, 11 broad, 9 high, hewn out of the rock and lined with marble. </p> <p> A rich altar is over the supposed site of the Savior's birth, and a star of silver inlaid in white marble, with the inscription '''''"Ηie De Virgine Μaria Jesus Christus Natus Est."''''' A manger too is there of white marble (&nbsp;Luke 2:12). Jerome's sepulchre is near; Bethlehem being where he lived for 30 years, and diligently studied the Hebrew Scriptures, to prepare the Vulgate translation. In &nbsp;Micah 5:2, "Thou Bethlehem Ephratah, (though) thou be little among the thousands of Judah, (yet) out of thee shall He come forth unto Me (that is) to be ruler in Israel" seems to contradict &nbsp;Matthew 2:6, "Thou art not the least among the princes of Juda." </p> <p> Really, Matthew by independent inspiration unfolds further Micah's prophecy. For "Ephratah," now become obsolete, he substitutes" in the land of Jude"; furthermore he implies, "though thou art little in a worldly point of view, thou art the reverse of least among Jude's princes, in the spiritual glory of being Messiah's birthplace" (&nbsp;1 Corinthians 1:27-28). The low state of David's line when [[Messiah]] was born is also implied in Micah (&nbsp;Isaiah 53:2). </p>

<p> 1. City of Judah, also called [[Beth-Lehem-Judah]] (&nbsp;Judges 17:7-9 ). It is first mentioned in connection with the death and burial of Rachel. &nbsp;Genesis 35:19 . The history of Ruth is also connected with Beth-lehem. &nbsp;Ruth 1:1-22; &nbsp;Ruth 2:4 . David was anointed in the house of Jesse the Bethlehemite, so that apparently it was the place of David's birth, &nbsp;1 Samuel 16:4; &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:12,15; and this accounts for its being called in &nbsp;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. </p> <p> Apparently it was originally called EPHRATH, &nbsp;Genesis 35:16,19; &nbsp;Genesis 48:7; and was afterwards called [[Ephratah]] &nbsp;Ruth 4:11; &nbsp;Psalm 132:6 . It is once called [[Beth-Lehem Ephratah]] that is, <i> the fruitful, </i> for the ruler of [[Israel]] was to come from thence. &nbsp;Micah 5:2; &nbsp;Luke 2:4,15; &nbsp;John 7:42 . This led to the massacre of the infants by Herod. &nbsp;Matthew 2:16-18 . </p> <p> In &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:51,54; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 4:4 , 'father of Beth-lehem' may signify 'prince of Beth-lehem.' It is identified with <i> Beit Lahm, </i> 35 12' E 31 42' N , 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. </p> <p> 2. Town in Zebulun, mentioned only in &nbsp;Joshua 19:15 , also called <i> Beit Lahm, </i> 35 10' E 32 44' N , described as a most miserable village. (It is not known which of the above places is referred to in &nbsp;Judges 12:8,10 .) </p>

<p> [[Bethlehem]] ( ''Bĕth'Le-Hem'' ), ''House Of Bread.'' 1. A town in the "hill-country," about six miles south of Jerusalem, situated on a narrow ridge running eastward, which breaks down in abrupt terraced slopes to the deep valleys below. The town is 2527 feet above the sea. It is one of the oldest in Palestine. Nearby was Rachel's burial-place (still marked by a white mosque near the town), and called Ephrath, &nbsp;Genesis 35:19; the home of Naomi, Boaz, and Ruth, &nbsp;Ruth 1:19; birthplace of David, &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:12; burial-place of Joab's family, &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:32; taken by the Philistines, and had a noted well, &nbsp;2 Samuel 23:14-15; fortified by Rehoboam, &nbsp;2 Chronicles 11:6; foretold as the birthplace of Christ, &nbsp;Micah 5:2; the birthplace of Jesus, &nbsp;Matthew 2:1; was visited by the shepherds, &nbsp;Luke 2:15-17, and by the Magi, &nbsp;Matthew 2:1-23. It is noticed over 40 times in the Bible. It has existed as a town for over 4000 years. It was a small place until after the time of Christ; was improved and its wall rebuilt by Justinian; now has about 5000 inhabitants, nearly all nominally Christians, mostly of the Greek church. It Is now called Beit-lahm. It is surrounded by nicely-kept terraces covered with vine, olive, and fig trees. The church of the Nativity, the oldest in Christendom, built in a.d. 330 by the empress Helena, stands over the grotto reputed to be the place of our Lord's birth, and is the joint property of the Greeks, Latins, and Armenians, who have separate convents adjoining it. The "plain of the Shepherds" is about a mile from the town. </p>

<li> A city of Zebulun, mentioned only in &nbsp; Joshua 19:15 . Now Beit-Lahm, a ruined village about 6 miles west-north-west of Nazareth. <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton [[M.A., DD]]  Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Bethlehem'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/bethlehem.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> ''''' beth´lē̇ ''''' - ''''' hem ''''' ( בּית־לחם , <i> ''''' bēthleḥem ''''' </i> ; Βαιθλεέμ , <i> ''''' Baithleém ''''' </i> , or Βηθλεέμ , <i> ''''' Bēthleém ''''' </i> , "house of David," or possibly "the house of Lakhmu," an [[Assyrian]] deity): </p> I. Bethlehem Judah <p> Bethlehem Judah, or [[Ephrath]] or [[Ephrathah]] (which see) is now <i> ''''' Beit Lahm ''''' </i> (Arabic = "house of meat"), a town of upward of 10,000 inhabitants, 5 miles South of Jerusalem and 2,350 ft. above sea level. It occupies an outstanding position upon a spur running East from the watershed with deep valleys to the Northeast and South It is just off the main road to [[Hebron]] and the south, but upon the highroad to [[Tekoa]] and En-gedi. The position is one of natural strength; it was occupied by a garrison of the Philistines in the days of David (&nbsp;2 Samuel 23:14; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 11:16 ) and was fortified by Rehoboam (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 11:6 ). The surrounding country is fertile, cornfields, fig and olive yards and vineyards abound. Bethlehem is not naturally well supplied with water, the nearest spring is 800 yds. to the Southeast, but for many centuries the "low level aqueduct" from "Solomon's Pools" in the <i> ''''' Arṭās ''''' </i> valley, which has here been tunneled through the hill, has been tapped by the inhabitants; there are also many rock-cut cisterns. </p> <p> 1. Early History </p> <p> In &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:51 Salma, the son of Caleb, is described as the "father of Bethlehem." In &nbsp; Genesis 35:19; &nbsp;Genesis 48:7 it is recorded that Rachel "was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Beth-lehem)." Tradition points out the site of Rachel's tomb near where the road to Bethlehem leaves the main road. The Levites of the events of &nbsp; Judges 17:1-13; 19 were Bethlehemites. In the list of the towns of Judah the name Bethlehem occurs, in the [[Septuagint]] version only in &nbsp;Joshua 15:57 . </p> <p> 2. David the Bethlehemite </p> <p> Ruth, famous chiefly as the ancestress of David, and of the Messiah, settled in Bethlehem with her second husband Boaz, and it is noticeable that from her new home she could view the mountains of Moab, her native land. David himself "was the son of that [[Ephrathite]] of Bethlehem-judah, whose name was Jesse" (&nbsp;1 Samuel 17:12 ). To Bethlehem came Samuel to anoint a successor to unworthy Saul (&nbsp;1 Samuel 16:4 ): "David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem" (&nbsp;1 Samuel 17:15 ). David's "Three mighty men" "brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David" (&nbsp;2 Samuel 23:14 , &nbsp;2 Samuel 23:16 ). Tradition still points out the well. From this town came those famous "sons of Zeruiah," David's nephews, whose loyalty and whose ruthless cruelty became at once a protection and a menace to their royal relative: in &nbsp;2 Samuel 2:32 it is mentioned that one of them, Asahel, was buried "in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem." </p> <p> 3. Later Bible History </p> <p> After the time of David, Bethlehem would appear to have sunk into insignificance. But its future fame is pointed at by Micah (&nbsp;Micah 5:2 ): "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." </p> <p> In the return of the Jews captive [[Bethlehemites]] re-inhabited the place (&nbsp;Ezra 2:21; &nbsp;Nehemiah 7:26 "men"; 1 [[Esdras]] 5:17 "sons"). </p> <p> 4. The Christian [[Era]] </p> <p> In the New Testament Bethlehem is mentioned as the birthplace of the Messiah Jesus (&nbsp;Matthew 2:1 , &nbsp;Matthew 2:5; &nbsp;Luke 2:4 , &nbsp;Luke 2:25 ) in consequence of which event occurred Herod's "massacre of the innocents" (&nbsp;Matthew 2:8 , 26). Inasmuch as Hadrian devastated Bethlehem and set up there a sacred grove to Adonis (Jerome, <i> Ep. ad Paul </i> , lviii.3) it is clear that veneration of this spot as the site of the Nativity must go back before 132 ad. Constantine (circa 330) founded a basilica over the cave-stable which tradition pointed out as the scene of the birth, and his church, unchanged in general structure though enlarged by Justinian and frequently adorned, repaired and damaged, remains today the chief attraction of the town. During the Crusades, Bethlehem became of great importance and prosperity; it remained in Christian hands after the overthrow of the Latin kingdom, and at the present day it is in material things one of the most prosperous Christian centers in the Holy Land. </p> II. Bethlehem of Zebulun <p> Bethlehem of Zebulun (&nbsp;Joshua 19:15 ) was probably the home of Ibzan (&nbsp;Judges 12:8 , 20) though [[Jewish]] tradition is in support of (1). See Josephus, <i> Ant </i> , V, vii, 13. This is now the small village of <i> ''''' Beit Lahm ''''' </i> , some 7 miles Northwest of Nazareth on the edge of the oak forest. Some antiquities have been found here recently, showing that in earlier days it was a place of some importance. It is now the site of a small German colony. See <i> PEF </i> , I, 270, Sh V. </p>