West Bank
Church bell at Bethlehem (© Israel Ministry of Tourism)
The West Bank city of Bethlehem, about 9km south of Jerusalem, is celebrated by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Here Mary gave birth in a cave used for animals. Here the local shepherds came to worship the baby, and here the Three Wise Men from the east came to pay homage and present their gifts.
Here too, years before Christ, Bethlehem was the birthplace of David, Israel’s second king. Here David was anointed as king by the prophet Samuel after being brought in from tending his father’s sheep.
The city of Bethlehem (in Hebrew its name means “house of bread”) perches on a hill at the edge of the Judaean desert. Bedouin from the desert rub shoulders with pilgrims and tourists among a mix of cultures in its town market and its narrow, ancient streets.
Cave can be visited
The Gospel references to Christ’s birth are sparse. The physician Luke gives most information: “And so Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to David’s town of Bethlehem — because he was of the house and lineage of David — to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child .
Delve into the wonder of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Israel, and explore the compelling evidence that points to this sacred site as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Want to see more? Watch the first full episode of biblical archaeology on our YouTube page.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them
&#; Luke
The place where Jesus was believed to be born is hidden under a church in Bethlehem, the town where Joseph and Mary travelled for a census. Christians have been coming to worship and pray at the Church of the Nativity since ancient times. The stories of Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus was born in a humble place, where animals were kept and fed. They don’t say anything about a cave, but they say that Jesus was placed in a manger, a wood
When we think about Jesus&#; birth, Bethlehem immediately comes to mind. This small town, about six miles south of Jerusalem, became the birthplace of the Messiah not by chance, but through God&#;s careful planning.
Let&#;s explore why God chose this specific location for such a momentous event.
The Prophetic Significance of Bethlehem
Seven centuries before Jesus&#; birth, God revealed His divine plan through the prophet Micah. The prophecy specifically named Bethlehem Ephrathah as the birthplace of the coming ruler. Micah wrote: &#;But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting&#; (Micah NKJV).
The Jewish religious leaders clearly understood this prophecy. When King Herod asked them where the Messiah was to be born, they immediately cited Micah&#;s prophecy (Matthew ). This shows how widely recognized and understood this prophecy was among the Jewish people.
Bethlehem: The City of David
Bethlehem held deep significance as King David&#;s birthplace and hometown. God had promised David through Nathan
Bethlehem in the Bible
Bethlehem is a small but significant town in the biblical narrative, deeply intertwined with God&#;s redemptive plan. Its prominence is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, culminating in its role as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Let’s explore what the Bible says about Bethlehem and its importance.
Bethlehem in the Old Testament
Bethlehem’s Meaning and Location
The name &#;Bethlehem&#; means &#;House of Bread&#; in Hebrew. This is fitting, as it became the birthplace of the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ (John ). Bethlehem was located in the hill country of Judah, about six miles south of Jerusalem.
The Story of Rachel
Bethlehem first appears in the Bible as the place near where Rachel, Jacob&#;s beloved wife, died while giving birth to Benjamin. Genesis says:
&#;So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).&#;
This connection to Rachel’s sorrow foreshadows the weeping described in Matthew , when Herod&#;s slaughter of the infants caused great mourning in Bethlehem.
The Story of Ruth and Boaz
Bethlehem is the setting for much of the book of Ruth. Ruth, a Moabite widow, came to Bethlehem with her
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