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For other uses, see Bethlehem (disambiguation). Bethlehem ( / ˈbɛθlɪhɛm /; Arabic: بيت لحم, Bayt Laḥm, pronunciation ⓘ; Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶםBēṯ Leḥem) is a city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine, located about ten kilometres (six miles) south of Jerusalem.
May 31, 2024 · Bethlehem, town in the West Bank, situated in the Judaean Hills 5 miles (8 km) south of Jerusalem. According to the Gospels (Matthew 2; Luke 2), Bethlehem was the site of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.
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- Where Was Jesus Born and Why?
- 7 Things to Know About Bethlehem, Where Jesus Was Born
- Why Is Bethlehem Still Relevant?
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The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:4-20). But how did Mary and Joseph find themselves so far from their hometown of Nazareth at a time so close to Mary’s delivery? The explanation begins with Caesar Augustus, the Emperor of Rome, who ruled from 27 BC-14 AD. Historians have branded Caesar...
1. Bethlehem means house of bread
Bethlehem is located in the hill country right outside of Jerusalem. A mild climate and plentiful rainfall, ensure that the town’s fields, orchards, and vineyards thrive into consistently bountiful harvests. The fertile land is probably why the area was first called Bethlehem or Beit Lehem, which means, “house of bread.” In His divine sovereignty, God would later appoint this town as the birthplace of His Son who would declare, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry...
2. Bethlehem was considered a tiny, insignificant town
Instead of choosing the holy city of Jerusalem as Jesus, the King of Kings, birthplace, God selected a town so small that it wasn’t even listed in the registry of towns in Joshua 15 or Nehemiah 11. Not only was this unusual act the fulfillment of messianic prophecy (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:6), but the Savior’s humble birthplace demonstrates God’s greatness. As John Piperexplains, “God chose something small, quiet, out of the way, and did something there that changes the course of history and ete...
3. Scripture foretold the Messiah’s Birth in Bethlehem
700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Micah prophesied that Bethlehem would be the Messiah’s birthplace. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2) God used the Roman Empire’s greedy taxation practices to draw Mary and Joseph to the appointed place of Christ’s birth at the appointed time.
Bethlehem is the home to over 27,000 residents today. Those who live in Bethlehem are considered citizens of Palestine. Two million tourists provide 65% of the town’s wealth. Christians from all over the world travel to Bethlehem to see and experience the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The Church of the Nativity, built around AD 327, still stands in t...
Learn about the history, significance, and biblical meaning of Bethlehem, the town where Jesus was born. Discover how God's plan of redemption unfolded through prophecy, genealogy, and history in this topical study.
- The Church of the Nativity. The Church of the Nativity is named for the grotto it was built around. This grotto is known by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus and is Christianity’s oldest continuously used place of worship.
- Rachel’s Tomb. The tomb believed to be the burial site of the matriarch Rachel is holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Located by the northern entrance to Bethlehem, the burial place of the Rachel is mentioned in the Jewish Old Testament, the Christian Old Testament, and in Muslim scripture.
- Bansky’s Artwork & Hotel. The graffiti by famed and mysterious artist Banksy is on the barrier wall that separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem. It has drawn worldwide media attention and is definitely worth a look.
- The Milk Grotto. The Milk Grotto is said to be where baby Jesus and Family took refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents before fleeing to Egypt. The Grotto’s name comes from the traditional belief that, while nursing baby Jesus, a drop of The Virgin Mary’s milk fell onto the floor of the cave, turning it white.
Dec 22, 2017 · Bethlehem had a long history even before it became known as the site of Jesus Christ’s birth. Now it sits at the heart of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Sep 14, 2020 · Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ and the City of David, according to the Bible. Learn about its ancient and modern history, climate, agriculture, and sacred sites, such as the Church of the Nativity.
Visit the Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, where Christian tradition locates the birthplace of Jesus since the 2nd century. Learn about the history, architecture and significance of this holy site and its surroundings.
