Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 says, “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.”

Bethlehem is located about 9 kilometers south of Jerusalem. It was King David’s hometown (1 Samuel 16:1; Luke 2:11) and has a population of about 30,000 people today. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate and a hub for local culture and tourism. In the time of the patriarchs, Bethlehem was known as “Ephrathah” (Genesis 35:19), which means “fruitful place.” According to the Bible, Bethlehem was the birthplace of David and the place where he was crowned king of Israel. Jacob’s wife, Rachel, is buried just outside the city.

The Arabic name for “Bethlehem” means “house of meat,” while the Hebrew name means “house of bread,” reflecting the region’s abundance. There were many shepherds in Bethlehem, but they did not raise sheep for meat; they raised lambs to be used for sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. When Jesus was born, angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem to bring them the good news. Bethlehem is not only the birthplace of Jesus but also one of the world’s earliest Christian communities.

Throughout its history, Bethlehem has been ruled by numerous empires. Today, Israel controls the city’s entry and exit points, while the Palestinian National Authority manages its daily administration. In modern times, Bethlehem has a Muslim majority but still has one of the largest Christian communities in Palestine. The city’s economy is primarily based on tourism, especially during the Christmas season, as the Church of the Nativity makes it a pilgrimage site for Christians.

Edited and compiled based on the Chinese Union Version of the Bible and a comprehensive biblical interpretation.