Beth-lehem

(house of bread)

Rachel Dies Giving Birth

to Benjamin on the Way
to Ephrath (Beth-lehem)
Genesis 35:15–20: 15. And Jacob
called the name of the place where
God spake with him, Beth-el. 16.
And they journeyed from Beth-el;
and there was but a little way to
come to Ephrath: and Rachel
travailed, and she had hard
labour.17. And it came to pass,
when she was in hard labour, that
the midwife said unto her, “Fear
not; thou shalt have this son
also.”18. And it came to pass, as her
soul was in departing, (for she died)
that she called his name Ben-oni:
but his father called him
Benjamin.19. And Rachel died, and
was buried in the way to Ephrath,
which is Beth-lehem. 20. And Jacob
set a pillar upon her grave: that is
the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this
day.

Genesis 48:3–7: 3. And Jacob

said unto Joseph, “GOD
ALMIGHTY appeared unto me at
Luz in the land of Canaan, and
blessed me, 4. And said unto me,
‘Behold, I will make thee fruitful,
and multiply thee, and I will make
of thee a multitude of people; and
will give this land to thy seed after
thee for an everlasting possession.’ 5. And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born
unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they
shall be mine. 6. And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after
the name of their brethren in their inheritance. 7. And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died
by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I
buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Beth-lehem.”

The Outgoings of Zebulun’s Territory

Joshua 19:10–15: 10. And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families:
and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid: 11. And their border went up toward the sea, and
Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that is before Jokneam; 12. And turned
from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chisloth-tabor, and then goeth out to
Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia, 13. And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittah-hepher, to
Ittah-kazin, and goeth out to Remmon-methoar to Neah;14. And the border compasseth it on the north
side to Hannathon: and the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthah-el: 15. And Kattath, and
Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Beth-lehem: twelve cities with their villages.

Ibzan of Beth-lehem Judges Israel

Judges 12:7–11: 7. And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was
buried in one of the cities of Gilead. 8. And after him Ibzan of Beth-lehem judged Israel. 9. And he had
thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his
sons. And he judged Israel seven years.10. Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Beth-lehem. 11. And after
him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.

Levite of Beth-lehem-judah becomes a Priest for Micah

Judges 17:6–13: 6. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right
in his own eyes. 7. And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah of the family of Judah, who was
a Levite, and he sojourned there. 8. And the man departed out of the city from Beth-lehem-judah to
sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he
journeyed. 9. And Micah said unto him, “Whence comest thou?” And he said unto him, “I am a Levite of
Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.”10. And Micah said unto him, “Dwell
with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a
suit of apparel, and thy victuals.” So the Levite went in. 11. And the Levite was content to dwell with the
man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons. 12. And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the
young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah. 13. Then said Micah, “Now know I that the
LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.”

Levite of Beth-lehem-judah Meets Tragedy in Gibeah

Judges 19:1–30: 1. And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a
certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth-
lehem-judah. 2. And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her
father’s house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there four whole months. 3. And her husband arose, and
went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a
couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him,
he rejoiced to meet him. 4. And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with
him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there. 5. And it came to pass on the fourth day,
when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son
in law, “Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.” 6. And they sat down,
and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, “Be content,
I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.” 7. And when the man rose up to depart, his
father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again. 8. And he arose early in the morning on the fifth
day to depart; and the damsel’s father said, “Comfort thine heart, I pray thee.” And they tarried until
afternoon, and they did eat both of them. 9. And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine,
and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, “Behold, now the day draweth
toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart
may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.” 10. But the man
would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is
Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him. 11. And when
they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, “Come, I pray thee, and
let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.” 12. And his master said unto him, “We will
not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to
Gibeah.” 13. And he said unto his servant, “Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all
night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.”14. And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon
them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.15. And they turned aside thither, to go in
and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no
man that took them into his house to lodging. 16. And, behold, there came an old man from his work out
of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the
place were Benjamites.17. And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the
city: and the old man said, “Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?” 18. And he said unto him,
“We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I
went to Beth-lehem-judah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that
receiveth me to house. 19. Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and
wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no
want of any thing.” 20. And the old man said, “Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon
me; only lodge not in the street.” 21. So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the
asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink. 22. Now as they were making their hearts merry,
behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and
spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring forth the man that came into thine house,
that we may know him.” 23. And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto
them, “Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine
house, do not this folly. 24. Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring
out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not
so vile a thing.” 25. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought
her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the
day began to spring, they let her go. 26. Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down
at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light. 27. And her lord rose up in the
morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his
concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. 28. And he
said unto her, “Up, and let us be going.” But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and
the man rose up, and gat him unto his place. 29. And when he was come into his house, he took a knife,
and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her
into all the coasts of Israel. 30. And it was so, that all that saw it said, “There was no such deed done nor
seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of
it, take advice, and speak your minds.”

Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz in Beth-lehem

Ruth 1:1–22: 1. Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the
land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife,
and his two sons. 2. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the
name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the
country of Moab, and continued there. 3. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her
two sons. 4. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the
name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5. And Mahlon and Chilion died also
both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 6. Then she arose with her
daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of
Moab how that the LORD had visited His people in giving them bread. 7. Wherefore she went forth out of
the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto
the land of Judah. 8. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, “Go, return each to her mother’s
house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9. The LORD grant you
that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them; and they lifted up
their voice, and wept. 10. And they said unto her, “Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.” 11.
And Naomi said, “Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my
womb, that they may be your husbands? 12. Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to
have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also
bear sons; 13. Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having
husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone
out against me.” 14. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law;
but Ruth clave unto her.15. And she said, “Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and
unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.” 16. And Ruth said, “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to
return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:17. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be
buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” 18. When she saw
that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.19. So they two went until
they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was
moved about them, and they said, “Is this Naomi?” 20. And she said unto them, “Call me not Naomi, call
me Mara: for the ALMIGHTY hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21. I went out full, and the LORD hath
brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me,
and the ALMIGHTY hath afflicted me?” 22. So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in
law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning
of barley harvest.

Ruth 2:1–4: 1. And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of
Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. 2. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, “Let me now go to the
field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.” And she said unto her, “Go, my
daughter.” 3. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light
on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech 4. And, behold, Boaz
came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, “The LORD be with you.” And they answered him, “The
LORD bless thee.”

Ruth 4:10-22: 10. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to
raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among
his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.” 11. And all the people that were in
the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses.” The LORD make the woman that is come into thine
house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in
Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem:12. And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar
bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.” 13. So Boaz took
Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a
son. 14. And the women said unto Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, Which hath not left thee this day
without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.15. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy
life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee
than seven sons, hath born him.16. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became
nurse unto it. 17. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi;
and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.18. Now these are the
generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,19. And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, 20.
And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, 21. And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz
begat Obed, 22. And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Samuel Descended from an Ephrathite

I Samuel 1:1–3: 1. Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his
name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an
Ephrathite: 2. And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other
Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3. And this man went up out of his
city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni
and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

David, the Son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite

I Samuel 16:1–5: 1. And the LORD said unto Samuel, “How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have
rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-
lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons.” 2. And Samuel said, “How can I go? if Saul hear
it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take an heifer with thee, and say, ‘I am come to sacrifice to the
LORD.’3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint
unto Me him whom I name unto thee.” 4. And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-
lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Comest thou peaceably?” 5. And he
said, “Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the
sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

I Samuel 16:18: 18. Then answered one of the servants, and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the
Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in
matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.”

I Samuel 17:1–58: 1. Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered
together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-
dammim. 2. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah,
and set the battle in array against the Philistines. 3. And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one
side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. 4. And
there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was
six cubits and a span. 5. And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of
mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. 6. And he had greaves of brass upon
his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. 7. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s
beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before
him. 8. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, “Why are ye come out to set
your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let
him come down to me. 9. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but
if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.” 10. And the Philistine
said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11. When Saul and
all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. 12. Now David was
the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the
man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. 13. And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and
followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the
firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.14. And David was the youngest: and the
three eldest followed Saul. 15. But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Beth-
lehem.16. And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.17. And
Jesse said unto David his son, “Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten
loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;18. And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their
thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.19. Now Saul, and they, and all the men
of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20. And David rose up early in the
morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he
came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. 21. For Israel and
the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. 22. And David left his carriage in the hand
of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. 23. And as he
talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of
the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them. 24. And all
the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. 25. And the men of Israel
said, “Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the
man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make
his father’s house free in Israel.” 26. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, “What shall
be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this
uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27. And the people answered
him after this manner, saying, “So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.” 28. And Eliab his eldest
brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said,
“Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know
thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.”
29. And David said, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” 30. And he turned from him toward
another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
31. And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for
him. 32. And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight
with this Philistine.” 33. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight
with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34. And David said unto Saul,
“Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose
against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36. Thy servant slew both the lion
and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies
of the living God.” 37. David said moreover, “The LORD That delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and
out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David,
“Go, and the LORD be with thee.” 38. And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of
brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39. And David girded his sword upon his
armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, “I cannot go with
these; for I have not proved them.” And David put them off him. 40. And he took his staff in his hand,
and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even
in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 41. And the Philistine came
on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 42. And when the
Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair
countenance. 43. And the Philistine said unto David, “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?”
And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will
give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.” 45. Then said David to the
Philistine, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in
the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom thou hast defied. 46. This day will
the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give
the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the
earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47. And all this assembly shall know that
the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our
hands.” 48. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that
David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49. And David put his hand in his bag, and
took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his
forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and
with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 51.
Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath
thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was
dead, they fled. 52. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines,
until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by
the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. 53. And the children of Israel returned from
chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. 54. And David took the head of the Philistine,
and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent. 55. And when Saul saw David go forth
against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” And
Abner said, “As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.” 56. And the king said, “Inquire thou whose son the
stripling is. 57. And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought
him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58. And Saul said to him, “Whose son art
thou, thou young man? And David answered, “I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite.”

I Samuel 20:1–42: 1. And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan,
“What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?”
2. And he said unto him, “God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or
small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.” 3. And
David sware moreover, and said, “Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and
he saith, ‘Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved:’ but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul
liveth, there is but a step between me and death.” 4. Then said Jonathan unto David, “Whatsoever thy
soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.” 5. And David said unto Jonathan, “Behold, to morrow is the new
moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field
unto the third day at even. 6. If thy father at all miss me, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me
that he might run to Beth-lehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’ 7. If he say
thus, ‘It is well;’ thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined
by him. 8. Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a
covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why
shouldest thou bring me to thy father?” 9. And Jonathan said, “Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly
that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?” 10. Then said
David to Jonathan, “Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?” 11. And Jonathan said
unto David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” And they went out both of them into the field. 12.
And Jonathan said unto David, “O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow
any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and
shew it thee; 13. The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil,
then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as
He hath been with my father.14. And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the
LORD, that I die not:15. But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when
the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.”16. So Jonathan made a
covenant with the house of David, saying, “Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s
enemies.”17. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he
loved his own soul.18. Then Jonathan said to David, “To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be
missed, because thy seat will be empty.19. And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go
down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and
shalt remain by the stone Ezel. 20. And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a
mark. 21. And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, ‘Go, find out the arrows.’ If I expressly say unto the lad,
‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them;’ then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no
hurt; as the LORD liveth. 22. But if I say thus unto the young man, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond thee;’
go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. 23. And as touching the matter which thou and I have
spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.” 24. So David hid himself in the field: and
when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat. 25. And the king sat upon his seat, as
at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and
David’s place was empty. 26. Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, “Something
hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.” 27. And it came to pass on the morrow, which
was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son,
“Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?” 28. And Jonathan
answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: 29. And he said, ‘Let me go, I pray
thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and
now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren.’ Therefore he
cometh not unto the king’s table.” 30. Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto
him, “Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse
to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? 31. For as long as the son of
Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and
fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.” 32. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto
him, “Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?” 33. And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him:
whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. 34. So Jonathan arose from
the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David,
because his father had done him shame. 35. And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out
into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. 36. And he said unto his lad,
“Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot.” And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37. And
when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad,
and said, “Is not the arrow beyond thee?” 38. And Jonathan cried after the lad, “Make speed, haste, stay
not.” And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. 39. But the lad knew not any
thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 40. And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and
said unto him, “Go, carry them to the city.” 41. And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a
place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they
kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. 42. And Jonathan said to David,
“Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD be
between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever.’” And he arose and departed: and
Jonathan went into the city.

II Samuel 2:31–32: 31. But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that
three hundred and threescore men died. 32. And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of
his father, which was in Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at
break of day.

II Samuel 21:19: 19. And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of
Jaare-oregim, a Beth-lehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a
weaver’s beam.

II Samuel 23:1–39: 1. Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man
who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, 2.
“The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and His word was in my tongue. 3. The God of Israel said, The Rock
of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of GOD. 4. And he shall be
as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, Even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass
springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. 5. Although my house be not so with God; yet He
hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation,
and all my desire, although He make it not to grow. 6. But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns
thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: 7. But the man that shall touch them must be
fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.” 8.
These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief
among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he
slew at one time. 9. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men
with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of
Israel were gone away: 10. He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand
clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him
only to spoil. 11. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were
gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the
Philistines. 12. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the
LORD wrought a great victory. 13. And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the
harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
14. And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem. 15. And
David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, which is
by the gate!” 16. And the 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: nevertheless he
would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. 17. And he said, “Be it far from me, O LORD,
that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?” therefore he
would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. 18. And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the
son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them,
and had the name among three. 19. Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain:
howbeit he attained not unto the first three. 20. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant
man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and
slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: 21. And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the
Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the
Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear. 22. These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and
had the name among three mighty men. 23. He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not
to the first three. And David set him over his guard. 24. Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty;
Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem, 25. Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26. Helez the
Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27. Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28.
Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29. Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the
son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, 30. Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks
of Gaash, 31. Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32. Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons
of Jashen, Jonathan, 33. Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34. Eliphelet the
son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35. Hezrai the
Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36. Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37. Zelek the
Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah, 38. Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an
Ithrite, 39. Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

I Chronicles 11:1–47: 1. Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, “Behold, we
are thy bone and thy flesh. 2. And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that
leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, ‘Thou shalt feed My people
Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over My people Israel.’” 3. Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the
king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed
David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel. 4. And David and all Israel went to
Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. 5. And the inhabitants
of Jebus said to David, “Thou shalt not come hither.” Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is
the city of David. 6. And David said, “Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.”
So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief. 7. And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they
called it the city of David. 8. And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab
repaired the rest of the city. 9. So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.
10. These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him
in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning
Israel. 11. And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the
chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time. 12. And after
him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties. 13. He was with David
at Pas-dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground
full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. 14. And they set themselves in the midst of
that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance. 15.
Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host
of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. 16. And David was then in the hold, and the
Philistines’ garrison was then at Beth-lehem. 17. And David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me
drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, that is at the gate!” 18. And the three 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: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD. 19. And said, “My God
forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in
jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These
things did these three mightiest. 20. And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting
up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three. 21. Of the three, he
was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
22. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew
two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. 23. And he slew an
Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s
beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew
him with his own spear. 24. These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the
three mighties. 25. Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and
David set him over his guard. 26. Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab,
Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem, 27. Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28. Ira the son
of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite, 29. Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30. Maharai
the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31. Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that
pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32. Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel
the Arbathite, 33. Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34. The sons of Hashem the
Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite, 35. Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the
son of Ur, 36. Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37. Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of
Ezbai, 38. Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri, 39. Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the
Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40. Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41. Uriah
the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42. Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites,
and thirty with him, 43. Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44. Uzzia the
Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite, 45. Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha
his brother, the Tizite, 46. Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of El-naam, and
Ithmah the Moabite, 47. Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
Jeroboam Identified as an Ephrathite
I Kings 11:26–27: 26. And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant,
whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king. 27. And
this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the
breaches of the city of David his father.

Rehoboam Rebuilds Beth-lehem

II Chronicles 11:1–10: 1. And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of
Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight
against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. 2. But the word of the LORD came to
Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 3. “Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to
all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4. ‘Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against
your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of Me.’ ’” And they obeyed the words
of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam. 5. And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built
cities for defence in Judah. 6. He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7. And Beth-zur, and
Shoco, and Adullam, 8. And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, 9. And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
10. And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.

Beth-lehem in the Psalms and Prophets

Psalm 132:1–6: 1. LORD, remember David, And all his afflictions: 2. How he sware unto the LORD, And
vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; 3. Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, Nor go
up into my bed; 4. I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, 5. Until I find out a place
for the LORD, An habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. 6. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in
the fields of the wood.

Jeremiah 41:15–18: 15. But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and
went to the Ammonites. 16. Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that
were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah,
from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the
women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon: 17. And they
departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem, to go to enter into Egypt, 18.
Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain
Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.

Micah 5:1–3: 1. Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they
shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 2. But thou, Beth-lehem 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; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3. Therefore will He give them up,
until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return
unto the children of Israel.

Beth-lehem/Ephrath in the Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah Genealogies

and Reckonings

I Chronicles 2:19: 19. And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.

I Chronicles 2:24: 24. And after that Hezron was dead in Caleb-ephratah, then Abiah Hezron’s wife
bare him Ashur the father of Tekoa.

I Chronicles 2:50–54: 50. These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah;
Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim. 51. Salma the father of Beth-lehem, Hareph the father of Beth-gader.
52. And Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim had sons; Haroeh, and half of the Manahethites. 53. And the
families of Kirjath-jearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of
them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites, 54. The sons of Salma; Beth-lehem, and the
Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites.

I Chronicles 4:1–4: 1. The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal. 2. And
Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of
the Zorathites. 3. And these were of the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of
their sister was Hazelelponi: 4. And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are
the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Beth-lehem.

Ezra 2:21: 21. The children of Beth-lehem, an hundred twenty and three. 22. The men of Netophah, fifty
and six.

Nehemiah 7:26: The men of Beth-lehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.

Jesus Born in Beth-lehem

Matthew 2:1–23: 1. Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king,
behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2. Saying, “Where is He That is born King of the
Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.” 3. When Herod the king had
heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4. And when he had gathered all the
chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5.
And they said unto him, “In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6. ‘And thou
Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a
Governor, That shall rule My people Israel.’” 7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men,
inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8. And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said,
“Go and search diligently for the young Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I
may come and worship Him also.” 9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star,
which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11. And when they were come into the
house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when
they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own
country another way. 13. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the LORD appeareth to
Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, and take the young Child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be
thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14. When he
arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15. And was there until
the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying, “Out
of Egypt have I called My Son.” 16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts
thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise
men. 17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18. “In Rama was there
a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and
would not be comforted, because they are not.” 19. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the
LORD appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20. Saying, “Arise, and take the young Child and His
mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young Child’s life. 21. And he
arose, and took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22. But when he heard
that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither:
notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23. And he
came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He
shall be called a Nazarene.”

Luke 2:1–52: 1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be taxed. 2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of
Syria.) 3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he
was of the house and lineage of David:) 5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child. 6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered. 7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid
Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8. And there were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. And, lo, the angel of the LORD
came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10. And
the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
people. 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. 12. And
this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” 13.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” 15. And it came to pass, as the
angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even
unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known unto us.”
16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17. And
when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19. But
Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21. And when
eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His name was called JESUS, Which was
so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22. And when the days of her purification
according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the
LORD; 23. (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy
to the LORD;) 24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the LORD, “A pair of
turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was
Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy
Ghost was upon him. 26. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death,
before he had seen the LORD’s Christ. 27. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the
parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28. Then took he Him up in
his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29. “LORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according
to Thy word: 30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31. Which Thou hast prepared before the face of
all people; 32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” 33. And Joseph and His
mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34. And Simeon blessed them, and said
unto Mary his mother, “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a
sign which shall be spoken against; 35. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her
virginity; 37. And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the
temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38. And she coming in that instant gave
thanks likewise unto the LORD, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the LORD, they returned into Galilee,
to their own city Nazareth.

John 7:40–43: 40. Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, “Of a truth this is
the Prophet.” 41. Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42.
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Beth-lehem,
where David was?” 43. So there was a division among the people because of Him.

From Smith’s Bible Dictionary: Bethlehem (house of bread). Four and a half miles south of Jerusalem.
One of the most ancient cities in Palestine. Called EPHRATH (fruitful) (Genesis xxxv.16; xlvii 7). The
residence of Boaz and Ruth, the birthplace of David, and the residence of Saul. Rehoboham fortified it (2
Chr. xi.16). The INN OF CHIMHAM was a halting place for those who would “go to enter into Egypt” (Jer.
xli.17); which was probably the same inn in which Jesus was born (Matt. ii. 1,5; Luke ii. 4, 5). Called also
B. JUDAH and CITY OF DAVID. Justin Martyr (A. D. 150) speaks of our Lord’s birth as having taken place “in
a certain cave very close to the village.” The village is not again mentioned after the birth of Jesus, in the
Scripture. The Emperor Hadrian planted a grove of Adonis over the cave, which stood 180 years (A. D.
135–315). The Empress Helena, after clearing away this grove, built a church on the spot, which has been
continued, with additions, making it “a half church and half fort,” until the present day.

The modern town is built on the low hill behind the convent (or church), facing the east. The hill is an
offshoot of the main ridge, and ends in a little valley or narrow plain. The village is walled in, and is
triangular. The plain east of the ridge is that on which tradition says the angels appeared to the
shepherds, and it is called the Shepherds’ Field (Arabic, Beit Sahur—house of Sahur). As the plains were
always, anciently, cultivated, it is probable that the shepherds would have been found on the hill, where
they now may be found, with their flocks.

A church containing the monuments of the three shepherds is mentioned by an early writer (Arculius), as
standing in the midst of the fields and terraced gardens. Jerome lived here, in a cell which is now pointed
out, next to the great church, where he wrote most of his commentaries, and compiled the Latin Vulgate,
the best ancient version of the Scriptures, A. D. 385–420. The present town has about 3,000 people,
nearly all Christians, who are makers of crucifixes, beads, models of the holy places, and other articles for
sale to pilgrims.—2. Zebulon, 7 ms. W. Of Nazareth (Josh. xix. 15). Birthplace of Ibzan, the judge (Judg.
xii. 8).