Introduction:
Bethlehemjudah, often referred to simply as Bethlehem, is a significant location in biblical history. It is situated in the territory of Judah, approximately six miles south of Jerusalem. The name "Bethlehem" means "House of Bread," and "Judah" refers to the tribe and region in which it is located. This town holds a prominent place in the narrative of both the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Significance:
Bethlehemjudah first appears in the biblical narrative in the Book of Genesis. It is mentioned in connection with the death of Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, who was buried on the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19). This early mention sets the stage for Bethlehem's continued importance in Israel's history.

The Book of Ruth provides a detailed account of life in Bethlehemjudah during the time of the judges. Ruth, a Moabite woman, travels to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi, where she eventually marries Boaz, a prominent man of Bethlehem. This union is significant as it places Ruth in the genealogy of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (Ruth 1:1-2, 4:13-17).

Bethlehemjudah is also the birthplace of David, Israel's second king and a man after God's own heart. The prophet Samuel anointed David as king in Bethlehem, marking the beginning of a new era for Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). David's connection to Bethlehem is further emphasized in his longing for the water from the well of Bethlehem during his time as a fugitive (2 Samuel 23:14-17).

Prophetic Importance:
The prophet Micah foretold the significance of Bethlehemjudah in the coming of the Messiah. Micah 5:2 states, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." This prophecy highlights Bethlehem's role as the birthplace of the future ruler of Israel, a prophecy fulfilled in the New Testament.

New Testament Fulfillment:
Bethlehemjudah's most renowned event is the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Matthew records that Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah (Matthew 2:1-6). The Gospel of Luke provides additional details, describing how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem for a census, resulting in Jesus' birth in a humble manger (Luke 2:1-7).

The shepherds' visit to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem, as described in Luke 2:8-20 , further underscores the town's significance as the birthplace of the Savior. The Magi, or wise men, also visited Bethlehem, guided by a star, to worship the young Jesus and present Him with gifts (Matthew 2:1-12).

Cultural and Historical Context:
Bethlehemjudah, though small, was a town of great historical and theological importance. Its location in the fertile region of Judah made it a suitable place for agriculture, contributing to its name, "House of Bread." The town's association with King David and the lineage of Jesus Christ elevated its status in Jewish and Christian traditions.

Throughout history, Bethlehem has been a site of pilgrimage and veneration, particularly for Christians who honor it as the birthplace of Jesus. The Church of the Nativity, built over the traditional site of Jesus' birth, stands as a testament to Bethlehem's enduring legacy in Christian faith and history.Bethlehemjudah (9 Occurrences)

Judges 17:7
And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.
(KJV)

Judges 17:8
And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
(KJV)

Judges 17:9
And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.
(KJV)

Judges 19:1
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 Bethlehemjudah.
(KJV)

Judges 19:2
And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.
(KJV)

Judges 19:18
And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.
(KJV)

Ruth 1:1
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 Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
(KJV)

Ruth 1:2
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 Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
(KJV)

1 Samuel 17:12
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
(KJV)

Bethlehemjudah (9 Occurrences)
...Bethlehemjudah (9 Occurrences). Judges 17:7 And there was a young man out of
Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there. ...
/b/bethlehemjudah.htm - 9k

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)
... Judges 19:18 And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the
side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I ...
/r/receiveth.htm - 20k

Beth-lehemite (4 Occurrences)
Beth-lehemite. Bethlehemite, Beth-lehemite. Bethlehemjudah . Int. ... (ASV BBE JPS
WBS YLT). Bethlehemite, Beth-lehemite. Bethlehemjudah . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-lehemite.htm - 8k

Whore (14 Occurrences)
... Judges 19:2 And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him
unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months. ...
/w/whore.htm - 11k

Bethlehem-judah (3 Occurrences)
Bethlehem-judah. Bethlehemjudah, Bethlehem-judah. Beth-lehem-judah .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (DBY). Bethlehemjudah, Bethlehem-judah. Beth-lehem-judah > ...
/b/bethlehem-judah.htm - 7k

Thence (152 Occurrences)
... Judges 19:18 And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the
side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I ...
/t/thence.htm - 37k

Comest (50 Occurrences)
... Judges 17:9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I
am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place. ...
/c/comest.htm - 22k

Ruled (84 Occurrences)
... And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab,
he, and his wife, and his two sons. (KJV DBY WBS RSV NIV). ...
/r/ruled.htm - 31k

Sojourn (51 Occurrences)
... Judges 17:9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I
am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place. ...
/s/sojourn.htm - 24k

Whence (84 Occurrences)
... Judges 17:9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I
am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place. ...
/w/whence.htm - 32k

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