# Bethlehem, Ephrathah

## Facts:

Bethlehem was a small city in the land of Israel, near the city of Jerusalem. It was also known as “Ephrathah,” which was probably its original name.

* Bethlehem has been called the “city of David,” since King David was born there.
* The prophet Micah said that the Messiah would come from “Bethlehem Ephrathah.”
* Fulfilling that prophecy, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, many years later.
* The name “Bethlehem” means “house of bread” or “house of food.”

(See also: [Caleb](../names/caleb.md), [David](../names/david.md), [Micah](../names/micah.md))

## Bible References:

* [Genesis 35:16](rc://en/tn/help/gen/35/16)
* [John 7:42](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/07/42)
* [Matthew 2:6](rc://en/tn/help/mat/02/06)
* [Matthew 2:16](rc://en/tn/help/mat/02/16)
* [Ruth 1:2](rc://en/tn/help/rut/01/02)
* [Ruth 1:21](rc://en/tn/help/rut/01/21)

## Examples from the Bible stories:

* __[17:2](rc://en/tn/help/obs/17/02)__ David was a shepherd from the town of __Bethlehem__.
* __[21:9](rc://en/tn/help/obs/21/09)__ The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be born from a virgin. The prophet Micah said that he would be born in the town of __Bethlehem__.
* __[23:4](rc://en/tn/help/obs/23/04)__ Joseph and Mary had to make a long journey from where they lived in Nazareth to __Bethlehem__ because their ancestor was David whose hometown was __Bethlehem__.
* __[23:6](rc://en/tn/help/obs/23/06)__ “The Messiah, the Master, has been born in __Bethlehem__!”

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H0376, H0672, H1035, G09650
