Bethlehem is a town located about six miles southwest of Jerusalem. It plays a significant role in the Bible, especially in relation to the birth of Jesus Christ. Here are some key ways that Bethlehem is important in the Bible:
Birthplace of Jesus
One of the most well-known biblical events connected to Bethlehem is the birth of Jesus Christ. According to prophecy, the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. The Gospel of Matthew records the fulfillment of this prophecy:
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2).
Matthew then connects this event to the prophecy in Micah 5:2 which foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. The prophet Micah wrote around 700 years before Christ:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
So Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem fulfilled this important messianic prophecy, affirming Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah.
Home of King David
Bethlehem is also significant as the hometown of Israel’s beloved King David. David was the second king of Israel and ancestor of Jesus Christ. 1 Samuel 16 records how Samuel anointed young David as king in Bethlehem:
“Then Samuel rose and went to Ramah. And the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him…So Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.’ And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.” (1 Samuel 16:13-23).
David hailed from Bethlehem before becoming Israel’s greatest king. Bethlehem was Jesse’s city and David was Jesse’s son (1 Samuel 17:12). Biblically, Bethlehem is often referred to as the “city of David” (Luke 2:4,11).
Jesus Christ was of the line of David (Matthew 1, Luke 3:23-38), so there is significance that the Messiah descended from David’s birthplace.
Setting of Ruth & Boaz’s Story
The book of Ruth in the Old Testament takes place in Bethlehem. It recounts the story of Naomi, her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth, and Boaz. Due to famine, Elimelech had brought his family from Bethlehem into the land of Moab. After he died, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem and Ruth refused to leave her. In Bethlehem, Ruth went to glean in the field of Boaz, a kinsman of Elimelech. Boaz showed kindness to Ruth, eventually marrying her. Their grandson was Obed, the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David.
The story highlights God’s faithfulness and sovereignty in directing circumstances for Ruth and Boaz to meet in Bethlehem. Their union led to the birth of David, through whose line the Messiah Jesus would come. The events in Ruth took place in and around Bethlehem.
Birthplace of Many Biblical Figures
In addition to David and later Jesus, Bethlehem was the birthplace of several biblical figures:
- Ephrath or Ephrathah, founder and namesake of Bethlehem Ephrathah (Genesis 35:16,19)
- Abihail, wife of Rehoboam and mother of King Abijah (2 Chronicles 11:18-20)
- Salma, father of Boaz (Ruth 4:21)
Ephrathah was an early resident of Bethlehem for whom it was named Bethlehem Ephrathah (Micah 5:2). Several of David’s mighty men also hailed from Bethlehem, including Adino, Eleazar, Shammah, Elhanan, and Hararite (2 Samuel 23:8-11, 24-25).
Scene of Tragic Killings by Herod
After Jesus’ birth, King Herod tried to kill him in Bethlehem. Herod ordered the murder of all the male children under two years old in Bethlehem and surrounding regions (Matthew 2:16-18). This tragic event fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy:
“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:18 quoting Jeremiah 31:15).
So Bethlehem was the site of deep mourning as Herod ruthlessly sought to eliminate the newborn King of the Jews that the wise men had come searching for.
Temporary Home of Joseph, Mary & Jesus
Matthew indicates that Bethlehem was not Joseph and Mary’s permanent home, but rather a temporary stop for the census:
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David” (Luke 2:1-4).
Joseph took his very pregnant fiancée Mary on the approximately 80 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted in the census. While there, she gave birth to Jesus. Sometime later, the family would relocate back to Nazareth up north.
Prophesied Destruction
In prophesying the destruction coming upon Judah from Babylon, Micah named Bethlehem among the affected cities:
“And you, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, the former dominion shall come, kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem. Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pain seized you like a woman in labor? Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies. Now many nations are assembled against you, saying, ‘Let her be defiled, and let our eyes gaze upon Zion.’ But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor. Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; you shall beat in pieces many peoples; and shall devote their gain to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth.” (Micah 4:8-13).
This prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon conquered Jerusalem in 586 BC and destroyed the temple. Many from Bethlehem and surrounding regions were likely exiled to Babylon.
Summary of Bethlehem’s Biblical Significance
In summary, Bethlehem is a town of great biblical importance for the following reasons:
- Birthplace of Jesus Christ, fulfilling Messianic prophecy
- Hometown of King David, ancestor of Jesus
- Setting for the story of Ruth and Boaz, ancestors of David and Jesus
- Birthplace of several biblical figures
- Site of Herod’s murder of the innocents
- Temporary home of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus
- Prophesied destruction along with Jerusalem
For these reasons, Bethlehem plays a central role in biblical history, especially relating to the Messiah Jesus Christ. Though a small town, Bethlehem marked many pivotal events in God’s redemptive plan. Its fame shines brightly from Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment. Bethlehem testifies to God’s faithfulness in redeeming mankind through the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.