Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Bethlehemite" refers to an inhabitant or native of Bethlehem, a town of significant biblical importance located in the region of Judah. Bethlehem, meaning "House of Bread," is first mentioned in the Bible in connection with Ephrath, as seen in
Genesis 35:19, where Rachel dies and is buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). This small town is renowned for its rich biblical history and its role in God's redemptive plan.
David the BethlehemiteOne of the most notable figures associated with Bethlehem is King David, who is often referred to as "David the Bethlehemite." David was the youngest son of Jesse, a Bethlehemite, and was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king over Israel. The Bible records this event in
1 Samuel 16:1, where the LORD instructs Samuel, "Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen for Myself a king among his sons." David's connection to Bethlehem is further emphasized in
1 Samuel 17:58, where Saul asks him, "Whose son are you, young man?" and David replies, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem."
Bethlehem in ProphecyBethlehem holds a prophetic significance as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The prophet Micah foretold this event, stating, "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" (
Micah 5:2). This prophecy was fulfilled in the New Testament, as recorded in
Matthew 2:1, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem."
Bethlehem in the New TestamentThe New Testament further highlights Bethlehem's significance through the nativity account.
Luke 2:4-7 describes how Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for a census, and there Mary gave birth to Jesus. The angelic announcement to the shepherds in the fields nearby, as recorded in
Luke 2:11, proclaims, "Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord."
Other Notable BethlehemitesIn addition to David, other notable figures from Bethlehem include Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons, who are central to the account of Ruth. The narrative begins with Elimelech and his family leaving Bethlehem due to famine, as described in
Ruth 1:1. Upon their return, Ruth, a Moabite widow, becomes the great-grandmother of David, further intertwining Bethlehem with the lineage of the Messiah.
Bethlehem's role as the setting for these pivotal biblical events underscores its importance in the narrative of God's covenant with His people. The term "Bethlehemite" thus carries with it a rich heritage of faith, prophecy, and fulfillment in the biblical record.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Alt. of Bethlemite.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETH-LEHEMITEbeth'-le-hem-it (beth ha-lachmi): An inhabitant of Bethlehem, a town in Judah, 5 miles South of Jerusalem. Jesse is so named in1 Samuel 16:18;1 Samuel 17:58, and Elhanan in2 Samuel 21:19. The children of Bethlehem are referred to inEzra 2:21Nehemiah 7:26; 1 Esdras 5:17.
Strong's Hebrew
1022. Beth Hallachmi -- an inhabitant of Bethlehem... an inhabitant of Bethlehem. Transliteration: Beth Hallachmi Phonetic Spelling:
(bayth hal-lakh-mee') Short Definition:
Bethlehemite.
...Bethlehemite.
...Library
Commencement of the Legends Concerning Jesus --His Own Idea of his...
... objection. Perhaps it did not present itself in Galilee, where the idea that
the son of David should be aBethlehemite was less spread....
The Call of David.
... 1. David was the son of aBethlehemite, one among the families of Israel, with nothing
apparently to recommend him to God; the youngest of his brethren, and...
Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan
... killing Goliath, and coming back to Saul with the giant's head in his hand, and
answering modestly to him, 'I am the son of thy servant Jesse theBethlehemite...
The Kingdom of all Israel.
... while an evil spirit was permittted to trouble his soul, Samuel's last great act
was to anoint the youngest son of Jesse theBethlehemite, the great grandchild...
David's victory Over the Giant
... Then one of the young men said, "I have seen a son of Jesse theBethlehemite who
is a skilled musician, a strong and able man, a soldier, careful in speech...
Judges and Ruth.
... (2) Boaz the richBethlehemite accepting this strange woman in an illustration of
the redemptive work of Jesus. The Key-words are love and faith. Analysis....
The Power of a Pebble.
... said,. "Whose son art thou, thou young man?" and David answered,. "I am
the son of thy servant Jesse, theBethlehemite.". And Saul...
History of the Interpretation.
... Bethlehem is mentioned here as the birth-place of the Messiah indirectly only,"in
so far only as the Messiah was to be descended from David theBethlehemite....
The Child Jesus Brought from Egypt to Nazareth.
... Now, Nazareth, if derived from netzer, answered to its name, and was a despised
place ( John 1:45, 46), and Jesus, though in truth aBethlehemite, bore the...
The Best Introduction to this Production Will be the Following...
... image of the King of heaven and earth. For Pege-Myria is the daughter
of theBethlehemite Pege. And the diadem is the mark of a...
Thesaurus
Bethlehemite (4 Occurrences)...Bethlehemite (4 Occurrences).
... I will send you to Jesse the
Bethlehemite; for I have
provided a king for myself among his sons." (WEB KJV DBY NAS RSV).
...Jaareoregim (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Forests of the weavers, aBethlehemite (2 Samuel
21:19), and the father of Elhanan, who slew Goliath....
Jaare-oregim (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Forests of the weavers, aBethlehemite (2 Samuel
21:19), and the father of Elhanan, who slew Goliath....
Jesse (45 Occurrences)
... There seem to be three main veins in the narrative, so far as Jesse is concerned.
(1) In 1 Samuel 16:1-13, where Jesse is called theBethlehemite....
Elhanan (4 Occurrences)
... In the Authorized Version (2 Samuel 21:19) it is recorded that "Elhanan the son
of Jaare-oregim, aBethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath." The Revised...
Dodo (5 Occurrences)
... He was the same with Dodai mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27:4. (3.) ABethlehemite,
and father of Elhanan, who was one of David's thirty heroes (2 Samuel 23:24)....
Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)
... 2. David theBethlehemite: Ruth, famous chiefly as the ancestress of David, and
of the Messiah, settled in Bethlehem with her second husband Boaz, and it is...
Beth-lehemite (4 Occurrences)
Beth-lehemite.Bethlehemite, Beth-lehemite. Bethlehemjudah . Int.... (ASV BBE JPS
WBS YLT).Bethlehemite, Beth-lehemite. Bethlehemjudah . Reference Bible.
Beth-lehem (49 Occurrences)
Beth-lehem. Bethlehem, Beth-lehem.Bethlehemite . Multi-Version Concordance...
(ASV BBE JPS WBS YLT). Bethlehem, Beth-lehem.Bethlehemite . Reference Bible
Valor (45 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 16:18 Then one of the young men answered, and said, "Behold, I have seen
a son of Jesse theBethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of...
Resources
Who was Jesse in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho killed Goliath, David or Elhanan? | GotQuestions.orgBethlehemite: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
