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Bethlehem
BETH'LEHEM "House of Bread" (BETH'LECHEM)
Bethlehem is
about five miles S of
Jerusalem, and elevated 2,460 feet above sea level.
There was much history in this little town.
Rachel died and was buried here. Boaz and Ruth were wedded and dwelt in Bethlehem.
David was born in Bethlehem, and here he was anointed as future king by Samuel
(1 Sam 16:1); here was the well from which David's three heroes brought him
water (2 Sam 23:15-16), it was the birthplace of the
Messiah (Mic 5:2 Mt 2:1), and its male children were slain by order of Herod (Mt
2:16, Jer 31:15).
It was originally called Ephrath
In Bethlehem today stands the Basilica of the Nativity, marking the
traditional site of the birth of
Christ.