“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2
In the Hebrew, Bethlehem is a combination of two words,
Beth meaning house, and
Lechem meaning bread.
Bethlehem, the house of bread,
Became the birthplace of the Bread of Life,
The bread who comes down from heaven to give eternal life to the world (John 6:33).
In Hebrew, Ephrathah means fruitful.
The city called fruitful
Became the birthplace of the fruitful vine.
He gives life to the branches
And those who abide in Him also bear much fruit (John 15:5).
Judah was one of Jacob’s sons, founder of the tribe of Judah.
His name means celebrated.
The region named celebrated
Became the birthplace of the one who came in the name of the Lord
Hosanna! The blessed King of Israel (John 12:13)
Bethlehem Ephrathah in Judah
Isn’t just a random spot on a map.
It is the chosen birthplace Jesus the Christ.
tells us His character and His mission.
He is the King who came to bear witness to the truth. (John 18:37)