Why is Bethlehem specified as
“of Judea”?
Israel had two towns named “Bethlehem” during this era. Bethlehem of
Galilee was located in the region given to the tribe of Zebulun in northern Israel (see Joshua 19:15), while
Bethlehem of Judea, where Jesus was born, was located 6 kilometers (4 miles) south of
“Jerusalem” (Matthew 2:1), the largest city in Judea and
the capital of Israel. Bethlehem of Judea is also known as
“Ephrath” (see Genesis 35:19).
Where is “Judea” (Matthew 2:1)?
See Judea.
How large was Bethlehem of Judea?
It is a city of 25,000 today. Two
thousand years ago, it was a small town of a few hundred
residents.
Why was the town where Jesus will be born named
“Bethlehem”?
“Bethlehem” in Hebrew means the “house” (bet) of
“bread” (lehem). Jesus, the
"Bread of Life" (John 6:48),
chose to enter humanity through a bakery.
Who were the “wise men from the east” (Matthew 2:1)?
See
wise men.
Why did the prophecy say in
the land of “Judah” (Matthew 2:6) instead of “Judea” (Matthew 2:5)?
Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, from whom the nation of
Israel descended. The descendants of Judah became the tribe of Judah,
and Judea was roughly the region that had been given to the tribe of
Judah some fourteen hundred years before Jesus was born.
Who is “Herod the king” (Matthew 2:3)?
See
King Herod.
Who is “the prophet” (Matthew 2:5)?
Micah, who had prophesied in the 8th
century BC, “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 origin is from of old,
from eternity” (Micah 5:2).