a town on the West Bank of the River Jordan, near Jerusalem, thought to be where Jesus Christ was born. Town (pop., 1997 est.: 11,079), southwest of Jerusalem. An ancient town of Judaea, it was the early home of King David. A Roman garrison was stationed there during the Second Jewish Revolt (AD 135). Christians regard it as the birthplace of Jesus, and in the early 4th century the Church of the Nativity, located on what is believed to be the site of Jesus' birth, was built there. Bethlehem was included in the British mandate of Palestine (1923-48); in 1950, following the first Arab-Israeli war (1948-49), it was annexed by Jordan. After the Six-Day War (1967), it became part of the West Bank territory under Israeli administration. Under an agreement reached in 1995, Israel ceded rule of the town to a Palestinian Authority. Long an important pilgrim and tourist centre, it is also an agricultural market closely linked to Jerusalem. City (pop., 2000: metro area, 71,329), eastern Pennsylvania, U.S. With Allentown and Easton it forms an urban industrial complex. Founded in 1741 by Moravian missionaries, it was the site of a hospital for Continental soldiers during the American Revolution. Industrialization began with the opening of the Lehigh Canal (1829) and the founding of the forerunner of the Bethlehem Steel Corp. (1857); the city became a major steel-producing centre. Its economy has since diversified to include textiles, metal products, furniture, and chemicals
A city in the tribe of Judah, home town of David; literally means "house of bread " See Chapter 16
a town in eastern Pennsylvania on the Lehigh River northwest of Philadelphia; an important center for steel production
Bethlehem, located 5 miles south west of Jerusalem, is an important pilgrimage site as the place of Christ's birth The Gospels recount a census that compelled Joseph and Mary to journey to "the town of David which is called Bethlehem" and while they were there she was delivered of a child "And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the in " (Luke 2: 4-7) [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 29] [Chapter 41]
In the Ethiopic church, a small building attached to a church edifice, in which the bread for the eucharist is made
a small town near Jerusalem on the west bank of the Jordan River; early home of David and regarded as the place where Jesus was born a town in eastern Pennsylvania on the Lehigh River northwest of Philadelphia; an important center for steel production
A village about five miles south of Jerusalem, birthplace of David (1 Sam 17: 12) and the place where Samuel secretly anointed him king of Israel (1 Sam 16: 1-2; 20: 6) According to Micah 5: 2, it was to be the Messiah's birthplace, an idea that influenced the Gospel writers' accounts of Jesus' nativity (Matt 2: 5-6; Luke 2; John 7: 42)
a small town near Jerusalem on the west bank of the Jordan River; early home of David and regarded as the place where Jesus was born
U.S. corporation created in 1904 to consolidate Bethlehem Steel Co., the Union Iron Works, and a few smaller companies. Its principal founder was Charles M. Schwab. In its early decades Bethlehem Steel (based in Bethlehem, Pa.) produced primarily coal, iron ore, and steel. In later decades it diversified into plastics, chemicals, and nonferrous ores. By the late 20th century it had become one of the largest steel producers in the U.S., with operations in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland, and New York
the title and first words of a Christmas carol (=a traditional religious song) . It begins: O little town of Bethlehem,/How still we see thee lie,/Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,/The silent stars go by