Definition

Noun: 1. A small town near Jerusalem on the West Bank of the Jordan River: A historic town in the West Bank, Palestine, traditionally known as the early home of King David and revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. 2. A town in eastern Pennsylvania on the Lehigh River: An industrial city in the United States, historically an important center for steel production, located northwest of Philadelphia.

Usage Examples

• The biblical account states that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
• Many pilgrims travel to Bethlehem in the West Bank to visit the Church of the Nativity.
• The steel mills once drove the economy of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
• Bethlehem is home to several universities and a rich musical heritage.

Advanced Usage

• "Star of Bethlehem": A phrase often used to refer to the star that, according to the Gospel of Matthew, guided the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus. It is also the common name for a type of flowering plant ().
  • The Star of Bethlehem is a central symbol in the Christmas story.
• "Bethlehem Steel": Refers specifically to the former American steelmaking company headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which was once a symbol of American industrial might.
  • The decline of Bethlehem Steel had a significant impact on the region's economy.

Variants and Related Words

• Bethlehemite (noun, historical): A native or inhabitant of Bethlehem. This term is now rare.
• Ephrathah (noun, biblical): An ancient name for the region around Bethlehem.

Synonyms

• For the biblical town: City of David (specifically referring to its association with King David), House of Bread (from the Hebrew etymology).
• For the Pennsylvania city: Steel City (a historical nickname, though this is also used for Pittsburgh).

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "O little town of Bethlehem": The opening line of a famous Christmas carol, firmly associating the name with the nativity story.
  • The choir sang "O Little Town of Bethlehem" during the Christmas Eve service.
• "Out of Bethlehem": A phrase sometimes used in religious or literary contexts to signify origin from the humble and significant town.
  • The prophecy spoke of a ruler who would come out of Bethlehem.

Noun

1. 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
2. a town in eastern Pennsylvania on the Lehigh River to the northwest of Philadelphia; an important center for steel production