Bethlehem was a town allotted to the tribe of Zebulun, distinct from the more well-known Bethlehem in Judah. (Joshua 19:15)
Bethlehem
PlaceTown in Zebulun, distinct from Bethlehem in Judah.
- en Bethlehem
- en Beth-lehem · Also called
- he בֵּית לֶ֫חֶם · H1035H
- bg Витлеем
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Bethlehem, mentioned in Joshua 19:15, is a town distinct from the more famous Bethlehem in Judah. This Bethlehem was located in the territory allotted to the tribe of Zebulun during the division of the Promised Land.
The name Bethlehem means "house of bread" in Hebrew, suggesting that the area was known for its fertility or grain production. The town is listed among other cities in Zebulun's inheritance, such as Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem, indicating its geographical proximity to these places.
Zebulun's territory was located in the northern part of Canaan, in the region of Galilee. The exact location of this Bethlehem is uncertain, but it was likely situated within the boundaries of Zebulun, which stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River.
No other information about this Bethlehem is provided in the Bible, and it is not mentioned in any other historical or archaeological context. Its inclusion in the list of Zebulun's towns serves to distinguish it from the Bethlehem in Judah and to provide a more complete picture of the tribal allotments in the Promised Land.
A city of Zebulun, mentioned only in Josh. 19:15. Now Beit-Lahm, a ruined village about 6 miles west-north-west of Nazareth.
Sources: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding Data (CC BY 4.0, a308715) · STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0, Bethlehem@Jos.19.15) · Theographic Bible Metadata (CC BY-SA 4.0, bethlehem_219)