Bethlehem and Bethlehem

You learn something new everyday, I don't care how old you are!
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I am a subscriber of Dr. Ed Hindson's
 The Prophetic Newsletter.

There is always an interesting article to enjoy.  I especially like the Q&A page.  This month someone asked about Bethlehem allotted to the tribe of Zebulun.  What???  I thought Bethlehem belonged to the tribe of Judah!

Seems like there are two Bethlehems.  In all my years I've never known this, where have I been? 

Here is the answer that Dr. Hindson provided. . . 

Bethlehem of Zebulun or Bethlehem of Judah. . . this seeming contradiction lies in the fact that there are TWO (emphasis mine) cities in the Bible called Bethlehem.  the one mentioned in the Book of Joshua was indeed allotted to the tribe of Zebulun and was much less historically significant than the other.  It was located about seven miles northwest of Nazareth.

The better-known Bethlehem, belonging to Judah, was also called Ephrath.  To distinguish it from the more northern city of the same name, it is sometimes called Bethlehem-Judah or Bethlehem-Ephrath.  It is five miles south of Jerusalem.  It is this city that was the home town of King David and the birthplace of Jesus, as prophesied in Scripture.

 The Bethlehem mentioned Joshua 19:15 is the Bethlehem of Zebulun.

In Micah 5:2 you will find
Bethlehem-Ephrathah/Bethlehem-Judah mentioned.

I thought they were one in the same.
 I guess I thought wrong.
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Anyway, hard-headed as I am I went to my trusty little atlas that has lived in my Bible for over 20 years.  It's small and I love it.

Yes it's worn and dirty....I didn't realize how dirty until I took the picture.  I'm sharing with you anyway...notice the coffee spot.  Yep, I drink a lot of coffee when I study my Bible.

So, here we have the page that the index says will show both Bethlehems.  Well, I only see one, that's Bethlehem-Judah.  The other Bethlehem is supposed to be 7 miles NW of Nazareth, I don't see it.  

It's not that important but I like to visualize and go to my little atlas often when studying my Bible.

I'm very curious, if you've known about the two Bethlehems please let me know in the comments.  I confess I am very surprised, very interested and very blessed I now know a little more of what's in God's Word.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas!  For those of you on facebook that shared your pictures, I loved them all.

Until Next Time

God has a plan ~ He is in control ~ and,
He has won the fight against evil.