The Definition of the word Bethlehem

Bethlehem

House of the sun. (1.) A sacerdotal city in the tribe of Dan "(Josh. 21:16; 1 Sam. 6:15), on the north border of Judah (Josh." "15:10). It was the scene of an encounter between Jehoash, king" "of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, in which the latter was" "made prisoner (2 Kings 14:11, 13). It was afterwards taken by" the Philistines (2 Chr. 28:18). It is the modern ruined Arabic "village `Ain-shems, on the north-west slopes of the mountains of" "Judah, 14 miles west of Jerusalem." "(2.) A city between Dothan and the Jordan, near the southern "border of Issachar (Josh. 19:22), 7 1/2 miles south of" Beth-shean. It is the modern Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh. "(3.) One of the fenced cities of Naphtali (Josh. 19:38), between "Mount Tabor and the Jordan. Now Khurbet Shema, 3 miles west of" Safed. But perhaps the same as No. 2. "(4.) An idol sanctuary in Egypt (Jer. 43:13); called by the "Greeks Heliopolis, and by the Egyptians On (q.v.), Gen. 41:45."