Dictionary Summary: The ancient name of Bethlehem in Judah ([Gen. 35:16](/gen#Gen.35.16), [19](/gen#Gen.35.19); 48:7). In [Ruth 1:2](/ruth#Ruth.1.2) it is called “Bethlehem-Judah,” but the inhabitants are called “Ephrathites;” in [Micah 5:2](/mic#Mic.5.2), “Bethlehem-Ephratah;” in [Matt. 2:6](/matt#Matt.2.6), “Bethlehem in the land of Judah.” In [Ps. 132:6](/ps#Ps.132.6) it is mentioned as the place where David spent his youth, and where he heard much of the ark, although he never saw it till he found it long afterwards at Kirjath-jearim; i.e., the “city of the wood,” or the “forest-town” ([1 Sam. 7:1](/1sam#1Sam.7.1); comp. [2 Sam. 6:3](/2sam#2Sam.6.3), [4](/2sam#2Sam.6.4)). ²