"Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Bethany Meaning in the Bible
Bethany
girl
Bethany means "House of figs; House of affliction", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Bethany appears in the King James Bible, and John 11:1 is the passage most often tied to it. Bethany represents intimate friendship with Jesus — the welcoming home where He finds rest and pours out His love.
Is Bethany in the Bible?
Yes — Bethany appears in the King James Bible, including John 11:1.
Pronunciation:/BETH-ah-nee/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHouse of figs; House of affliction
What does Bethany mean?
Bethany is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "House of figs; House of affliction". Bethany was the village near Jerusalem where Jesus' close friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. Jesus frequently stayed there, and it was from Bethany that He ascended to heaven.
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What does Bethany mean in the Bible?
Bethany means "House of figs; House of affliction" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Where does Bethany appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Bethany is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with John 11:1. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Bethany?
Bethany has 2 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Which books of the Bible mention Bethany?
Bethany is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Bethany?
Bethany represents intimate friendship with Jesus — the welcoming home where He finds rest and pours out His love.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Bethany:
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Word Meaning
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Deep, loyal, covenantal love — the committed affection of heart and will.
Strong's
Strong's H160 — Love (Ahavah)
אַהֲבָה (ahavah) • Deep, loyal, covenantal love — the committed affection of heart and will.
Character
Mary of Bethany in the Bible
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What names are related to Bethany?
Names like Bethany
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "House of figs; House of affliction" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Bethany
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Bethany
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Bethany name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Bethany appears in the King James Bible, including John 11:1.
Bethany means "House of figs; House of affliction." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in John 11:1, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Bethany comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "House of figs; House of affliction." It appears in the King James Bible, including John 11:1.
Common questions about the name Bethany
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Bethany?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Bethany?
You can read every verse where Bethany appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.