"But you, Bethlehem, though you are small, out of you will come a ruler."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Bethlehem Meaning in the Bible
Bethlehem
girl
Bethlehem means "House of bread", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Bethlehem appears in the King James Bible, and Micah 5:2 is the passage most often tied to it. God chooses the small and insignificant to accomplish His greatest purposes.
Is Bethlehem in the Bible?
Yes — Bethlehem appears in the King James Bible, including Micah 5:2.
Pronunciation:/BETH-leh-hem/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHouse of bread
What does Bethlehem mean?
Bethlehem is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "House of bread". The small town where Jesus was born, fulfilling Micah's ancient prophecy.
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What does Bethlehem mean in the Bible?
Bethlehem means "House of bread" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
The small town where Jesus was born, fulfilling Micah's ancient prophecy.
Where does Bethlehem appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Bethlehem is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Micah 5:2. Each verse is quoted in full below.
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What are the variants and nicknames of Bethlehem?
Bethlehem has 2 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Which books of the Bible mention Bethlehem?
Bethlehem is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Bethlehem?
God chooses the small and insignificant to accomplish His greatest purposes.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Word Meaning
Bread (לֶחֶם (lechem))
Basic sustenance — the staff of life and symbol of God's provision and Christ's body.
Strong's
Strong's H3899 — Bread
לֶחֶם (lechem) • Basic sustenance — the staff of life and symbol of God's provision and Christ's body.
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What names are related to Bethlehem?
Names like Bethlehem
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "House of bread" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Bethlehem
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Bethlehem
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Bethlehem name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Bethlehem
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Bethlehem?
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 Bethlehem?
You can read every verse where Bethlehem 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.