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Bethlehem
CityBethlehem, meaning "House of Bread," is most famous as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Located about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem, it was also the hometown of King David and the setting of the Book of Ruth. The prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would come from this small town. Today, the Church of the Nativity marks the traditional site of Jesus' birth.
What happened here
31.7054°N, 35.2024°E
Associated characters:
View details → DavidBorn and raised in Bethlehem; anointed king there by Samuel
RuthGleaned in fields near Bethlehem; married Boaz and became ancestor of David
BoazWealthy landowner in Bethlehem who redeemed Ruth
Jesus ChristBorn in Bethlehem, fulfilling Micah's prophecy
MaryGave birth to Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem
SamuelProphet who came to Bethlehem to anoint David as king
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Bethlehem
Bethlehem, meaning "House of Bread," is most famous as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Located about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem, it was also the hometown of King David and the setting of the Book of Ruth. The prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would come from this small town. Today, the Church of the Nativity marks the traditional site of Jesus' birth.
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BethsaidaBethsaida, meaning "house of fishing," was a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was the hometown of the apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip. Jesus performed miracles here, including healing a blind man, yet condemned the city for its unbelief.
Brook CherithThe Brook Cherith was a seasonal stream east of the Jordan River where God commanded Elijah to hide during the drought he had prophesied. Ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook until it dried up.
CaesareaCaesarea Maritima was a grand Roman port city built by Herod the Great. Peter preached to the Roman centurion Cornelius here, opening Christianity to the Gentiles. Paul was imprisoned here for two years and made his defense before Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa.
Caesarea PhilippiCaesarea Philippi was a city at the base of Mount Hermon, rebuilt by Philip the tetrarch. In this pagan region, Peter made his great confession that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus then spoke of building His church and gave Peter the keys of the kingdom.
CanaCana of Galilee was a village where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding feast. It was also the hometown of Nathanael (Bartholomew). Jesus later healed a royal official's son from a distance while in Cana.
CanaanCanaan was the Promised Land, the territory God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It stretched from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. The Israelites conquered Canaan under Joshua after the Exodus. The land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel.
CapernaumCapernaum was a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee that became the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry. Jesus called it "his own city" and performed many miracles there, including healing Peter's mother-in-law and the centurion's servant. The ruins of a synagogue where Jesus taught can still be seen today.
ColossaeColossae was a city in Phrygia (modern Turkey) to which Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians. Though Paul never visited Colossae personally, the church was established by Epaphras. The letter addresses false teachings and emphasizes the supremacy of Christ over all creation. Philemon also lived in Colossae.
CorinthCorinth was a wealthy Greek port city known for its commerce and notorious for its immorality. Paul spent 18 months there founding a church and later wrote two letters to the Corinthians addressing various problems in the congregation. The city had two harbors and was a crossroads of trade, making it strategically important for spreading the Gospel.
CreteCrete is a large Mediterranean island where Paul left Titus to establish church leadership. The island had a reputation for moral laxity, which Paul references when quoting a Cretan prophet. Paul's ship also passed by Crete during his voyage to Rome before being caught in the storm that led to the shipwreck on Malta.
CyprusCyprus is a large island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It was the home of Barnabas and an early destination for Christian missionaries. Paul and Barnabas began their first missionary journey here. The proconsul Sergius Paulus became a believer when Paul blinded the sorcerer Elymas.
DamascusDamascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and plays a significant role in biblical history. It was on the road to Damascus that Saul of Tarsus had his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ and was converted, becoming the apostle Paul. The prophet Elijah was told to anoint Hazael as king of Syria in Damascus. The city is mentioned throughout both the Old and New Testaments.