Genesis 35:19

35:19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). ¹ 

Genesis 35:1

The Return to Bethel

35:1 Then God said to Jacob, “Go up at once ²  to Bethel ³  and live there. Make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” ⁴ 

Genesis 17:12

17:12 Throughout your generations every male among you who is eight days old ⁵  must be circumcised, whether born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not one of your descendants.

Matthew 2:5-6

2:5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet:

2:6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are in no way least among the rulers of Judah,

for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” ⁶ 

¹ sn This explanatory note links the earlier name Ephrath with the later name Bethlehem.

² tn Heb “arise, go up.” The first imperative gives the command a sense of urgency.

³ map For location see Map4-G4; Map5-C1; Map6-E3; Map7-D1; Map8-G3.

⁴ sn God is calling on Jacob to fulfill his vow he made when he fled from…Esau (see Gen 28:20-22).

⁵ tn Heb “the son of eight days.”

⁶ sn A quotation from Mic 5:2.