1022. Beth Hallachmi
Lexical Summary
Beth Hallachmi: Beth Hallachmi

Original Word: בֵּית הלּחְמִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Beyth hal-Lachmiy
Pronunciation: bayth hal-lakh-MEE
Phonetic Spelling: (bayth hal-lakh-mee')
KJV: Bethlehemite
NASB: Bethlehemite
Word Origin: [patrial from H1035 (בֵּיתּ לֶחֶם - Bethlehem) with the article inserted]

1. a Beth-lechemite, or native of Bethlechem

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Bethlehemite

Patrial from Beyth Lechem with the article inserted; a Beth-lechemite, or native of Bethlechem -- Bethlehemite.

see HEBREW Beyth Lechem

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from Beth
Definition
an inhab. of Bethlehem
NASB Translation
Bethlehemite (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי adjective, of a people the Bethlehemite 1 Samuel 16:18; 1 Samuel 17:51; 2 Samuel 21:19, so read probably also in "" 1 Chronicles 20:5 for ᵑ0 את לחמי compare Be Th EwH iii. 70 WeH 266 Kue DrSm; ׳הַֿלּ׳בּ 1 Samuel 16:1.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope

The title “Bethlehemite” designates a person whose family home is Bethlehem in Judah, the town later famed as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. In the four passages where the term appears, it functions as an identifier that links individuals to David’s hometown and, by extension, to the royal and messianic promises associated with that place.

Occurrences in Scripture

1 Samuel 16:1 – The LORD sends Samuel “to Jesse the Bethlehemite,” introducing the household from which Israel’s next king will arise.

1 Samuel 16:18 – One of Saul’s servants recommends “a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite” (David) as a skilled musician and proven warrior.

1 Samuel 17:58 – After the defeat of Goliath, Saul asks, “Whose son are you, young man?” David replies, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

2 Samuel 21:19 – During later conflicts with the Philistines, “Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite struck down Goliath the Gittite,” a record clarified in 1 Chronicles 20:5 as the slaying of Goliath’s brother.

Association with Jesse and David

The first three occurrences cluster around the anointing and early exploits of David. By repeatedly naming Jesse’s family as Bethlehemites, the narrative highlights:
• David’s humble origins in a small Judean town (contrast with Saul’s Benjaminite background).
• The providential selection of a king “after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) from an unexpected place, foreshadowing the Messiah’s lowly birth in the same village (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1).
• The pedigree of David’s line, crucial for covenantal promises (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Luke 2:11).

Association with Elhanan and the Giants War

The final occurrence (2 Samuel 21:19) links another Bethlehemite, Elhanan, to the downfall of the Philistine champion’s kin. The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 20:5 explains that Elhanan killed “Lahmi the brother of Goliath,” not Goliath himself. This harmonization preserves the integrity of Scripture, showing that the chronicler clarifies an earlier shorthand reference. The term “Bethlehemite” in both books identifies Elhanan with David’s hometown, underscoring Bethlehem’s ongoing contribution to Israel’s military deliverance.

Theological and Messianic Implications

Bethlehem’s association with Davidite promise culminates in its prophetic role regarding Messiah:
Micah 5:2 foretells, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One to be ruler over Israel.”
• Matthew and Luke show these prophecies fulfilled when Jesus, “descended from David according to the flesh” (Romans 1:3), is born there.

Thus every Old Testament mention of a “Bethlehemite” quietly anticipates the ultimate Son of David who would bring salvation.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. God’s redemptive plans often emerge from seemingly insignificant places and people; leaders should value faithfulness over fame.
2. Repeated identifiers such as “Bethlehemite” invite careful reading, rewarding believers who trace biblical themes across books.
3. Scripture’s internal harmony, seen in the Elhanan account, encourages confidence in the reliability of the canonical text.
4. The Bethlehemite motif offers a rich resource for Advent preaching, linking David’s anointing to Christ’s incarnation.

Summary

“Bethlehemite” is more than a geographic label. In the Old Testament it marks key figures—Jesse, David, and Elhanan—whose lives advance God’s covenant purposes. Each usage threads Bethlehem into the tapestry of redemptive history, preparing readers for the birth of the true King who would forever sit on David’s throne.

Forms and Transliterations
הַלַּחְמִ֔י הַלַּחְמִ֗י הַלַּחְמִֽי׃ הַלַּחְמִי֒ הלחמי הלחמי׃ hal·laḥ·mî hallachMi hallaḥmî
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Samuel 16:1
HEB: יִשַׁ֣י בֵּֽית־ הַלַּחְמִ֔י כִּֽי־ רָאִ֧יתִי
NAS: you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected
KJV: thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided
INT: over to Jesse the Bethlehemite for have selected

1 Samuel 16:18
HEB: לְיִשַׁי֮ בֵּ֣ית הַלַּחְמִי֒ יֹדֵ֣עַ נַ֠גֵּן
NAS: of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful
KJV: of Jesse the Bethlehemite, [that is] cunning
INT: A son of Jesse the Bethlehemite skillful musician

1 Samuel 17:58
HEB: יִשַׁ֖י בֵּ֥ית הַלַּחְמִֽי׃
NAS: Jesse the Bethlehemite.
KJV: of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
INT: of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite

2 Samuel 21:19
HEB: אֹרְגִ֜ים בֵּ֣ית הַלַּחְמִ֗י אֵ֚ת גָּלְיָ֣ת
NAS: of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed
KJV: of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew
INT: the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite Goliath the Gittite

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1022
4 Occurrences


hal·laḥ·mî — 4 Occ.

1021
Top of Page
Top of Page