Category: Where was Jesus Born

Where Was Jesus Born?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

In Conclusion . . .

Our case for the topic “Where was Jesus Born” has concluded that Jesus was, indeed, born in Bethlehem – in a specific structure called Migdal Edar, which is Hebrew for “Tower of the Flocks.” I believe the case for this location is strong and true.

The coming to earth of Jesus, the very Son of God, to be born of a young Jewish virgin, in an obscure structure within the town of Bethlehem in Judah, where the lambs destined for Temple sacrifice were birthed, certainly seems fitting for the Christ child. That the shepherds in this specific field knew from the angel sent from God exactly where to find the child – wrapped in swaddling clothes – is testimony to the wonder of Christ as both a child of God and Saviour of mankind. It is also testimony to us that this is where Jesus was born.

Note: In my next Post I will begin a new study regarding “When Were Jesus’ Death, Resurrection, and Ascensions?” We begin that study with the first of eleven puzzle pieces: The Jewish Passover.

Where Was Jesus Born?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

Why Migdal Edar?

The specific field, flock, and shepherds visited by the angel of the Lord who came to announce the birth of the Savior were chosen by God for a reason. God does not work by happenstance.

The location in Bethlehem might have been chosen to honor David, who was selected by God to be the King of Israel. David was beloved by God and in the genetic line of the Messiah. It is even likely that the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem were in the same fields where King David once tended his father’s sheep and composed Psalms to honor God. The shepherds in the field to which the angel came undoubtedly knew the Psalms, especially those written by David, who grew up as a shepherd himself. Perhaps the shepherds had recently read Psalm 8:

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. (Psalm 8:3–5, KJV)

Continue reading “Jesus’ Birth – The Significance of Migdal Edar”

Where Was Jesus Born?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

Jesus’ Birth – The Case for Migdal Edar

John the Baptist exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, KJV). I believe he was making a statement which, among other things, pointed to a particular place in Bethlehem as the birthplace of Christ. How so?

As we have seen many times, bits and pieces from Scripture, taken together, often provide a road map.  In this case, I believe the road map supports my position that Jesus was actually born at a place called Migdal Edar (Heb. “Tower of the Flock”) in Bethlehem. In addition to the statement by John the Baptist referring to Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” these bits and pieces of Scripture come from diverse sources, from both the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. I believe all of the following will ultimately be shown to point to Migdal Edar as the birthplace of Jesus:

The shepherds who – while “watching their flocks by night” – became aware of exactly where to find the newborn Messiah “in Bethlehem”

The special lambs born and raised in the fields of Bethlehem, to be used specifically as Temple sacrifices

The account of the death of Jacob’s wife Rachel, on the outskirts of Bethlehem

Continue reading “Jesus’ Birth – The Case for Migdal Edar”

Where Was Jesus Born?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

Traditional Site vs Actual Site of Jesus’ Birth 

The destination tourists are taken to see where Jesus was born is a cave! This is the traditional site of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

Standing over the traditional site is The Church of the Nativity, a basilica of the Roman Catholic Church, which was built by Emperor Justinian in 530 AD (6th Century). The basilica was built over the cave which Roman Emperor Constantine had identified as the birthplace of Jesus. At the request of his mother, Helena, Constantine built the original basilica over that cave in the 4th Century. After the original basilica was destroyed, the present basilica was constructed by Emperor Justinian.

So how did Helena and her son, Emperor Constantine (who ruled from AD 306–337), establish the site of Jesus’ birth? Did they have excellent historical records and eyewitness accounts to lead them to the correct site in Bethlehem? Well, not exactly. They found their site by relying on dreams and visions.

Continue reading “Jesus’ Birth – Traditional vs Actual Site”