A gentilic adjective meaning "one from Bethlehem" — the house of bread (Beth Lechem, H1035). Used to identify individuals hailing from Bethlehem of Judah, including Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim (2 Samuel 21:19) and the brothers in 1 Chronicles 11.
The Bethlehemite identity carries extraordinary theological weight. From Bethlehem came Boaz and Ruth, the great romance of redemption. From Bethlehem came Jesse and his son David, the shepherd-king after God's own heart. And from Bethlehem came the Lord Jesus Christ, born in the city of David according to the prophets (Micah 5:2). The "house of bread" became the birthplace of the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Every reference to Bethlehem is a thread in the tapestry of redemptive history pointing to the Messiah.