f is shrouded in mystery. No one seems to be sure what it actually means. It may come from the Canaanite Beit Lamhi, "House of Lahmi," referring to one of the ancient local gods of that region. It also might mean Beit Lechem, which means "House of Bread." But its rolling hills seem less suited for grain than for grazing. So its Arabic name Beit Lahm, "House of Meat," might be more fitting. It also may be related to the Aramaic language that Jesus spoke, Beit Lamra, "House of Lamb," which makes sense if there were indeed shepherds keeping watch over their flocks there, as the scripture says in Luke 2.[1] So which is it? House of Bread, or House of Meat, or House of Lamb? We don't really know.

[1] Blincoe, Bethlehem, 6-8.