Emily Dickinson Lexicon

Bethlehem (-'s, Bethleem), proper n. [Heb. 'house of bread', 'granary', 'storehouse for food'.] (webplay: Savior, star).

1. Ephrath; city of David; village in Judea; birth place of Christ; Old Testament storehouse city; (see 2 Samuel 23:15, Luke 2:4, and ED letters).
2. Phrase. “Star of Bethleem”: bright star that shone when Jesus was born in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:2-10); [kenning] Christ; beloved Son of God; Deity of the New Testament; [metaphor] most beloved human companion.