Bethlehemites
![Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, founder of the Order.](/Images/godic/202412/24/Hermano_Pedro3742.jpg")
![General view of Bethlehem today](/Images/godic/202412/24/Bethlehem_Overlooking3742.jpg")
![Symbol of the Order of the Bethlehem Brothers](/Images/godic/202412/24/Símbolo_de_los_Betlemitas3742.jpg")
![Bethlem Royal Hospital](/Images/godic/202412/24/Bethlem_Royal_Hospital_Main_building_view_13742.jpg")
Bethlehemites, or Bethlemites, is a name that has many different meanings.
Its original significance was that of an inhabitant of Bethlehem in Judea. It is used in this sense to refer three times to David's father, Jesse, "Jesse the Bethlehemite", in the First Book of Samuel, and is used also in the Second Book of Samuel with reference to another inhabitant of the same town.