Bethlehem And Judah

Cum natus esset Jesus in Bethlehem Judae Bethlehem, fratres, Hebraice domus panis vocatur. His ergo vocabulis Judae signatur domus, genus vocatur, ut promissionis fides, ut prophetiae veritas impleatur, dicente Jacob: Juda, te laudabunt fratres tui, manus tuae supra dorsum inimicorum tuorum, adorabunt te filii patris tui. Et post Non deficiet princeps ex Juda, nec dux ex femoribus ejus, donec veniat cui reposita, et ipse erit exspectatio gentium. Unde et David, Juda rex meus. Sanctus Petrus Chrysologus, Sermo CLVI Source: Migne PL 52.612c-613a

'When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea' 1 Bethlehem, brothers, in Hebrew means house of bread. Therefore with these words the house of Judah is signified, that tribe being named, so that the faith of the promise and the truth of prophecy be fulfilled, with Jacob saying, 'Judah, your brothers shall praise you, your hand shall be upon the backs of your enemies, the sons of your father shall adore you.' And then: 'Judah shall not lack a prince, nor a leader from his loins, until he comes who is laid up for him, even he who is the hope of the nations.' 2 Whence David says: 'Judah my king.' 3 Saint Peter Chrysologus, from Sermon 156 1 Mt 2.1 2 Gen 49.8-10 3 Ps 59.9