may have been the hometown of Ibzan, one of the minor judges who led Israel for seven years (Judg 12:8–10).4 The Bible clearly distinguishes between these two cities, and although the Old Testament predicted that the messiah would be active in Zebulun and the greater Galilee region (Isa 9:1; compare Matt 4:14–16), it also foretold that he would be born in Bethlehem of Judah (Mic 5:2; compare Matt 2:6; John 7:42). The Messiah’s earthly origin from the tribe of Judah is integral to the biblical drama