Nazareth

Nazareth was a small town located in the Roman province of Galilee. Most notably it was the town where Joseph and Mary lived during their betrothal and later Jesus Christ. The town was typically despised and the name may be connected to a prophecy in Isaiah.
==History==
===Early History===
==== Establishment ====
Nazareth was built on a hill overlooking a cliffLuke 4:29 in Galilee sometime before the New Testament's timeframe (before the birth of Jesus). The town was very small, but large enough to house a Jewish synagogueMatt 13:54, Mark 6:2,, Luke 4:16, which contained a copy of the Book of Isaiah. Virtually nothing is known about when or why the town was constructed. It is known that the town had a very insignificant population and was predominantly Jewish, despite its location in Gentile territory. 
==== Prophecy ====
While its origins are unclear, the town was one of prophecy. In the Book of Matthew a prophecy is referred to that foretold Jesus living in NazarethMatt 2:23. There is not an obvious Scriptural prophecy that tells this (except an indirect inference that could be impliedHos 11:1, Matt 2:15), so it may have originated from a linguistic pun in Isaiah, or a prophecy not recorded in the Bible (but given by God, since it was fulfilledDeut 18:22).
==== Hated Town ====
Nazareth was viewed very negatively, maybe in light of the unclarity in prophecy. Before Jesus ministry a view spread by the Pharisees was that a prophet couldn't originate from NazarethJohn 7:41-42, 52. This may be, because of a misunderstanding arising from prophecy that the Messiah would be born in BethlehemMicah 5:2. In addition the town may have been generally hated by Judeans with no relevance to prophecy. Regardless if negative views was connected with scriptural misunderstanding, the town had an unpositive reputationJohn 1:46 
== Legacy ==
== Etymology ==
== Verses ==
Category:Cities
Category:Places
Category:New Testament Cities