Bethlehem (Arabic: لحم‎ بيت, Bayt Lahm, Hebrew: בית לחם‎, Beit Lehem) is located in the province of Judah, approximately 10 kilometers (5.5 miles) south of Jerusalem. The name Bethlehem is derived from the bread (Lehem) that the inhabitants baked from the wheat grown in the surrounding fields. It is also known as “The city of David” and was referenced as Ephrath.

Beit Sahour is pronounced Bayt Sahoor (بيت ساحور) in Arabic which means “Place of the Night Watch”. The origins of the name stems from the Canaanite language – The House of the Shepherds, which reflected the importance of the area for shepherds especially for its fertile fields that contain large caves as shelters for the shepherded and their flock at the nights.

The name Cana [כפר קנה – قانا الجليل – كفر كنّا] originates from the Hebrew word “קנה” / Caneh / (Hebrew) meaning cane (plant). It is believed that in the past the area of Cana had many water springs and swamps surrounded with cane.

According to the Bible, Cana of Galilee, modern name Kafr Kanna, population of 8,500 that includes both Muslims and Christians, is a Galilean town located 9 km (5.6 miles) northeast of Nazareth, on the main road to Tiberias and refers to the site of Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding: