BETHANY

city, Oklahoma county, central Oklahoma, U.S., immediately west of Oklahoma City. It was established in 1909 as a religious colony, centred on Southern Nazarene University (established as Oklahoma Holiness College in 1899). The early emphasis on religious values remains, and pool halls, dance halls, theatres, and the use of alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Bethany's industry, like that of Oklahoma City, is based on the manufacture of aviation equipment and the processing of agricultural products. Inc. 1931. Pop. (1990) 20,075; (1994 est.) 19,967. Arabic Al-'ayzariyah, small village and biblical site on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem. It was under Jordanian control from 1949 to 1967. After the Six-Day War of 1967, it became part of the West Bank (Judaea and Samaria) territory under Israeli administration. Bethany is mentioned frequently in the New Testament. It was the home of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus, and the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection took place there (John 11). The Arabic name al-'Ayzariyah is derived from the name Lazarus. Bethany was also the home of Simon the Leper (Matthew 26; Mark 14). Jesus lodged there after his entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:17), and it was from the village that he parted from his disciples (Luke 24:5051). There are many traditional holy sites in Bethany, including the crypt of Lazarus, who is revered locally. Although churches have been built there from at least the 3rd century AD, most of them are now in ruins, and the traditional sites are ascribed to differing Gospel accounts. Bethany is widely visited by Christian pilgrims. Pop. (latest census) 3,560.