Migdal Eder (biblical location)


Migdal Eder is a tower mentioned in the biblical book of Genesis 35:21, in the context of the death of Jacob's wife, Rachel. The biblical record locates it near the present-day city of Bethlehem.
So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath, and Jacob set up a pillar at her grave; it is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. Israel journeyed on, and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

Many have attempted to identify the exact location of the tower, but early sources differ on the location.

Connection to the Birth of the Jewish Messiah

Scholars interpret Micah 4:8 as a prophecy indicating that the Messiah would be revealed from the "tower of the flock" which is connected with the town of Bethlehem, southeast of Jerusalem.
And you, O tower of the flock,
hill of daughter Zion,
to you it shall come,
the former dominion shall come,
the sovereignty of daughter Jerusalem.

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace

Mishnaic sources indicate that animals "found" in the fields within a certain distance from Migdal Eder were subject to being used as sacrificial animals in rituals of the Jerusalem temple.