Who Was Herod in the Bible?

The name Herod refers to a dynasty of rulers, but the most notorious was Herod the Great, who reigned from 37 to 4 BC. Though called 'King of the Jews,' he was not Jewish by birth but Idumean — an Edomite descendant. Rome appointed him through political maneuvering, and he maintained his position through brutality, building projects, and political alliances. Herod was a master builder, responsible for magnificent structures including the rebuilding and expansion of the Jerusalem temple, the fortress of Masada, and the port city of Caesarea Maritima. Yet his reign was drenched in blood and paranoia. He murdered his wife Mariamne, several of his sons, and countless others he suspected of disloyalty. Augustus reportedly quipped that it was safer to be Herod's pig than his son. The most infamous act associated with Herod is the slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem. When wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem asking, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews?' Herod was 'troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.' He summoned the chief priests and scribes, learned that Bethlehem was the prophesied birthplace, and sent the wise men there with instructions to return and report the child's location. When they departed another way, Herod, enraged, ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under. This fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy: 'Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.' Herod died shortly after, and his kingdom was divided among three of his surviving sons: Archelaus, Antipas, and Philip. Herod Antipas ruled Galilee during Jesus' ministry and executed John the Baptist. His life illustrates the insecurities of earthly power, the violence of political ambition, and the contrast between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of Christ.