Who Was Herod the Great?
Who Was Herod the Great? Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea who ordered the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus.
Key verse: Matthew 2:3 (KJV)
Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea who ordered the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus.
Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea who ordered the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus.
"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." — Matthew 2:3 (KJV)
Meaning
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The Biblical Answer
Herod the Great ruled Judea from about 37 BC until his death around 4 BC. Appointed king by the Roman Senate, he was a shrewd, cruel, and paranoid ruler. He undertook massive building projects, including the magnificent expansion of the Jerusalem temple. But he is best remembered in Scripture for his role at the birth of Christ. When the wise men inquired about the newborn King of the Jews, Herod was 'troubled, and all Jerusalem with him' (Matthew 2:3). After the wise men departed without returning to him, Herod ordered the slaughter of every male child two years old and under in Bethlehem. God warned Joseph in a dream, and the holy family escaped to Egypt. Herod died shortly thereafter, fulfilling Hosea 11:1 — 'Out of Egypt have I called my son.'
Key Scripture References
"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under."
"And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."
Frequently asked questions
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Related Questions
Who was Pontius Pilate?
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus, found Him innocent, but ultimately sentenced Him to crucifixion under pressure from the crowd.
Who Was Caiaphas in the Bible?
Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest who presided over the council that condemned Jesus and handed Him over to Pilate to be crucified.
What Is the Star of Bethlehem?
The Star of Bethlehem was the heavenly sign that led the wise men from the east to worship the infant Jesus in Bethlehem.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
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The troubled king who sought to kill the infant Jesus.
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The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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