Who Was Herod the Great — Meaning Explained
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)
What "Who Was Herod the Great?" Actually Means
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.'
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Matthew 2:3
"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."
Matthew 2:16
"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."
Matthew 2:15
"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."
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