Herod the Great

Herod was an Idumean (Edomite) who became king of Judea under Roman authority around 37 BC. Though he built the magnificent temple expansion that Jesus knew, he was notorious for cruelty and paranoia. He executed his favorite wife Mariamne, three of his sons, and numerous others he suspected of conspiracy.

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," knowing his violence. He gathered the priests and scribes to learn where the Messiah would be born. They cited Micah's prophecy pointing to Bethlehem.

Herod secretly met the wise men, learning when the star had appeared, and sent them to Bethlehem with instructions to report back "that I may come and worship him also." But God warned the wise men in a dream to return home another way.

When Herod realized he had been deceived, his rage exploded. He ordered the death of all male children in Bethlehem two years old and under—the "Slaughter of the Innocents." This fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy of Rachel weeping for her children. God had already warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. Herod died shortly after, eaten by disease, and his kingdom was divided among his surviving sons.