Herod, Roman-appointed king of Judea (37-4 BCE), who built many fortresses, aqueducts, theaters, and other public buildings but who was the center of political and family intrigues in his later years. The New Testament portrays him as a tyrant, into whose kingdom Jesus of Nazareth was born. Herod is a name shared by several rulers in the New Testament.
These kings ruled under Roman authority during the time of Jesus and the early church. The Herodian dynasty shaped the political and spiritual climate in Israel. Let's explore 10 interesting facts about Herod in the Bible.
One of the central figures in the Christmas story is Herod the Great, who was king of the Jews when Jesus was born. Herod and his sons ruled Judea during Jesus' life and ministry. But who was this man? And why was he so hostile to the news of the birth of Jesus? [Go deeper into the Bible with Bible Gateway online courses taught by leading scholars] How Herod Got His Power Herod "the Great.
Today, King Herod the Great tends to have a bad reputation due to the Biblical narrative about the slaughter of babies in Judea. Herod the Great was an ambitious and ruthless ruler who set himself in opposition to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Throughout history and the scriptural record, we see the Herod family following in the footsteps of their father in opposing Christ.
Herod the King, often referred to as Herod the Great, was a significant figure in the New Testament, known for his role during the time of Jesus Christ's birth. He was a Roman client king of Judea, reigning from 37 BC until his death in 4 BC. Herod's reign is marked by his ambitious building projects, political acumen, and notorious cruelty.
Herod I[2][a] or Herod the Great (c. 72 - c. 4 BCE) was a Roman Jewish client king of the Herodian kingdom of Judea.
[3][4][5] He is known for his colossal building projects throughout Judea. Among these works are the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the expansion of its base [6][7][8]. Bible Study on Herod Herod Attempts to Kill the Child Jesus After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, some magi from the East, guided by a star, arrived in Jerusalem seeking the "king of the Jews" who had been born (Matthew 2:1-2).
When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, fearing a threat to his throne. Herod summoned the chief priests and scribes to consult the prophecies about the. Herod the Great was the ruler of Judea from around 37 BC to 4 BC.
He was appointed as "King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate, and ruled over Judea as a client state of Rome. Herod is most well-known for his role in the biblical story of Jesus's birth, as told in the Gospel of Matthew. Understanding who King Herod was and the role he played in the nativity narrative grants deeper insights into the historical and theological context of the Christmas story.
The Historical Context of King Herod Herod the Great was born around 73 BC and became king of Judea in 37 BC, a position he held until his death in 4 BC.