Herod Ἡρώδης
The Great, Roman-appointed king of Judea during Jesus' birth.
Who is Herod in the Bible?
Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea who ruled during the time of Jesus' birth, as described in Matthew 2. An Idumean by birth, he was appointed by the Roman Senate in 40 BC and became known for his ambitious building projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In the biblical narrative, Herod is portrayed as a paranoid and cruel ruler who viewed the birth of Jesus as a political threat to his power (Matthew 2:1-8). When the wise men from the East failed to report back to him about the newborn "king of the Jews," Herod ordered the massacre of all male children aged two and under in Bethlehem, an event known as the Massacre of the Innocents (Matthew 2:16). Herod's violent response to Jesus' birth demonstrates his desperation to maintain control and highlights the dangers posed to Jesus in his early life, making Herod a crucial figure in the nativity account.
Biography
Herod, also known as Herod the Great, was the Roman-appointed king of Judea during the time of Jesus' birth. He was an Idumean (Edomite) by birth and was appointed as king by the Roman Senate in 40 BC. Herod was known for his ambitious building projects, including the expansion and renovation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In the Bible, Herod is portrayed as a cruel and paranoid ruler. When the wise men from the East inquired about the birth of the "king of the Jews," Herod saw this as a threat to his power (Mat.2.1-8). After the wise men failed to report back to him, Herod ordered the massacre of all male children aged two and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding region (Mat.2.16-18). This event, known as the "Massacre of the Innocents," reflects Herod's ruthless nature and his determination to eliminate any perceived threats to his rule. Herod's death is mentioned in Mat.2.19, which allowed Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to return from Egypt, where they had fled to escape Herod's wrath. (Mat.2; Luk.1.5).
Family
Offspring
- Archelaus MaleSon of HerodSon of Herod the Great, Ethnarch of JudeaView full profile →
- Herod AmmonA TetrarchTetrarch of Galilee during Jesus' ministry.View full profile →
- Philip MaleOne of the seven deacons, evangelized in SamariaView full profile →
- Philip MaleOne of the seven deacons, evangelized in SamariaView full profile →
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 3 with study contentMatthew 5 verses
- Matthew 2:1
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 2:3
"When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 2:7
"Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 2:12
"And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 2:13
"When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”"
Study Matthew →
Luke 1 verse
- Luke 1:5
"In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron."
Study Luke →
Acts 1 verse
- Acts 23:35
"he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium."
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἡρώδης | Hērṓdēs | heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings |