Matthew 2:1-7 Herod the Great and Parthia

One often see reenactments of the Christmas story, both by children and adults, where Roman soldiers are present.

See, for example, Roman Legionary 58 BC - AD 69. Osprey Publishing. 2003.

How many Roman soldiers did Mary and Joseph encounter on their way to Bethlehem from Nazareth?

Probably none. Parthia was a buffer area allied with Rome. Herod had his own army. Rome had other fronts. You would not defend Judea from Judea. Why?

The Parthians were from an area in what had been Persia that took control from the Medes and the Persians (Elamites) centered around Babylon in the area of Mesopotamia.

Judea, ruled by Herod from 37 to 4 BC with his own army, was a buffer state between Rome and Parthia and aligned with Rome.

[Rome, other fronts][Parthian shot]

Rome was not known for gratuitous killing - especially of future slaves, servants, taxpayers, etc.

There would have been few, if any, Roman soldiers in Judea at the time of the birth of Christ. Rome moved in after Herod's death. At the crucifixion, some 30 years later, there would have been many Roman soldiers in Judea. They would have been "second string" soldiers (and commanders) as the best soldiers (and commanders) were in Britain, in Gaul (France), and Asia Minor (Turkey).

Herod had an army that would do anything ordered, such as killing infants in Bethlehem. See The Army of Herod the Great. Osprey Publishing. 2009.

Rome was fighting along the following fronts.

Britain
France, Germany, along the Rhine river, etc.
Danube river along a long front.
Asia minor which borders Parthia.
Egypt, an important source of grain for Rome.

Putting Roman troops in Judea at this time could be seen as threating Parthia, with which Rome had constant battles and conflicts, winning some, losing some, going back and forth.

Roman troops were capable and followed orders, but Roman troops would not go into a town and kill male infants just because one might become a king to threaten Herod. From their point of view, these male infants were future taxpayers for the empire.

Parthia was fond of shooting arrows at the enemy as they retreated or faked a retreat. This was before the invention of saddles (about 365 A.D.) and stirrups (China 4th century, westward to Europe in the Middle Ages).

Was it a retreat or a trick to lure one into a trap? The "Parthian shot" become known as the "parting shot".

[currant jelly, no saddles, no stirrups, Arthur Conan Doyle, Crassus and Carrhae]

With the Parthian shot, one never knew if this was an actual retreat or a deceptive retreat to lure one into a trap. This technique is most famous in the Parthian victory over Roman general Crassus in the battle of Carrhae.

With which Parthian shot he walked away, leaving the two rivals open-mouthed behind him. Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet (1886).

This "Parthian shot" sounded like the term "parting shot" as it is known today and has a semantic similarity.

Parthians are mentioned in Acts 2:9 at Pentecost.

Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? [kjv]

και πως ημεις ακουομεν εκαστος τη ιδια διαλεκτω ημων εν η εγεννηθημεν [gnt]

2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, [kjv]

παρθοι και μηδοι και ελαμιται και οι κατοικουντες την μεσοποταμιαν ιουδαιαν τε και καππαδοκιαν ποντον και την ασιαν [gnt]

Acts 2:8

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KJV: And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Greek: και πως ημεις ακουομεν εκαστος τη ιδια διαλεκτω ημων εν η εγεννηθημεν

Acts 2:9

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KJV: Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Greek: παρθοι και μηδοι και ελαμιται και οι κατοικουντες την μεσοποταμιαν ιουδαιαν τε και καππαδοκιαν ποντον και την ασιαν

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [kjv]

του δε ιησου γεννηθεντος εν βηθλεεμ της ιουδαιας εν ημεραις ηρωδου του βασιλεως ιδου μαγοι απο ανατολων παρεγενοντο εις ιεροσολυμα [gnt]

Matthew 2:1

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KJV: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Greek: του δε ιησου γεννηθεντος εν βηθλεεμ της ιουδαιας εν ημεραις ηρωδου του βασιλεως ιδου μαγοι απο ανατολων παρεγενοντο εις ιεροσολυμα

Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. [kjv]

λεγοντες που εστιν ο τεχθεις βασιλευς των ιουδαιων ειδομεν γαρ αυτου τον αστερα εν τη ανατολη και ηλθομεν προσκυνησαι αυτω [gnt]

Matthew 2:2

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KJV: Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Greek: λεγοντες που εστιν ο τεχθεις βασιλευς των ιουδαιων ειδομεν γαρ αυτου τον αστερα εν τη ανατολη και ηλθομεν προσκυνησαι αυτω

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [kjv]

2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. [kjv]

Who are the "wise men"?
From where came the "wise men"?

John saw Mary with the telescope. Who has the telescope?
The wise men saw the star in the east. Were the wise men looking east or west?

[language ambiguity, Magi, Daniel, Parthians, Masada, Herod's army]

More: Song: We three kings of orient are

The Christmas song "We three kings" was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr., from Williamsport, PA, in 1857. There's gold, frankincense, but wait, there's myrrh!

1. All: We three kings of Orient are; ...
2: King 1: ... Gold I bring to crown Him again, ... (king)
3: King 2: Frankincense to offer have I; ... (priest)
4: King 3: Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume ... (burial)
5: All: King and God and sacrifice;

There are some factual issues with the words to the song.

They were not "kings".
We do not know if there were exactly "three".
They were not from the "orient".

More: Song: We three kings of orient are

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

*It is not known that there were three.
*They were magi, not kings.
*They were not from the Orient.

Who were the "Magi" and from where did they come?

Who is the most famous Magi?
What was the "Deep state" in Babylon?

[fiery furnace, lion's den]

Book: The coming prince (1894) by Sir Robert Anderson (1841-1918), head of Scotland Yard. Sixty-nine weeks (sevens) of (360 day prophetic) years is 69*7*360 = 173,800 days.

≈ 544 BC (Daniel)
≈ 444 BC (Nehemiah)
≈ 32 AD (Crucifixion)

More: The magi and the rab-mag

Daniel 5:11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; [kjv]

… רב … [he]

εστιν ανηρ εν τη βασιλεια σου εν ω πνευμα θεου και εν ταις ημεραις του πατρος σου γρηγορησις και συνεσις ευρεθη εν αυτω και ο βασιλευς ναβουχοδονοσορ ο πατηρ σου αρχοντα επαοιδων μαγων χαλδαιων γαζαρηνων κατεστησεν αυτον [lxx]

5:15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: [kjv]

και νυν εισηλθον ενωπιον μου οι σοφοι μαγοι γαζαρηνοι ινα την γραφην ταυτην αναγνωσιν και την συγκρισιν αυτης γνωρισωσιν μοι και ουκ ηδυνηθησαν αναγγειλαι μοι [lxx]

At the time of the "writing on the wall" event, the queen tells how Nebuchadnezzar made Daniel the "head" or "master" of the groups including the "magi".

The Hebrew word "רב" (rab) ≈ "chief, master".

More: The magi and the rab-mag

Jeremiah 39:3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. [kjv]

… בבל … רב … רב מג … בבל [he]

και εισηλθον παντες οι ηγεμονες βασιλεως βαβυλωνος και εκαθισαν εν πυλη τη μεση ναργαλασαρ και σαμαγωθ και ναβουσαχαρ και ναβουσαρις και ναγαργασνασερ ραβ αμαγ και οι καταλοιποι ηγεμονες βασιλεως βαβυλωνος [lxx]

39:13 So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the king of Babylon's princes; [kjv]

… רב … רב … רב מג … בבל [he]

*H7248 רַב ־ מָג (rab-mawg') : from H7227 and a foreign word for a Magian; chief Magian; Rab-Mag, a Bab. official:--Rab-mag.

In Jeremiah 39:3 and 39:13, Jeremiah uses the Hebrew term "rab" "mag" for the head of what in Babylon were called the "magi". The LXX (Septuagint) has only the first of the two verses.

More: The magi and the rab-mag

Herodotus, a writer of the history of Greece and much of what we know of ancient Persia, wrote of the "magi" as a hereditary power group in Babylon who could interpret "dreams", here as a "reasoning" that has been "foretold".

English: If the boy is alive, said the Magi, and has been made king without premeditation, then be confident on this score and keep an untroubled heart: he will not be made king a second time. Even in our prophecies, it is often but a small thing that has been foretold and the consequences of dreams come to nothing in the end. https://perseus.tufts.edu (as of 2023-12-15)

Greek: καὶ νῦν ἐς τί ὑμῖν ταῦτα φαίνεται φέρειν; εἶπαν οἱ Μάγοι εἰ μὲν περίεστί τε καὶ ἐβασίλευσε ὁ παῖς μὴ ἐκ προνοίης τινός, θάρσεέ τε τούτου εἵνεκα καὶ θυμὸν ἔχε ἀγαθόν· οὐ γὰρ ἔτι τὸ δεύτερον ἄρχει. παρὰ σμικρὰ γὰρ καὶ τῶν λογίων ἡμῖν ἔνια κεχώρηκε, καὶ τά γε τῶν ὀνειράτων ἐχόμενα τελέως ἐς ἀσθενὲς ἔρχεται. Herodotus: Histories [1.120.3]

English: I too, Magi, said Astyages, am very much of your opinion: that the dream came true when the boy was called king, and that I have no more to fear from him. Nevertheless consider well and advise me what will be safest both for my house and for you. https://perseus.tufts.edu (as of 2023-12-15)

Greek: ἀμείβεται ὁ Ἀστυάγης τοῖσιδε. καὶ αὐτὸς ὦ Μάγοι ταύτῃ πλεῖστος γνώμην εἰμί, βασιλέος ὀνομασθέντος τοῦ παιδὸς ἐξήκειν τε τὸν ὄνειρον καί μοι τὸν παῖδα τοῦτον εἶναι δεινὸν ἔτι οὐδέν. ὅμως μέν γέ τοι συμβουλεύσατέ μοι εὖ περισκεψάμενοι τὰ μέλλει ἀσφαλέστατα εἶναι οἴκῳ τε τῷ ἐμῷ καὶ ὑμῖν. Herodotus: Histories [1.120.4]

More: The magi and the rab-mag

English: Moreover, Dareius was already coming down to the coast from Susa, exalted in spirit by the magnitude of his forces (for he was leading an army of six hundred thousand men), and also encouraged by a certain dream, which the Magi interpreted in a way to please him rather than as the probabilities demanded. … https://perseus.tufts.edu (as of 2023-12-15)

Greek: Ἤδη δὲ καὶ Δαρεῖος ἐκ Σούσων κατέβαινεν, ἐπαιρόμενός τε τῷ πλήθει τῆς δυνάμεως (ἑξήκοντα γὰρ ἦγε μυριάδας στρατοῦ), καί τινος ὀνείρου θαρρύνοντος αὐτόν, ὃν οἱ μάγοι πρὸς χάριν ἐξηγοῦντο μᾶλλον ἢ κατὰ τὸ εἰκός. P/utarch: Life of Alexander [18.4]

Plutarch in Life of Alexander mentions Darius of Susa (Persian empire), a dream, an interpretation and the Magi.

Very small army of Alexander defeater the huge army of Persia (and Darius) multiple times (Issus, Guagamela). [wild goat, four horns]

More: The magi and the rab-mag

Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. [kjv]

ακουσας δε ο βασιλευς ηρωδης εταραχθη και πασα ιεροσολυμα μετ αυτου [gnt]

The Magi travel (from Parthia with a military escort) to see Herod (and as a diplomatic courtesy) and asking questions. Where is the one born "King of the Jews"?

[building projects, military escort]
Was this a trick, a prelude to another invasion, why now?

[Masada]

Matthew 2:3

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KJV: When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Greek: ακουσας δε ηρωδης ο βασιλευς ηρωδης εταραχθη και πασα ιεροσολυμα μετ αυτου

Latin: audiens autem Herodes rex turbatus est et omnis Hierosolyma cum illo

Wessex: Þa herodes þt geherde þa warð he gedrefeð & eal ierosolime-waere mid him.

Wycliffe: But king Eroude herde, and was trublid, and al Jerusalem with hym.

Spanish: Oyendo esto el rey Herodes, se turbó, y toda Jerusalén conél;

Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. [kjv]

… ומצודתי … [he]

κυριος στερεωμα μου και καταφυγη μου και ρυστης μου ο θεος μου βοηθος μου και ελπιω επ αυτον υπερασπιστης μου και κερας σωτηριας μου αντιλημπτωρ μου [lxx]

Some 35 years earlier, Herod had to vacate Jerusalem because of a Parthian invasion. Masada was improved as a retreat fortress and palace.

Masada is an ancient fortress on top of a rock plateau captured and then refurbished by Herod the Great as a place of retreat if attacked (e.g., by the Parthians). In the Jewish War (66-70 AD) some Jewish zealots took over the fortress. The Romans eventually built a ramp (still visible today) to get in (73-64 AD). When they finally got in (according to accounts) all of the Jews (almost one thousand) had committed suicide.

David might have been written of this geographic feature (later Masada) when making references to his stronghold.

The Hebrew word "מצדה" (masada) ≈ "fortress".

Psalms 18:2

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KJV: The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Hebrew: יהוה סלעי ומצודתי ומפלטי אלי צורי אחסה בו מגני וקרן ישעי משגבי׃

Greek: κυριος στερεωμα μου και καταφυγη μου και ρυστης μου ο θεος μου βοηθος μου και ελπιω επ αυτον υπερασπιστης μου και κερας σωτηριας μου αντιλημπτωρ μου

Herod the Great was King of Judea, obtained by conniving, murder, intrigue, etc., from the Romans.

Judea was a border state between Rome and Parthia.

Herod had his own army.

As long as Herod collected and paid taxes to Rome, it is unlikely Rome garrisoned any soldiers there, if at all. Having different groups of soldiers near each other is never a good idea.

In about 6 A.D., a few years after Herod has died, Rome then took more control, moved some troops in, took the right of capital punishment from the Jewish civil/religious leaders, etc. It appears that Rome did not see the leaders after Herod the Great as being able to maintain law and order, etc., leaving that area open to Parthian incursion.

By the time of the crucifixion, Rome had a more significant presence in Jerusalem and Judea - though mostly older and less well-trained and disciplined troops - the best were still on the more important fronts.

Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. [kjv]

2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, [kjv]

2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. [kjv]

The prophecy was for both a Messiah and a King. We know now that this was to be in two phases.

First coming: Messiah
Second coming: King [Joy to the world]

[deceptive kingdoms/houses, deceptive light/darkness, deceptive blooms/wheat/fruit]

Matthew 2:4

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KJV: And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Greek: και συναγαγων παντας τους αρχιερεις και γραμματεις του λαου επυνθανετο παρ αυτων που ο χριστος γενναται

Matthew 2:5

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KJV: And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Greek: οι δε ειπον ειπαν αυτω εν βηθλεεμ της ιουδαιας ουτως γαρ γεγραπται δια του προφητου

Matthew 2:6

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KJV: And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Greek: και συ βηθλεεμ γη ιουδα ουδαμως ελαχιστη ει εν τοις ηγεμοσιν ιουδα εκ σου γαρ εξελευσεται ηγουμενος οστις ποιμανει τον λαον μου τον ισραηλ

Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. [kjv]

τοτε ηρωδης λαθρα καλεσας τους μαγους ηκριβωσεν παρ αυτων τον χρονον του φαινομενου αστερος [gnt]

… magis … apparuit … [v]

Because Herod assumed the star appeared when the baby was born, many others since then have made the same assumption. This assumption requires the Magi to arrive much later in the story.

[magistrate]

More: Song: We three kings of orient are

God prepared a big fish for Jonah. God could have had the star appear years before to give time for the Magi to make the trip (from Parthia).

Matthew 2:7

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KJV: Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Greek: τοτε ηρωδης λαθρα καλεσας τους μαγους ηκριβωσεν παρ αυτων τον χρονον του φαινομενου αστερος

Latin: tunc Herodes clam vocatis magis diligenter didicit ab eis tempus stellae quae apparuit eis