The magi and the rab-mag

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)

Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 39:3 and 39:13 uses the Hebrew term "rab-mag" for the head of what in Babylon were called the "magi". Members of this "magi" group would visit Herod and the baby Jesus in the Christmas story in Matthew 2 about 600 years later. The LXX (Septuagint) in Daniel uses the term for the "magi" as "astrologers" eight times some centuries earlier.
Herodotus in about 400 B.C., and other Greek writers, mention the "magi" as a hereditary power group in Babylon/Persia. One of their skills was the interpretation of dreams.

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]

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]

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, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. [kjv]

τοτε ηρωδης ιδων οτι ενεπαιχθη υπο των μαγων εθυμωθη λιαν και αποστειλας ανειλεν παντας τους παιδας τους εν βηθλεεμ και εν πασιν τοις οριοις αυτης απο διετους και κατωτερω κατα τον χρονον ον ηκριβωσεν παρα των μαγων [gnt]

The "magi" are mentioned by Matthew in three verses in the Christmas story in Matthew 2

Matthew 2:1

All

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

*G3097 *6 μάγος (mag'-os) : of foreign origin (7248); a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication, a magician:--sorcerer, wise man.

Usage

All

μαγων *2

Matthew 2:16 ... 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, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

μαγοι

Matthew 2:1 ... the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

μαγους

Matthew 2:7 ... when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them ...

μαγον

Acts 13:6 ... Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose ...

μαγος

Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is ...

*G3097 *6 μάγος (mag'-os) : of foreign origin (7248); a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication, a magician:--sorcerer, wise man.

Words: μαγοι μαγον μαγος μαγους μαγων=2

The ancient Greek word "μάγος" ≈ "magical, magical", and, in Babylon and after, one of the tribes of the Medes whose members are later called "Zoroastrian priests".

Matthew 2:7

All

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

Wycliffe: Thanne Eroude clepide pryueli the astromyens, and lernyde bisili of hem the tyme of the sterre that apperide to hem.

Matthew 2:16

All

KJV: 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, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Greek: τοτε ηρωδης ιδων οτι ενεπαιχθη υπο των μαγων εθυμωθη λιαν και αποστειλας ανειλεν παντας τους παιδας τους εν βηθλεεμ και εν πασιν τοις οριοις αυτης απο διετους και κατωτερω κατα τον χρονον ον ηκριβωσεν παρα των μαγων

Latin: tunc Herodes videns quoniam inlusus esset a magis iratus est valde et mittens occidit omnes pueros qui erant in Bethleem et in omnibus finibus eius a bimatu et infra secundum tempus quod exquisierat a magis

Wycliffe: Thanne Eroude seynge that he was disseyued of the astromyens, was ful wrooth; and he sente, and slowe alle the children, that weren in Bethleem, and in alle the coostis therof, fro two yeer age and with inne, aftir the tyme that he had enquerid of the astromyens.

Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: [kjv]

ανηρ δε τις ονοματι σιμων προυπηρχεν εν τη πολει μαγευων και εξιστανων το εθνος της σαμαριας λεγων ειναι τινα εαυτον μεγαν [gnt]

8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. [kjv]

8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. [kjv]

προσειχον δε αυτω δια το ικανω χρονω ταις μαγειαις εξεστακεναι αυτους [gnt]

In Acts, the Greek term for the "magi" is used for a "sorcerer" in four verses.

Acts 8:9

All

KJV: But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

Greek: ανηρ δε τις ονοματι σιμων προυπηρχεν εν τη πολει μαγευων και εξιστων εξιστανων το εθνος της σαμαρειας σαμαριας λεγων ειναι τινα εαυτον μεγαν

Acts 8:10

All

KJV: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

Greek: ω προσειχον παντες απο μικρου εως μεγαλου λεγοντες ουτος εστιν η δυναμις του θεου η καλουμενη μεγαλη

Acts 8:11

All

KJV: And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

Greek: προσειχον δε αυτω δια το ικανω χρονω ταις μαγειαις εξεστακεναι αυτους

Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: [kjv]

διελθοντες δε ολην την νησον αχρι παφου ευρον ανδρα τινα μαγον ψευδοπροφητην ιουδαιον ω ονομα βαριησους [gnt]

13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. [kjv]

13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. [kjv]

ανθιστατο δε αυτοις ελυμας ο μαγος ουτως γαρ μεθερμηνευεται το ονομα αυτου ζητων διαστρεψαι τον ανθυπατον απο της πιστεως [gnt]

Elymas has the name of a "magician" or a "corrupter", possibly from the Arabic "alim" for "learned" or "wise".

From two verses earlier, it appears that Elymas is also known as "Bar-Jesus" or "Βαριεσοῦ" or "Bar-Shuma" in the Aramaic. The Aramaic prefix "bar" means "son of".

Acts 13:6

All

KJV: And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:

Greek: διελθοντες δε ολην την νησον αχρι παφου ευρον ανδρα τινα μαγον ψευδοπροφητην ιουδαιον ω ονομα βαριησους

Latin: et cum perambulassent universam insulam usque Paphum invenerunt quendam virum magum pseudoprophetam Iudaeum cui nomen erat Bariesu

Wycliffe: And whanne thei hadden walkid bi al the ile to Pafum, thei founden a man, a witche, a false profete, a Jewe, to whom the name was Bariesu,

Acts 13:7

All

KJV: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Greek: ος ην συν τω ανθυπατω σεργιω παυλω ανδρι συνετω ουτος προσκαλεσαμενος βαρναβαν και σαυλον επεζητησεν ακουσαι τον λογον του θεου

Acts 13:8

All

KJV: But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Greek: ανθιστατο δε αυτοις ελυμας ο μαγος ουτως γαρ μεθερμηνευεται το ονομα αυτου ζητων διαστρεψαι τον ανθυπατον απο της πιστεως

Latin: resistebat autem illis Elymas magus sic enim interpretatur nomen eius quaerens avertere proconsulem a fide

Wycliffe: But Elymas witche withstoode hem; for his name is expowned so; and he souyte to turne awei the proconsul fro bileue.

Daniel 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. [kjv]

… אשר … אשר … [he]

και εν παντι ρηματι σοφιας και επιστημης ων εζητησεν παρ αυτων ο βασιλευς ευρεν αυτους δεκαπλασιονας παρα παντας τους επαοιδους και τους μαγους τους οντας εν παση τη βασιλεια αυτου [lxx]

*H825 אַשָּׁף (ash-shawf') : from an unused root (probably meaning to lisp, i.e. practice enchantment); a conjurer:--astrologer.

In the first part of Daniel the KJV (King James Version) word "astrologers" is, in the Greek of the LXX, the "magi" - eight verses.

Daniel 1-2: 4 verses
Daniel 4: 1 verse
Daniel 5: 3 verses (writing on the wall)

Daniel 1:20

All

KJV: And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Hebrew: וכל דבר חכמת בינה אשר בקש מהם המלך וימצאם עשר ידות על כל החרטמים האשפים אשר בכל מלכותו׃

Greek: και εν παντι ρηματι σοφιας και επιστημης ων εζητησεν παρ αυτων ο βασιλευς ευρεν αυτους δεκαπλασιονας παρα παντας τους επαοιδους και τους μαγους τους οντας εν παση τη βασιλεια αυτου

Latin: et omne verbum sapientiae et intellectus quod sciscitatus est ab eis rex invenit in eis decuplum super cunctos ariolos et magos qui erant in universo regno eius

Wycliffe: And ech word of wisdom and of vndurstondyng, which the king axide of hem, he foond in hem ten fold ouer alle false dyuynouris and astronomyens, that weren in al his rewme.

Nebuchadnezzar commands:

Daniel 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. [kjv]

και ειπεν ο βασιλευς καλεσαι τους επαοιδους και τους μαγους και τους φαρμακους και τους χαλδαιους του αναγγειλαι τω βασιλει τα ενυπνια αυτου και ηλθαν και εστησαν ενωπιον του βασιλεως [lxx]

Chaldeans answer:

2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. [kjv]

απεκριθησαν οι χαλδαιοι ενωπιον του βασιλεως και λεγουσιν ουκ εστιν ανθρωπος επι της ξηρας οστις το ρημα του βασιλεως δυνησεται γνωρισαι καθοτι πας βασιλευς μεγας και αρχων ρημα τοιουτο ουκ επερωτα επαοιδον μαγον και χαλδαιον [lxx]

Daniel answers:

2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; [kjv]

και απεκριθη δανιηλ ενωπιον του βασιλεως και λεγει το μυστηριον ο ο βασιλευς επερωτα ουκ εστιν σοφων μαγων επαοιδων γαζαρηνων αναγγειλαι τω βασιλει [lxx]

Daniel 2:2

All

KJV: Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

Hebrew: ויאמר המלך לקרא לחרטמים ולאשפים ולמכשפים ולכשדים להגיד למלך חלמתיו ויבאו ויעמדו לפני המלך׃

Greek: και ειπεν ο βασιλευς καλεσαι τους επαοιδους και τους μαγους και τους φαρμακους και τους χαλδαιους του αναγγειλαι τω βασιλει τα ενυπνια αυτου και ηλθαν και εστησαν ενωπιον του βασιλεως

Latin: praecepit ergo rex ut convocarentur arioli et magi et malefici et Chaldei et indicarent regi somnia sua qui cum venissent steterunt coram rege

Wycliffe: Therfor the kyng comaundide, that the dyuynours, and astronomyens, and witchis, and Caldeis schulden be clepid togidere, that thei schulden telle to the kyng hise dremys; and whanne thei weren comun, thei stoden bifor the king.

Daniel 2:10

All

KJV: The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

Hebrew: ענו כשדיא קדם מלכא ואמרין לא איתי אנש על יבשתא די מלת מלכא יוכל להחויה כל קבל די כל מלך רב ושליט מלה כדנה לא שאל לכל חרטם ואשף וכשדי׃

Greek: απεκριθησαν οι χαλδαιοι ενωπιον του βασιλεως και λεγουσιν ουκ εστιν ανθρωπος επι της ξηρας οστις το ρημα του βασιλεως δυνησεται γνωρισαι καθοτι πας βασιλευς μεγας και αρχων ρημα τοιουτο ουκ επερωτα επαοιδον μαγον και χαλδαιον

Latin: respondentes ergo Chaldei coram rege dixerunt non est homo super terram qui sermonem tuum rex possit implere sed neque regum quisquam magnus et potens verbum huiuscemodi sciscitatur ab omni ariolo et mago et Chaldeo

Daniel 2:27

All

KJV: Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

Hebrew: ענה דניאל קדם מלכא ואמר רזה די מלכא שאל לא חכימין אשפין חרטמין גזרין יכלין להחויה למלכא׃

Greek: και απεκριθη δανιηλ ενωπιον του βασιλεως και λεγει το μυστηριον ο ο βασιλευς επερωτα ουκ εστιν σοφων μαγων επαοιδων γαζαρηνων αναγγειλαι τω βασιλει

Latin: et respondens Danihel coram rege ait mysterium quod rex interrogat sapientes magi et arioli et aruspices non queunt indicare regi

Wycliffe: And Danyel answeride bifore the king, and seide, The priuytee which the kyng axith, wise men, and astronomyens, and dyuynours, and lokeris of auteris, moun not schewe to the kyng.

Daniel 4:7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. [kjv]

και εισεπορευοντο οι επαοιδοι μαγοι γαζαρηνοι χαλδαιοι και το ενυπνιον ειπα εγω ενωπιον αυτων και την συγκρισιν αυτου ουκ εγνωρισαν μοι [lxx]

Daniel 4:7

All

KJV: Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

Hebrew: באדין עללין חרטמיא אשפיא כשדיא וגזריא וחלמא אמר אנה קדמיהון ופשרה לא מהודעין לי׃

Greek: και εισεπορευοντο οι επαοιδοι μαγοι γαζαρηνοι χαλδαιοι και το ενυπνιον ειπα εγω ενωπιον αυτων και την συγκρισιν αυτου ουκ εγνωρισαν μοι

Latin: tunc ingrediebantur arioli magi Chaldei et aruspices et somnium narravi in conspectu eorum et solutionem eius non indicaverunt mihi

Daniel 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. [kjv]

και εβοησεν ο βασιλευς εν ισχυι του εισαγαγειν μαγους χαλδαιους γαζαρηνους και ειπεν τοις σοφοις βαβυλωνος ος αν αναγνω την γραφην ταυτην και την συγκρισιν γνωριση μοι πορφυραν ενδυσεται και ο μανιακης ο χρυσους επι τον τραχηλον αυτου και τριτος εν τη βασιλεια μου αρξει [lxx]

Daniel 5:7

All

KJV: The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Hebrew: קרא מלכא בחיל להעלה לאשפיא כשדיא וגזריא ענה מלכא ואמר לחכימי בבל די כל אנש די יקרה כתבה דנה ופשרה יחונני ארגונא ילבש והמונכא די דהבא על צוארה ותלתי במלכותא ישלט׃

Greek: και εβοησεν ο βασιλευς εν ισχυι του εισαγαγειν μαγους χαλδαιους γαζαρηνους και ειπεν τοις σοφοις βαβυλωνος ος αν αναγνω την γραφην ταυτην και την συγκρισιν γνωριση μοι πορφυραν ενδυσεται και ο μανιακης ο χρυσους επι τον τραχηλον αυτου και τριτος εν τη βασιλεια μου αρξει

Latin: exclamavit itaque rex fortiter ut introducerent magos Chaldeos et aruspices et proloquens rex ait sapientibus Babylonis quicumque legerit scripturam hanc et interpretationem eius manifestam mihi fecerit purpura vestietur et torquem auream habebit in collo et tertius in regno meo erit

Wycliffe: Therfor the kyng criede strongli, that thei schulden brynge yn astronomyens, Caldeis, and dyuynouris bi lokyng of auteris. And the kyng spak, and seide to the wise men of Babiloyne, Who euer redith this scripture, and makith opyn the interpretyng therof to me, schal be clothid in purpur; and he schal haue a goldun bie in the necke, and he schal be the thridde in my rewme.

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".

Daniel 5:11

All

KJV: 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;

Hebrew: איתי גבר במלכותך די רוח אלהין קדישין בה וביומי אבוך נהירו ושכלתנו וחכמה כחכמת אלהין השתכחת בה ומלכא נבכדנצר אבוך רב חרטמין אשפין כשדאין גזרין הקימה אבוך מלכא׃

Greek: 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

Latin: est vir in regno tuo qui spiritum deorum sanctorum habet in se et in diebus patris tui scientia et sapientia inventae sunt in eo nam et rex Nabuchodonosor pater tuus principem magorum incantatorum Chaldeorum et aruspicum constituit eum pater inquam tuus o rex

Wycliffe: A man is in thi rewme, that hath the spirit of hooli goddis in hym silf, and in the daies of thi fadir kunnyng and wisdom weren foundun in hym; for whi and Nabugodonosor, thi fadir, made him prince of astronomyens, of enchaunteris, of Caldeis, and of dyuynouris bi lokyng on auteris; sotheli thi fadir, thou kyng, dide this;

Daniel 5:15

All

KJV: 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:

Hebrew: וכען העלו קדמי חכימיא אשפיא די כתבה דנה יקרון ופשרה להודעתני ולא כהלין פשר מלתא להחויה׃

Greek: 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

Latin: et nunc introgressi sunt in conspectu meo sapientes magi ut scripturam hanc legerent et interpretationem eius indicarent mihi et nequiverunt sensum sermonis huius edicere

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 has only the first of the two verses.

Jeremiah 39:3

All

KJV: 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.

Hebrew: ויבאו כל שרי מלך בבל וישבו בשער התוך נרגל שר אצר סמגר נבו שר סכים רב סריס נרגל שר אצר רב מג וכל שארית שרי מלך בבל׃

Greek: και εισηλθον παντες οι ηγεμονες βασιλεως βαβυλωνος και εκαθισαν εν πυλη τη μεση ναργαλασαρ και σαμαγωθ και ναβουσαχαρ και ναβουσαρις και ναγαργασνασερ ραβαμαγ και οι καταλοιποι ηγεμονες βασιλεως βαβυλωνος

Jeremiah 39:13

All

KJV: 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;

Hebrew: וישלח נבוזראדן רב טבחים ונבושזבן רב סריס ונרגל שר אצר רב מג וכל רבי מלך בבל׃

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]

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]

Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. [kjv]

και πορευσονται βασιλεις τω φωτι σου και εθνη τη λαμπροτητι σου [lxx]

60:6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. [kjv]

αγελαι καμηλων και καλυψουσιν σε καμηλοι μαδιαμ και γαιφα παντες εκ σαβα ηξουσιν φεροντες χρυσιον και λιβανον οισουσιν και το σωτηριον κυριου ευαγγελιουνται [lxx]

Isaiah 60:1-6 refers to kings coming with "gold" and "frankincense" which might have influenced the "we three kings" idea.

Note that the LXX reverses the order of the phrases for "gentiles" (people) and "kings".

Isaiah 60:3

All

KJV: And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Hebrew: והלכו גוים לאורך ומלכים לנגה זרחך׃

Greek: και πορευσονται βασιλεις τω φωτι σου και εθνη τη λαμπροτητι σου

Isaiah 60:6

All

KJV: The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.

Hebrew: שפעת גמלים תכסך בכרי מדין ועיפה כלם משבא יבאו זהב ולבונה ישאו ותהלת יהוה יבשרו׃

Greek: αγελαι καμηλων και καλυψουσιν σε καμηλοι μαδιαμ και γαιφα παντες εκ σαβα ηξουσιν φεροντες χρυσιον και λιβανον οισουσιν και το σωτηριον κυριου ευαγγελιουνται

Latin: inundatio camelorum operiet te dromedariae Madian et Efa omnes de Saba venient aurum et tus deferentes et laudem Domino adnuntiantes

Spanish: Multitud de camellos te cubrirá, dromedarios de Madián y de Efa; vendrán todos los de Seba; traerán oro e incienso, y publicarán alabanzas de Jehová.

Portuguese: Serás invadida por uma multidão de camelos, pelos dromedários de Madian e de Efá. De Sabá virão todos trazendo ouro e incenso, e proclamando os louvores do SENHOR.

Psalms 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. [kjv]

βασιλεις θαρσις και αι νησοι δωρα προσοισουσιν βασιλεις αραβων και σαβα δωρα προσαξουσιν [lxx]

72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. [kjv]

και προσκυνησουσιν αυτω παντες οι βασιλεις παντα τα εθνη δουλευσουσιν αυτω [lxx]

72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. [kjv]

οτι ερρυσατο πτωχον εκ χειρος δυναστου και πενητα ω ουχ υπηρχεν βοηθος [lxx]

Psalms 72:10-11 might add more influence to the idea of "kings".

Psalms 72:10

All

KJV: The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Hebrew: מלכי תרשיש ואיים מנחה ישיבו מלכי שבא וסבא אשכר יקריבו׃

Greek: βασιλεις θαρσις και αι νησοι δωρα προσοισουσιν βασιλεις αραβων και σαβα δωρα προσαξουσιν