Herod (the Great)

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Greek Hērōdēs, likely linked to Hērōs (“hero”); a dynastic royal name rather than a biblical title.
• Period/Era: Second Temple Period (Roman Imperial Context; late 1st century BC–early 1st century AD).
• Main References: Matthew 2; Luke 1.
• Key Connections: Roman authorities; the chief priests and scribes in Jerusalem; Magi from the east; Jesus (as an infant).

Who was Herod (the Great)?

Herod the Great was a Roman-appointed king who ruled Judea under imperial oversight.
In the Gospels he appears at the time of Jesus’ birth as “king” in Jerusalem.
He is portrayed as politically calculating and threatened by news of a rival “king of the Jews.”

Key Events & Achievements

• Magi Inquiry: Consulted the chief priests and scribes about where the Christ was to be born and sent the Magi toward Bethlehem (Matthew 2:4–8).
• Violence at Bethlehem: Ordered the killing of male children in and around Bethlehem in response to the Magi’s report (Matthew 2:16–18).
• Temple Expansion: Began a major rebuilding and expansion of the Jerusalem temple complex (John 2:20).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Herod’s account illustrates how political power can oppose God’s purposes and bring harm when used to protect status rather than pursue truth.

Key Verse

"Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men." — Matthew 2:16, ESV