The Herodian Dynasty
THE HERODIAN DYNASTY
Herod was the family name of several Roman rulers who serves as provincial governors of Palestine and surrounding regions during the New Testament times.
The first Herod, known as Herod the Great, was the Roman ruler of Palestine during the days of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus when Jesus was born in Bethlehem . (Mt. 2:1, Lk. 3:1) All the other different Herods mentions in the New Testament were the sons or grandsons of this Herod.
HEROD THE GREAT ruled 37-4 B.C.. He was known as a master builder, organizer, developer although his policies were considered cruel and ruthless by the Jewish people. His most notable achievement was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem- A project that took nearly 50 years. He also rebuilt and enlarged the city of Caesarea into a port city on the Mediterranean Sea . Caesarea served as the Roman Provincial capital for Palestine during the New Testament era. The magnificent aqueducts that he built at the city are still visible today.
HEROD ANTIPAS (Herod’s Son) Antipas succeeded him as Roman governor of Galilee and Perea. (Mt. 14:1) Antipas was responsible for the imprisonment and death of John the Baptizer. (Lk. 3:19-20, Mt. 14:1-12)
HEROD AGRIPPA (Herod’s Grandson) was named ruler over all Palestine by the Roman Emperor Caligula. Agrippa is known as a persecutor of early Christians. He had James put to death and Peter arrested. Because of his cruelty and blasphemy, Agrippa was killed by an angel of the Lord. (Acts 12)
HEROD AGRIPPA II (Agrippa’s Son, Herod’s grandson) In 50 A.D. he was made ruler of king Chalcis’ territory. Later he was given an expanded area including Abilene , Trachonitis, Acra and other important parts of Galilee and Perea. The only reference to this Herod in the New Testament is in Acts 25:13-26:32 which deals with Paul’s imprisonment in Caesarea . Agrippa listened to Paul’s defense and would have set him free, but Paul had already appealed to Rome (Agrippa could not overpower the Roman appeal).
The other two Herods mentioned in the New Testament include Herod Archelaus (Mt. 2:22 ) and Herod Philip. (Lk. 3:1) Both of these rulers were sons of Herod the Great who ruled parts of the territory previously administered by their father.
THE MAJOR RULERS IN THE HERODIAN DYNASTY Composed by James W. Farris
Information we owe to Josephus in Antiquities, Jewish War and Dio Cassius as well as Strabo. 1. Family history is riddling by brawling, feuding, suspicion, intrigue, betrayal, immorality. 2. Herodians not of Jewish stock but Idumeans. In 125 BC John Hyrcanus forced circumcision. 3. Herodian family sprang from Antipas D. 78 BC. Antipas was appt Gov by Alex. Janneus. 4. Son Antipater succeeded Antipas. Was cunning, resourceful, ambitious like his son Herod. 5. Antipater was assassinated 43 BC leaving 4 sons: Phasael, Herod, Joseph, Pheroras, Salome. HEROD THE GREAT (Mt. 2:16 -18) 40-4 B.C. 1. Grew to be a bold man charged by the San Hedrin of killing without consent of the Council. a) Council charged Herod before Rome of encroaching Roman Law, but he was freed. b) He then killed all but one of the San Hedrin, including the High Priest Hyrcanus. c) Hyrcanus had a granddaughter named Miriamne whom Herod married hoping for Jewish support. d) Together they had two sons Aristobulos and Alexander. Salome, Herods’ sister hated both sons because they were heirs to the throne she wanted for her own. e) Inner murmuring from those who were jealous of Miriamne’s beauty said she was guilty of unfaithfulness and Herod had her killed. (28 BC) This apparently haunted Herod as in 7 BC when the sons found out their father had killed their mother, he had them killed as well.
Political Activity 1. At age 25 he began as governor of Galilee. Good at raising tribute money so Rome gave him power. 2. 31BC Antony was conquered by Augustus. Herod quickly flattered Augustus and got imperial favor. 3. He fought Arabians and they finally bowed to Herod power. (Antiquities 15.v5) 4. He influenced younger Jews and began party called HERODIANS. Offense to most in nation and we see how they would opposed Christ. (Mt. 22:16, Mk. 3:6, 12:13) 5. Most Jews saw him as a Usurper of David’s throne who helped Roman oppression. Many tried to kill him but he always came out on top. (Ant XV, viii.) 6. As an old man, he was diseased. Irritable temper. Courts miserable. Tried to kill himself. Final decision of his life was to order Antipater killed. (Son of Doris) (He had instigated his brother Alexander and Aristobulus deaths.) He also had many nobles killed at his death so the kingdom would mourn his passing.
Talent 1. He was organized, shrewd, knew men, how to use them. (Wise) Had friendship of emperors. 2. His greatest ability was architectural taste and this is seen in rebuilding Zerubabbel’s temple, making it even more glorious than Solomon. When Titus besieged Jerusalem he sought to spare the building in the final attack of the city. Of course Masada Fortress was amazing! 3. He was known as a master builder, organizer, developer although his policies were considered cruel and ruthless by the Jewish people. His most notable achievement was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem- A project that took nearly 50 years. He also rebuilt and enlarged the city of Caesarea into a port city on the Mediterranean Sea. Caesarea served as the Roman Provincial capital for Palestine during the New Testament era. The magnificent aqueducts that he built at the city are still visible today.
Personal Life 1. Great physical strength and intellectual powers beyond the norm. But he was the incarnation of brute lust. History shows few families more immoral and brutal. Even noticing the intermarriage helps tangle the family tree so much that figuring it out is like a puzzle. 2. Due to his insane taste for power he would kill the only woman he loved and their two sons. After the death of Miriamne’s sons in 7 B.C. Augustus said, “I would rather be Herod’s pig than his son 3. Herod died in 4 B.C and since some time elapsed between the massacre and his death, (Mt. 2:19 ) this gives us an approximate help in dating the birth of Christ. Josephus also mentions an eclipse just before Herod’s death. (Ant XVII, vi, 4) The eclipse occurred on March 13 in 4710 of the Julian period therefore 4 B.C. is probable.