Herod The Great
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Herod The Great in the Bible?
Herod the Great was a client king of Judea appointed by the Roman Senate in 40 BCE, officially reigning from 37 to 4 BCE. Born to Antipater the Idumaean and Cypros, a Nabatean princess, he secured his throne through political maneuvering and military force, establishing a dynasty that ruled the region until 6 CE.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Herod's reign clarifies the political tensions and Roman influence present during the birth narratives in the Gospels, particularly regarding the massacre of the innocents and the flight to Egypt, while his massive building projects, such as the expansion of the Second Temple, provide the physical setting for many events recorded in the New Testament.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.