1. Herod called himself the king of the Jews. Forty-four references to Herod in the New Testament, but not all of them are to the same Herod. There were four different generations.
2. Herod was king of the Jews from 37BC to 4BC. The family controlled until about 34AD. He was not a Jew, but he married one (Marriander). He was worried about his kids taking over for him.
3. Herod the Great was born 73BC. Antipater II was his father. His mother was daughter of King Nabatea. He was very athletic and combative. His father helped Julius Caesar, which helped him come to power.
4. At age 33, Roman Senate, with the help of Anthony and Octavian, declared him king of the Jews (if he could conquer them). He first took Galilee, and over the next three years, he took over Israel.
5. He made the Herodians. He had 10 wives and 15 children.
6. Belief about Jesus' time of birth is based on Herod's reign and death.
7. He was a great construction artist. He built the Antonia, named after Mark Anthony, which was a structure 75-100 feet high.
8. Herod and Octavian did battle, and Herod lost.
9. Another fortress, called Herodium, was 5 miles south of Jerusalem and looked like a volcano.
10. Also built Macherias (this is where Herodias beheaded John the Baptist).
11. He fortified Masada, which was 1300 feet above the Dead Sea.
12. Up the Rift Valley, Herod did the Alexandrian. This was a fortification for defending against the enemies. He built two more in Jericho and one on Mount Tabor. These fortresses were clear and high enough for cross communications.
13. Philip, the son of Herod the Great (D. A. Carson, page 159), built Caesarea-Philippi. He made a harbor and a tremendous fortification.
14. Herod brought water into Jerusalem.
15. He build the Western Wall as a retaining wall (Wailing Wall). It was almost 200 feet high.
16. Tiberius, named after Caesar Tiberius, was built by Herod Antipas.
17. In 7AD, Archelaus (Herod's son) was removed from office by Caesar Augustus. He had started ruling in 4BC after his father's death. He was brutally evil toward the Jews. Other brothers were also eliminated.
18. Agrippa I had three children. He was the same that said to Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian."
Tom of Bethany "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 5 - Jewish Extra-Biblical Literature
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