Bible Dictionary
Herod the Great
Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea when Jesus was born. Known for extensive building projects, he also ordered the slaughter of Bethlehem’s children in an attempt to destroy the newborn King of the Jews.
Biblical Usage
Herod ruled when Jesus was born. Alarmed by the report of a newborn King of the Jews, he ordered the killing of the children of Bethlehem and its surrounding region who were two years old and under.
Scripture References