Bible Figure
Herod Archelaus
Herod Archelaus was a son of Herod the Great who ruled Judea, Samaria, and Idumea after his father's death. Matthew mentions his rule as the reason Joseph, returning from Egypt with Mary and Jesus, feared settling in Judea and instead withdrew to Galilee.
Biography
After Herod the Great died, his kingdom was divided among his sons. Archelaus received Judea, Samaria, and Idumea and ruled as ethnarch rather than receiving the royal title he desired. His reputation for harsh rule quickly made him feared. Matthew 2 says that after an angel told Joseph in Egypt that those seeking the child's life were dead, Joseph returned toward the land of Israel. Hearing that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, Joseph was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he withdrew to Galilee and settled at Nazareth, which lay under the rule of Herod Antipas rather than Archelaus. Historically, Archelaus' administration became so unpopular that Rome removed him in AD 6 and placed Judea under direct Roman administration.
Biblical Significance
Archelaus is important to the infancy narrative because his dangerous reputation helps explain the Holy Family's settlement in Galilee rather than Judea. His later removal also contributed to the political arrangement under which Roman prefects, including Pontius Pilate, governed Judea during Jesus' adult ministry.