Herod the Great

Herod the Great was an Idumean-descended ruler who gained the kingship of Judea with Roman support and became famous for ambitious building projects, including the magnificent expansion of the Jerusalem Temple. Matthew 2 places Jesus' birth in the final period of Herod's reign. Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem asking where the newly born king of the Jews could be found. Herod was troubled and consulted chief priests and scribes, who identified Bethlehem from prophecy. Pretending that he too wished to worship the child, Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem and asked them to report back. Warned in a dream, they returned home another way. Joseph likewise received a dream warning and fled with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Herod, realizing the Magi had not returned, ordered the killing of boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under according to the time he had learned from them. After Herod died, Joseph was told it was safe to return, though fear of Archelaus led the family to settle in Galilee.