Biblical Kingdom Ruler
Herod Agrippa II
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (CNG), via Wikimedia Commons; RPC II 2283
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ruler at a Glance
Kingdom
Chalcis (Chalcis sub Libanum)
Ruler Type
Tetrarch of Chalcis; later king of other territories
Reign
Chalcis approximately AD 48–53; ruled other territories thereafter
Regnal Name
Agrippa II
Alternate Names
Marcus Julius Agrippa II; King Agrippa; Agrippa the Younger
Biblical Name
Agrippa
Capital
Chalcis sub Libanum (during his Chalcis tenure)
Origin
Herodian dynasty
Identification Certainty
Secure identification with King Agrippa of Acts; Chalcis tenure documented in Josephus; dates approximate.
Overview
Herod Agrippa II received Chalcis after his uncle’s death around AD 48. In AD 53 he exchanged it for territories formerly ruled by Philip the Tetrarch and Lysanias. He is the King Agrippa who heard Paul’s defense before Festus in Acts 25–26.
Biography
Herod Agrippa II was the son of Agrippa I and a great-grandson of Herod the Great. Raised in the Roman imperial world, he was still young when his father died in AD 44. Emperor Claudius initially withheld his father’s extensive kingdom. After the death of Herod of Chalcis, Claudius gave Agrippa II control of Chalcis and authority connected with the Jerusalem Temple and the appointment of high priests. Around AD 53 he surrendered Chalcis in exchange for a larger territory including regions formerly ruled by Philip the Tetrarch and Lysanias. His sister Berenice was closely associated with his court. The New Testament describes Agrippa and Berenice visiting the Roman governor Festus at Caesarea. Festus presented the imprisoned Paul to Agrippa, who heard Paul explain his background, conversion, and proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection. During the Jewish revolt against Rome, Agrippa sought to discourage rebellion but ultimately supported Roman forces. He remained a prominent client ruler into the late first century. His precise death date is debated. His connection with Chalcis belongs to the earlier part of a much longer political career.
Historical Significance
Agrippa II provides a direct connection between the Herodian client kingdoms and the New Testament. His hearing of Paul in Acts 25–26 is one of the clearest biblical appearances of a ruler associated with Chalcis.
Major Events
Inherited Chalcis around AD 48; exchanged Chalcis for other territories around AD 53; later received additional territories; heard Paul before Festus at Caesarea; was involved in the politics of the Jewish revolt.
Biblical Significance
Acts 25–26 names Agrippa as the ruler before whom Paul made his defense. This encounter occurred after Agrippa had ceased ruling Chalcis, so his Chalcis tenure and his biblical appearance should not be treated as simultaneous.
Scripture References
Primary Sources
Acts 25:13–26:32; Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 20.7.1; 20.8.4; Josephus, Jewish War 2.12.1; 2.16.