Episode 2086: What was the lineage of Herod the Great?

Now you may ask yourself or me, why do I care? Well hang with me and I promise I will make it worth your while. I just cant help it, I am a frustrated Historian. When you think of those historical figures in and around the life of Christ you are often tempted just to go with the standard cliches about them or the standard narratives about them, but I go somewhere else. I think to myself, that if they were in fact part of the life of Christ in someway they are not just figures but quite the opposite, they were chosen for that time. I mean stop and think of it, from the very beginning of creation Christ was there and God the Father in his wisdom simply waited patiently to have his only begotten son enter the proverbial picture. Why? What was it that caused Christ to become incarnate when he did and also who was there when he did? We tend to just think of the apostles, disciples, and significant key figures like Joseph and most importantly but what about those others? I mean it was approximately 4,000 years from the creation of Adam to the incarnation of Christ. So it must make you think all those that came before the birth of Christ never interacted with him or at least they did not know it. But now certain people did and that leads me to the first encounter the Holy family had with the power of that time and who was that power? Herod the Great. He wanted Christ dead. Then we hear about how his son Herod Antipas was there when he could have saved or put Christ to death. So this Herod family was somewhat an integral part of Christs life. Also, we do not know why Christ never answered or acknowledge Herod Antipas for that matter. I mean we knew he interacted with the high priest Caiaphas the Jewish Sanhedrin power of his time, and he interacted with Pontus Pilate the imperial power of his time but why not Herod Antipas? So that got me thinking, who was Herod and where did that line of Herod come from because it may hold the clues as to why Christ did not acknowledge him and especially because he was the King of Jews the very title they claimed Christ was trying to hold. Which we know he was not. But those two matters may in fact hold the clues.
So lets go.
Herod the Great, known historically for his ambitious building projects and his reign over Judea, had a complex lineage. Here is a brief overview:
Herod the Great was born around 73/74 BCE in Idumea (in modern-day southern Israel or Jordan). His father was Antipater the Idumaean, a powerful nobility, and his mother was Cyprus, of Nabatean descent.
Now let me stop here and explain who were the Idumaeans?
The Idumaeans were a Semitic people who inhabited the region known as Idumea, which roughly corresponds to the area southeast of Judea, extending into parts of modern-day southern Israel and Jordan. The Idumaeans were descendants of Edomites, who traced their lineage back to Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel), according to the Hebrew Bible.
Historically, the Idumaeans were often in close proximity to the Israelites and were sometimes in conflict with them. The biblical narratives portray a complex relationship between the Israelites and the Edomites/Idumaeans, including periods of cooperation and rivalry.
During the Hellenistic period, particularly under the rule of the Seleucid Empire, the Idumaeans came under Hellenistic influence. Later, during the time of the Maccabean revolt (second century BCE), the Idumaeans converted to Judaism under pressure from the Hasmoneans, the Jewish rulers who rebelled against Seleucid rule.
So that is the male line but let us look at the matrilineal line.
Herod’s mother was of Nabatean descent. So who were the Nabateans?
The Nabateans were an ancient Arab people who inhabited the region of northern Arabia and the southern Levant, particularly the area that is now modern-day Jordan, southern Israel, Sinai Peninsula, and northwestern Saudi Arabia. They are best known for their capital city of Petra, which was a major center of trade and culture in antiquity.
The Nabateans were skilled merchants who controlled important trade routes that connected southern Arabia, Egypt, and the eastern Mediterranean. Their prosperity was largely based on their control of these lucrative trade routes, which facilitated the exchange of goods such as spices, incense, precious metals, and other luxury items.
The Nabateans are believed to have originated as a nomadic tribe, possibly related to other Arab groups in the region. Over time, they established a sedentary civilization with Petra as their capital, known for its impressive rock-cut architecture and intricate water management systems.
Despite their largely nomadic origins, the Nabateans developed a sophisticated society with a distinctive culture that blended elements of Arabian, Hellenistic, and indigenous influences. They had their own language, Nabatean Aramaic, which was written using a script derived from Aramaic.
In the first century BCE, the Nabatean Kingdom came into conflict with the expanding Roman Empire. Eventually, in 106 CE, the Nabatean Kingdom was annexed by the Romans and became the Roman province of Arabia Petraea, marking the end of Nabatean independence.
Although the Nabatean civilization declined following Roman annexation, their legacy lived on through their architectural achievements, particularly at Petra, which remains one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world. Additionally, Nabatean influences persisted in the cultural and linguistic landscape of the region for centuries to come.
So before we specifically discuss Herod the Great let us see the full lineage:
By the time of Herod the Great, the Idumaeans had become integrated into Judean society. Herod himself was of Idumaean descent through his father, Antipater the Idumaean, who rose to prominence as a political figure in Judea under Roman authority. Through Herod's reign and the subsequent Herodian dynasty, the Idumaeans played a significant role in the political and cultural landscape of Judea and the broader region.Show more

The lineage of Herod the Great can be traced back to Edom, the nation of Esau in the Hebrew Bible. Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (later renamed Israel), and they inhabited the region of Edom, located southeast of Judea.
Herod's father, Antipater, was appointed by Julius Caesar as procurator of Judea in 47 BCE. Antipater's rise to power marked the beginning of the Herodian dynasty's influence in the region.
Herod himself gained prominence through his political maneuvering and alliances. He became the client king of Judea under Roman authority, reigning from 37 BCE until his death in 4 AD. Herod married multiple times, and among his wives were Mariamne I, a Hasmonean princess, and Mariamne II, his niece.
Herod's descendants continued to play significant roles in the region's politics, often amid intrigue and power struggles. Some notable figures among his descendants include his sons, Herod Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Philip the Tetrarch, as well as his grandchildren, including Herod Agrippa I and Herod Agrippa II, who feature prominently in the New Testament accounts in the Bible.
Despite Herod the Great's formidable reign, his lineage faced challenges and fragmentation after his death, with his realm eventually being divided among his surviving sons, leading to further complexities and conflicts in the region's history.
So now you know where Herod’s line came from lets see how the Line of David works in with this.
The lineage of the kings of Israel, leading up to the time of Jesus, begins with King David and continues through several generations. Here is an overview of the kings of Israel from David to the period around the time of Jesus:
King David (c. 1010–970 BCE): David, the second king of Israel, is renowned for his military conquests, his establishment of Jerusalem as the capital, and his role in establishing the Davidic dynasty. He is also credited with composing many of the Psalms in the Bible.
King Solomon (c. 970–931 BCE): Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, succeeded his father as king. He is known for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem.
Rehoboam (c. 931–913 BCE): Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, became king after his father's death. However, his reign was marked by division and conflict, leading to the split of the kingdom into the northern kingdom of Israel (comprising ten tribes) and the southern kingdom of Judah (comprising the tribes of Judah and Benjamin).
Kings of Judah: Following the division of the kingdom, the line of kings in Judah, who were descendants of David, continued. Some of the notable kings of Judah include:
Asa (c. 913–873 BCE)
Jehoshaphat (c. 873–849 BCE)
Hezekiah (c. 715–686 BCE)
Josiah (c. 640–609 BCE)
Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom): The northern kingdom of Israel, comprising ten tribes, had its own line of kings. The history of the northern kingdom was marked by instability and frequent changes in leadership. Some of the kings of Israel include:
Jeroboam I (c. 931–910 BCE)
Ahab (c. 874–853 BCE)
Jeroboam II (c. 786–746 BCE)
Conquest by Assyria and Exile: Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah eventually fell to foreign powers. The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BCE, leading to the exile of many Israelites. The southern kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonians in 586 BCE, leading to the Babylonian exile.
The line of kings in Judah continued after the Babylonian exile, albeit as vassals of various empires, including the Persians and later the Greeks under the Seleucid dynasty. This period sets the stage for the political and religious landscape during the time of Jesus, as the region was under Roman rule, with Herod the Great serving as king of Judea during the early part of Jesus's life.
So we know the line of Jesus to King David was both through Joseph and Mary. So the major question is who was more legitimate? Jesus line or Herod Antipas (Herod the Greats Son?)
Also what specific exchanges did Jesus have with Herod Antipas?
The encounters between Jesus and Herod Antipas are recorded in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke. Here are the relevant passages:
Luke 23:6-12
"When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was extremely glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other."
Luke 23:8-9:
"When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer."
In these passages, Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee and Perea, encounters Jesus during the trial before his crucifixion. Herod was intrigued to see Jesus and hoped to witness a miracle or sign from him, but Jesus remained silent during the questioning. Herod and his soldiers then mocked Jesus and dressed him in splendid clothing before sending him back to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. This encounter did not lead to any significant exchange of dialogue between Jesus and Herod, as Jesus chose not to respond to Herod's questions.
The Gospel accounts do not explicitly state why Jesus remained silent during his encounter with Herod Antipas. However, scholars have offered several interpretations and theories regarding Jesus' silence in this context. Here are some possibilities:
Jesus' Refusal to Engage in Political Games: Some scholars suggest that Jesus' silence before Herod was a deliberate refusal to engage in the political machinations of Herod and his court. By not responding to Herod's questions or requests for signs, Jesus may have been signaling his rejection of worldly power and authority.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Others view Jesus' silence as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 53:7 prophesies about the suffering servant who "was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." Jesus' silence before Herod could be seen as fulfilling this prophecy, emphasizing his role as the suffering servant.
Maintaining Dignity and Authority: Some scholars suggest that Jesus' silence was a demonstration of his dignity and authority. By not engaging in Herod's attempts to provoke or manipulate him, Jesus maintained his composure and authority as the Son of God.
Herod's Unworthy Motives: Another interpretation is that Jesus perceived Herod's motives as unworthy or insincere. Herod's desire to see Jesus perform a miracle or sign may have been driven by curiosity or a desire for entertainment rather than genuine interest in Jesus' message. Jesus' silence could be interpreted as a response to Herod's lack of sincerity.
Divine Will: From a theological perspective, some believe that Jesus' silence before Herod was in accordance with God's divine will. Jesus' mission on earth was to fulfill the plan of salvation, and his actions, including his silence before Herod, were part of that larger divine plan.
My thoughts are that Christ never suffered the fool. He knew that Herod’s line goes all the way back Esau and would have viewed the line of Esau to be from someone who sold his birth right for the comforts of this world. Christ came at a time to abolish all the lines under him let alone pay any attention to an illegitimate line. Times up and it end with exposing the frauds of the Sanhedrin and the kings.