A Death Sentence Upon Children Two and Younger
King Herod's Way to Preserve Power Was To Kill All Possible Heirs
Dec 30, 2008
Herod the Great may be most well known for his orders to kill all male children two years of age and under in Bethlehem and in the surrounding region. But, it was not documented by historians at the time. It is only reported in the Gospel of Matthew.
The event has become known as the "Massacre of the Innocents" and is not only the subject of historical accounts, but many artists have depicted the reputed atrocity in artwork through the ages. Definitely there is controversy surrounding the reality of such desparate action, but it has been noted that it is something that would not have been out of character for Herod.
Josephus' Accounts
The Jewish historian Josephus, who is reputed to be the most important source on Herod the Great recorded that he executed his own sons, Aristobulus and Antipater, in 7 and 4 B.C. There is even a mention that it caused the emperor Augustus to joke that it may have been preferable to be Herod's pig (or dog - depending on the version of the account) than his son.
Other references in Josephus' historical records reveal examples of King Herod’s willingness to kill in order to preserve power, but none specifically refer to the ordering of the killing of the children of Bethlehem.
Testament of Moses
There was also a prophecy recorded in the Testament of Moses, or the Assumtion of Moses: "An insolent king will succeed [a lineage]… he will slay all the young." This text is a 1st century Jewish apocryphal document that is viewed as secret exhortations or prophecies that Moses revealed to Joshua at the time he passed on the leadership of the Israelites to him. It is estimated that it refers to Herod's action at the time of Jesus' birth.
The Gospel of MatthewWithin the book of Matthew, the account is related that Herod became enraged when he learned that the Magi had left Judea without returning to him to relate the wherabouts of the infant king.
"When Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi."Massacre of Intent
Obviously, whatever deal that had been made between Herod and the Magi regarding the new king went sour. Also, whatever deeper intent the Magi had in travelling so far at such risk, to meet Jesus is not completely known. Matthew also reiterated the warnings the angels gave that King Herod was planning to kill the first born male children in Bethehem. This caused the Magi to flee Judea and return to their homeland and caused Josephto take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Unfortunately, history may never reveal whether the meeting between the Magi and Jesus was to have been more than just an offering of gifts. Such a death sentence may have killed more than the children of Judea.
Suggested Reading:
The most important ancient source for King Herod was written by Flavius Josephus: the Jewish War and the Jewish Antiquities.
Also - Robert Eisenman, James The Brother of Jesus, 1997, I.3 "Romans, Herodians and Jewish sect"
