Herod the Great: A Genius or a Fool?
In the First Century AD, a despot sat on the throne of Israel. History has recognized him as a brilliant leader, a masterful architect, and a cunning diplomat. But Herod the Great was also unbelievably paranoid and horribly vengeful. His story ends just as the story of Jesus begins. Both will end their lives officially named “King of the Jews” by the Roman Empire. But their stories couldn’t be more different.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2 NET)
The Death of Herod the Great
Jesus’ story begins with a direct assault on the Roman Empire. Herod the Great knew exactly what it meant when the Magi entered Jerusalem looking for the “King of the Jews.” Understanding the story of Jesus without understanding the story of the ruler who tried to end His life almost immediately after He was born, is impossible. The story of Herod the Great impacts everything in the Gospels.
Herod the Great’s death exposed him for who he truly was. He lay in his palace in Jericho rotting from the inside out. Gangrene completely consumed his flesh, while his mind was fully consumed by the paranoia and jealousy that he’d battled throughout his rule. Just days earlier he had his favorite son and heir, Antipater, executed, believing he was plotting to kill him even though he was already on death’s door. And Herod knew his death was imminent.
For days, Herod’s soldiers were rounding up the greatest and most loved leaders in all of Judea. Herod wanted them gathered into the arena in Jericho. His plan for them was horrific. Herod feared that the Jewish people wouldn’t mourn his death. So, he would have his soldiers murder these leaders just moments after his own death. If the people wouldn’t mourn for Herod, he would ensure they had something to mourn about. Herod the Great died as he lived: desperate for the hearts of the Jewish people.
Winning the Throne
The Land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was at the crossroads of the ancient world. Nations from Europe, Asia, and Africa all battled for control of this tiny geographical strip. It’s impact on the ancient world cannot be overstated.
Herod the Great has the same level of impact on the political world that Jesus Christ was born into. At the request of Marc Antony, Herod was appointed “King of the Jews” by the Roman Senate. Herod’s life-long rival was the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, who was also the lover of Marc Antony.
Trying to solidify his rule, Herod the Great – who was himself only half Jewish and that by conversion only – married into the recently deposed Hasmonean Dynasty. And the land of Israel was the border between the two greatest empires of the day: Rome and Parthia. But, while he secured the throne in the eyes of the Romans, he failed to secure his place in the hearts of the people he ruled.
Losing the People
Herod the Great never got past the reality that he wasn’t truly Jewish. His father, an Idumean, was forcibly converted to Judaism during the Hasmonean Kingdom. His mother was an Arabean princess from Nabatea. He had a pedigree. He was from royal lineage on both sides. But Herod wasn’t Jewish. This made him do both amazing and terrible things as King.
But Herod didn’t only have pressure from beneath. It was coming from all around. Herod the Great’s position in the Roman Empire was tenuous. The Ptolemaic Dynasty, led by his enemy, Cleopatra, was to the south in Egypt. And to the west was the only rival to the Romans – the Parthians. When Herod realized that Octavian was going to dethrone Marc Antony during the Roman Civil War, he betrayed the friend who brought him to power and pledged his loyalty to Octavian. Herod lived every day of his rule in fear that an attack or betrayal could happen at any moment.
Finally, Herod was convinced that his own lust for power was present in all those who surrounded him. He had three of his sons, his Hasmonean wife Mariamne, and his wife’s mother and grandfather executed for treason. When the Sanhedrin stood against his rule, he had 45 of its members executed.
It’s no surprise that the Jewish people feared Herod. But in many ways, they also loved him.
Leaving a Legacy
Yes, Herod ruled by fear and terror. But this mad genius desperately wanted the love of his subjects. That’s why he worked tirelessly to make Judea a prosperous city-state within the Roman Empire. Josephus wrote that during a period of famine, He opened up the royal treasuries to provide food to the masses. He cut taxes twice. And most notably, Herod rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. Both politically and economically, Herod’s leadership made Judea a more prosperous nation.
Historians agree. Herod was the greatest Jewish King since Solomon. He left an indelible mark on history. You can’t tell the story of the Jewish people without him. But, just a few miles from his seat of power, a young maiden and the carpenter to whom she was betrothed looked for shelter in the village of Bethlehem, and the promised son of David was being born. This child grew to join Herod in being proclaimed the “King of the Jews” by a Roman official. And while Herod tried to cling to his power and authority, this child who was Immanuel – God with us – laid His authority and power down and willingly died. Herod remains in his tomb. Jesus does not. The Son of David is the Eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
