Eddersheim wrote that the town of Bethelem probably only had about twenty boys under the age of two. One possibility the even may have been omitted is that it may have been considered so insignificant among Herod's contemporaries compared to his other acts of madness. Another likely possibility is that both Herod and his descendants would have executed anyone, such as John the Baptist, who portrayed members of their family in a poor light. Most of what we know about Herod's family comes after the destruction of Jerusalem, when the last member of royalty had fled for safety during a revolt in 70 A. D. thus ending his dynasty.
The Slaughter of the Innocents found in the Gospel of Matthew has been challenged as unreliable because it is recorded nowhere else. It was perfectly within the scope of Herod's cruelty to initiate an act, after all, he had murdered his own wife and several children. But Bethlehem was a small town.
Eddersheim wrote that the town of Bethelem probably only had about twenty boys under the age of two. One possibility the even may have been omitted is that it may have been considered so insignificant among Herod's contemporaries compared to his other acts of madness. Another likely possibility is that both Herod and his descendants would have executed anyone, such as John the Baptist, who portrayed members of their family in a poor light. Most of what we know about Herod's family comes after the destruction of Jerusalem, when the last member of royalty had fled for safety during a revolt in 70 A. D. thus ending his dynasty. |
About FainnHe has a thick Appalachian accent and a magnificent beard. He is also married to Mary Ball Archives
November 2021
Categories |