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Herod Antipas

Zondervan

Chapter One

FAMILY BACKGROUND

The dynasty of the Herods became prominent during the confusion which resulted in the decay of the Hasmonaean dynasty, the transference of Syria and Palestine to the rule of the Romans, and the civil wars which marked the decay of the nation. The first of the Herodian dynasty was Antipater (or Antipas) who was appointed governor of Idumaea. His son was also named Antipater and Josephus considers him an Idumaean by race and of great wealth.

Antipater married an illustrious Arabian lady, Cypros, by whom he had four sons - Phasael, Herod, Joseph, and Pheroras - and a daughter, Salome. Of these children Herod, called the Great (in the sense of the eldest), was proclaimed king of the Jews by the Roman Senate in late 40 B.C. by nomination of Antony and Octavian. Herod entered the possession of his sovereignty in the summer of 37 B.C. when, with the help of the Roman army, Jerusalem was captured and Antigonus removed, he being the last of the Hasmonaean rulers of the Jews, who with the support of the Parthians acted as the priest-king during the preceding three years.

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Excerpted from Herod Antipas by Harold W. Hoehner Copyright © 1983 by Zondervan. Excerpted by permission.
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