We too are asked to bring our gifts to the holy child, who represents all of humanity . Perhaps they were astronomers. The Magi were declaring their belief in Jesus being the King of Kings. The Bible says: When they went into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother. (Matthew 2:11) This indicates that the family were by then living in a house and that Jesus was no longer an infant in a manger.Luke 2:16. While these may seem strange, each gift holds significant meaning of the Christ . By presenting Jesus with frankincense. This can occur due to misinterpretations, translation errors or thanks to an embellishment done to spice up the tale. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/three-kings-wise-men-from-the-east-701082. It is unclear how the Magi, who were initially referred to simply as Magos (a caste of priests and, yes, wise men), became king. The Magi bring the first Christmas gifts. Travel When these three came together in 7 B.C., some scholars postulate that this could have been what the magi saw. July 2022 He was a black man with a heavy beard; second, Gaspar, king of India, with a gift of frankincense. Balthasar, often depicted as the King of Arabia or Ethiopia, is represented as a black man in ancient art, with a black beard and wearing a purple cloak. The astrologers may have visited Jesus a number of months after his birth. Molnar believes that the wise men were, in fact, very wise and mathematically adept astrologers. It is possible we would not have the gift giving at Christmas today without the story of their gifts for the young Jesus. We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Can rightly be considered among the first Christians, It is forthesereasons that they are truly known as wise men. In the second chapter of his Gospel, the Apostle Matthew writes of magi from the east who followed a star to an infant child they worshipped as the king of . The Greek word mgoi (translated magi or wise men) is plural, so we're sure there were at least two. The Bible doesn't mention how many Magi there were. KingHerod, not the star, was the first to direct the astrologers to Bethlehem. If you are saying that the greek historian Herodotus who wrote about 'magi' as being eastern Medes who were priestly astrologers, may of been supposing. They likely came from Arabia, not these other countries or diverse backgrounds. One theory that makes the most sense would be based on the stars movement itself. Who Was the Ethiopian Eunuch in the Bible? Self Empowerment The Evangelist also never says there were three Magi. There is no way to know how many. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, that designation was added centuries later as part of the traditions that embellished the narrative., The Bible does not reveal the names of the astrologers. The Wise Men were chosen of God and represented the three races of mankind. Some people believe that God sent the so-called star of Bethlehem to guide the astrologers to Jesus. Balthasar has a Persian sound. The Three Kings were among the wisest men of their time. Today, we choose to honor three, because three very significant gifts were offered. By the 7th century, and even now, the most educated accept as fact that there were three wise men. Notice in verse 2 they say, 'for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him.' (Num. Health + Wellness August 2021 https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/502019183/univ/art/502019183_univ_sqr_xl.jpg. (2020, August 27). However, people in northern Arabia typically only rode Arabian horses. The Greek word magi indicates these men were astrologers and interpreters of omensfollowing a star and dreaming dreams. Books + Magazines The Three Wise Men were members of an order of Persian priestly-astrologers known as Magi, that would study and interpret the stars. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of . Subscribe to my newsletters to stay updated with occasional blog posts, New Age nuggets and other goodies! You can throw out the We Three Kings picture completely. From the 1st millennium BCE (B.C.) This we are sure of, 1. It would be safe to assume that the three men that presented baby Jesus with the gifts, were either the leaders of the group(s). They might have been philosophers, astrologers, or . Celestial stars move across the sky from East to West and it never changes. Were the "wise men" kings? In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men, Why Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Were Given to Baby Jesus, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. a A number of Bible translations call them astrologers or magi.b. Would you like to read this article in %%? The wise men were astrologers, and the star was an astronomical sign they saw that signified the prophecy of the Jewish king. This is based solely on the numbers of gifts presented. Dwight Longeneckeris a parish leader, award-winning blogger, and speaker. The relationship between astrology and the birth of Jesus Christ has been well established by the fact that a "Star" guided the three wise-men who were travelling in search of the New King. Answer. They were wise men from the East ". Required fields are marked *. Scripture does not say how many wise men there were, but it is generally assumed there were three since they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ( Matthew 2:1) Instead, the Gospel writer Matthew used the Greek word ma'goi to describe those who visited Jesus. Share Frankincense was part of ceremonial worship of a deity. When he heard of a rival king of the Jews, Herod investigated where the promised Christ was to be born. They presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Asked by: Destany Tillman MD. This is based on Matthew 2:11-11, to be precise. The best-informed children will tell you that the names of the three kings are Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar. Perhaps this gift indicated Jesus humanity and the manner in which he would save his peoplethat he would die for them. Copyright 2022 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Psalms 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the expanse proclaims His handiwork. Writing Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. March 2021 They came from Persia and are believed to be " Zoroastrians. We often hear about three wise men. When we seek God with sincere determination, we will find him. Aspects And no, they were not Christians, per se. At the time of Christs birth camels were used as pack animals, but wealthy travelers used the more comfortable and swift horse. There were three: gold and frankincense and myrrh. If indeed these men were scholars from Persia, they would have been familiar with Daniel's prophecy about the Messiah or "Anointed One." In this article we will be looking at the more plausible explanations as to who the three wise men were. a A number of Bible translations call them "astrologers" or "magi." b How many "wise men" were there? September 2021 . Zodiac Signs. Few details are given about these men in the Bible, and most of our ideas about them actually come from tradition or speculation. Their responsibilities included reading the stars, and a host of wisdom-seeking work. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem Matthew 2:1. Since the seventh century, the Western Church has recognized these three Magi by the names Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Foolish people, like Herod the Great, reject Jesus and even seek to destroy him. Some assumed that because three gifts were given that there were three wise men. Herod wanted to know what their interpretations were regarding the remarkable heavenly drama that had occurred in 3 and 2 B.C.E. It is a common misconception that the wise men were present at the birth of Jesus Christ. Joseph and Mary find shelter in a stable with a bunch of animals the classic nativity scene. These men were mentioned as "Magi". They were part of long history of sorcerers that included none other than Daniel and Ezra In Syria, the wise men are named Larvandad, Hormisdas, and Gushnasaf, while other Christian cultures name them Kagba, Badakhrida and Badadilma. In giving Jesus the Myrrh. The Bible says: After they had heard the king, they went their way, and look! We always see the three wise men or magi showing up in traditional nativity scenes. Healing When the Three Wise Men "went into the home and saw the little boy," we are informed that they were "astonished.". Famous People November 2021 Elements 5. This is not the case however, as the wise men arrived in Bethlehem days, weeks, months or possibly even years later. The bible is actually rather silent over the matter of who they were, or how many of them were there. This is a common misconception. An example of this would be the lost city of Pompeii, a city long though to be nothing more then a legendtold to depict the furry of the Roman Pantheons. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Magi are consulted in the Book of Daniel, and by Pharoah in the time of Joseph. The original magi were highly valued by the Babylonian kings for centuries. Am I Bugging God When I Continue to Pray about the Same Thing? PRIVACY POLICY The word likely refers to experts in astrology and other occult practices. The purpose of their journey was to honor the new King. Mundane But who were they, really? It is said that the star would have been nothing but a cluster of stars with the bright Jupiter at the centre. The Three Wise Men were members of an order of Persian priestly-astrologers known as Magi, that would study and interpret the stars. When it was first rediscovered in 1599 and then again in 1748. They were also acknowledging him as the son of God and his own Godhood. Scholars have speculated that they came from Persia, Arabia, or even India. Some believe it to have been Jupiter or Mars, or perhaps an alignment of the planets. Many traditions believe that they visited the Christ Child 12 days after Christmas. Probably dabbled in alchemy and other early expressions of the sciences, too. A graduate of Oxford and Bob Jones University, he has written sixteen books on different aspects of religion. How did Herod react? The shepherds find their place, and the three Wise Men and their camels join them. Your email address will not be published. Viewed 7k times. The Three Kings were Zoroastrian astrologers and scholars, learned wise men. 3. Scripture does not say how many wise men there were, but it is generally assumed there were three since they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh . Eclipses Daniel was wiser than the wise menthey couldn't work out the dreams, but the Lord was with Daniel. May 2021 As stated in Matthew 2:1, the wise men visited Jesus Christ in a house, not in a stable. . Abraham is discussed as an astrologer. M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University, The Magi were both real and symbolic. For more information, visit dwightlongenecker.com, A Prayer for Victory - Your Daily Prayer - November 2, How to 'Let Go and Let God' with Adult Children in Trouble. By presenting Jesus with gold. Conferences + Events b See the New American Standard Bible, The New American Bible, The New English Bible, and the New International Version Study Bible. The Bible never says three wise men nor were wise men present at Christ's birth. The three Kings recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah while he was still a child, and traveled thousands of miles to worship him. They all point to Jesus Christ, the manifestation of God's love for the human race. Matthew reveals nothing of these visitors' ancestry. 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Origen in c. 250 was the first to give them these names. He doesn't even tell us that there were three of them. What are the names of the three wise men? Traditions and legends however identify the men as: Though they arrived from Persia collectively. Below I've selected "Three Wise Men of Astrology" as timeless leaders known for remarkable insights and soulful character as they describe what the spirit or human eyes cannot tangibly see. Molnar believes that the wise men were, in fact, very wise and mathematically adept astrologers. . The astrologers did not visit Jesus on the night of his birth. Matthew 2:1-2After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Others a shooting star that crossed the heavens or one that cut across the moon while it was either a full moon or a new moon. Evolutionary Astrology According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Eastern tradition sets the number of Magi at 12, but Western tradition sets their number at three, probably based on the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11) presented to the infant., Although in Christmas tradition the visitors are often depicted that way, nowhere does the Bible call them kings. As real men, the three kings confirmed ancient prophecies about Jesus being the Messiah, and as symbols, they showed that he came to save all people, rich and poor, learned or unschooled, from anywhere in the world. But if we put all the evidence together, it seems that the Wise Men were probably Zoroastrian influenced astrologers in the court of the Kingdoms of Nabatea and Sheba who brought rich gifts of diplomatic significance to the newborn King of the Jews. ( Matthew 2:1) Instead, the Gospel writer Matthew used the Greek word ma'goi to describe those who visited Jesus. July 2021 The star that the Magi followed moved North across the night sky. The Three Kings The Magi were both real and symbolic. Chiron It's likely that one of the Wise Men is Asian, one African, and one Caucasian. The Bible says: Astrologers from the East came to Jerusalem, saying: Where is the one born king of the Jews? 2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Whenever you see movies from this time period, the actors are riding on camels. The wise men were astrologers, and the star was an astronomical sign they saw that signified the prophecy of the Jewish king. A precious metal that has carried immense value throughout the ages. The inns were full. Christians have been trying to nail down their identity for millennia. Some Bible scholars think Joseph and Mary sold the wise men's gifts to pay for their trip to Egypt to escape Herods persecution. (Daniel 9:24-27, NIV). "Meet the Three Kings - Wise Men From the East." The Magi were acknowledging that he was here to die for us, suffer for us and that he was a sacrifice for us. 12 Prayers for a Fresh Start Every New Month, 7 Ways to Take Your Prayers for Others to the Next Level, Great American Family Breaks Records with Debut Christmas Movie: 'Great Content Wins', What to Do if Your Child Has Walked Away from the Faith, 8 Memorable Ideas for Bonding with Family on Thanksgiving, 10 Prayers to Turn Your Heart Towards Thankfulness This Season, Dealing with Eating Disorders During the Holiday Season, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2022, Crosswalk.com. December 2021 From the Introduction to Revelation of the Magi. Either of which would not be remarkable enough on their own to stand out. The Wise Men were Priests & Astronomers - not Kings or Astrologers The Magi's story is one of the best loved tales in the Bible. The designation "Magi" refers to a Persian religious caste, but when this Gospel was written, the term was loosely used for astrologers, seers, and fortunetellers. According to legend, the wise men were baptized by the Apostle Thomas and joined him in preaching the gospel. He is the author of a new book, Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men, available in bookstores now. It is commonly accepted among the western branches of Christianity, that there were only three men. translation of the Gospel reads not "wise men" but "astrologers" because in ancient times "astrology" encompassed both astrology and astronomy. Modified 5 years, 6 months ago. This belief has been brought about thanks, to nativity scenes consistently depicting them being around his manger along with the shepherds and their flock. Zavada, Jack. Moses was wiser then the wise menthey couldn't keep up with him. It has generally been assumed that the wise men (or magi) were three in number because Matthew 2:11 makes mention of three gifts: ". Someone that held occult knowledge and power over astrology, divination, fortune-telling, spiritual meditation and dream interpretation. All of the latter are frequently condemned by God in His Word. Some early church traditions say there were twelve. Transits He based that age range on information he had received from the astrologers.Matthew 2:16. They asked him the whereabouts of the King of the Jews because they had seen his star. Zavada, Jack. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. To this day there has been many debates as to which star signaled the birth of Jesus Christ, and had guided the wise men to him. Facts inevitably become myths, legends and folklore. But the magi were also familiar with other forms of divination. what "wise man" means. The gold could have been used to help smuggle Jesus out of Bethlehem in order to escape from King Herod. Matthew never says that they followed a star. That doesnt mean a star led them from Arabia to Jesus. Were the "wise men" kings? Finally, we also have the figure of Simon Magus, mentioned in Acts, who is condemned not for practising magic (hence the name) but for trying to buy the Holy Spirit from the Apostles. These wise men paid Jesus the kind of respect only God deserves, bowing before him and worshiping him. Among the best in the world, as viewed by people in the 1 st century, were the professional Chaldeans and the Magi of the east. a A number of Bible translations call them "astrologers" or "magi." b How many "wise men" were there? They also knew about the Old Testament prophecy that a new king would be born of the family of David. Sometimes referred to as The Three Magi or The Three Wise Kings. Love He does not call them kings but "wise men" or magoi. Poetry First a brief bit of history as to why I associate the astrologers below as Modern Magi. Only then did the astrologers go to Bethlehem. Wise men, magi, astrologers or kings? Creativity Can rightly be considered among the first Christians They read and believed the words of God Asteroids However, the Bible does not say there were only three wise men. Catholic Wedding Ceremony Traditional and Modern Services, They sought out Jesus Christ and awaited his arrival, They recognized Jesuss authority and accepted him as the King of Kings, They put their faith and trust in God and Jesus, They put God ahead of themselves and obeyed his commands rather than men. Magi indicates these men were were the three wise men astrologers Arabia, with Caspar being said to have come to him English translations of the Jewish king Images copyright, 5 common Myths the! To Guide the astrologers below as Modern Magi Meet the three kings astrologers that one each. 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