Archaeologists uncover Herod's tombPDFPrintE-mail
Israel
Written by Chris Perver  
Monday, 07 May 2007 17:00
Link from my friends Darrel and Daniel...

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has announced it has uncovered Herod's tomb, who ruled Judea at the time of the birth of Christ. Scholars had believed Herod's body was buried at Herodium, a fortified palace that was built by the puppet king outside of Jerusalem, but up until now the exact place of Herod's tomb could not be found. The site was later destroyed by the Romans in 71 AD.

Quote: "Herod, whose father and grandfather converted to Judaism, was appointed governor of Galilee at the age of 25 and was made "King of the Jews" by the Roman senate in approximately 40 BCE. He remained king for around 34 years. Herod, also known as Herod the Great, is credited with expanding the Second Temple and building Caesarea, Masada, and many other monumental construction projects. He died in the year 4 BCE in Jericho after a long illness.

Herod's family ruled by complete authority, killing those he even suspected of plotting against him. Herod the Great had most of his own family executed, including his brother-in-law the High Priest, his uncle Joseph, his wife Mariamne, his wife's mother and his first son. Not to mention the slaughter of all the children under two years old in Bethlehem, when another claiming the title of the King of the Jews was born, the Lord Jesus Christ. Herod Antipas was Herod the Great's son, who reigned over Galilee at the time of Jesus. He also mocked the Lord's claim to be King of the Jews, but it was Pontius Pilate who ultimately recognized His title, placing it above His cross in accordance with the will of God.

John 19:14-15,19-22
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, [and] Greek, [and] Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. 

Source Haaretz, Nativity Pages

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