Herod Archelaus

Pronunciation: HAYR-ruhd + ar-kuh-LAY-us

Occurrences: 1 (Commentary only - Herod Antipas)

See: Herod Antipas, Herod Philip, Herod the Great, Herodians

Summary: Son of Herod the Great, Herod Archelaus came to rule Sumaria, Judea and Idumea after the death of his father. He rule for approximately nine years (c. 4 BCE — 6 CE), before was removed by Emperor Augustus when the Judaea province came under Roman rule. He was the half brother of Herod Philip and brother to Herod Antipas.

Azrael’s Commentary - Herod Antipas

Brother of Herod Philip and Herod Archelaus, and the son and successor of Herod the Great, Herod Antipas was the tetrarch (king) of Galilee and Perea. He ruled up to 39 CE, when he was banished to the south of France under the orders of Caligula, the Emperor of Rome.

Herod Antipas was a cruel man often given to debauchery. He was forever trying to upstage or embarrass his brother Philip. Antipas seduced the wife of Philip (her name was Herodias), causing her to abandon her husband and move into the court of Antipas. This behavior was publicly opposed and rebuked by John the Baptizer. In a fit of rage, Herod Antipas ordered John’s arrest and eventually gave the order that cost John his life. Yeshua always avoided Antipas and publicly refused to even speak with him.

Herod Antipas died in a drunken stupor at a feast which he had given. He awoke late at his party to find his guests asleep from too much wine and food. Antipas got up to relieve himself and stumbled into a bathing pool where he drowned. At his funeral, there was not even one mourner at the graveside.

Herod Antipas

Herod Philip

The Division of Herod's Kingdom:

Tetrarchy (Judea) under Herod Archelaus

Territory under Herod Antipas

Territory under Herod Philip

Salome I (cities of Jabneh, Azotas, Phaesalis)

Roman province of Syria

Autonomous cities (Decapolis)