Who was Herod in the bible?

Herod (Greek Herōdēs) is the name of a ruler called “King Herod” in the opening of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, and also of “Herod the tetrarch” later in Matthew. In the passages given, Herod is presented as a political authority whose actions and decisions shape major events around Jesus and John.

Herod in Scripture

Matthew introduces Herod in connection with Jesus’ birth and the arrival of visitors seeking the newborn king.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,” (Matthew 2:1, WEB)

The wise men ask about a rival royal birth, and Herod reacts with alarm. The narrative emphasizes both his personal distress and the public ripple effect in the city.

“When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:3, WEB)

Herod gathers religious leaders and asks for information about where “the Christ” would be born. The chief priests and scribes answer with a quotation about Bethlehem and a coming ruler: “for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.” (Matthew 2:6). After this, Herod turns to discreet inquiry. He summons the wise men secretly and questions them about the timing of the star’s appearance: “Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.” (Matthew 2:7). He then sends them to Bethlehem with instructions that sound outwardly reverent but serve his own purposes: “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.” (Matthew 2:8).

The wise men follow the star, find the child, worship, and present gifts. But they do not return to Herod. Their change of route is explicitly tied to warning.

“Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.” (Matthew 2:12, WEB)

Immediately after the wise men depart, Joseph is warned in a dream that Herod’s intentions are lethal. The warning gives Herod’s motive in plain language: “for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13). Joseph obeys, taking “the young child and his mother by night” and departing to Egypt (Matthew 2:14). The stay lasts “until the death of Herod” (Matthew 2:15), and the narrative connects this period with a prophetic word: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:15).

Herod’s response to being outmaneuvered is described as intense anger and violent action. The text frames his decision as tied to the timing he had learned from the wise men.

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.” (Matthew 2:16, WEB)

Matthew then cites another prophetic fulfillment with imagery of grief: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:18). After this tragedy, the story turns on Herod’s death.

“But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,” (Matthew 2:19, WEB)

The angel commands return: “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.” (Matthew 2:20). Joseph returns, but a new political detail affects where he settles. When Joseph hears that “Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod,” he becomes afraid to go there (Matthew 2:22). Warned again in a dream, he withdraws into Galilee and lives in Nazareth (Matthew 2:22–23).

Later, Matthew refers to another figure called Herod, identified by title rather than by kingship. This Herod receives reports about Jesus and is connected to the imprisonment of John.

“At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,” (Matthew 14:1, WEB)

Matthew states Herod’s action against John and gives a reason tied to another household relationship: “For Herod had arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.” (Matthew 14:3). The narrative also notes a scene at Herod’s birthday in which Herod is pleased by a dance: “But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.” (Matthew 14:6).

Multiple Bearers

The name Herod is used for at least two rulers in the verses provided. Matthew distinguishes “King Herod,” who is present “in the days” of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:1) and who “will seek the young child to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13), from “Herod the tetrarch,” who “heard the report concerning Jesus” (Matthew 14:1) and who “had arrested John” and “put him in prison” (Matthew 14:3). In Matthew 2, “Herod” is also mentioned as the father of Archelaus: “Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod” (Matthew 2:22).

Name and Meaning

In Greek the name is written Ἡρώδης (transliteration Herodes, pronounced hay-ro’-dace). The lexicon’s derivation describes it as a compound formed from a term meaning “a hero” and the Greek word eidos (εἶδος), “appearance.”

Observation

Across these passages, Herod is repeatedly portrayed as exercising power through secrecy, fear, and force—calling the wise men “secretly” (Matthew 2:7), seeking “to destroy” the child (Matthew 2:13), and ordering killings (Matthew 2:16)—while the narrative repeatedly highlights divine warnings given in dreams that divert others away from his intent (Matthew 2:12–13, 19–22).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Herod mean?

Herod is given as a Greek name formed from a compound of “a hero” and eidos.

How many times does Herod appear in the Bible?

Herod appears 44 times.

Who was Herod?

Herod is identified as “King Herod” in connection with Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:1) and also as “Herod the tetrarch” who heard reports about Jesus (Matthew 14:1).

What did Herod do when he realized the wise men did not return to him?

He became very angry and sent out orders to kill all the male children in Bethlehem and its surrounding area (Matthew 2:16).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Herod interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).