Boy New Testament Known
Herod
son of a hero
Ἡρώδης Hērōdēs
Herod (Greek: Ἡρώδης, Hērōdēs) means “son of a hero”, by traditional interpretation. Three men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Gospels period. In 1968 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Use is long out of use. Appears with Abijah in Luke 1.
Which Herod?
Three men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Herod
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Herod
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Herod
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 43 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 3 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
Using it today
Based on 1968 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 1968 | 5 | Long out of use |
| All-time total | 37 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 7 in 1924 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Matthew 2:1 |
| Last appears | Acts 23:35 |
| Cross-references | 1,103 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Herodias co-occurrence Appears with Herodias in Mark 6.
- Philip co-occurrence Appears with Philip in Mark 6.
- Archelaus co-occurrence Appears with Archelaus in Matthew 2.
- Blastus co-occurrence Appears with Blastus in Acts 12.
- Chuza co-occurrence Appears with Chuza in Luke 8.
- Manaen co-occurrence Appears with Manaen in Acts 13.
- Salome co-occurrence Appears with Salome in Matthew 14.
- Simeon co-occurrence Appears with Simeon in Acts 13.
Origin & meaning
Ἡρῴδης (Rec. -ώδης), -ου, ὁ
Herod;
__1. Herod the Great: Mat.2:1-23, Act.23:35.
__2. Herod Antipas (ὁ τετραάρχης, Mat.14:1): Mat.14:1, 3 14:6, Mrk.6:1-56, Mrk.8:15, Luk.1:5 3:1, 19 8:3 9:7, 9 13:31, 23, Act.4:27 13:1.
__3. Herod Agrippa I: Act.12:1, 6 12:11, 19 12:21 (cf. Ἀγρίππας (II)).†
(AS)
Herod Agrippa I was a king who persecuted the early church, killing James and imprisoning Peter.
The biblical story
Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great and ruled as king over Judea, Samaria, and other regions from 41 to 44 AD. In the book of Acts, he is portrayed as a persecutor of the early Christian church. Herod Agrippa I had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword (Act.12.1-2). Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well, intending to bring him out for public trial after the Passover (Act.12.3-4). However, an angel miraculously freed Peter from prison (Act.12.6-11). When Herod Agrippa I discovered Peter's escape, he had the guards executed (Act.12.19). Later, Herod Agrippa I was involved in a dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon (Act.12.20). On the appointed day, he delivered a public address to them, and the people shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man!" (Act.12.21-22). Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died (Act.12.23). (Act.12.1-23).
Key verses
Herod appears in 6 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Acts 12:1 -
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Acts 12:6 -
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Acts 12:11 -
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode.
Acts 12:19 -
And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
Acts 12:20
Show all 6 references
Acts (6)
- Acts 12:1
- Acts 12:6
- Acts 12:11
- Acts 12:19
- Acts 12:20
- Acts 12:21