We may readily admit that the Magi were led by such hebraistic and gentile influences to look forward to a Messias who should soon come. At any rate, the Hebrew tradition survived in Persia. When Christ was born, there was undoubtedly a Hebrew population in Babylon, and probably one in Persia. Many Jews did not return from exile with Nehemias. It is likely, however, that the Magi were familiar with the great Messianic prophesies. They came to adore him - i.e., to acknowledge the Divinity of this newborn King (vv.
The sudden appearance of a new and brilliant star suggested to the Magi the birth of an important person. The Catholic Encyclopedia (1910, “Magi”) adds: That the Jews expected a star as a sign of the birth of the Messiah is clear from the tractate Zohar of the Gemara and also from the title "Son of the Star" (Bar Kokhebha) given to a pseudo-Messiah.
Median astronomers would thus know Balaam's prophecy of the star out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). Sargon's settlement of Israelites in Media (circa 730-728 BC (2 Kings 17:6)) accounts for the large Hebrew element of thought. and others are probably right in bringing them from Persia. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915, “Magi”): states:Ĭlement of Alexandria, Diodorus of Tarsus, Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria. Daniel (1:20 2:27 5:15) uses the word to describe “wise men” / “astrologers who interpret dreams and messages”. They performed priestly functions, perhaps due to Zoroaster possibly having belonged to the tribe (or belief that he did), and studied astronomy and astrology: in part likely learned from Babylon. The Magi were originally a Median (northwest Persian) tribe (Herodotus i.101). Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. When they had heard the king they went their way and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 (RSV) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.”.
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