The Star of Bethlehem

The Lunar Eclipse

There is another problem with 4 B.C. The lunar eclipse on March 10 occurred more than 6 hours after sunset, and therefore, would not have been seen by many people in Jericho at the time. However, there was another lunar eclipse that took place on December 29, 1 B.C. This eclipse occurred about 20 minutes after sunset and rose in the east at an altitude of 3 degrees. This would have easily been seen by many people that night. Also, the next Passover was on March 27, 1 A.D. This would allow 88 days for events 2-8 to take place. Therefore, if Herod’s death was in 1 A.D., we should look for the Star of Bethlehem in 2 and 3 B.C., unlike Keplar who was looking in 5 and 6 B.C.

The Magi

Now let’s move on to the famous story:

Matthew 2:1-9 – And Jesus having been born in Beth-Lehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, lo, mages from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who was born king of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and we came to bow to him. And Herod the king having heard, was stirred, and all Jerusalem with him, and having gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring from them where the Christ is born. And they said to him, In Beth-Lehem of Judea, for thus it hath been written through the prophet, And thou, Beth-Lehem, the land of Judah, thou art by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for out of thee shall come out leading, who shall feed My people Israel Then Herod, privately having called the mages, did inquire exactly from them the time of the appearing star, and having sent them to Beth-Lehem, he said, Having gone – inquire ye exactly for the child, and whenever ye may have found, bring me back word, that I also having come may bow to him. And they having heart the king, departed, and lo the star, that did see in the east, did go before them, till, having come, it stood over where the child was. (YLT)

First of all, who were the Magi? The historian Herodotus tells us that they came from a tribe in Medes, which was an ancient Iranian people. Their job was to interpret dreams, visions, and astronomical signs for kings and rulers in Medes, Persia, and Babylon. The philosopher Philo said that these Magi were very intelligent and worthy of praise.

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