Herod Archelaus
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Herod Archelaus was the son of Herod the Great and the brother of Herod Antipas. He served as the ethnarch of Judea and Samaria from 6 BCE until his deposition by Rome in 6 CE.
What is the meaning of Herod Archelaus in the Bible?
Herod Archelaus was the son of Herod the Great and the brother of Herod Antipas. He served as the ethnarch of Judea and Samaria from 6 BCE until his deposition by Rome in 6 CE.
SIGNIFICANCE
His reputation for cruelty and his subsequent exile explain why Joseph and Mary avoided returning to Judea in the Gospel of Matthew.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Herod Archelaus reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Herod Archelaus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Herod Archelaus clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.
How to Cite This Entry
"Herod Archelaus." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/herod-archelaus/