Bible Questions Answered:
I see in the New Testament that the name of Herod is used for different people, why is that?
Randy/ Los Angeles U.S.A.
Bible Answer:
In the gospels there were some four Herods.
Just as the Pharaoh's continued the name of a dynasty, so the Herodian family named each male child by their family name, Herod.
Herod: The Great/ Herod the Idumean.
He was the only ruler (Procurator) over Judea, under Roman occupation, appointed so by Julius Caesar, B.C. 47). It was Herod the Great, who slaughtered the infants of Bethlehem. Herod, The Great, had three sons...
Archelaus: (Ethnarch) Became the ruler over Judea, Idumea, and Samaria. Archelaus, was a builder of cities.
Antipas: Became the (Tetrarch) ruler of Galilee and Perea.
It was Herod who beheaded John the Baptist. It was to this Herod, that Pilate sent Jesus for his examination (Luke 23:).
Philip/ Herod Philip II: Became the (Tetrarch Luke 3:1) ruler of Batanea, Trachonitis, Gaulanitis, Auranitis, Iturea, and parts of Jamnia.etc. It was said of Philip, that he was the most respected of Herod's sons.
