Magi-The Wise Men-Who Were They?

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This is a discussion of the Magi - or Wise Men - who journeyed to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem (he was most likely toddler by this time). Although the vast majority of people assume there were only three in the group, this is based solely on the three gifts that they gave: gold, frankincense and myrrh. As you will see, there was most likely a massive caravan that arrived. The Gospel of Matthew states that King Herod and all of Jerusalem were very concerned at their arrival. They are mysterious, however. No where is it stated exactly who these travelers were and what exactly their connection with Jesus was. But there is in the Old Testament a previously unrecognized prophecy that actually may state these very answers. If so, then it makes complete sense why Matthew included these mysterious people in the narrative.

Here is an excerpt from my book "Hidden Rhythms in Prophecy".
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The Magi are mysterious characters who appear without introduction during the nativity narrative and just as suddenly disappear without another mention. Various fanciful Christmas legends have been created to fill in the unknown details. However, these are the things that are known with certainty. They arrive from the east of Judea (Matthew 1:1) sometime after they had witnessed some astronomical observations which intrigued them to such an extent that they sought answers from the rulers in Jerusalem (Matthew 1:2). Note that they observed the “star” rising in the eastern direction but Judea was to their west; the phenomenon did not specifically point them in a certain direction or lead them to Jerusalem. The astronomical observation had characteristics that the Magi deemed significant; but the rest of the population did not recognize this or even realize anything out of the ordinary had happened (Matthew 1:3).

Even though the New Testament gives hardly any details as to who these Magi were, there are some tantalizing clues in the Old Testament.

“Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.” (Daniel 2:48)

 

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The Hebrew word translated as “wise men” is 'chakkim' (S#2445). The same passage in the Aramaic Peshitta also uses the word 'hakkim' meaning “wise, a scholar, sage.”1 Daniel was made head over all the “wise men” which consisted of several classifications in Nebuchadnezzar's royal court and are listed in multiple passages: Daniel 2:10, 4:7, 5:7, 5:11, 5:15.

Words used in the Hebrew text:

Equivalent words used in the Aramaic text:

The similarity of the Hebrew and Aramaic languages is again evident with the use of a couple of almost identical words. The words used that are different maintain a similar meaning. Within the classes, there is a notable differentiation made between the native Chaldeans and the immigrant Magi. Although the Hebrew text does not make use of the term “magi”, the equivalent term used of “gezar” would suggest that what is meant is a “diviner.” The Magi were preoccupied with omens and looked to astronomic observations; however, not in the modern sense of personal astrology but as to how events in the heavens portended major cultural events.

Cultures often borrow terms from other languages and the meanings then shift as the years advance. This happened with the term “magi” when the Greeks adopted it. It began as a description of a people group but then began to be used only of their most famous caste of priests. Eventually it morphed into a derogatory term for the dark arts and for mysterious and unexplainable activities. This is very evident in the resulting English language terms of “magic” and “magician.” This shift in meaning is evident in the work of Herodotus' “Histories.”

It is also evident in the Greek New Testament. The English word “magi” is first used in Matthew 2:1 and is translated from the Greek “magoi” (S# 3097). The term is also found in Acts 13:16: “When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.” This individual was not of the Magian people group; he was Jewish. The Aramaic Peshitta uses the word for sorcerer “harras” here instead.2 Even though the meaning of the Greek word was already indistinct, the Aramaic use of “magi” in Matthew suggests the more traditional meaning of the term and not that of “sorcerer.”



The Magi or Magians as a people group existed during the time of Daniel, through to the New Testament period and onwards. Descriptions of them are included in a work written circa 1000 AD by the moslem scholar Al-Biruni who described the calendar and the religions of the various peoples that lived around him. His writings describe the region before the rise of the Ottoman empire in the fourteenth century and well before the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 AD. He includes descriptions of the various Jewish sects, Christians, moslems and Zoroastrians. He was in a unique position to record this knowledge since he was descended from the people of the area: Chorasmia, modern day Uzbekistan.

“Now I shall mention the months of the Magians of Transoxiana, the people of Khwarizm and of Sughd.”3 Al-Biruni's geographical list places the origin of the Magian people in the area of modern Uzbekistan. This was the homeland of Zoroaster (circa 600 BC) who was a contemporary of Daniel.

“But afterwards when Zoroaster appeared and introduced the religion of the Magi, when the kings transferred their residence from Balkh to Persis and Babel and occupied themselves with the affairs of their religion...”4 [emphasis added]

The Magi were followers of Zoroaster and were originally centred in Balkh (Bactria in Greek), located in modern northern Afghanistan. They migrated to Persis, the homeland of the ancient Persians which is in modern southern Iran. They also made their home in Babel (Babylon). It was a long-lived religion throughout the area and up through the New Testament period during the Parthenian Empire which existed to the east of the Roman Empire:

“We return now to our subject, and go on to state that the Persians adhered to the Magian religion of Zaradusht, that they had no schism or dissension in it till the time came when Jesus rose, and his pupils spread through all the world preaching the Gospel.”5 [emphasis added]

Al-Biruni describes the influence of the Magian religion after the earlier downfall of the Babylonian empire:

“For the Sabians are the remnant of the Jewish tribes who remained in Babylonia, when the other tribes left it for Jerusalem in the days of Cyrus and Artaxerxes. Those remaining tribes felt themselves attracted to the rites of the Magians, and so they inclined (were inclined, i.e. Sabi) towards the religion of Nebukadnezzar, and adopted a system mixed up of Magism and Judaism like that of the Samaritans in Syria. The greatest number of them are settled at Wasit, in Sawad-al'irak, in the districts of Ja'far, Aljamida, and the two Nahr-alsila.”6 [emphasis added]

“As regards the Sabians, we have already explained that this name applies to the real Sabians, i.e. to the remnants of the captive Jews in Babylonia, whom Nebukadnezar had transferred from Jerusalem to that country. After having freely moved about in Babylonia, and having acclimatized themselves to the country, they found it inconvenient to return to Syria; therefore they preferred to stay in Babylonia. Their religion wanted a certain solid foundation, in consequence of which they listened to the doctrines of the Magians, and inclined towards some of them. So their religion became a mixture of Magian and Jewish elements like that of the so-called Samaritans who were transferred from Babylonia to Syria.”7 [emphasis added]

These fascinating details by Al-Biruni lead to speculation of just how much influence Daniel could have had as the head of the Magi during his lifetime. The further combination of Jewish prophetic concerns with the Zoroastrian focus on astronomy throughout the ensuing centuries would have been discussed by the scholarly elite. If, as has been previously discussed, Gabriel allowed Daniel to understand the 70 Weeks prophecy by giving him “insight and understanding” (Daniel 9:22), at least the beginning of the timeline must have been tracked. As a result, the Magi could possibly have been waiting for the end of the next period of 62 Weeks and the arrival of a Jewish “anointed one” (Daniel 9:26) in Judea. They would have known exactly when the reconstruction of Jerusalem had started since they were much closer to the time when ancient scrolls containing these records still existed. Therefore, a “star” appearing in the heavens at an expected time of significance would have been extremely important confirmation and made them anxious to investigate further. This could answer the question of how they knew they were looking for “he who has been born king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2).

 

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Even into the time of the Parthian empire (to the east of and concurrent with the Roman empire), the Magi were not considered native people as the historian Strabo recorded:

“...that the Council of the Parthians, according to Poseidonius, consists of two groups, one that of kinsmen, and the other that of wise men and Magi, from both of which groups the kings were appointed...”8

This longer section from Laertius gives much more detail about the Magi:

“The Persians have had their Magi, the Babylonians or Assyrians their Chaldaeans, and the Indians their Gymnosophists; and among the Celts and Gauls there are the people called Druids or Holy Ones.

Clitarchus...also says that the Chaldaeans apply themselves to astronomy and forecasting the future; while the Magi spend their time in the worship of the gods, in sacrifices and in prayers, implying that none but themselves have the ear of the gods. They propound their views concerning the being and origin of the gods, whom they hold to be fire, earth, and water; they condemn the use of images, and especially the error of attributing to the divinities difference of sex. They hold discourse of justice, and deem it impious to practise cremation; but they see no impiety in marriage with a mother or daughter, as Sotion relates in his twenty-third book. Further, they practise divination and forecast the future, declaring that the gods appear to them in visible form. Moreover, they say that the air is full of shapes which stream forth like vapour and enter the eyes of keen-sighted seers. They prohibit personal ornament and the wearing of gold. Their dress is white, they make their bed on the ground, and their food is vegetables, cheese, and coarse bread; their staff is a reed and their custom is, so we are told, to stick it into the cheese and take up with it the part they eat.

With the art of magic they were wholly unacquainted, according to Aristotle in his Magicus and Dinon in the fifth book of his History Dinon tells us that the name Zoroaster, literally interpreted, means “star-worshipper”; and Hermodorus agrees with him in this. Aristotle in the first book of his dialogue On Philosophy declares that the Magi are more ancient than the Egyptians; and further, that they believe in two principles, the good spirit and the evil spirit, the one called Zeus or Oromasdes, the other Hades or Arimanius. This is confirmed by Hermippus in his first book about the Magi, Eudoxus in his Voyage round the World, and Theopompus in the eighth book of his Philippica. The last-named author says that according to the Magi men will live in a future life and be immortal, and that the world will endure through their invocations. This is again confirmed by Eudemus of Rhodes. But Hecataeus relates that according to them the gods are subject to birth. Clearchus of Soli in his tract On Education further makes the Gymnosophists to be descended from the Magi; and some trace the Jews also to the same origin. Furthermore, those who have written about the Magi criticize Herodotus. They urge that Xerxes would never have cast javelins at the sun nor have let down fetters into the sea, since in the creed of the Magi sun and sea are gods. But that statues of the gods should be destroyed by Xerxes was natural enough.”9

The Magi had an important role in the vast Persian empire and its governmental centres were located throughout Asia Minor. The Parthians, as successors of the Persian empire had periodic violent dealings with the Romans and King Herod in particular. The influential Magi would have been a well known part of the political landscape of the time.

Matthew states that the Magi came from the east. What exactly did the term “east” mean? Certainly Babylon and the Parthian empire were located to the east of Judea. But the Bible refers to a specific area as “east.” When Abraham lived in Canaan, he desired to focus on Isaac as the fulfillment of God's covenant promise and sent his other sons away to the “east country.”

“But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.” (Genesis 25:6)

Some years later, Isaac desired Jacob to marry from within his own people group. “Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east.” (Genesis 29:1) This was the city of Haran, north-east of Canaan and in modern day southern Turkey.

During the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites, there is a connection made between Kedar, the son of Ishmael, and Arabah to the east. Arabah is from the word “arab” (S# 6148) which means “mixed” and also “to trade, barter.”

“Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, with all the Arabah eastward...” (Joshua 12:1)

1 Chronicles 1:29 identifies Kedar with Nebaioth (the Nabataeans). Later prophets continue to connect Kedar with the East. “Rise up, advance against Kedar! Destroy the people of the east! (Jeremiah 49:28). They are described as having camels, flocks and curtains (tents). Ezekiel 27:21 states: “Arabia and all the princes of Kedar.” Isaiah 21:13-17 connects Kedar with Arabia, Dedan and Tema. One tribe of Israel “lived to the east as far as the entrance of the desert this side of the Euphrates, because their livestock had multiplied in the land of Gilead.” (1 Chronicles 5:9)

These passages specify that the East consisted of the area outside the borders of Israel which included from northern Syria south to modern day Saudi Arabia. East ended before the Euphrates River so that Babylon and Persia were already part of the Far East. The whole area was described as Arabah/Arabia, the land of the Arabs. Jamieson's Bible Commentary says:

“The Arabs divide their country into the north, called Sham, or “the left”; and the south, called Yemen, or “the right”; for they faced east; and so the west was on their left, and the south on their right. Arabia-Deserta was on the east, Arabia-Petræa on the west, and Arabia-Felix on the south.”10

Arabia was a special place in the Scriptures. Moses' final blessing on Israel mentions several locations in Arabia:

“The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran” (Deuteronomy 33:1)

God gave the Law to Moses and the Israelites while in Arabia and it was there that they wandered for forty years. Sinai and Mount Horeb both describe the same location which is in Arabia as Paul specifically states in Galatians 4:25: “Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia.” This also ties Hagar and the descendants of Ishmael to the area as well. Paul goes on to state that he spent time in Arabia after his conversion. “But I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” (Galatians 1:17) Since he was a Pharisee and well versed in the Law and history, he might very well have spent time at Sinai working through how Christ was the fulfillment of the Torah, his whole reason for existence until that point. He may have followed in the footsteps of Elijah who spent a period of renewal at Mount Horeb/Sinai:

“And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.” (I Kings 19:8)



Isaiah 60 contains a prophecy of a future era of peace as the nations of the world come to Israel to worship God. The tribes of the East are listed:

“A multitude of camels shall cover you,

the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.

All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you;

the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;

they shall come up with acceptance on my altar,

and I will beautify my beautiful house.” (Isaiah 60:6-7)

These tribes are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 1:28-33 as sons of Jokshan, the son of Abraham's concubine Keturah and as the sons of Ishmael, also a son of Abraham. These were all sons that Abraham had sent away to the East country.

The previous quote from Deuteronomy mentions the place called “Seir” which is Mount Seir located near Petra in Jordan. This was the domain of the ancient Nabataeans who were named after Nebaioth, son of Joktan. One of their major gods was named “Dushara” which means “the god (dhu) of ash-Shara (Shara).”11

In the Hebrew language “Seir” is pronounced “say-eer” but by the Nabataeans it was “sha-ra.” There are two Hebrew homonyms, sounding similar, which will become significant as we continue. The first is “sha-ar” (S# 8180) which means “a measure ie. hundred-fold.” The second is “shaar” (S# 8176) which is “to think, calculate, or reckon.”

 

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Strabo describes the people of the area circa the first century:

“The Nabataeans and Sabaeans, situated above Syria, are the first people who occupy Arabia Felix. They were frequently in the habit of overrunning this country before the Romans became masters of it, but at present both they and the Syrians are subject to the Romans...Beyond the enclosure the country is for the most part a desert, particularly towards Judaea. Through this is the shortest road to Jericho, a journey of three or four days, and five days to the Phoinicon (or palm plantation)...[T]he camel traders travel with ease and in safety from Petra, and back to Petra, with so large a body of men and camels as to differ in no respect from an army.”12

The terms “Sabaeans” and “Sheba” have been mentioned several times through the quoted texts. The words are related with “Sheba” being the anglicized form. Who were these people? The most well known association is with the Queen of Sheba who left her country on a quest to investigate the unbelievable reports she'd been hearing about King Solomon. Modern scholars are still unsure as to exactly where this land of Sheba was due to issues with the conventional system of chronology. However, Jesus told us where Sheba was located as recorded in Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31. He refers to the “Queen of the South” coming “from the ends of the earth.” The Greek word used for “south” is “notos” (S# 3558) and is similar to our understanding of the general southern direction. But the Aramaic Peshitta uses a much more specific word. The feminine form is used which specifies a geographic area as opposed to the masculine form which specifies a general direction. It is from the root word “ymn” or “to act with the right hand”13.

Yemen is located at the “right hand” of Arabia or Arabia-Felix. “Felix” means “fertile” or “happy, blessed.” Arabia is not commonly associated with being fertile, however, at one time the southern portion of Arabia was home to a very powerful and wealthy empire – the Sabeans. Strabo states:

“The country of the Sabaei, a very populous nation, is contiguous [most of modern Yemen], and is the most fertile of all, producing myrrh, frankincense, and cinnamon...The people who live near each other receive, in continued succession, the loads of perfumes and deliver them to others, who convey them as far as Syria and Mesopotamia.”14

The area's fertility was a result of the construction of a massive dam near their capital city of Marib. It was one of the engineering marvels of the ancient world allowing a thriving culture. Their caravan trade routes went along the western side of Arabia, past the eastern side of the Jordan River and on towards Damascus. All along this route were colony settlements. However, the dam broke around the fifth century AD and caused widespread population migration. By the time of Al Biruni's writings circa the eleventh century, he recognized a large population of Sabeans living in the northern settlements, west of the Euphrates. He described the Sabeans as following a mixture of Jewish and Magian religious influences. Before the breach of the dam “their commerce brought the Sabaeans under Christian and Jewish influence; and, though the old gods were too closely connected with their life and trade to be readily abandoned, the great change in the trading policy... seems to have affected religion as well as the state. The inland gods lost importance with the failure of the overland trade, and Judaism and Christianity seem for a time to have contended for the mastery in South Arabia.”15

The name “Sheba” is mentioned several times through the Bible but does not refer to just one people group. There were multiple progenitors named “Sheba.” Genesis 10:6 lists Seba and Raama as sons of Cush, son of Ham. Sheba and Dedan were Raama's sons. Cush was the progenitor of the Ethiopians and Egypt is commonly linked together with them.

Genesis 10:26 lists another Sheba, the son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem. At the time the geneology was written, this group had settled in the hill country of the east.

1 Chronicles 1:28-33 lists another Sheba and Dedan but these were sons of Jokshan, the son of Abraham's concubine Keturah.

Job 1:15 mentions attacking Sabeans who were living in the same area as the Chaldeans near the Euphrates. A few chapters later, Job 6:18-19 talks about the caravans of Tema and Sheba and can be associated with the descendants of Ishmael.

References in the Bible sometimes connect the mentioned Sheba with Ham's line and other times Sheba is connected with Shems' line. Psalm 72:10b ties Sheba and Seba together. Isaiah 43:3 lists Egypt, Cush and Seba together. Ezekiel 27:22 and 38:13 says that Sheba and Raama were traders and merchants and descendant's of Ham. In 2 Chronicles 21:16 the descendants of Cush are described as living near the Arabians (as sons of Shem) during the time of King Jehoram in the divided kingdom era.

 

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There is one other significant reference to Sheba which is found in Isaiah:

“Thus says the LORD: “The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: ‘Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.’”” (Isaiah 45:14)

At first glance, this prophecy as translated in the ESV does not seem to have anything to do with the nativity account. It is commonly recognized that Matthew's gospel focuses heavily on Jewish culture and prophetic concerns. Multiple times in Chapter 2, Matthew refers to Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled at the time of Jesus' birth. Verses 5-6 refer to the prophecy of Bethlehem found in Micah 5:2. Verse 15 refers to God's son being called out Egypt which was originally found in Hosea 11:1. Verse 17 mentions the weeping of Ramah found in Jeremiah 31:15. Verse 23 states that Jesus would be called a Nazarene which suggests that the word is derived from “branch” and the prophecy found in Isaiah 11:1. Could it be that the Magi themselves were prophesied in the Old Testament, specifically in this prophecy of Isaiah, but have not been recognized as such?

Examining further, Isaiah 45:14 mentions three places. The first two: the “wealth of Egypt” and the “merchandise of Cush” are inanimate products. But the Sabaeans are described as a people group. Gold was mined in Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia) and is often tied to the prosperous kingdom of Sheba who were world-renowned spice traders with their frankincense and myrh (Jeremiah 6:20, Isaiah 60:6).

The translation describes the Sabaeans as “men of stature.” The Hebrew word used is “middah” (S# 4060) and refers to measurement. Although other biblical uses of the word refer to tall people (Numbers 13:32, 1 Chronicles 11:23), the vast majority of the fifty-five instances where it is used, refer to the sense of measurement and this includes other contemporary prophets of Isaiah. The word used in the Aramaic Peshitta is “mušḥā” which means “measure; grade, rank, status; order, according to limits” and is from a base word meaning “to anoint” and “spread with oil.”16 The Sabaeans as well known merchant traders are known for measurement of spices, garments and other goods. But they are also men of rank or status as the term “magi” would suggest. It was pointed out previously that the Hebrew word for measurement “sha-ar” is a homonymn for “Sier.” This was the major mountain associated with the Sabaean/Nabatean settlement located there along the well-traveled trade route to the east of Judea.

Continuing on in Isaiah, the first verb used is “abar” (S# 5674) which is “to cross over a border, pass through.” The ESV translation has chosen to translate the next verbs as “they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains.” However, the Hebrew words used would suggest something different.

The word translated as “chains” is “ziquah” (S# 2131). Although it can mean “chains”, it can also mean the significantly different: “firebrand, missile, spark, shooting star, ray of light.” Good exegesis considers how an author uses the same word elsewhere in his writings. Isaiah uses the word twice more very shortly later in his book:

“Lo, all ye kindling a fire, girding on sparks, Walk ye in the light of your fire, And in the sparks ye have caused to burn, From my hand hath this been to you, In grief ye lie down!” (Isaiah 50:11) [YLT] [emphasis added]

Isaiah makes use of the verb “halak” (S# 1980) which has the sense of traveling or walking with purpose. Therefore, the literal meaning could very well be: “the Sabaeans quest after the sparks/ray of light.” This gives quite a different spin on the passage and offers a significant possible tie to Matthew's narrative.

The next action in the passage includes the Hebrew words “shachah” (S# 7812) meaning “to fall down, bow down in worship” and “palal” (S# 6419) meaning “to pray.” They recognize that there is only one God and that He is alive. Who are they addressing in the passage? “Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior” (Isaiah 45:15). The word used for “hides” is “sathar” (S# 5641) which includes the sense of hiding by covering oneself or concealing. The Aramaic equivalent includes the sense of clothing oneself.

As the passage continues, Isaiah contrasts with the makers of earthly idols who disgrace themselves because their creations are useless. The True God created the world to be filled with life and the only True God is the Saviour and will be worshiped as such.

Does this passage not accurately describe the mission of the Magi? Could this be an unrecognized fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy which Matthew records? The Sabaeans traveled in caravans which rivaled the size of armies and could have caused Herod and all of Jerusalem much worry when they arrived. They were termed “magi” due to the similarities of observing the heavens, searching for portents of impending cultural events. They were associated with wisdom and of high rank and with a play on words with “Seir”, the major mountain located near their usual route of travel. In this case, they were familiar with the expected Jewish Messiah and after recognizing an important sign in the heavens, they went on a quest for the True God, the One who had clothed Himself in human form and who had shown the futility of the other gods that the surrounding cultures worshiped.

In the early centuries of the Church, Justin Martyr seems to have made the same connection:

“Now this king Herod, at the time when the Magi came to him from Arabia, and said they knew from a star which appeared in the heavens that a King had been born in your country...And none of you can deny that Damascus was, and is, in the region of Arabia, although now it belongs to what is called Syrophœnicia.”17

After possibly traveling to Jerusalem by way of the usual shorter mountain pass from the Jordan, God warned them not to return by the same way. They would most likely have used the existing southern trade route which would have taken them back toward and along the western edge of Arabia.

 

[Soul]

Even though the New Testament gives hardly any details as to who these Magi were [...]

Indeed, but the One Who is Wisdom hasn't ceased to reveal, to the belief of some. For example, a woman named Maria Valtorta is believed to have received from Jesus visions of scenes from His life on Earth, including those found in the four Gospels, and wrote them down at His request. On February 28th, 1944, she received a vision of the adoration of the Magi, and took dictation from Jesus, Who gave His commentary on it. According to her writings, there were three Magi: Gaspar, Melchor, and Baldazar, "each having set out from three different points on the earth," "each of them unknown to the others," "from the far away Indies," as in "meridional Asia, where Turkey, Afghanistan, and Persia are located in our geography" (Matt. 2:2), and that then "the star guides them from the north, the east, and the south, and by a miracle of God, it proceeds for the three of them towards one point. And by another miracle of God, after many miles, it gathers them at that point, and by a further miracle, it anticipates the Pentecost Wisdom, bestowing on them the gift of understanding and making themselves understood, as it happens in Paradise, where only one language is spoken: God's," and they then proceeded together from beyond the Dead Sea towards Palestine.

After departing Jerusalem, the star reappeared and the Magi continued to follow it until it stopped over a house in Bethlehem (cf. Matt. 2:11), which belonged to one of the twelve shepherds, Elias, who had adored the Messiah in a manger in a stable just outside the town nine to twelve months earlier (Lk. 2:16). That night of the adoration of the shepherds was when Elias invited Joseph and Mary to live with him and his wife, Anne, where they remained until their escape to Egypt (Matt. 2:13-15). (The Poem of the Man-God: Vol. I)

 

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Indeed, but the One Who is Wisdom hasn't ceased to reveal, to the belief of some. For example, a woman named Maria Valtorta is believed to have received from Jesus visions of scenes from His life on Earth, including those found in the four Gospels, and wrote them down at His request. On February 28th, 1944, she received a vision of the adoration of the Magi, and took dictation from Jesus, Who gave His commentary on it. According to her writings, there were three Magi: Gaspar, Melchor, and Baldazar, "each having set out from three different points on the earth," "each of them unknown to the others," "from the far away Indies," as in "meridional Asia, where Turkey, Afghanistan, and Persia are located in our geography" (cf. Matt. 2:2), and that then "the star guides them from the north, the east, and the south, and by a miracle of God, it proceeds for the three of them towards one point. And by another miracle of God, after many miles, it gathers them at that point, and by a further miracle, it anticipates the Pentecost Wisdom, bestowing on them the gift of understanding and making themselves understood, as it happens in Paradise, where only one language is spoken: God's," and they then proceeded together from beyond the Dead Sea towards Palestine.

After departing Jerusalem, the star reappeared and the Magi continued to follow it until it stopped over a house in Bethlehem (cf. Matt. 2:11), which belonged to one of the twelve shepherds, Elias, who had adored the Messiah in a manger in a stable just outside the town nine to twelve months earlier (cf. Lk. 2:16). That night of the adoration of the shepherds was when Elias invited Joseph and Mary to live with him and his wife, Anne, where they remained until their escape to Egypt (cf. Matt. 2:13-15). (The Poem of the Man-God: Vol. I)

Ridiculous unbiblical pap. None of that is believable or historically accurate.

 

[Soul]

Ridiculous unbiblical pap. None of that is believable or historically accurate.

If you decide to point out which part(s) you believe is unhistorical, we can go from there.

 

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If you decide to point out which part(s) you believe is unhistorical, we can go from there.

All of it. You have given no historical proof for your statements. There is nothing Biblically accurate in your statements. It is all made up fairy tales.

 

[Soul]

All of it. Not interested in your fairy tales. Kindly stop polluting this thread with unsubstantiated nonsense.

I haven't posted any additional information from The Poem of the Man-God in your thread. If you decide to explain why you believe all of what I have shared is unhistorical, we can go from there, but until then, I respect your decision to not support your conclusion, nor allow me to support mine, at this time.

 

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If you decide to explain why you believe all of it is unhistorical, we can go from there, but until then, I respect your decision to not support your conclusion, nor allow me to support mine, at this time.

You have given no proof whatsoever. You are polluting this thread with fairy tales. Stop it.

 

[Soul]

You have given no proof whatsoever. You are polluting this thread with fairy tales. Stop it.

Refer back to post #10, please.

 

[eclipseEventSigns]

Refer back to post #10, please.

You will find I have not use or patience for those who make wild statements without any scientific proof, historical proof and most important properly backed up with Biblical support.

 

[Soul]

You will find I have not use or patience for those who make wild statements without any scientific proof, historical proof and most important properly backed up with Biblical support.

In the links cited in my signature, you'll find scientific, historical, and scriptural evidence, and more to support that Maria Valtorta received visions and dictations from Jesus, to the belief of some.

 

[Tambora]

This is a discussion of the Magi - or Wise Men - who journeyed to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem

I appreciate all your research in this thread.
I was wondering if in any of the research you have done if you have come across "wise men" traveling to visit any other child kings that they determined were born from witnessing the stars.

 

[eclipseEventSigns]

I appreciate all your research in this thread.
I was wondering if in any of the research you have done if you have come across "wise men" traveling to visit any other child kings that they determined were born from witnessing the stars.

That can NOT be proven. Stop this now.

 

[Mr GLee]

If you decide to point out which part(s) you believe is unhistorical, we can go from there.

The matter is not which one is historical . Lies have a history .

It is all about not adding or subtracting from the historical mixed with the temporal . In that way without parables the poetic tongue of Christ .Christ spoke not . They must be mixed or no gospel rest.

2 Corinthians 4:18King James Version While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal

Jesus addressed the idea of seeking after a sign before one believes.( Sign and wonder seekers) No faith as it is written that could please Christ

It can be seen below to the law to the law (John 4:48) and its testimony of prophecy (John 6:30 )Christ spoke not

John 4:48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

John 6:30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

An evil generation seeks after the things seen before they exercise the faith of Christ that works in all that do not go above all things written in the law and prophets (sola scriptura)

 

[Soul]

@eclipseEventSigns, do I have permission to discuss the information from The Poem of the Man-God about the Magi with other members in your thread?

 

[eclipseEventSigns]

@eclipseEventSigns, do I have permission to discuss the information from The Poem of the Man-God about the Magi with other members in your thread?

Kindly start another thread for that. It has nothing to do with this subject in this thread.

 

[Soul]

Kindly start another thread for that. It has nothing to do with this subject in this thread.

I don't see how it's off-topic, but I'll acquiesce.