2007-12-01 14:59:35 · 23 answers · asked by Zezo Zeze Zadfrack 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Matthew2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2007-12-01 15:04:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all the bible never says there were three. The inference was made because three types of gifts were given - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Read it for yourself in Matthew 2 (www.biblegateway.com).
Different bibles translate the Greek language to different English words. Everyone calls them "wise men" because that is how the King James Version translates it, which was the standard English translation for many years. NIV = Magi = a member of the Zoroastrian priestly caste of the Medes and Persians (per Webster). ESV = wise men, NASB=magi.
Who knows how many there were? There were at least two, but probably not too many. They were probably wise and probably were also Magi (“important” men from “the east”).
2007-12-01 15:17:33 · answer #2 · answered by David H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wise Men seeking the KIng
2007-12-01 15:02:52 · answer #3 · answered by Inou 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says that they were Wise men. The Bible is silent on the fact of how many Wise men there were. Also when they found Jesus he was not in the manager He was already living in a house with His parents. He would have been around 18 months old when they found Him.
2007-12-01 15:07:34 · answer #4 · answered by zoril 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might have been more than three and they were astrologers called wise men for their knowledge of the heavens.
they found the child in a house not an infant in a manger according to the bible.
Herod wanted to kill the child...the astrologers didn't report back to him.
An Angel told Joseph and Mary to take the child to Egypt.
Then Herod ordered the children 2 years and younger to be slaughtered in Bethlehem and surrounding areas.
Jesus was spared.
2007-12-01 15:07:12 · answer #5 · answered by debbie2243 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wise men
2007-12-01 15:02:48 · answer #6 · answered by *Mommy of 3* 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We don't actually know how many there were. They brought three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, so from that, we have inferred there were three of them. And they were wise men, or Chaldean astrologers. Nothing in scripture portrays them as kings. Too bad for the Christmas carol, "We Three Kings ... " But that is not inspired scripture.
2007-12-01 15:07:44 · answer #7 · answered by viciousvince2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Three?
The text never tells us how many there were.
They seem to have been from Persia/Mesopotamia, but little is known for certain. They are called "magi," but there is not much certainty on the meaning of the word. According to Herodotus, the Magians were originally Medians who became priests under the Persian empire. Like the Chaldeans of Dan. 1:4 and 2:2ff., they merged their racial identity in their profession, and their name was applied to any practitioner such as Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6, 8).
2007-12-01 15:03:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wise men. I would, as others have, speculate they were rich rulers. Considering the travel methods of the day, and the duration of such a journey, it would have required QUITE a huge caravan. Cost a lot, no doubt.
Certainly, this is one of the things that attracted attention, perhaps one of the things that frightened Herod so badly.
2007-12-01 15:08:46 · answer #9 · answered by Jed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wise men. Not to be confused with wise guys.
2007-12-01 15:02:37 · answer #10 · answered by Bible warrior 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋