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Question

How did the magi from the east know when and where to find the newborn Messiah? What role did Daniel's prophetic legacy play in their timing, and what does the Micah 5:2 passage cited by Herod's scholars reveal about the Messiah's nature?

MAGI — GENERAL

  • Mat 2:1-12

The wise men from the east who visited Jesus as an infant MAT 2:1-12

WISE MEN — Of the East (the Magi)

  • Gen 41:8
  • Gen 41:24
  • Exo 7:11
  • 1Ki 4:29-34
  • Dan 4:18
  • Dan 5:8
  • Mat 2:1-12

Of Egypt GEN 41:8,24; EXO 7:11 Solomon 1KI 4:29-34 Of Babylon DAN 4:18; 5:8 Of the East (the Magi) MAT 2:1-12 See WISDOM

BETHLEHEM — Birthplace of Jesus

  • Jdg 17:7
  • Jdg 19:18
  • Gen 48:7
  • Psa 132:6
  • Mic 5:2
  • Jdg 17:7-9
  • Jdg 19:1
  • Jdg 19:18
  • Rut 1:1
  • 1Sa 17:12
  • Gen 35:16
  • Gen 35:19
  • Rut 1:1
  • Rut 1:19
  • Rut 2:4
  • 2Sa 23:14-16
  • 2Ch 11:6
  • Mat 2:5-6
  • Luk 2:4
  • Luk 2:15
  • Mat 2:16-18
  • Jos 19:15

  • Jdg 12:10

  • A city southwest of Jerusalem JDG 17:7; 19:18 Called EPHRATAH and EPHRATH GEN 48:7; PSA 132:6; MIC 5:2 And BETH-LEHEM-JUDAH JDG 17:7-9; 19:1,18; RUT 1:1; 1SA 17:12 Rachel dies and is buried at GEN 35:16,19; 48:7 The city of Boaz RUT 1:1,19; 2:4; 4 Taken and held by the Philistines 2SA 23:14-16 Jeroboam converts it into a military stronghold 2CH 11:6 The city of Joseph MAT 2:5,6; LUK 2:4 Birthplace of Jesus MIC 5:2; MAT 2; LUK 2:4,15 Herod murders the infants of MAT 2:16-18

  • A town of Zebulun, six miles west of Nazareth JOS 19:15 Israel judged at JDG 12:10

BALAAM — From Mesopotamia, prophecy

  • Deu 23:4
  • Jos 13:22
  • Num 24:2-9
  • 2Pe 2:15-16
  • Num 22:5-7
  • Jos 24:9
  • Neh 13:2
  • Mic 6:5
  • Num 22:22-35
  • Num 31:16
  • Rev 2:14-15
  • Jude 1:11
  • Num 31:8

(Son of Beor) From Mesopotamia DEU 23:4 A soothsayer JOS 13:22 A prophet NUM 24:2-9; 2PE 2:15,16 Balak sends for, to curse Israel NUM 22:5-7; JOS 24:9; NEH 13:2; MIC 6:5 Anger of, rebuked by his ass NUM 22:22-35; 2PE 2:16 Counsel of, an occasion of Israel's corruption with the Midianites NUM 31:16; REV 2:14,15 Covetousness of 2PE 2:15; Jude 1:11 Death of NUM 31:8; JOS 13:22

DANIEL — Promotion and authority

  • Dan 1:8-16
  • Dan 2:48-49
  • Dan 5:11
  • Dan 5:29
  • Dan 6:2
  • Dan 1:17
  • Dan 2:18
  • Dan 4:27
  • Dan 5:17-23
  • Dan 6:10-23
  • Eze 28:3
  • Eze 14:14

  • Mat 24:15

  • A Jewish captive, also called BELTESHAZZAR Educated at king's court DAN 1 Interprets visions DAN 2; 4; 5 Promotion and executive authority of DAN 2:48,49; 5:11,29; 6:2 Conspiracy against, cast into the lions' den DAN 6 Prophecies of DAN 4:8,9; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; MAT 24:15 Abstinence of DAN 1:8-16 Wisdom of DAN 1:17; EZK 28:3 Devoutness of DAN 2:18; 6; 9; 10; 12; EZK 14:14 Courage and fidelity of DAN 4:27; 5:17-23; 6:10-23 Worshiped by Nebuchadnezzar DAN 2:6

FRANKINCENSE — Sacred use, commerce

  • Exo 30:34
  • Lev 24:7
  • Lev 2:1-2
  • Lev 2:15-16
  • Lev 6:15
  • Lev 5:11
  • Num 5:15
  • Sng 3:6
  • Rev 18:11-13
  • Isa 43:23
  • Isa 60:6
  • Isa 66:3
  • Jer 6:20

An ingredient of the sacred oil EXO 30:34 Used with showbread LEV 24:7 Used with meat offerings LEV 2:1,2,15,16; 6:15 Prohibited, in sin offerings when they consist of turtledoves or pigeons LEV 5:11 In making an offering of memorial NUM 5:15 A perfume So 3:6 Commerce in REV 18:11-13 Used as an incense ISA 43:23; 60:6; 66:3; JER 6:20