Herod's slaughter foretold by jeremiah
The Roman King Herod's slaughter of newborn boys in Bethlehem was described by the prophet Jeremiah some six centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ. The Magi or wise men came to worship the newly born "King of the Jews" shortly after the birth of Jesus Christ and inquired to the Roman King Herod about the location of the birth. Herod asked the Magi to search for the newborn Jesus and return with information about the birth, but Herod was tricked by the wise men as they returned home by a different route in order to avoid reporting about the birth of Jesus. Herod then ordered the death of all boys in Bethlehem two years of age and younger in retaliation for being deceived by the wise men. Therefore, the young Jesus and his family travelled to Egypt and stayed in exile until they could return back safely after the death of Herod.
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: Matthew 2:16-17.
The verses by the prophet Jeremiah are as follows:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15.
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: Matthew 2:16-17.
The verses by the prophet Jeremiah are as follows:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15.
