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href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/2.htm">New International Version</a> Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. <a href="/nlt/matthew/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. <a href="/esv/matthew/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. <a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. <a href="/blb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Then Herod, having called the Magi secretly, inquired of them the exact time of the star appearing. <a href="/kjv/matthew/2.htm">King James Bible</a> Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. <a href="/nasb/matthew/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. <a href="/lsb/matthew/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Herod secretly called the magi and carefully determined from them the time the star appeared. <a href="/amp/matthew/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Herod secretly sent for the magi and learned from them the [exact] time the star [had first] appeared. <a href="/csb/matthew/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. <a href="/asv/matthew/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. <a href="/cev/matthew/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. <a href="/erv/matthew/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then Herod privily called the wise men, and learned of them carefully what time the star appeared. <a href="/gwt/matthew/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then Herod secretly called the wise men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. <a href="/gnt/matthew/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> So Herod called the visitors from the East to a secret meeting and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. <a href="/isv/matthew/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then Herod secretly called together the wise men, found out from them the time the star had appeared, <a href="/msb/matthew/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. <a href="/net/matthew/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. <a href="/nheb/matthew/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then Herod secretly called the Magi, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. <a href="/wbt/matthew/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. <a href="/wey/matthew/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearing. <a href="/web/matthew/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Then Herod, having called the magi privately, inquired exactly from them the time of the appearing star, <a href="/blb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Then Herod, having called the Magi secretly, inquired of them the exact time of the star appearing. <a href="/ylt/matthew/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Then Herod, privately having called the mages, did inquire exactly from them the time of the appearing star, <a href="/slt/matthew/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then Herod having secretly called for the magi, searched thoroughly from them the time of the star appearing.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; <a href="/cpdv/matthew/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then Herod, quietly calling the Magi, diligently learned from them the time when the star appeared to them. <a href="/nabre/matthew/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then Herod called the Magi secretly, and he learned from them at what time the star appeared to them. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And then Herodus secretly called The Magi and learned from them at what time the star had appeared to them.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then Herod, when he had secretly called the Magi, inquired of them strictly at what time the star, then visible, first made its appearance: <a href="/godbey/matthew/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then Herod secretly calling the wise men, inquired with them the time of the appearing of the star, <a href="/haweis/matthew/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Thereupon Herod secretly calling to him the Magians, enquired very particularly of them the time of the star?s appearing, <a href="/mace/matthew/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Then Herod having privately sent for the Magi, enquired of them the exact time when the star appeared. <a href="/wey/matthew/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Thereupon Herod sent privately for the Magi and ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearing. <a href="/worrell/matthew/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Then Herod, having privately called the wise men, ascertained from them exactly the time the star appeared; <a href="/worsley/matthew/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Then Herod called the wise men to him privately, and inquired of them exactly the time of the star's appearing: <a href="/parallel/matthew/2-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=281" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm">The Pilgrimage of the Magi</a> …6‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’ ” 7<a href="/greek/5119.htm" title="5119: Tote (Adv) -- Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2264.htm" title="2264: Hērōdēs (N-NMS) -- Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.">Herod</a> <a href="/greek/2564.htm" title="2564: kalesas (V-APA-NMS) -- (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to call.">called</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3097.htm" title="3097: magous (N-AMP) -- A sorcerer, a magician, a wizard. Of foreign origin; a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication, a magician.">Magi</a> <a href="/greek/2977.htm" title="2977: lathra (Adv) -- Secretly, privately. Adverb from lanthano; privately.">secretly</a> <a href="/greek/198.htm" title="198: ēkribōsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To learn carefully, inquire with exactness. From the same as akribestatos; to be exact, i.e. Ascertain.">and learned</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: par’ (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. ">from</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5550.htm" title="5550: chronon (N-AMS) -- A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.">exact time</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/792.htm" title="792: asteros (N-GMS) -- A star. Probably from the base of stronnumi; a star, literally or figuratively.">star</a> <a href="/greek/5316.htm" title="5316: phainomenou (V-PPM/P-GMS) -- Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show.">had appeared.</a> 8And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/2-12.htm">Luke 2:12</a> And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a> When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. <a href="/luke/1-5.htm">Luke 1:5</a> In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. <a href="/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1-3</a> About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. / And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. <a href="/matthew/14-1.htm">Matthew 14:1-2</a> At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus / and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” <a href="/mark/6-14.htm">Mark 6:14-16</a> Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” / Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” / But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!” <a href="/luke/9-7.htm">Luke 9:7-9</a> When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead, / others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen. / “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus. <a href="/john/7-1.htm">John 7:1</a> After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him. <a href="/acts/4-27.htm">Acts 4:27</a> In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. <a href="/revelation/12-4.htm">Revelation 12:4</a> His tail swept a third of the stars from the sky, hurling them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth. <a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Daniel 2:2</a> So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, <a href="/exodus/1-15.htm">Exodus 1:15-16</a> Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, / “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” <a href="/2_kings/8-7.htm">2 Kings 8:7-15</a> Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.” / So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” / So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” ... <a href="/jeremiah/26-21.htm">Jeremiah 26:21-23</a> King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt. / Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men. / They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people. <a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6</a> He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.<a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">Matthew 26:3-5</a> Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, … <a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10</a> Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.<a href="/1_samuel/18-21.htm">1 Samuel 18:21</a> And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/43-10.htm">Accurately</a> <a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Appearing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-18.htm">Ascertained</a> <a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-21.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-6.htm">Enquired</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-7.htm">Exact</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-12.htm">Exactly</a> <a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Found</a> <a href="/matthew/2-3.htm">Herod</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-6.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/matthew/2-4.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-4.htm">Learned</a> <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Magi</a> <a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Privately</a> <a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Privily</a> <a href="/daniel/1-20.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/matthew/2-2.htm">Star</a> <a href="/nahum/2-5.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Thereupon</a> <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Accurately</a> <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/luke/9-31.htm">Appearing</a> <a href="/mark/15-45.htm">Ascertained</a> <a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Enquired</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Exact</a> <a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Exactly</a> <a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Found</a> <a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">Herod</a> <a href="/matthew/10-11.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Learned</a> <a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">Magi</a> <a href="/matthew/14-13.htm">Privately</a> <a href="/acts/16-37.htm">Privily</a> <a href="/matthew/6-32.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/matthew/10-27.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">Star</a> <a href="/matthew/15-10.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/matthew/4-11.htm">Thereupon</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 2</div>1. <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">The wise men from the east enquire after Jesus;</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/2-3.htm">at which Herod is alarmed.</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother.</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Herod slays the children;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/2-20.htm">himself dies.</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/2-23.htm">Jesus is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Herod called the Magi secretly Herod the Great, known for his political acumen and architectural achievements, was also infamous for his paranoia and ruthlessness. His secretive meeting with the Magi reflects his cunning nature and desire to control the situation. The Magi, likely astrologers or wise men from the East, were seen as important figures, and Herod's decision to meet them privately suggests his intent to manipulate the information they possessed. This secrecy indicates Herod's fear of losing power, as he was aware of the Jewish prophecies regarding a new king. The Magi's journey, possibly from Persia or Babylon, highlights the widespread anticipation of a messianic figure.and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. The star's appearance is a significant event, often linked to the prophecy in <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Numbers 24:17</a>, which speaks of a star coming out of Jacob. Herod's inquiry about the timing suggests his intent to calculate the age of the child he perceived as a threat. This aligns with his later decree to kill all male children in Bethlehem two years old and under, as recorded in <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a>. The star's role in guiding the Magi underscores the divine orchestration of events surrounding Jesus' birth. The exact timing of the star's appearance is crucial for Herod's plan, but it also serves as a testament to God's sovereignty in fulfilling prophecy and guiding those who seek truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/herod_the_great.htm">Herod the Great</a> The ruling king of Judea at the time of Jesus' birth. Known for his political cunning and ruthless nature, Herod was deeply troubled by the news of a new "king of the Jews" and sought to protect his throne at any cost. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_magi.htm">The Magi</a> Also known as the Wise Men, they were likely scholars or astrologers from the East. They followed a star that led them to Jesus, signifying their recognition of His kingship. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_star.htm">The Star</a> A celestial phenomenon that guided the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus. Its appearance was significant enough to prompt the Magi's journey and Herod's concern. 4. <a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a> The prophesied birthplace of the Messiah, as foretold in <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>. It is where the Magi eventually found Jesus. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_secret_meeting.htm">The Secret Meeting</a> Herod's private consultation with the Magi, indicating his deceptive intentions and desire to control the situation without public knowledge.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/discernment_and_deception.htm">Discernment and Deception</a> Herod's secretive meeting with the Magi highlights the need for discernment in dealing with those who may have hidden agendas. As Christians, we must seek wisdom and guidance from God to navigate such situations. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Despite Herod's attempts to thwart God's plan, the birth of Jesus and the guidance of the Magi demonstrate God's ultimate control over history and events. Trust in God's sovereignty should be a cornerstone of our faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_truth.htm">The Pursuit of Truth</a> The Magi's journey symbolizes the pursuit of truth and the willingness to follow God's leading, even when it requires sacrifice and effort. We are called to seek Jesus with the same dedication and openness to divine guidance. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophecy.htm">The Role of Prophecy</a> The fulfillment of prophecies in Jesus' birth underscores the reliability of Scripture. Understanding and trusting biblical prophecy can strengthen our faith and assurance in God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 2</a> <a href="/q/why_do_matthew_and_luke_differ_on_jesus'_birth.htm">Why do Matthew and Luke give different accounts of Jesus' birth (e.g., one has shepherds, the other has wise men)?</a> <a href="/q/what_was_the_star_of_bethlehem.htm">What was the Star of Bethlehem?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_a_star_guide_the_magi_to_a_house.htm">How could a star lead the Magi to a specific house in Bethlehem?</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_at_the_last_supper.htm">What did the Magi observe in the east?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) When he had privily called.--True to his nature to the last--himself probably a believer in astrology, and haunted by fears of what the star portended--the king's next measure is to ascertain the limits of his danger. The English "what time the star appeared" is not quite accurate. Literally, the time of the star that was appearing--i.e., at what time the star, which was still visible (<a href="/matthew/2-9.htm" title="When they had heard the king, they departed; and, see, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.">Matthew 2:9</a>), had first appeared.Enquired of them diligently.--Better, ascertained exactly.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - Then Herod, when he had privily called the Wise Men. Secrecy was doubly necessary. He would not publicly commit himself to acknowledging the rights of the new King, and he would give no opportunity for others to warn the Child's parents of the dangerous interest that Herod was taking in him. Duplicity was very characteristic of Herod; cf. his assassination of Aristobulus the high priest (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 15:03. 3), and his alluring his son Antipater home to death (ibid., 17:5. 1). Inquired of them diligently; learned of them carefully (Revised Version); "lerned of hem bisili" (Wickliffe); ἠκρίβωσεν παρ αὐτῶν. The stress is not upon Herod's careful questioning, but on the exact information that he obtained. What time the star appeared. Although this is not the literal translation, it may, perhaps, represent the sense of the original ( τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος) , the participle characterizing the star in its most important relation - its appearance, and the words being treated as a compound expression (cf. <a href="/john/12-9.htm">John 12:9, 12</a>). Herod supposed that the birth of the Babe was synchronous with the first appearance of the star. The translation, however, of the Revised Version margin, "the time of the star that appeared," better suits the exact wording ( χρόνον, not καιρόν;φαινομένου, not φανέντος) , the phrase thus including both the first appearance and also the period of continuance (cf. Grotius, "non initium, sed continuitas"). But it is difficult to see What Herod would have learned from this latter particular. Some even think that the star was still visible (Plumptre; Weiss, 'Matthew'), but in this case the joy of the Magi in ver. 10 is not satisfactorily explained. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/2-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Τότε (Tote) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5119.htm">Strong's 5119: </a> Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that. Herod Ἡρῴδης (Hērōdēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2264.htm">Strong's 2264: </a> Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings. called καλέσας (kalesas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2564.htm">Strong's 2564: </a> (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Magi μάγους (magous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3097.htm">Strong's 3097: </a> A sorcerer, a magician, a wizard. Of foreign origin; a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication, a magician. secretly λάθρᾳ (lathra) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2977.htm">Strong's 2977: </a> Secretly, privately. Adverb from lanthano; privately. [and] learned ἠκρίβωσεν (ēkribōsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_198.htm">Strong's 198: </a> To learn carefully, inquire with exactness. From the same as akribestatos; to be exact, i.e. Ascertain. from παρ’ (par’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3844.htm">Strong's 3844: </a> Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. them αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. {exact} time χρόνον (chronon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5550.htm">Strong's 5550: </a> A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. star ἀστέρος (asteros) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_792.htm">Strong's 792: </a> A star. Probably from the base of stronnumi; a star, literally or figuratively. had appeared. φαινομένου (phainomenou) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5316.htm">Strong's 5316: </a> Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/2-7.htm">Matthew 2:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/2-7.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/2-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 2:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 2:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/2-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 2:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 2:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>