what is the estimated number of people that traveled to bethlehem
Mosaic of the Three Wise Men in Farsi Clothing
(photograph past Nina-no CC-BY-2.5 more)
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According to Matthew 2:1-12, wise men (Magi) from the due east arrived in Jerusalem proverb:
"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star (aster) when it rose and have come to worship him."
How many wise men (Magi) made the 750 – yard mile trek from the e to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem looking for the one "born king of the Jews?
Were their names recorded in whatever historical tape?
How Many Wise Men Traveled to Bethlehem?
What Were Their Names?
Because three wise men (Magi) are traditionally displayed in familiar nativity scenes, many people are surprised to learn the Bible doesn't actually say how many wise men traveled to Judea looking for the one born "king of the Jews" (see, Matt. 2:1-2) and eventually finding him in Bethlehem (Matt. two:iv-xi).
As explained by Barry Setterfield, the idea that 3 wise men traveled to Judea didn't sally until the third century and it wasn't until the fifth century that the wise men were given names. [Barry Setterfield, The Christmas Star (2008); see also, Paul Maier, "First Christmas" (2001)]
Apparently, the idea of at that place being three wise men stems from Matthew 2's reference of the wise men presenting Jesus with iii gifts — golden, frankincense and myrrh (see, Matt. 2:xi). [See, Paul Maier, "First Christmas" (2001); run across also, Harold Willmington, Willmington Bible Handbook (1997)]
In the West, the names traditionally associated with the wise men are Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar (sometimes, Gaspar or Jasper) which emanate from a 6th century Greek manuscript entitled Excerpta Latina Barbari. Eastern churches adopted the names Hor, Karsudan and Basanater. Armenians took up the names Kagpha, Badadakharida and Badadilma. Syrian Christians used the names Larvandad, Gushnasaph and Hormisdas. [See, Wikipedia, "Biblical Maji" (accessed 12/17/08)]
As posited by Setterfield, regardless of how many wise men traveled to Judea, information technology is unlikely they would take traveled solitary. Most scholars believe the wise men (Magi) were from greater Persia (an area located east of Jerusalem which included present-mean solar day Republic of iraq and Islamic republic of iran) and were well-educated in various disciplines including astronomy, medicine and organized religion more than>>. There are also indications the wise men may have been function of the legacy of Jews (including the Daniel the prophet) who were transported to Babylon by Male monarch Nebuchadnezzar after Jerusalem was besieged in 605 B.C. more>>
Some scholars, including Setterfield, suggest the wise men may take been members of 1 of the houses of the Parthian Regime — the "Sophoi" (wise ones) and the "Magoi" (slap-up ones) — or the Parthian priestly class. [See, Barry Setterfield, "The Christmas Star" (2009); encounter too, Frederick Baltz, "The Census and the Star" (2008)]
Given the elevated social and/or political status the wise men enjoyed too as the fact that they were transporting very valuable items (gold, frankincense and myrrh — run across, Matt. 2:xi), Setterfield maintains the wise men most likely would accept been escorted to Jerusalem by a large entourage of armed men to protect them and aid them on their long journeying from Persia to Judea [See, Barry Setterfield, The Christmas Star (2008)], an estimated distance of about 750 – 1000 miles depending on their point of origin and route traveled.
Determination
Based on Matthew ii's account of the wise men as well every bit other historical records which reference wise men (Magi), many Christian apologists and theologians believe the wise men (Magi) were members of the Parthian Government or Parthian Priestly Class and/or a legacy of the Jews (including the prophet Daniel) who had been transported to Babylon by Male monarch Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. (more >>).
Regardless, because of the express amount of information disclosed in Matthew 2 about the wise men, in that location is no manner to specifically identify them or come to a firm conclusion regarding how many wise men made the trek from the east to Bethlehem. Nevertheless, because the wise men were traveling with a treasure full of expensive items, it seems very likely they would accept been accompanied past a large armed entourage to protect them and assistance them in their travels.
© 2014 by Andrina G. Hanson
Published: November 5, 2014 / Last Updated: Dec 21, 2014
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QUICK LINKS TO SOURCES REFERENCED OR RELIED ON IN THIS Article
Paul Maier, "The First Christmas" (2001)
Paul Maier, The Outset Christmas: The True and Unfamiliar Story
Barry Setterfield, The Christmas Star
Harold Willmington, Willmington's Bible Handbook
Prototype CREDITS & LICENSING
Slideshow Photo: Cropped photo taken by Nina-no of the mosaic of "Mary and Child, Surrounded by Angels" completed within 526 A.D. by the so-called "Master of Sant'Apollinare" in the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Raveen, Italy which was erected by the rex of the Ostrogoths, Theodoric the Great, during the first quarter of the 6th century. The image was downloaded from www.wikimedia.orgwhich states the prototype is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Akin 2.5 Generic. (CC-Past-two.five )
Frankincense Tree: This photograph was, taken by "Becky", is of a Frankincense tree (Boswellia sacra) grown in Biosphere II. The image was downloaded from world wide web.wikimedia.org which states the image is licensed nether the Artistic Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. Frankincense copse beginning producing resin when they are almost 10 years onetime which has been used in medicines, perfumes and incense.
Myrrh: This photo was taken past Alsterdrache in Sultanate of oman in 2009. The image was downloaded from www.wikimedia.org which states the prototype is licensed under the Creative Eatables Attribution iii.0 Unported license.
Source: http://factsandfaith.com/how-many-wise-men-traveled-to-bethlehem-what-were-their-names/
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