Who is…
Herodias
Greek: Ἡρῳδιάς —transliteration: Héródias
She is a 1st century AD Herodian Dynasty princess.
She is a granddaughter of Herod the Great, who built the 3rd Jerusalem temple for the Jews, and constructed so many other major projects throughout the land.
Herodias is a daughter of Aristobulus IV and princess Bernice of Judea (Matthew 14:3-11; Mark 6:17-28; Luke 3:19). Herodias’ sister is Mariamne III. Her brothers are Herod of Chalcis, Herod Agrippa I, and Aristobulus V (aka Aristobulus the Younger).
While residing in Rome with her husband Herod Philip I, and her daughter, Herodias’ uncle Herod Antipas fell in love with her during one of his journeys to that city.
She agreed to leave her husband and become his wife. Some time after, Herod Antipas met John the Baptist, who boldly pointed out that this marriage was unlawful and immoral.
Herodias hated John, and brought about his beheading.
For publicly pointing out their sin, John was unfairly “cast into prison,” in the castle probably of Machaerus, and was there subsequently beheaded. This outrageous execution was the great desire of Herodias, and accomplished through the dancing of her daughter Salome. Ancient coins depicting Salome have been found the 1st century AD.
Herodias died after 40 AD.
Relatives
- Grandfather: Herod the Great
- Father: Aristobulus IV (executed in in 7 BC by Herod the Great)
- Mother: Bernice
- Brothers:
• Herod V (king of Chalkis)
• Herod Agrippa I (Agrippa I) (king of Judea)
• Aristobulus Minor, aka Aristobulus the Younger - Sister: Mariamne III (wife of Crown Prince Antipater)
- Husbands:
• Herod II, aka Herod Philip I
• Herod Antipas, her uncle — half-brother of Herod II, her first husband / Antipas divorced his wife Phasaelis inorder to mary Herodias. Herod Antipas is best known today for his role in the events that led to the execution of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. - Daughter: Salome (aka Salome III) by Herod II / The terrible actions of this woman are mentioned in Scripture, but her name is not included. See: JOHN THE BAPTIST
More information
- Who are the men called Herod in the Bible?
- Who is Aristobulus IV?
- Who is Herod Philip I?
- Who is Herod Antipas?
- About ancient Rome in the Bible
- Herod Philip I
- About marriage in the Bible
- About divorce and God’s Word
- Who is John the Baptist? and what is his significance?
- Prisons in the Bible
- Beheadings in the Bible
- Executioners in the Bible
- Punishments mentioned in the Bible
- Queens in the Bible
- Women of the Bible
- Kings of the Bible