Topical Encyclopedia Herod Antipas, a prominent figure in the New Testament, is often associated with the sin of incest due to his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife. This union is explicitly condemned in the Gospels and serves as a significant moral and theological lesson within the biblical narrative.Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great and ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea during the time of Jesus' ministry. His marriage to Herodias, who was previously married to his half-brother Herod Philip, is a focal point of moral controversy. According to the Mosaic Law, such a marriage was considered incestuous and unlawful. Leviticus 18:16 states, "You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother." The Gospels recount that John the Baptist openly rebuked Herod Antipas for this illicit relationship. In Mark 6:18 , John the Baptist declares, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife." This bold confrontation ultimately led to John's imprisonment and subsequent execution, as Herodias harbored a grudge against him and sought his death. The account of Herod Antipas and Herodias serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disregarding divine law. Herod's actions not only violated Jewish law but also demonstrated a broader moral decay, as he prioritized personal desire over righteousness. This narrative highlights the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the dangers of allowing personal ambition and lust to override spiritual and ethical principles. Herod's story is further complicated by the infamous event of Salome's dance, which led to the beheading of John the Baptist. Herodias' daughter, Salome, pleased Herod with her dance at his birthday feast, prompting him to promise her anything she desired. At her mother's behest, Salome requested the head of John the Baptist, a request that Herod reluctantly fulfilled, as recorded in Matthew 14:6-11 . In summary, the account of Herod Antipas and his incestuous marriage to Herodias serves as a stark reminder of the biblical condemnation of incest and the moral decline that can result from ignoring God's laws. It underscores the importance of upholding divine commandments and the potential consequences of failing to do so. This narrative remains a powerful example of the need for moral integrity and the courage to speak out against sin, as exemplified by John the Baptist. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 14:3,4For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. Nave's Topical Index Mark 6:17,18 Luke 3:19 Library Book 18 Footnotes Index of Subjects. Resources Why did God allow incest in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about abortion? | GotQuestions.org Is it wrong to have a relationship with a close relative? | GotQuestions.org Incest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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