Herod's Death

Very High Level 1

Fact

Herod the Great died in 1 BC, not 4 BC as commonly assumed

Evidence

• The January 10, 1 BC total lunar eclipse was blood-red for 1 hour 39 minutes - far more visible than the partial 4 BC eclipse at 3 AM

• Josephus describes 35-85 days of events between eclipse and Passover - only 29 days available in 4 BC, but 114 days in 1 BC

• Herod reigned 37 years from Roman appointment (38 BC) and 34 years from capturing Jerusalem (36 BC)

• 7 independent proofs converge on 1 BC death

• The 2 BC census (Luke 2) aligns with 1 BC death, not 4 BC

Supporting Facts

January 1 BC Eclipse Very High Herod's Capture of Jerusalem Very High Astronomical Stability Very High

Read in Context

• Herod's Death

  "Josephus tells the story with great detail..."

• The Eclipse Evidence

  "NASA's Five Millennium Catalog lists a deep total eclipse on January 10, 1 BC..."

Depends On

January 1 BC Eclipse Very High Herod's Capture of Jerusalem Very High

Required By

Crucifixion 32 AD Very High Herod's Temple 46 Years in Building High

The death of Herod the Great is a crucial anchor point for New Testament chronology. The traditional 4 BC date requires special pleading on multiple fronts.