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Herod Philip: The Forgotten Heir

Family Background and Marriage

Herod Philip, the son of Herod the Great and his wife Mariamne II, daughter of the High Priest Simon, emerges from the shadows of history through the biblical narrative and the accounts of the Jewish historian Josephus. His life, intertwined with the complex and often brutal family dynamics of the Herodian dynasty, reveals a figure who, while peripheral in the biblical account, played a significant role in the socio-political landscape of 1st-century Judea.

Herod the Great’s marital alliances were strategic, aimed at consolidating his power and placating various factions within his realm. The marriage to Mariamne II was such a union, intended to legitimize Herod’s reign in the eyes of the Jewish populace by linking him to the respected high priestly lineage.

Political Position and Disinheritance

Despite being among the sons of Herod the Great, Philip’s path to power was overshadowed by the machinations and intrigues that characterized his father’s court. The execution of his half-brothers Antipater, Alexander, and Aristobulus, who were ahead of him in succession, momentarily placed him closer to the throne. However, Philip’s prospects dimmed as he was bypassed in Herod’s final will, with the kingdom ultimately bequeathed to his brother Archelaus as ethnarch and to other brothers in tetrarchal roles.

Josephus attributes Philip’s exclusion from succession to his mother’s failure to disclose Antipater’s plot against Herod—a decision that sealed his political fate. This sidelining from the dynastic inheritance reflects the precariousness of position and favor within Herod’s family, where alliances and enmities shifted rapidly, often with deadly outcomes.

Marriage to Herodias and Its Aftermath

Philip’s marriage to Herodias is a focal point of his historical and biblical mention, primarily because of its dissolution and Herodias’s subsequent marriage to Herod Antipas, Philip’s half-brother. This union, deemed illicit by Jewish law, became the source of John the Baptizer’s condemnation of Antipas, leading to John’s imprisonment and eventual execution.

The marriage produced a daughter, Salome, who played a pivotal role in John the Baptizer’s death. Her dance before Antipas and her request, prompted by Herodias, for John’s head on a platter, has been immortalized in the Christian tradition as a symbol of innocence manipulated for malevolent ends.

So, Herod Philip’s life, though marked by political obscurity and personal loss, provides a window into the complex interrelations of the Herodian dynasty. His story, intersecting with key figures of the New Testament, underscores the interplay of power, family loyalty, and the impact of personal decisions on historical and religious narratives. While his rule and influence may have been limited, the consequences of his marriage to Herodias had lasting theological and moral implications, highlighted by the New Testament’s censure of his brother Antipas’s actions. In this intricate web of relationships and power, Herod Philip emerges as a figure shaped by the forces of his time, his legacy intertwined with the broader saga of the Herodian family and its place within the unfolding biblical narrative.

Herod Philip. Son of Herod the Great by Mariamne II

The Historical and Archaeological Evidence

The historical and archaeological evidence for Herod Philip, the son of Herod the Great and Mariamne II, primarily comes from the writings of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian. Unlike some of his siblings, Herod Philip is not as prominently featured in the archaeological record, such as coins or inscriptions, that directly attest to his rule or administrative actions. This is partly because he did not inherit a tetrarchy or kingdom like some of his brothers but lived a relatively private life compared to the more politically active members of the Herodian dynasty.

Historical Evidence

Josephus’s Accounts: Josephus provides the most detailed historical records about Herod Philip in his works, “The Antiquities of the Jews” and “The Wars of the Jews.” These texts outline the complex family dynamics, political intrigues, and the lineage of Herod the Great’s descendants. Josephus’s account is crucial for understanding the roles and relationships of Herod the Great’s sons, including Herod Philip’s marriage to Herodias and the circumstances leading to her leaving him for his half-brother Herod Antipas.
Biblical References: The New Testament provides indirect references to Herod Philip through the mention of his wife Herodias, who left him to marry Herod Antipas (Matthew 14:3-4; Mark 6:17-18; Luke 3:19-20). These passages highlight the familial and political controversies surrounding Herod Philip, though they focus more on the actions of Herodias and Herod Antipas.

Archaeological Evidence

Lack of Direct Archaeological Evidence: To date, there is a noticeable lack of direct archaeological evidence, such as inscriptions or significant architectural projects, that can be attributed specifically to Herod Philip. This absence is consistent with Josephus’s depiction of him as less involved in the political and administrative affairs that characterized the reigns of his brothers.
Coins and Numismatic Evidence: While coins from the reigns of other Herodian rulers like Herod Antipas, Philip the Tetrarch, and Agrippa I are well-documented, there are no known coins issued by or bearing the likeness of Herod Philip. This lack of numismatic evidence further underscores his relatively minor role in the political landscape of the Herodian dynasty.
Secondary Sites and Indirect References: Archaeological exploration of sites associated with the broader Herodian family, including palaces, fortresses, and urban developments, indirectly contributes to our understanding of the period during which Herod Philip lived. However, these findings do not provide specific insights into his contributions or activities.

In conclusion, while the historical record, particularly the writings of Josephus, offers valuable insights into the life and context of Herod Philip, the archaeological evidence specifically related to him is sparse. The majority of our understanding comes from textual sources that illuminate the complex web of relationships and power dynamics within the Herodian dynasty.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is the CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored more than 220 books and is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).