BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Bible Scholar Brent Landau Asks “Who Were the Magi?”

Revelation of the Magi text gives wise men’s view of the Christmas story

Bible Scholar Brent Landau Asks “Who Were the Magi”?

A lost Syriac manuscript, the Revelation of the Magi, translated into English by Bible scholar Brent Landau, may help answer that key question from the Christmas story: “Who were the magi?” Photo: Ms Vaticanus Syriacus 163, © 2011 Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.

Who were the magi, those gift-bearing wise men from the east who are so central to the traditional telling of the Christmas story? Bible scholar Brent Landau believes he has found at least one answer to this age-old question.

The Bible tells us very little about the magi. Their story appears but once, in the Gospel of Matthew (2:1–12), where they are described as mysterious visitors “from the east” who come to Jerusalem looking for the child whose star they observed “at its rising.” After meeting with King Herod, who feigns an intention to worship the child but actually plans to destroy him, the magi follow the same star to Bethlehem. There, upon seeing the baby Jesus and his mother Mary, the magi kneel down and worship him, presenting him with their three famous gifts—gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then, without reporting to Herod, they depart for their homeland, never to be heard from again.

For early Christians, the seemingly pivotal yet unexplained background of the mysterious magi provided abundant room to shape new narratives around the question “Who were the magi?” One of the most compelling, recently translated into English by Bible scholar Brent Landau, is the so-called Revelation of the Magi, an apocryphal account of the traditional Christmas story that purports to have been written by the magi themselves.

The account is preserved in an eighth-century C.E. Syriac manuscript held in the Vatican Library, although Brent Landau believes the earliest versions of the text may have been written as early as the mid-second century, less than a hundred years after Matthew’s gospel was composed. Written in the first person, the Revelation of the Magi narrates the mystical origins of the magi, their miraculous encounter with the luminous star and their equally miraculous journey to Bethlehem to worship the child. The magi then return home and preach the Christian faith to their brethren, ultimately being baptized by the apostle Thomas.


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magi

The earliest known depiction of the magi is this mid-third-century C.E. fresco decorating the Catacomb of Priscilla, one of Rome’s oldest Christian cemeteries. Photo: Scala/Art Resource.

According to Brent Landau, this dramatic account not only answers the question “Who were the magi?” but also provides details about how many they were, where they came from and their mysterious encounter with the star that led them to Bethlehem. In the Revelation of the Magi, there are not just three magi, as often depicted in early Christian art (actually, Matthew does not tell us how many there were), nor are they Babylonian astrologers or Persian Zoroastrians, as other early traditions held. Rather from Brent Landau’s translation it is clear the magi (defined in this text as those who “pray in silence”) are a group—numbering as few as 12 and as many as several score—of monk-like mystics from a far-off, mythical land called Shir, possibly China. They are descendants of Seth, the righteous third son of Adam, and the guardians of an age-old prophecy that a star of indescribable brightness would someday appear “heralding the birth of God in human form.”

When the long-prophesied star finally appears, the star is not simply sighted at its rising, as described in Matthew, but rather descends to earth, ultimately transforming into a luminous “star-child” that instructs the magi to travel to Bethlehem to witness its birth in human form. The star then guides the magi along their journey, miraculously clearing their path of all obstacles and providing them with unlimited stamina and provisions. Finally, inside a cave on the outskirts of Bethlehem, the star reappears to the magi as a luminous human child—the Christ child—and commissions them to become witnesses to Christ in the lands of the east.

It’s a fascinating story, but does it actually bring us any closer to understanding who the actual magi of the Christmas story might have been? Unfortunately, the answer is no, says Landau, although it may provide insight into the beliefs of an otherwise unknown Christian sect of the second century that identified with the mysterious magi.

“Sadly, I don’t think this is actually written by the historical wise men,” said Landau in an interview with National Public Radio’s Diane Rehm. “In terms of who wrote it, we have no idea. [But] the description of the magi and [their religious practices] is so remarkably detailed and I’ve often wondered whether it’s reflecting some actual community out there that practiced and kind of envisioned themselves in the role of the magi.”

This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on November 29, 2011.


Based on Strata, “Lost Syriac Text Gives Magi’s View of the Christmas Story,” Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 2011.


Related reading in Bible History Daily:

Why Did the Magi Bring Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh?

Witnessing the Divine

Christmas Stories in Christian Apocrypha

Frankincense and Other Resins Were Used in Roman Burials Across Britain

Magi Reunited


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31 Responses

  1. John Shipp says:

    If these Magi were from Persia and the star was in the east they would end up in India so either the star was in the west or the Magi came from the west. You cannot have itboth ways so the famous star in the east means the Magi came from egypt or further west.

  2. Rob Palmer says:

    Somewhere recently in BAR I read where they were determined to be natives of Shiraz in Iran, a good sturdy rug-weaving town; I believe that I own one.

  3. chuckles says:

    The way I read the Bible is in a spiritual manor. What we need to get from this band of men is “they were wise men”. As opposed to foolish. We when we look up verses that refer to wise and foolish, we see people doing what they are supposed to be doing “wise”, and others NOT WATCHING for the return of Jesus “foolish”.
    IMO, these were Jews living in Babylon, but they knew about the prophesy of the star. They watched the sky’s, so you might say they were astrologers, but they could be called astronomers. If you read your Bible and are watching for the return of Jesus, you are wise. If you are not watching for His return, He will come at a time you are not aware. Leviticus 23 establishes He will return on some Feast of Trumpets, at the Last Trump. The day no one knows the day or the hour is Rosh Hashanah.
    The wise virgins of Mat 25 were ready to go, but the foolish weren’t prepared. Yet they were all virgins. Virgins are eligible to marry the High Priest, (Deut) and Jesus is the High Priest forever.
    Just as Rabbi’s know He would be born of a virgin, they also knew there would be a star over Bethlehem. Whatever the “star” was, they knew it was not normally in the sky. Knowing these things is neat to know, but what application is it for our lives? We are told we will be at the wedding feast on Trumpets. We will be hidden away to hide from God’s wrath as Noah was put in a room in the Ark while God judged the world. God’s wrath will fall for 7 years instead of 10 because no flesh would survive 10 years. We will be judged on Atonement, and return to live with Jesus for 1000 years on earth. Then the earth will burn and the eighth day will represent eternity with God.
    Leviticus 23 speaks of His first coming with Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. Pentecost is the birth of the church, and the Fall Feasts teach us of His second coming.
    Do a word search for the word “watch”. 99% will deal with the Rapture and Jacob’s trouble beginning. God took Noah out 7 days before the Flood and took Lot out 3 days before the fire fell. He does NOT judge without warning. We have been warned. “As it was in the days of Noah and the days of Lot”, He will return.
    Look UP, your redemption draweth nigh. Watch therefore that you are not overtaken as a thief. That’s real “wise”.

  4. karenc80 says:

    The question of who the Magi were is addressed in several paces by the late Chuck Missler, including this article: http://www.khouse.org/articles/1999/142/ They were originally Medes, here’s an extract from the article:
    “Traditions

    Most of what we associate with the “Magi” is from early church traditions. Most have assumed there were three of them, since they brought three specific gifts (but the Biblical text doesn’t number them). They are called “Magi” from the Latinized form of the Greek word magoi, transliterated from the Persian, for a select sect of priests. (Our word “magic” comes from the same root.)

    As the years passed, the traditions became increasingly embellished. By the 3rd century they were viewed as kings. By the 6th century they had names: Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa. Some even associated them with Shem, Ham and Japheth-the three sons of Noah-and thus with Asia, Africa, and Europe. A 14th century Armenian tradition identifies them as Balthasar, King of Arabia; Melchior, King of Persia; and Gasper, King of India.

    (Relics attributed to them emerged in the 4th century and were transferred from Constantinople to Milan in the 5th century, and then to Cologne in 1162 where they remain enshrined.)

    These are interesting traditions, but what do we really know about them?

    The Priesthood of the Medes

    The ancient Magi were a hereditary priesthood of the Medes (known today as the Kurds) credited with profound and extraordinary religious knowledge. After some Magi, who had been attached to the Median court, proved to be expert in the interpretation of dreams, Darius the Great established them over the state religion of Persia.2 (Contrary to popular belief, the Magi were not originally followers of Zoroaster.3 That all came later.)

    It was in this dual capacity, whereby civil and political counsel was invested with religious authority, that the Magi became the supreme priestly caste of the Persian empire and continued to be prominent during the subsequent Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian periods. 4

    The Role of Daniel

    One of the titles given to Daniel was Rab-mag, the Chief of the Magi.5 His unusual career included being a principal administrator in two world empires-the Babylonian and the subsequent Persian Empire. When Darius appointed him, a Jew, over the previously hereditary Median priesthood, the resulting repercussions led to the plots involving the ordeal of the lion’s den.6

    Daniel apparently entrusted a Messianic vision (to be announced in due time by a “star”) to a secret sect of the Magi for its eventual fulfillment. But first let’s review some historical background.

    Political Background

    Since the days of Daniel, the fortunes of both the Persian and the Jewish nation had been closely intertwined. Both nations had, in their turn, fallen under Seleucid domination in the wake of Alexander’s conquests. Subsequently, both had regained their independence: the Jews under Maccabean leadership, and the Persians as the dominating ruling group within the Parthian Empire.

    It was at this time that the Magi, in their dual priestly and governmental office, composed the upper house of the Council of the Megistanes (from which we get the term “magistrates”), whose duties included the absolute choice and election of the king of the realm.

    It was, therefore, a group of Persian-Parthian “king makers” who entered Jerusalem in the latter days of the reign of Herod. Herod’s reaction was understandably one of fear when one considers the background of Roman-Parthian rivalry that prevailed during his lifetime.

    Rome on the Rise

    Pompey, the first Roman conqueror of Jerusalem in 63 B.C., had attacked the Armenian outpost of Parthia. In 55 B.C. Crassus led Roman legions in sacking Jerusalem and in a subsequent attack on Parthia proper. The Romans were decisively defeated at the battle of Carrhae with the loss of 30,000 troops, including their commander. The Parthians counterattacked with a token invasion of Armenia, Syria, and Palestine.

    Nominal Roman rule was reestablished under Antipater, the father of Herod, who, in his turn, retreated before another Parthian invasion in 40 B.C.

    Mark Antony reestablished Roman sovereignty in 37 B.C. and, like Crassus before him, also embarked on a similarly ill-fated Parthian expedition. His disastrous retreat was followed by another wave of invading Parthians, which swept all Roman opposition completely out of Palestine (including Herod himself, who fled to Alexandria and then to Rome).

    With Parthian collaboration, Jewish sovereignty was restored, and Jerusalem was fortified with a Jewish garrison.

    Herod, by this time, had secured from Augustus Caesar the title of “King of the Jews.” However, it was not for three years, including a five months’ siege by Roman troops, that Herod was able to occupy his own capital city! Herod had thus gained the throne of a rebellious buffer state which was situated between two mighty contending empires. At any time his own subjects might conspire in bringing the Parthians to their aid. At the time of the birth of Christ, Herod may have been close to his final illness. Augustus was also aged, and Rome, since the retirement of Tiberius, was without an experienced military commander. Pro-Parthian Armenia was fomenting revolt against Rome (which was successfully accomplished within two years.)

    The Tensions in Parthia

    The time was ripe for another Parthian invasion of the buffer provinces, except for the fact that Parthia itself was racked by internal dissension. Phraates IV, the unpopular and aging king, had once been deposed and it was not improbable that the Persian Magi were already involved in the political maneuvering requisite to choosing his successor. It was conceivable that the Magi might be taking advantage of the king’s lack of popularity to further their own interests with the establishment of a new dynasty, which could have been implemented if a sufficiently strong contender could be found.

    At this time it was entirely conceivable that the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, culminating in the writings of Daniel, one of their own Magians, was of profound motivating significance. The promise of a divinely imposed world dominion at the hands of a Jewish monarch might be more than acceptable to them. (Their own Persian and Medo-Persian history was studded with Jewish nobles, ministers, and counselors; and in the great Achaemenid days, some of the kings themselves were of Jewish blood.)

    The Entourage to Jerusalem

    In Jerusalem, the sudden appearance of the Magi, probably traveling in force with all imaginable oriental pomp and accompanied by an adequate cavalry escort to insure their safe penetration of Roman territory, certainly alarmed Herod and the populace of Jerusalem.

    It would seem as if these Magi were attempting to perpetrate a border incident which could bring swift reprisal from Parthian armies. Their request of Herod regarding the one who “has been born King of the Jews”7 was a calculated insult to him, a non-Jew8 who had contrived and bribed his way into that office.

    Consulting his scribes, Herod discovered from the prophecies in the Tanach (the Old Testament) that the Promised One, the Messiah, would be born in Bethle-hem.9 Hiding his concern and expressing sincere interest, Herod requested them to keep him informed.

    After finding the babe and presenting their prophetic gifts, the Magi “being warned in a dream” (a form of communication most acceptable to them) departed to their own country, ignoring Herod’s request. (Within two years Phraataces, the parricide son of Phraates IV, was duly installed by the Magi as the new ruler of Parthia.)

    Daniel’s Messianic Role

    Living six centuries before the birth of Christ, Daniel certainly received an incredible number of Messianic prophecies. In addition to several overviews of all of Gentile world history,10 the Angel Gabriel told him the precise day that Jesus would present Himself as King to Jerusalem.11

    It is interesting that Daniel’s founding of a secret sect of the Magi also had a role in having these prominent Gentiles present gifts at the birth of the Jewish Messiah.

    The Christmas Gifts

    The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were also prophetic, speaking of our Lord’s offices of king, priest, and savior. Gold speaks of His kingship; frankincense was a spice used in the priestly duties; and myrrh was an embalming ointment anticipating His death.

    In the Millennium, He will also receive the gifts of gold and frankincense;12 but no myrrh: His death was once and for all.

    What gifts are YOU going to give Him this year? Discuss it with Him.

    * * *

    For a review of other background items, see The Christmas Story: What Really Happened. Also, for a complete study of one of the most captivating and astonishing books of the Bible, see our Expositional Commentary on the Book of Daniel.”

    1. MAMc says:

      I have often wondered if the remnant of Israel that remained behind in Babylon weren’t the Magi. It makes sense to me that they would be aware of the prophecies, and be looking for the Messiah king. The December 1995v edition of Imprimis has a fascinating discussion on the Bethlehem star, most likely a conjunction of planets, with serious prophetic meaning.

  5. Leif Gullberg says:

    The idea that the magi came to Bethlehem is not biblical. In fact, the Bible claims that Herod inquired the magi carefully about when they had seen the star. Based on that he ordered the killing of all babies up to two years, all the way down to Rama. Upon which Joseph, Mary with their baby fled to Egypt. After they had returned from Egypt to Nazareth, the magii saw the start above the house (not stable) where they lived (not visited).

  6. wes says:

    Interesting background story (and stories), but someone ought to say something in behalf of the more straightforward explanation relating to Zoroastrian magi ( singular or plural, depending on language in which encountered).

    Were it not for the account at the beginning of the NT and Matthew, the term magi would have remained rather obscure. But since it is there, it should be understood as well that the documentation in its behalf can be traced to the writing of Darius I King of Persia on the monument at Behistun – and also the commentaries of Herodotus in his Histories, evidently as passing references to Zoroastrian priests. In the former instance, the Rosetta-stone like inscriptions on Behistun cliff wall, carved during the reign of Darius I, refer to tribal Medes or perhaps Zoroastrian priests in the ancient Persian – and presumably translated into the other two languages (Elamite and Babylonian cuneiform).

    Herodotus uses the term “magi” twice in the Histories (Book.paragraph:1.101 and 1.132). He speaks of the magi as one of the tribes/peoples (ethnous) of the Medes. Later (1.132), Herodotus uses the term “magi” to generically refer to a “sacerdotal caste”. Elsewhere, “we hear of Magi not only in Persia, Parthia, Bactria, Chorasmia, Aria, Media, and among the Sakas, but also in non-Iranian lands like Samaria, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Their influence was also widespread throughout Asia Minor. It is, therefore, quite likely that the sacerdotal caste of the Magi was distinct from the Median tribe of the same name.”[ Zaehner, Robert Charles (1961), The Dawn and Twilight of Zoroastrianism, New York: MacMillan]

    Xenophon, in his early 4th century BCE Cyropaedia, depicts the magians as authorities for a depicts the magians as authorities for all religious matters (8.3.11).

    Subsequently, in Roman times, “magikos” was associated with Zoroaster and Zoroastrianism with writers such as Pliny the Elder remarking on Greek fascination with it. And all this is quite difficult to summarize here and would require examining a whole host of writings about magic and deciding which ones were related to Zoroastrians directly – or just assumed.

    While we are familiar in the Bible with the Proclamation of Cyrus that ended the Babylonian captivity ( in Chronicles II and Ezra), it should also be noted that there was a universal version of this proclamation, i.e., the Cyrus Cylinder. How many other peoples beside the people of Judea were carried into captivity and then released is another story or controversy, but the Cylinder is the basis for the claims. When the document is examined, one notes that while Cyrus disparages Nabonidus, he pays homage to traditional Babylonian beliefs and the god Marduk. But yet only a few decades later with Darius I, there is a significant contrast. At Behistun ( in old Persian “Begastan” or “place of God”) the royal inscription speaks in terms of the deity in other terms. Repeatedly, Darius declares that “by the grace of Ahuramazda”, I became king. Yet at the same time, his path to ascendancy was blocked by “the Magian” Gaumata, despite the best efforts of both Persians and Medes. Mede and Magi are not equivalent.

    So admittedly there are riddles and discrepancies about the explanation for what is a magi even with the testimony of many Greeks, Romans and Darius himself. He was a Zoroastrian who quarreled with a rebellious magi? Was his predecessor a Zorastrian or a believer of something else? But altogether, I find it likely that Matthew was referring to Zoroastrians.

  7. John says:

    The Greek word maʹgoi at Matthew 2:1 is translated in several Bible translations as astrologers………..it wasn’t until about the 6th century that these three magi were called kings…….and they were certainly not led to Herod the Great in Jerusalem by a sign (star) from God.

  8. John says:

    (Hebrews 6:20) says, where a forerunner has entered in our behalf, Jesus, who has become a high priest in the manner of Mel·chizʹe·dek forever.

    (Hebrews 7:17) 17 For it is said in witness of him: “You are a priest forever in the manner of Mel·chizʹe·dek.”
    ACCURATE knowledge is far better; God’s Word is far more reliable than that of so called scholars………in light of the 2 scriptures above we can see that Jesus is likened to Melchizedek, in that he was a priest and king, and Jesus will also fulfill the role of high priest and king of God’s Kingdom……….and certainly NOT to be aligned with the magi or astrologers

  9. M Slater says:

    I believe the Magi to be Tibetan monks, if you have any understanding of their beliefs you may understand their knowledge of life.
    The Bible tells us that these “three wise men” Tibetan monks are trained in the art of developing wisdom, of the ages.
    The Bible tells us that theses “Three Wise men” Traveled from the East, If you place a ruler on a world map at Bethlehem and Tibet you will find that ruler is exactly due East, of Bethlehem.
    The Tibetan Monks are the wisest people of this world, as far as I can ascertain, they were fulfilling a prophecy that was handed down from Dalai Lama to Dalai Lama. Cheers.

    1. Mayathira says:

      Agreed..the three wisemen r tibetian monks..

  10. Joe Cantello says:

    The Magi were ‘wise men’ that were schooled in the Old Testament prophecies, as well as having knowledge of the natural world (both heavens and earth); and they put together these ‘specialties’ to come to the conclusion that something special was taking place in Israel–the birth of the ‘King of the Jews’. It is credible that if they came from ‘the East’, that they may have been from Babylon, where the Jewish people were taken captive around the year 600 B.C. If Daniel were a highly placed official in the Babylonian government and was highly respected; why wouldn’t the other Babylonian ‘wise men’ not be interested in studying where Daniel got his wisdom from?

  11. John says:

    Justin Martyr, Origen, and Tertullian, all equated these magi with astrologers from the East and Babylon was in the past, and at this particular time, a “hot bed” of magic, astrology, divination, etc……..as a matter of fact the term magi was used as a “generic” term for astrologers of the East………the circumstantial evidence is that these magi who visited Jesus with gifts, were, as translated in several Bibles as astrologers.

  12. Brent says:

    One thing leaped out: how could being “a descendant of Seth” be so special? Noah was a descendant of Seth, and WE ALL are descendants of Noah.

    As for the star descending to earth, that seems very far fetched, if only because there is no biblical proof of it. In fact, the whole thing sounds ridiculous.

  13. Craig says:

    I’ve heard other views like Ralf’s, from people I consider very credible.i believe in the Daniel connection too! Makes perfect sense. Good work Ralf!

  14. Ralph says:

    I did a long study long ago that had to do with connecting the Jewish diaspora to the birth of Jesus. An understanding of how it paved the way and set the stage. My own study connects the Magi back to Daniel in the book of Daniel. After interpreting the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Chapter 2, Daniel is placed in charge of Babylon and all it’s wise men Dan. 2:48. In Chapter 4, verse 9 Daniel (Belteshazzar) is called “Chief of the Magicians” which is to say the Magi.

    In those days, “wise men” would be a rough mix of theologians, scientists, historians, alchemists and magicians (root word, “magi”). Daniel, with his special abilities to interpret dreams and special connection to God would have fit right in with this group and in fact, he was in charge of them.

    My theory is that this is where the Magi who were in the East got their influx of Jewish prophecy and knowledge of Yahweh, the Jewish God. They would have undoubtedly mixed it with their astrology and other beliefs to create a group that easily would have looked like the Magi of the New Testament. They would have had knowledge of Old Testament Jewish prophecies and their history going back earlier to Daniel and his companions.

  15. Alyson says:

    this is a great thing to let people know about the magi’s.

  16. Sue says:

    Well, John in comment two, seems to have made two critical errors in his assessment. First, the claims of the Magi being descended from Seth are what the document says, not what Brent Landau claims. Brent Landau is simply telling what the document says. Second, he apparently didn’t read the end of the article where Brent Landau says that he doesn’t believe this was actually written by the Magi, whomever they were. I don’t know why he claims that the author doesn’t have a “shred of forensic evidence” for earlier versions of this 8th century document just because it doesn’t get into all of that in this article. He has a whole book about this where, presumably he goes into all of his research. It seems, then, that it is John, not Brent whose conclusions are based on assumptions.

  17. Kevin says:

    No one knows the real facts it is all assumptions, and most of people’s assumptions are to justify what ever it is they believe.

  18. Rick Merlin says:

    See book “the king of the world”, by Rene Guenon.
    This very knowledgeable author explains who the magi were, linking them to Melchizedek.
    Knowledge is better than imagination.
    Rick Merlin

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  23. rod says:

    For the last 30 years I have be looking at the Pyramids of Egypt, there is a story that goes with this, weird ! but interesting, this I will keep for another time. I am not a religious person ! I believe I have stumbled onto a theory that you may find interesting, I don t think that the pyramids where built just to service the afterlife of the pharaohs, but rather they were leaving a permanent legacy to mankind for the ages. Each stone is a principal component that makes up the superstructure and the shape is significant in what I want to tell you! Let us start with a question! Why would the Knights Templar who were imprisoned in Chi none castle in France, scratch on the walls of their cell, the star of David, this had no significance to the Jewish people, other that King David and his son Solomon, or did they know something the star of David is 2 pyramids (integrated). I believe it predates the pyramids , it was a pagan symbol and the ancient Egyptian symbol for SUNRISE. The great pyramid as discovered by Napoleons surveyor general, makes up HALF PI, that s half a circle, for anything to be whole, it would need to have 2 halves. As I found in the star of David, place each to each other s base and we have the full circle. Now it gets tricky! Oh- for a white board, half pi is an arch, just maybe! That missing arch, and is the pyramid in real terms not a covenant? Hieroglyphics are interesting as all their expressionism was done through pictures and symbols, yet today we use words , but at the end of it! We say do you get the picture! Same thing just a different pen. Now listen to the words we use, APEX, ATTITUDE, ENCLINED, PERSPECTIVE, HIGHERARCHY, ASPECT, ASPRATION, etc. etc., this is all pyramidal. Trans actual analysis is the parent, adult, child in our communication with one another, and the aspects of our own nature. One may have parent child relationship with our partner, by talking down to them. Yet, within ourselves we must come to terms with our maturity, the brain we were bo!
    rn with,
    is the same one we carry thru life, as we evolve from child to adult, just like dropping a pebble into a pond, we get the rings, like the tree that s cut in half, we get the rings of growth, so it is with the pyramid and the star of David (the Magan star). The base of the pyramid is the broad spectrum that youth requires to run around in as we age we need less, I believe the expression goes, as we get older life tappers of. Yet! All our experiences and wisdom rises with use, by now you should be pushing thous 2 halves of the pyramid together, you see just like the pyramids we are also the sum total of our principals. HELL this is getting scatty! Sorry! I will try to make sense of all this. Today! Pyramids influence our lives, just people don t notice them, In Australia, our capital building, has a structure in the shape of a pyramid, it hold up our flag! Underneath it there is a small glass pyramid, there is 1 outside the Louvre in Paris, 1 outside in Rome,1 in Memphis there all over the place. They are probably Masonic, but the idea came from somewhere. This is all about enlightenment, as sunrise (half pi) is first light, a time when we can start to relate to a new day, apart from warmth, so why wouldn’t one worship the sun, half pi is also a moon sign, Horus is a moon sign, you see! When the moon is in 2 halves, dark and light! This to the ancients was the way they came to terms with the way their minds worked, you know! If something is not understood, we say! I am in the dark, after reasoning, we might say! Oh yes I see the light. Jesus said! I, am the truth the light and the way. This then is the essence of truth, the 2 halve of the pyramid, shows us how the 2 halves of the moon, has value. The eye of Horus (moon sign), by the way! 1 eye white and the other dark. When Jesus came to heal the blind! It was not the physical, but the metaphysical, the mind! Oh yes I see, henceforth, I understand, just bake to sunrise! If one was to have a sudden awareness about something! We may say, oh yes!!
    It just
    dawned on me, – there’s that sunrise again! In the Mason there are 3 pillars, 1 with a moon, 1 with a sun, and 1 with a man s head (symbols), all aspects of enlightenment, illumination. Genius let there be light, in the book of Isaiah, there will be discovered in the land of Egypt, a monument to the Lord of hosts. in the Luke he who falls from the cornerstone, with be Brocken, this is not the cornerstone of the upright pyramid, but the corner of the inverted pyramid., for if one goes too far outside your base principal one could make a fool of one’s self. (needs explanation). In the Masons, there is a pyramid shape, it has in it an inverted T , this is the key, all experience in life is horizontal , until we encounter adversity, then we stop an reflected, then we start to grow UP ! so ! I believe thous Egyptians were really smart. Love to talk and shed real light on all this. As Budda said ! I could talk all day, finding someone to listen is a problem, finding someone who understands is a bigger problem. I trust you get my drift with all this, and I might add! Dan Brown got a lot right sort of! In his movie, the Divinci code, Robert Landon (Tom Hanks) said whilst addressing a class, at the beginning of the move! We must search for basic truth, well once again the way we talk has clues of its own, like the truths out there, the truth as it stands, etc. etc. The best place to hide something is right under your nose! I say again the 2 halves of the pyramid give us 2 hemispheres, just like the half moon, just 1 we can’t see. I am sorry this is all over the place! But it all can be explained notice churches, especially European ! they have 2 towers either side of a pyramid shape, the information is all there we just have to see it. Hope you understand this! The grail is the star of David and it can be explained !

    —————————————————————————

    HTTP_REFERER: http://www.abc.net.au/compass/contact.htm

  24. rod says:

    was Jesus created by the Magi, through the power of suggestion ? I believe he was.

  25. Harry le Roux says:

    40 years ago ( 1973) I saw the magi in an epiphany experiense as I saw God on his throne as did Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, st John. One of these magi was appeared as a cartoon caracter in the form of a little witch, very prominent with the sharp pointed witches black hat. She was bowing up and down at an incredable fast speed before this Being ( Christ) on His throne. One explanation of a magi is a magician or sorcerer hence the ” witch “. The other person was a big potbelly eastern man with a very lush black beard. None of them seemed “christian like”. I had the idea that they came from a religion other than mine ( reborn christian) and up till now I am still puzzled by this. Was God showing me there is a plce for everybody irrespective of religion. I sincerely believe so.

  26. The History of Christmas Gift Giving | Strategy of Giving says:

    […] do with the pagan ritual. However, the popularity of the ritual won, and the Church looked to the gifts of the Magi for […]

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31 Responses

  1. John Shipp says:

    If these Magi were from Persia and the star was in the east they would end up in India so either the star was in the west or the Magi came from the west. You cannot have itboth ways so the famous star in the east means the Magi came from egypt or further west.

  2. Rob Palmer says:

    Somewhere recently in BAR I read where they were determined to be natives of Shiraz in Iran, a good sturdy rug-weaving town; I believe that I own one.

  3. chuckles says:

    The way I read the Bible is in a spiritual manor. What we need to get from this band of men is “they were wise men”. As opposed to foolish. We when we look up verses that refer to wise and foolish, we see people doing what they are supposed to be doing “wise”, and others NOT WATCHING for the return of Jesus “foolish”.
    IMO, these were Jews living in Babylon, but they knew about the prophesy of the star. They watched the sky’s, so you might say they were astrologers, but they could be called astronomers. If you read your Bible and are watching for the return of Jesus, you are wise. If you are not watching for His return, He will come at a time you are not aware. Leviticus 23 establishes He will return on some Feast of Trumpets, at the Last Trump. The day no one knows the day or the hour is Rosh Hashanah.
    The wise virgins of Mat 25 were ready to go, but the foolish weren’t prepared. Yet they were all virgins. Virgins are eligible to marry the High Priest, (Deut) and Jesus is the High Priest forever.
    Just as Rabbi’s know He would be born of a virgin, they also knew there would be a star over Bethlehem. Whatever the “star” was, they knew it was not normally in the sky. Knowing these things is neat to know, but what application is it for our lives? We are told we will be at the wedding feast on Trumpets. We will be hidden away to hide from God’s wrath as Noah was put in a room in the Ark while God judged the world. God’s wrath will fall for 7 years instead of 10 because no flesh would survive 10 years. We will be judged on Atonement, and return to live with Jesus for 1000 years on earth. Then the earth will burn and the eighth day will represent eternity with God.
    Leviticus 23 speaks of His first coming with Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. Pentecost is the birth of the church, and the Fall Feasts teach us of His second coming.
    Do a word search for the word “watch”. 99% will deal with the Rapture and Jacob’s trouble beginning. God took Noah out 7 days before the Flood and took Lot out 3 days before the fire fell. He does NOT judge without warning. We have been warned. “As it was in the days of Noah and the days of Lot”, He will return.
    Look UP, your redemption draweth nigh. Watch therefore that you are not overtaken as a thief. That’s real “wise”.

  4. karenc80 says:

    The question of who the Magi were is addressed in several paces by the late Chuck Missler, including this article: http://www.khouse.org/articles/1999/142/ They were originally Medes, here’s an extract from the article:
    “Traditions

    Most of what we associate with the “Magi” is from early church traditions. Most have assumed there were three of them, since they brought three specific gifts (but the Biblical text doesn’t number them). They are called “Magi” from the Latinized form of the Greek word magoi, transliterated from the Persian, for a select sect of priests. (Our word “magic” comes from the same root.)

    As the years passed, the traditions became increasingly embellished. By the 3rd century they were viewed as kings. By the 6th century they had names: Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa. Some even associated them with Shem, Ham and Japheth-the three sons of Noah-and thus with Asia, Africa, and Europe. A 14th century Armenian tradition identifies them as Balthasar, King of Arabia; Melchior, King of Persia; and Gasper, King of India.

    (Relics attributed to them emerged in the 4th century and were transferred from Constantinople to Milan in the 5th century, and then to Cologne in 1162 where they remain enshrined.)

    These are interesting traditions, but what do we really know about them?

    The Priesthood of the Medes

    The ancient Magi were a hereditary priesthood of the Medes (known today as the Kurds) credited with profound and extraordinary religious knowledge. After some Magi, who had been attached to the Median court, proved to be expert in the interpretation of dreams, Darius the Great established them over the state religion of Persia.2 (Contrary to popular belief, the Magi were not originally followers of Zoroaster.3 That all came later.)

    It was in this dual capacity, whereby civil and political counsel was invested with religious authority, that the Magi became the supreme priestly caste of the Persian empire and continued to be prominent during the subsequent Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian periods. 4

    The Role of Daniel

    One of the titles given to Daniel was Rab-mag, the Chief of the Magi.5 His unusual career included being a principal administrator in two world empires-the Babylonian and the subsequent Persian Empire. When Darius appointed him, a Jew, over the previously hereditary Median priesthood, the resulting repercussions led to the plots involving the ordeal of the lion’s den.6

    Daniel apparently entrusted a Messianic vision (to be announced in due time by a “star”) to a secret sect of the Magi for its eventual fulfillment. But first let’s review some historical background.

    Political Background

    Since the days of Daniel, the fortunes of both the Persian and the Jewish nation had been closely intertwined. Both nations had, in their turn, fallen under Seleucid domination in the wake of Alexander’s conquests. Subsequently, both had regained their independence: the Jews under Maccabean leadership, and the Persians as the dominating ruling group within the Parthian Empire.

    It was at this time that the Magi, in their dual priestly and governmental office, composed the upper house of the Council of the Megistanes (from which we get the term “magistrates”), whose duties included the absolute choice and election of the king of the realm.

    It was, therefore, a group of Persian-Parthian “king makers” who entered Jerusalem in the latter days of the reign of Herod. Herod’s reaction was understandably one of fear when one considers the background of Roman-Parthian rivalry that prevailed during his lifetime.

    Rome on the Rise

    Pompey, the first Roman conqueror of Jerusalem in 63 B.C., had attacked the Armenian outpost of Parthia. In 55 B.C. Crassus led Roman legions in sacking Jerusalem and in a subsequent attack on Parthia proper. The Romans were decisively defeated at the battle of Carrhae with the loss of 30,000 troops, including their commander. The Parthians counterattacked with a token invasion of Armenia, Syria, and Palestine.

    Nominal Roman rule was reestablished under Antipater, the father of Herod, who, in his turn, retreated before another Parthian invasion in 40 B.C.

    Mark Antony reestablished Roman sovereignty in 37 B.C. and, like Crassus before him, also embarked on a similarly ill-fated Parthian expedition. His disastrous retreat was followed by another wave of invading Parthians, which swept all Roman opposition completely out of Palestine (including Herod himself, who fled to Alexandria and then to Rome).

    With Parthian collaboration, Jewish sovereignty was restored, and Jerusalem was fortified with a Jewish garrison.

    Herod, by this time, had secured from Augustus Caesar the title of “King of the Jews.” However, it was not for three years, including a five months’ siege by Roman troops, that Herod was able to occupy his own capital city! Herod had thus gained the throne of a rebellious buffer state which was situated between two mighty contending empires. At any time his own subjects might conspire in bringing the Parthians to their aid. At the time of the birth of Christ, Herod may have been close to his final illness. Augustus was also aged, and Rome, since the retirement of Tiberius, was without an experienced military commander. Pro-Parthian Armenia was fomenting revolt against Rome (which was successfully accomplished within two years.)

    The Tensions in Parthia

    The time was ripe for another Parthian invasion of the buffer provinces, except for the fact that Parthia itself was racked by internal dissension. Phraates IV, the unpopular and aging king, had once been deposed and it was not improbable that the Persian Magi were already involved in the political maneuvering requisite to choosing his successor. It was conceivable that the Magi might be taking advantage of the king’s lack of popularity to further their own interests with the establishment of a new dynasty, which could have been implemented if a sufficiently strong contender could be found.

    At this time it was entirely conceivable that the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, culminating in the writings of Daniel, one of their own Magians, was of profound motivating significance. The promise of a divinely imposed world dominion at the hands of a Jewish monarch might be more than acceptable to them. (Their own Persian and Medo-Persian history was studded with Jewish nobles, ministers, and counselors; and in the great Achaemenid days, some of the kings themselves were of Jewish blood.)

    The Entourage to Jerusalem

    In Jerusalem, the sudden appearance of the Magi, probably traveling in force with all imaginable oriental pomp and accompanied by an adequate cavalry escort to insure their safe penetration of Roman territory, certainly alarmed Herod and the populace of Jerusalem.

    It would seem as if these Magi were attempting to perpetrate a border incident which could bring swift reprisal from Parthian armies. Their request of Herod regarding the one who “has been born King of the Jews”7 was a calculated insult to him, a non-Jew8 who had contrived and bribed his way into that office.

    Consulting his scribes, Herod discovered from the prophecies in the Tanach (the Old Testament) that the Promised One, the Messiah, would be born in Bethle-hem.9 Hiding his concern and expressing sincere interest, Herod requested them to keep him informed.

    After finding the babe and presenting their prophetic gifts, the Magi “being warned in a dream” (a form of communication most acceptable to them) departed to their own country, ignoring Herod’s request. (Within two years Phraataces, the parricide son of Phraates IV, was duly installed by the Magi as the new ruler of Parthia.)

    Daniel’s Messianic Role

    Living six centuries before the birth of Christ, Daniel certainly received an incredible number of Messianic prophecies. In addition to several overviews of all of Gentile world history,10 the Angel Gabriel told him the precise day that Jesus would present Himself as King to Jerusalem.11

    It is interesting that Daniel’s founding of a secret sect of the Magi also had a role in having these prominent Gentiles present gifts at the birth of the Jewish Messiah.

    The Christmas Gifts

    The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were also prophetic, speaking of our Lord’s offices of king, priest, and savior. Gold speaks of His kingship; frankincense was a spice used in the priestly duties; and myrrh was an embalming ointment anticipating His death.

    In the Millennium, He will also receive the gifts of gold and frankincense;12 but no myrrh: His death was once and for all.

    What gifts are YOU going to give Him this year? Discuss it with Him.

    * * *

    For a review of other background items, see The Christmas Story: What Really Happened. Also, for a complete study of one of the most captivating and astonishing books of the Bible, see our Expositional Commentary on the Book of Daniel.”

    1. MAMc says:

      I have often wondered if the remnant of Israel that remained behind in Babylon weren’t the Magi. It makes sense to me that they would be aware of the prophecies, and be looking for the Messiah king. The December 1995v edition of Imprimis has a fascinating discussion on the Bethlehem star, most likely a conjunction of planets, with serious prophetic meaning.

  5. Leif Gullberg says:

    The idea that the magi came to Bethlehem is not biblical. In fact, the Bible claims that Herod inquired the magi carefully about when they had seen the star. Based on that he ordered the killing of all babies up to two years, all the way down to Rama. Upon which Joseph, Mary with their baby fled to Egypt. After they had returned from Egypt to Nazareth, the magii saw the start above the house (not stable) where they lived (not visited).

  6. wes says:

    Interesting background story (and stories), but someone ought to say something in behalf of the more straightforward explanation relating to Zoroastrian magi ( singular or plural, depending on language in which encountered).

    Were it not for the account at the beginning of the NT and Matthew, the term magi would have remained rather obscure. But since it is there, it should be understood as well that the documentation in its behalf can be traced to the writing of Darius I King of Persia on the monument at Behistun – and also the commentaries of Herodotus in his Histories, evidently as passing references to Zoroastrian priests. In the former instance, the Rosetta-stone like inscriptions on Behistun cliff wall, carved during the reign of Darius I, refer to tribal Medes or perhaps Zoroastrian priests in the ancient Persian – and presumably translated into the other two languages (Elamite and Babylonian cuneiform).

    Herodotus uses the term “magi” twice in the Histories (Book.paragraph:1.101 and 1.132). He speaks of the magi as one of the tribes/peoples (ethnous) of the Medes. Later (1.132), Herodotus uses the term “magi” to generically refer to a “sacerdotal caste”. Elsewhere, “we hear of Magi not only in Persia, Parthia, Bactria, Chorasmia, Aria, Media, and among the Sakas, but also in non-Iranian lands like Samaria, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Their influence was also widespread throughout Asia Minor. It is, therefore, quite likely that the sacerdotal caste of the Magi was distinct from the Median tribe of the same name.”[ Zaehner, Robert Charles (1961), The Dawn and Twilight of Zoroastrianism, New York: MacMillan]

    Xenophon, in his early 4th century BCE Cyropaedia, depicts the magians as authorities for a depicts the magians as authorities for all religious matters (8.3.11).

    Subsequently, in Roman times, “magikos” was associated with Zoroaster and Zoroastrianism with writers such as Pliny the Elder remarking on Greek fascination with it. And all this is quite difficult to summarize here and would require examining a whole host of writings about magic and deciding which ones were related to Zoroastrians directly – or just assumed.

    While we are familiar in the Bible with the Proclamation of Cyrus that ended the Babylonian captivity ( in Chronicles II and Ezra), it should also be noted that there was a universal version of this proclamation, i.e., the Cyrus Cylinder. How many other peoples beside the people of Judea were carried into captivity and then released is another story or controversy, but the Cylinder is the basis for the claims. When the document is examined, one notes that while Cyrus disparages Nabonidus, he pays homage to traditional Babylonian beliefs and the god Marduk. But yet only a few decades later with Darius I, there is a significant contrast. At Behistun ( in old Persian “Begastan” or “place of God”) the royal inscription speaks in terms of the deity in other terms. Repeatedly, Darius declares that “by the grace of Ahuramazda”, I became king. Yet at the same time, his path to ascendancy was blocked by “the Magian” Gaumata, despite the best efforts of both Persians and Medes. Mede and Magi are not equivalent.

    So admittedly there are riddles and discrepancies about the explanation for what is a magi even with the testimony of many Greeks, Romans and Darius himself. He was a Zoroastrian who quarreled with a rebellious magi? Was his predecessor a Zorastrian or a believer of something else? But altogether, I find it likely that Matthew was referring to Zoroastrians.

  7. John says:

    The Greek word maʹgoi at Matthew 2:1 is translated in several Bible translations as astrologers………..it wasn’t until about the 6th century that these three magi were called kings…….and they were certainly not led to Herod the Great in Jerusalem by a sign (star) from God.

  8. John says:

    (Hebrews 6:20) says, where a forerunner has entered in our behalf, Jesus, who has become a high priest in the manner of Mel·chizʹe·dek forever.

    (Hebrews 7:17) 17 For it is said in witness of him: “You are a priest forever in the manner of Mel·chizʹe·dek.”
    ACCURATE knowledge is far better; God’s Word is far more reliable than that of so called scholars………in light of the 2 scriptures above we can see that Jesus is likened to Melchizedek, in that he was a priest and king, and Jesus will also fulfill the role of high priest and king of God’s Kingdom……….and certainly NOT to be aligned with the magi or astrologers

  9. M Slater says:

    I believe the Magi to be Tibetan monks, if you have any understanding of their beliefs you may understand their knowledge of life.
    The Bible tells us that these “three wise men” Tibetan monks are trained in the art of developing wisdom, of the ages.
    The Bible tells us that theses “Three Wise men” Traveled from the East, If you place a ruler on a world map at Bethlehem and Tibet you will find that ruler is exactly due East, of Bethlehem.
    The Tibetan Monks are the wisest people of this world, as far as I can ascertain, they were fulfilling a prophecy that was handed down from Dalai Lama to Dalai Lama. Cheers.

    1. Mayathira says:

      Agreed..the three wisemen r tibetian monks..

  10. Joe Cantello says:

    The Magi were ‘wise men’ that were schooled in the Old Testament prophecies, as well as having knowledge of the natural world (both heavens and earth); and they put together these ‘specialties’ to come to the conclusion that something special was taking place in Israel–the birth of the ‘King of the Jews’. It is credible that if they came from ‘the East’, that they may have been from Babylon, where the Jewish people were taken captive around the year 600 B.C. If Daniel were a highly placed official in the Babylonian government and was highly respected; why wouldn’t the other Babylonian ‘wise men’ not be interested in studying where Daniel got his wisdom from?

  11. John says:

    Justin Martyr, Origen, and Tertullian, all equated these magi with astrologers from the East and Babylon was in the past, and at this particular time, a “hot bed” of magic, astrology, divination, etc……..as a matter of fact the term magi was used as a “generic” term for astrologers of the East………the circumstantial evidence is that these magi who visited Jesus with gifts, were, as translated in several Bibles as astrologers.

  12. Brent says:

    One thing leaped out: how could being “a descendant of Seth” be so special? Noah was a descendant of Seth, and WE ALL are descendants of Noah.

    As for the star descending to earth, that seems very far fetched, if only because there is no biblical proof of it. In fact, the whole thing sounds ridiculous.

  13. Craig says:

    I’ve heard other views like Ralf’s, from people I consider very credible.i believe in the Daniel connection too! Makes perfect sense. Good work Ralf!

  14. Ralph says:

    I did a long study long ago that had to do with connecting the Jewish diaspora to the birth of Jesus. An understanding of how it paved the way and set the stage. My own study connects the Magi back to Daniel in the book of Daniel. After interpreting the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Chapter 2, Daniel is placed in charge of Babylon and all it’s wise men Dan. 2:48. In Chapter 4, verse 9 Daniel (Belteshazzar) is called “Chief of the Magicians” which is to say the Magi.

    In those days, “wise men” would be a rough mix of theologians, scientists, historians, alchemists and magicians (root word, “magi”). Daniel, with his special abilities to interpret dreams and special connection to God would have fit right in with this group and in fact, he was in charge of them.

    My theory is that this is where the Magi who were in the East got their influx of Jewish prophecy and knowledge of Yahweh, the Jewish God. They would have undoubtedly mixed it with their astrology and other beliefs to create a group that easily would have looked like the Magi of the New Testament. They would have had knowledge of Old Testament Jewish prophecies and their history going back earlier to Daniel and his companions.

  15. Alyson says:

    this is a great thing to let people know about the magi’s.

  16. Sue says:

    Well, John in comment two, seems to have made two critical errors in his assessment. First, the claims of the Magi being descended from Seth are what the document says, not what Brent Landau claims. Brent Landau is simply telling what the document says. Second, he apparently didn’t read the end of the article where Brent Landau says that he doesn’t believe this was actually written by the Magi, whomever they were. I don’t know why he claims that the author doesn’t have a “shred of forensic evidence” for earlier versions of this 8th century document just because it doesn’t get into all of that in this article. He has a whole book about this where, presumably he goes into all of his research. It seems, then, that it is John, not Brent whose conclusions are based on assumptions.

  17. Kevin says:

    No one knows the real facts it is all assumptions, and most of people’s assumptions are to justify what ever it is they believe.

  18. Rick Merlin says:

    See book “the king of the world”, by Rene Guenon.
    This very knowledgeable author explains who the magi were, linking them to Melchizedek.
    Knowledge is better than imagination.
    Rick Merlin

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    […] few years ago, an ancient text called, “Revelation of the Magi,” was recently found in the Vatican library and was translated for the first time into English. […]

  23. rod says:

    For the last 30 years I have be looking at the Pyramids of Egypt, there is a story that goes with this, weird ! but interesting, this I will keep for another time. I am not a religious person ! I believe I have stumbled onto a theory that you may find interesting, I don t think that the pyramids where built just to service the afterlife of the pharaohs, but rather they were leaving a permanent legacy to mankind for the ages. Each stone is a principal component that makes up the superstructure and the shape is significant in what I want to tell you! Let us start with a question! Why would the Knights Templar who were imprisoned in Chi none castle in France, scratch on the walls of their cell, the star of David, this had no significance to the Jewish people, other that King David and his son Solomon, or did they know something the star of David is 2 pyramids (integrated). I believe it predates the pyramids , it was a pagan symbol and the ancient Egyptian symbol for SUNRISE. The great pyramid as discovered by Napoleons surveyor general, makes up HALF PI, that s half a circle, for anything to be whole, it would need to have 2 halves. As I found in the star of David, place each to each other s base and we have the full circle. Now it gets tricky! Oh- for a white board, half pi is an arch, just maybe! That missing arch, and is the pyramid in real terms not a covenant? Hieroglyphics are interesting as all their expressionism was done through pictures and symbols, yet today we use words , but at the end of it! We say do you get the picture! Same thing just a different pen. Now listen to the words we use, APEX, ATTITUDE, ENCLINED, PERSPECTIVE, HIGHERARCHY, ASPECT, ASPRATION, etc. etc., this is all pyramidal. Trans actual analysis is the parent, adult, child in our communication with one another, and the aspects of our own nature. One may have parent child relationship with our partner, by talking down to them. Yet, within ourselves we must come to terms with our maturity, the brain we were bo!
    rn with,
    is the same one we carry thru life, as we evolve from child to adult, just like dropping a pebble into a pond, we get the rings, like the tree that s cut in half, we get the rings of growth, so it is with the pyramid and the star of David (the Magan star). The base of the pyramid is the broad spectrum that youth requires to run around in as we age we need less, I believe the expression goes, as we get older life tappers of. Yet! All our experiences and wisdom rises with use, by now you should be pushing thous 2 halves of the pyramid together, you see just like the pyramids we are also the sum total of our principals. HELL this is getting scatty! Sorry! I will try to make sense of all this. Today! Pyramids influence our lives, just people don t notice them, In Australia, our capital building, has a structure in the shape of a pyramid, it hold up our flag! Underneath it there is a small glass pyramid, there is 1 outside the Louvre in Paris, 1 outside in Rome,1 in Memphis there all over the place. They are probably Masonic, but the idea came from somewhere. This is all about enlightenment, as sunrise (half pi) is first light, a time when we can start to relate to a new day, apart from warmth, so why wouldn’t one worship the sun, half pi is also a moon sign, Horus is a moon sign, you see! When the moon is in 2 halves, dark and light! This to the ancients was the way they came to terms with the way their minds worked, you know! If something is not understood, we say! I am in the dark, after reasoning, we might say! Oh yes I see the light. Jesus said! I, am the truth the light and the way. This then is the essence of truth, the 2 halve of the pyramid, shows us how the 2 halves of the moon, has value. The eye of Horus (moon sign), by the way! 1 eye white and the other dark. When Jesus came to heal the blind! It was not the physical, but the metaphysical, the mind! Oh yes I see, henceforth, I understand, just bake to sunrise! If one was to have a sudden awareness about something! We may say, oh yes!!
    It just
    dawned on me, – there’s that sunrise again! In the Mason there are 3 pillars, 1 with a moon, 1 with a sun, and 1 with a man s head (symbols), all aspects of enlightenment, illumination. Genius let there be light, in the book of Isaiah, there will be discovered in the land of Egypt, a monument to the Lord of hosts. in the Luke he who falls from the cornerstone, with be Brocken, this is not the cornerstone of the upright pyramid, but the corner of the inverted pyramid., for if one goes too far outside your base principal one could make a fool of one’s self. (needs explanation). In the Masons, there is a pyramid shape, it has in it an inverted T , this is the key, all experience in life is horizontal , until we encounter adversity, then we stop an reflected, then we start to grow UP ! so ! I believe thous Egyptians were really smart. Love to talk and shed real light on all this. As Budda said ! I could talk all day, finding someone to listen is a problem, finding someone who understands is a bigger problem. I trust you get my drift with all this, and I might add! Dan Brown got a lot right sort of! In his movie, the Divinci code, Robert Landon (Tom Hanks) said whilst addressing a class, at the beginning of the move! We must search for basic truth, well once again the way we talk has clues of its own, like the truths out there, the truth as it stands, etc. etc. The best place to hide something is right under your nose! I say again the 2 halves of the pyramid give us 2 hemispheres, just like the half moon, just 1 we can’t see. I am sorry this is all over the place! But it all can be explained notice churches, especially European ! they have 2 towers either side of a pyramid shape, the information is all there we just have to see it. Hope you understand this! The grail is the star of David and it can be explained !

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  24. rod says:

    was Jesus created by the Magi, through the power of suggestion ? I believe he was.

  25. Harry le Roux says:

    40 years ago ( 1973) I saw the magi in an epiphany experiense as I saw God on his throne as did Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, st John. One of these magi was appeared as a cartoon caracter in the form of a little witch, very prominent with the sharp pointed witches black hat. She was bowing up and down at an incredable fast speed before this Being ( Christ) on His throne. One explanation of a magi is a magician or sorcerer hence the ” witch “. The other person was a big potbelly eastern man with a very lush black beard. None of them seemed “christian like”. I had the idea that they came from a religion other than mine ( reborn christian) and up till now I am still puzzled by this. Was God showing me there is a plce for everybody irrespective of religion. I sincerely believe so.

  26. The History of Christmas Gift Giving | Strategy of Giving says:

    […] do with the pagan ritual. However, the popularity of the ritual won, and the Church looked to the gifts of the Magi for […]

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