the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Magi
People's Dictionary of the Bible
or Magi, great, powerful. Wise men, "rabmag," Jeremiah 39:3, which is used as a proper name, and properly signifies the prince Magus, or chief of the Magi. In Babylon the magi were known by the name of "wise men" and "Chaldeans." Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 50:35; Daniel 2:12-27; Daniel 4:6; Daniel 4:18; Daniel 5:7-8; Daniel 5:11-12; Daniel 5:15. To their number, doubtless, belonged the "astrologers" and "star-gazers," Isaiah 47:13; also the "soothsayers" and the "dream interpreters." Daniel 1:20; Daniel 2:2; Daniel 2:27; Daniel 4:7; Daniel 5:7; Daniel 5:11. Daniel describes them as men of wisdom, Daniel 1:20; he intercedes for them with Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 2:24; and accepts a position as their chief or master. Daniel 5:11. The same impression of dignity, truthfulness, and aspiration after the true religion is conveyed by the narrative in Matthew 2:1-14. Whence these Magi came we do not certainly know, but probably from the lands of the Jewish captivity on the Euphrates.
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Rice, Edwin Wilbur, DD. Entry for 'Magi'. People's Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/rpd/m/magi.html. 1893.
