What is Magi?

Subject: What is Magi? Thu Nov 06, 2008 2:53 pm

Magi - (Greek "Magos" our English word magic derives from this word), can also be translated as fortune tellers, astronomers, wise men, court astrologers, magicians or Zoroaster priests of Persia who studied and interpreted signs in the sky. They could have been descendants of schooled Jews still in Babylon after the exile [Dan. 1:20, 2:20].
It’s recorded in Daniel chapter 2 of Daniel’s being made chief of the Babylonian wise men after correctly interpreting Nebuchadnessar’s dream [Dan. 2:48]. The Magi might have came from the Mesopotamia or Arabian area, but probably from the rising Parthain Empire (centered around the current nations of Iran and Afghanistan), which basically encompassed the old Mede, Persian, and Babylonian empires. The Parthian Empire bordered the Roman Empire and was never successfully conquered by the Romans. The Parthain Magi did many things, among which they were instrumental in the choosing of Parthain kings. Jeremiah 39:1-14 refers to Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag (or chief magi) in Nebuchadnezzar's court, whom was instrumental in getting Jeremiah out of Babylonian prison. Some see Isa. 60:3,6 as prophecy of the coming wisemen.
They met with King Herod at Jerusalem upon the disappearance of the star. to inquire of the birth of the King of the Jews. This >>> orig., later<<< troubled Herod (and when Herod's troubled, everyone is troubled - Matt. 2:3 ). If these were Parthian Magi, they were King makers and he, Herod, had been crowned King of the Jews by Caesar Augustus himself. Another possibility that may have troubled Herod was they quite probably would have been traveling with a small army since they were carrying valuables through bandit infested wilderness and entering in to Roman territory, while Herod's forces were probably occupied in conducting Ceasar's census.
When they found the child in a house (or building) they fell down (prostrated themselves) and worshipped him and presented him with gifts. Being warned in a dream by God not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another way. This very much upset the already troubled Herod.
In the 6th century was the first recorded mention of the Magi as 3 Kings and being named; Balthasar or Balthazar - 40 year old King of Ethiopia bringing myrrh and Melchoir - 40 year old King of Arabia bringing gold, Caspar or Gaspar- 20 year old King of Tarsus bringing frankincense.
They're usually depicted with Balthasar in red with gold from Asia, Melchior in green with myrrh from Europe, and Caspar in blue with incense from Africa. This would make only Balthasar coming from the east, Melchior would be from the northwest and Caspar from the southwest. The Kings' bodies were supposedly found and taken to Constantinople in the 3rd or 5th century and then taken to Milan after the 1st Crusade and currently in a Cathedral in Cologne, Germany. >>> the altar in the church, later<<<.