Adultery: Herod
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Adultery, as defined in the Bible, is the act of engaging in sexual relations with someone who is not one's spouse. It is considered a grave sin and a violation of the covenant of marriage. The account of Herod, particularly Herod Antipas, provides a notable biblical example of adultery and its consequences.

Herod Antipas and Herodias

Herod Antipas, a tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, is prominently featured in the New Testament in connection with the sin of adultery. He was the son of Herod the Great and ruled during the time of Jesus' ministry. The Gospels recount his unlawful marriage to Herodias, who was the wife of his half-brother, Herod Philip. This union was considered adulterous and was publicly condemned by John the Baptist.

In the Gospel of Mark, it is recorded: "For Herod himself had sent and arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been telling Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.'" (Mark 6:17-18, BSB). John's bold rebuke of Herod's adulterous relationship ultimately led to his imprisonment and subsequent execution.

The Role of Herodias

Herodias played a significant role in the events that unfolded. Her resentment towards John the Baptist for his condemnation of her marriage to Herod Antipas is evident in the biblical narrative. Herodias harbored a grudge against John and sought an opportunity to have him killed. This opportunity arose during Herod's birthday celebration, where Herodias's daughter, Salome, performed a dance that pleased Herod. In a moment of rashness, Herod promised to grant her any request, up to half his kingdom. Prompted by her mother, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter, a request that Herod reluctantly fulfilled (Mark 6:21-28, BSB).

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The account of Herod and Herodias serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of adultery. It highlights the moral and spiritual decay that can result from such sin, affecting not only the individuals directly involved but also those around them. Herod's unlawful marriage led to a series of events that culminated in the martyrdom of John the Baptist, a prophet and forerunner of Christ.

The biblical narrative underscores the importance of adhering to God's commandments regarding marriage and fidelity. Adultery is consistently condemned throughout Scripture, as seen in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14, BSB). The New Testament reiterates this prohibition, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage and the call to purity and holiness.

Herod's Legacy

Herod Antipas's legacy is marred by his involvement in adultery and the subsequent execution of John the Baptist. His actions serve as a cautionary tale of the consequences of disregarding God's laws. Despite his political power and influence, Herod's moral failings are what the biblical record most vividly remembers.

In summary, the account of Herod and his adulterous relationship with Herodias provides a profound example of the biblical teaching on adultery. It illustrates the serious nature of this sin and its far-reaching effects, both in the lives of those who commit it and in the broader community.
Nave's Topical Index
Matthew 14:3,4
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
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Mark 6:17,18
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold on John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
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Luke 3:19
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
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Library

Moses, Allowing Divorce, and Christ Prohibiting It, Explained John ...
... John, and of course of the occurrence of his death, hurled His censure [4835] against
Herod in the form of unlawful marriages and of adultery, pronouncing as ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxxiv moses allowing divorce and.htm

Herod and John the Baptist
... Judas sold out for thirty pieces of silver"less than [USD]17 of our money. Pretty
cheap, was it not? Herod sold out for adultery. WHAT IS THE PRICE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/v herod and john the.htm

Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples ...
... Nothing but the actual adultery of one of the parties can dissolve the tie, and ... Speaking
in reference to the polygamy of Herod, he says: pa'trion gar en tauto ...
/.../section 155 fulfilling of the.htm

The Malice of Antipater and Doris. Alexander is Very Uneasy on ...
... marriage, after her former husband had been put to death for adultery, was instrumental ...
Obodas, king of Arabia, who was at bitter enmity with Herod; but when ...
/.../chapter 24 the malice of.htm

How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; and How their Father ...
... been guilty of adultery, not only with the Arabian, but Reinan women also. And he
added, that above all the rest he had alienated Caesar from Herod, and that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how eurycles falsely.htm

Divorce
... actual adultery poisons the pure life in it, and man or woman who breaks through
its barriers commits adultery. The Baptist's judgment of Herod was confirmed. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 1-12 divorce.htm

Book 15 Footnotes
... [11] Whereas Mariamne is here represented as reproaching: Herod with the ... 9.
sect.6. However, the Christian law, when it allowed divorce for adultery, Matthew ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 15 footnotes.htm

Preface.
... The story of Absalom's undutifulness and rebellion, of David's adultery and murder,
of Herod's tyranny, and all other narratives of crime, are related in a calm ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/preface.htm

The King's Courts
... He arraigned the guilty pair before God; and, laying his axe at the root of the
tree"calling on Herod's conscience, long ... 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.'". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/x the kings courts.htm

Journey to Jerusalem. Concerning Divorce.
... It was no part of Jud??a, but belonged to the tetrarchy of Herod. ... his wife, except
for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: ^b against her ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcviii journey to jerusalem concerning.htm

Resources
What can we learn from the woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.org

Do I have to confess my adultery to my spouse? | GotQuestions.org

What was Jesus writing in the dirt/sand when the Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.org

Adultery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Adultery

Adultery: Absalom

Adultery: Amnon

Adultery: Corinthians

Adultery: David

Adultery: Figurative

Adultery: Forbidden

Adultery: Forgiveness of--Instances of

Adultery: General Scriptures Concerning

Adultery: Gilead

Adultery: Heathen

Adultery: Herod

Adultery: Israelites

Adultery: Judah

Adultery: Lot

Adultery: Penalties For

Adultery: Potiphar's Wife

Adultery: Reuben

Adultery: Samson

Adultery: Shechem

Adultery: Sodomites

Adultery: Sons of Eli

Adultery: The Gibeahites

Adultery: The Levite's Concubine

Adultery: The Samaritan Woman

Adultery: The Woman Brought to Jesus in the Temple

Related Terms

Committeth (22 Occurrences)

Divorces (7 Occurrences)

Marries (20 Occurrences)

Committing (30 Occurrences)

Commits (39 Occurrences)

Divorced (10 Occurrences)

Marry (48 Occurrences)

Steal (29 Occurrences)

Jealousy (54 Occurrences)

Adulteress (12 Occurrences)

Fornication (52 Occurrences)

Commit (142 Occurrences)

Adulterous (12 Occurrences)

Immorality (38 Occurrences)

Marital (4 Occurrences)

Marrieth (4 Occurrences)

Adulterer (6 Occurrences)

Sexual (59 Occurrences)

Murder (41 Occurrences)

Whoredom (58 Occurrences)

Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)

Unchastity (5 Occurrences)

Except (236 Occurrences)

Putteth (182 Occurrences)

Bath-sheba (12 Occurrences)

Bathsheba (14 Occurrences)

Committest (3 Occurrences)

Seduce (8 Occurrences)

Wife (437 Occurrences)

Neighbor's (31 Occurrences)

Evidence (41 Occurrences)

Lust (42 Occurrences)

Lewdness (68 Occurrences)

Prostitution (48 Occurrences)

Kill (310 Occurrences)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Neighbour (139 Occurrences)

Kicketh (6 Occurrences)

Killest (3 Occurrences)

Neighbour's (30 Occurrences)

Lawbreaker (3 Occurrences)

Loathe (19 Occurrences)

Idols (186 Occurrences)

Friend's (3 Occurrences)

Transgressor (9 Occurrences)

Temples (17 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Daughters-in-law (5 Occurrences)

Marrying (7 Occurrences)

Matter (263 Occurrences)

Murdering (5 Occurrences)

Puts (197 Occurrences)

Plunder (118 Occurrences)

Perjury (3 Occurrences)

Prostitutes (19 Occurrences)

Brides (3 Occurrences)

Bitterness (37 Occurrences)

Causeth (209 Occurrences)

Commands (216 Occurrences)

Caught (110 Occurrences)

Abhorring (3 Occurrences)

Abhor (23 Occurrences)

Abhorrest (2 Occurrences)

Sayest (66 Occurrences)

Seducer

Sacrilege (3 Occurrences)

Spouses (2 Occurrences)

Stealing (8 Occurrences)

Saving (37 Occurrences)

Swearing (17 Occurrences)

Save (375 Occurrences)

Shouldn't (20 Occurrences)

Sending (188 Occurrences)

Divorce (18 Occurrences)

Lie (291 Occurrences)

Defilement (12 Occurrences)

Water (4571 Occurrences)

Giving (611 Occurrences)

Adultery: Heathen
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