Devine Scripture

Matthew 2:7

What does Matthew 2:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 2:7 means

Herod, after receiving the prophetic location, secretly summoned the Wise Men. His clandestine meeting and careful inquiry about the star's appearance time reveal his meticulous planning and deceitful intentions. He needed this detail to calculate the age of the child and execute his plot efficiently. This action underscores Herod's paranoia and manipulative nature, as he feigns interest in worship while secretly plotting destruction. His exactness with the Wise Men reveals the depth of his evil plan.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Herod sent for the wise men privately, and put questions to them about what time the star had been seen.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then Herod, privately having called the mages, did inquire exactly from them the time of the appearing star,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them;

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then Herod, having secretly called the magi, inquired of them accurately the time of the star that was appearing;

Context

Having learned the birthplace from the chief priests and scribes, Herod now turns his attention back to the Wise Men. This verse details his secret and precise interrogation, immediately preceding his deceptive command to them in the next verse. This private meeting highlights Herod's duplicity and sets the stage for the Wise Men's journey to Bethlehem.

v.6And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a governor, Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.

v.7This passage

v.8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezekiel 38:10

    Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: It shall come to pass in that day, that things shall come into thy mind, and thou shalt devise an evil device:

  • Psalms 10:9

    He lurketh in secret as a lion in his covert; He lieth in wait to catch the poor: He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him in his net.

  • 1 Samuel 18:21

    And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law a second time.

  • Psalms 64:4

    That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

  • Exodus 1:10

    come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land.

  • Psalms 83:3

    They take crafty counsel against thy people, And consult together against thy hidden ones.

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