Understanding Ἀρχέλαος (Archelaos) Strong’s G745: The Tyrannical Ruler Who Drove the Holy Family to Nazareth

Pronunciation Guide: ar-KHEH-lah-os

Basic Definition

Strong’s G745: Ἀρχέλαος was the ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea who succeeded his father Herod the Great. His name literally means “ruler of the people,” combining ἄρχω (to rule) and λαός (people). His reign was marked by such brutal oppression that it prompted the holy family’s divine redirection to Nazareth, fulfilling prophetic patterns.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Proper Noun (masculine)
• Compound word from ἄρχω (to rule/lead) and λαός (people)
• Primary usage in historical narrative
• Name type: Hellenistic royal/dynastic name

Ἀρχέλαος Morphology:

• Ἀρχέλαος (nominative singular) – Archelaus
• Ἀρχελάου (genitive singular) – of Archelaus
• Ἀρχελάῳ (dative singular) – to/for Archelaus
• Ἀρχέλαον (accusative singular) – Archelaus (as direct object)

Origin & History

The name Ἀρχέλαος has a rich history in Hellenistic culture, appearing frequently among Macedonian nobility and Hellenistic rulers. Notable bearers include Archelaus I of Macedon (5th century BCE) whom Thucydides mentions in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” (2.100) as a significant ruler who modernized Macedonia’s military.

In Jewish history, the name gained prominence through Herod’s son Archelaus. Josephus extensively documents his reign in “Antiquities of the Jews” (17.8-13), describing his brutal suppression of a Passover revolt where 3,000 Jews were killed in the Temple courts. This event likely contributed to the holy family’s divine warning to avoid his territory.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Ruler of the people (literal meaning)
• Ethnarch/regional ruler (political title)
• Successor of Herod (historical context)

Ἀρχέλαος Translation Options:

• Archelaus (transliteration) – Most appropriate for proper names in biblical translation
• Ruler of the People (etymological translation) – Helpful for understanding name meaning
• Ethnarch (title translation) – Accurate for historical/political context
• Prince (simplified translation) – Used in some dynamic equivalence translations

Biblical Usage

Ἀρχέλαος appears only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 2:22, where his reputation causes Joseph to avoid Judea and settle in Galilee instead. This divine redirection fulfills the prophetic pattern of God’s people finding refuge in Galilee of the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1-2).

The singular mention of Ἀρχέλαος serves as a pivotal point in the narrative of Messiah’s early years, demonstrating how political circumstances were sovereignly used to fulfill prophecy and protect the young Messiah.

• “But when he heard that Archelaus [Ἀρχέλαος] was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.” Matthew 2:22

Cultural Insights

Archelaus’s reign represents a critical period in Jewish-Roman relations. His father, Herod the Great, had maintained relative stability through brutal efficiency and political savvy. However, Archelaus lacked his father’s diplomatic skills while inheriting his cruelty. His response to Jewish requests for tax relief and religious freedom—killing 3,000 worshippers during Passover—demonstrates the volatile political climate into which the Messiah was born.

The Jewish population’s subsequent appeal to Augustus Caesar led to Archelaus’s banishment to Gaul in 6 CE, transforming Judea into a direct Roman province. This historical detail provides crucial context for understanding the political tensions present throughout Yeshua’s ministry years.

Theological Significance

The appearance of Ἀρχέλαος in Matthew’s gospel demonstrates God’s sovereign control over political events to fulfill His prophetic purposes. Just as יהוה (Yahweh) used Pharaoh’s hostility to fulfill His purposes for Israel’s exodus, He used Archelaus’s reputation to guide the holy family to Nazareth, fulfilling the prophetic declaration that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene.

This divine orchestration reveals how God works through historical circumstances—even through hostile rulers—to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The parallel between Egypt (escape from Herod) and Nazareth (escape from Archelaus) creates a powerful theological motif of God’s protective guidance of His Son.

Personal Application

When facing threatening circumstances or hostile authorities, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s sovereign purposes cannot be thwarted by human opposition. Just as He protected and directed the holy family through political dangers, He continues to guide His people today.

The Archelaus narrative reminds us to remain sensitive to divine warnings and willing to change our plans according to God’s guidance, even when it means taking unexpected paths or making uncomfortable relocations.

Related Words

• ἄρχων (archōn) – ruler, commander, chief (shares root ἄρχω) – See G758
• βασιλεύς (basileus) – king, sovereign (similar concept of rulership) – See G935
• ἡγεμών (hēgemōn) – governor, leader (related authority concept) – See G2232
• ἐθνάρχης (ethnarchēs) – ethnarch, ruler of a nation (his actual title) – See G1481

Did you Know?

• Archaeological evidence of Archelaus’s reign includes coins bearing his name with the simple title “Ethnarch” rather than “King,” reflecting his lower status compared to his father Herod the Great.
• The historical site of Archelaus’s palace in Jericho has been excavated, revealing luxury items that attest to the opulent lifestyle of Herodian rulers, contrasting sharply with the humble conditions of Jesus’s early life.
• Modern scholarship suggests that Archelaus’s brutal response to the Passover revolt may have been influenced by his education in Rome, where swift military response to civil unrest was standard practice.

Remember This

Ἀρχέλαος stands as a testament to how God uses even hostile rulers to fulfill His prophetic purposes and protect His people.