Texts in Conversation
In Numbers, Balaam prophesies that a star will rise out of Jacob and a scepter from Israel. The Protoevangelium of James draws on this messianic tradition by giving the Magi an unusually bright star that dims all the others.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Numbers 24:17
Hebrew Bible
16 the oracle of the one who hears the words of God, and who knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, although falling flat on the ground with eyes open: 17 ‘I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not close at hand. A star will march forth out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab, and the heads of all the sons of Sheth. 18 Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemy, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly.
Protoevangelium of James 21
Gospel of James
Pseudepigrapha
21 Joseph was preparing to travel to Judea, but there was a great commotion in Bethlehem because some wise men (Magi) had arrived, asking, “Where is the one born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed and sent officers to speak with the Magi. He also summoned the priests and questioned them, asking, “What does the scripture say about the Christ? Where is He to be born?” They replied, “In Bethlehem of Judea, as it is written.” After sending the priests away, Herod questioned the Magi further, asking, “What sign did you see concerning this newborn king?” The Magi answered, “We saw a large star shining so brightly among the others that it obscured their light, and we knew from this that a king had been born to Israel. That’s why we came to worship him.” Herod said, “Go and search for him, and if you find him, let me know so that I can go and worship him too.” The Magi then left. The star they had seen in the east reappeared and guided them until it stopped over the cave. When they entered, they found the child with His mother Mary. They opened their bags and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Afterward, having been warned by an angel not to return to Herod, they went back to their country by a different road.
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Notes and References
... Balaam’s prophecy of the star arising from Jacob (Numbers 24:17) was an important messianic text (e.g. 4Q175; CD 7:19–20; compare Targum Onkelos on Numbers 24:17; Revelation 22:16). Although Matthew does not quote it explicitly, several interpreters make that connection (e.g. Justin, Trypho 106.4; Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses 3.9.2), even to the extent of presenting the Magi as spiritual heirs to Balaam who had personally discovered his oracle (e.g. Eusebius, Demonstratio Evangelica 9.1; Origen, Contra Celsum 1.60; Theophylact; Romanos the Melodist, Kontakion on the Nativity of Christ 5; Nicholas of Lyra; Erasmus; Lancelot Andrewes, 1622 Nativity Sermon). ... Christian commentators note the unusual, supernatural character of the star of Bethlehem, “specially created for the service of Christ” (Aquinas 2013a: 55). In the Protevangelium of James, the Magi themselves comment on its unprecedented size: “We saw how an indescribably greater star shone among these stars and dimmed them, so that the stars no longer shone; and so we knew that a king was born for Israel” (Protevangelium of James 21:2). ...
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