Magi, great, powerful. Wise men, "rabmag," Jeremiah 39:3, which is used as a proper name, and properly signifies the prince Magus, or chief of the Magi. In Babylon the magi were known by the name of "wise men" and "Chaldeans." Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 50:35; Daniel 2:12-27; Daniel 4:6; Daniel 4:18; Daniel 5:7-8; Daniel 5:11-12; Daniel 5:15. To their number, doubtless, belonged the "astrologers" and "star-gazers," Isaiah 47:13; also the "soothsayers" and the "dream interpreters." Daniel 1:20; Daniel 2:2; Daniel 2:27; Daniel 4:7; Daniel 5:7; Daniel 5:11. Daniel describes them as men of wisdom, Daniel 1:20; he intercedes for them with Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 2:24; and accepts a position as their chief or master. Daniel 5:11. The same impression of dignity, truthfulness, and aspiration after the true religion is conveyed by the narrative in Matthew 2:1-14. Whence these Magi came we do not certainly know, but probably from the lands of the Jewish captivity on the Euphrates.
With more than 1,500 subjects and proper names defined and analyzed, this dictionary, authored by Dr. Edwin Rice, will provide unique insites into the Bible as it has since its introduction in 1893Wikipedia
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