Biblical Kingdom Ruler
Antipater the Elder
Etching by Jan Luyken, 1704; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; object RP-P-OB-45.206
CC0 1.0 / Public Domain
Ruler at a Glance
Kingdom
Idumea
Ruler Type
Governor of Idumea
Reign
Late second to early first century BC; precise tenure unknown
Alternate Names
Antipas; Antipater I; grandfather of Herod the Great
Origin
Idumea
Identification Certainty
Historical identification based on Josephus; chronology uncertain.
Overview
Antipater the Elder was an Idumean official and the grandfather of Herod the Great.
Biography
Josephus reports that Antipater, also called Antipas, was appointed to govern Idumea by the Hasmonean ruler Alexander Jannaeus and his wife. He developed useful connections with neighboring Arabian communities and the cities of Gaza and Ascalon. His son, also named Antipater, later became a leading political figure in Judea. The account of his appointment is retrospective and does not provide secure dates for his tenure.
Historical Significance
His position in Idumea helped establish the family connections and influence from which the Herodian dynasty later emerged.
Major Events
Appointment to govern Idumea under Alexander Jannaeus; establishment of regional political relationships.
Biblical Significance
Not named in the Bible. Important as an ancestor of Herod the Great, who appears in the Gospel infancy narratives.
Scripture References
Matthew 2:1–19 (indirect family connection).
Primary Sources
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 14.1.3 (14.8–10).