Paragraph 2:3–4
2:3a
When King Herod heard this: The word this refers to the words of the wise men (2:2). Someone told their words to Herod.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
When King Herod heard that ⌊report/news⌋
-or-
When King Herod heard ⌊a report of⌋ those words
-or-
⌊Someone⌋ told King Herod what they said
2:3b
he was disturbed: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was disturbed refers to being upset emotionally and mentally. Herod was probably disturbed by the news that another king was born. It was someone who might take his place.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
he was very upset (Good News Translation)
-or-
he was alarmed (NET Bible)
-or-
he was troubled (English Standard Version)
2:3c
and all Jerusalem with him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as and all Jerusalem with him is an exaggeration called a hyperbole. It means “many of the people of Jerusalem were also troubled along with him.” It does not refer to every man, woman, and child in Jerusalem.
The verb “was disturbed” from 2:3b is implied in this clause. In some languages, it may be more natural to repeat the verb here.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
all ⌊the other people living in⌋ Jerusalem
-or-
many of the people who lived in ⌊the town of⌋ Jerusalem ⌊were also troubled/disturbed⌋
with him: The phrase with him refers to experiencing the same alarm as Herod. It does not mean that the people were gathered together in one place with Herod when they became upset. When the people heard the news of the wise men, they were also troubled.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
along with him
-or-
just as he was
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