The Magi in Bethlehem

From where the origin of the Magi, who came to Bethlehem seeking the new born King?
No reliable tradition deals with these particular the country whence the Magi came. Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Epiphanius fancied that they came from Arabia, founding their opinion on the fact that "Gold, Frankincense and myrrh" abounded in Yemen. Justin Martyr in his book: Dialogue with Trypho (written around the year 154), says that the Magi who came from Arab lands:
And let this be a proof to you, namely, what I told you was done by the Magi from Arabia, who as soon as the Child was born came to worship Him, for even at His birth He was in possession of His power; ….

Origen held that they came from Chaldea, which is possible. But Clement of Alexandria, Diodorus of Tarsus, John Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria, and others are probably right in bringing them from Persia. From wherever they came from, what is clear is the Magi belonged to “Goyim” (Gentiles, "non-Jewish"). If the Jews await their Messiah according to the instructions of Scripture, then goyim peoples in its own way to know God who is worshiped by the people of Israel.

So, which one is right as the origin of the Magi who came to see Jesus in Bethlehem, Arabia or Persia? Actually no need to object to about this matter, because some Arab tribes (like the Jews), have been settled in the Persian Gulf region for a long time. In subsequent periods, quite a lot of Arab tribes in the Persian Gulf are then converted to Christianity. In the Assyrian tradition says that the Magi “were apparently Aramaic speaking, they could had come only from the kingdom of Urhai or Edessa.” If this is true then it makes sense when these wise men came to the Israeli-Palestinian territory, they can communicate well with local people because they also use Aramaic in daily life, language is also used by Jesus. Kingdom of Edessa, according to Roman sources included in the classification of "the tribes of Arabia." This can be known from Roman historical sources mention that the last king, King of Edessa Abgar V Uchomo reigned in the region called "ho tes Arabias phularxos" ("including local Arab tribes").

Thus, we need not look too far to the South as the origin of the Magi, but in the East (in accordance with the instructions of Scripture) in the North Arabian region around the Persian Gulf. Icons painting on the walls of the early Church indicate the type of clothing and headgear used by the Magi; resemble clothing worn by people of ancient Persia. There are local stories stating that when the Il-Khan Empire in the Persian converts to Islam, they do not destroy churches, that there is an icon painting of the Magi on the walls because they feel these iconic paintings are paintings of their ancestors.

While on their innate (gift) that "gold, frankincense and myrrh", do not have to go far to the south (Yemen) to obtain these items because at that time the Arab kingdom Nabataea, is a bustling place of commerce, so the Magi they can buy gold, frankincense and myrrh in Arabia Petraea (Nabataea), before entering the territory of Israel-Palestine. That the Magi came from Arab countries were in line with the offerings they bring gold, frankincense and myrrh (cf. Ezekiel 27:22, Jeremiah 6:20). Judging from the Biblical events, the Magi from Arabia showed that children Ishmael also participated in the banquet Messiah, judging from the offerings they bring it, “…they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of the LORD” (Isaiah 60:6).

Merry Christmas 2010 and Happy New Year 2011 to you all. God bless you.