The name Herodias: Summary
Meaning: Of The Realm Of Herod.
Etymology: From the name Herod.
Herodias is the granddaughter of Herod the Great, mother of Salome and grandmother of Agrippa the Second, Bernice and Drusilla.
Herodias is mentioned by Matthew (14:3), Mark (6:17) and Luke (3:19), but only in relation to John the Baptist, who disapproved of her incestuous relationship with her uncle Herod Antipas, for which she left her husband Philip Herod, the brother of Antipas.
John seems to have personally informed Herod Antipas of his disapproval of this abominable transaction, and Herod has him imprisoned. When Salome dances before Herod and he grants her whatever she will ask, Herodias entices her to ask for the head of John on a platter.
The name Herodias occurs 6 times in the New Testament;
Etymology and meaning of the name Herodia;
The name Herodias means Of Herodia, and Herodia could be construed as "Land of Herod," or perhaps rather "Legacy of Herod." It's not clear where the name Herod comes from, but here at Abarim Publications we like to propose that the name Herod(ias) may have to do with the Hebrew verb 'arad, meaning to flee, or harad, meaning to tremble or be afraid (and please see our article on the name Herod for the details).
The name Herod: Summary
First Possible Meaning:
Freeman, Wanderer, From the verb 'arad, to flee or be free.
Second Possible Meaning:
Coward, Trembler
First Possible Etymology
From the verb 'arad, to flee or be free.
Second Possible Etymology
From the verb harad, to tremble or be afraid.
Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great and Cleopatra of Jerusalem (Luke 3:1). This Philip married Salome.
Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. During one of his parties, his stepdaughter Salome enticed him to execute John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1, Luke 3:1). He was also the Herod who tried Jesus and became friends with Pontius Pilate on account of that.
Herodias, granddaughter of Herod the Great through his son Aristobulus, first married to her uncle Philip, then to his brother Herod Antipas. Her daughter's name is Salome (Matthew 14:3) and her grandchildren are Bernice (Acts 25:13), Drusilla (Acts 24:24) and Agrippa II (Acts 26:13).
Who was Aradia? by Sabina Magliocco
Herodias on NAMEDOCTOR
Aradia home page