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WHEN WAS JESUS BORN?: M. M. NINAN<br />
translated "wise men" is "magian," literally meaning "Persian<br />
astronomer or priest." The priests included the Levites who were also<br />
part of the jewish dispersion from Israel. Parthia had long governed all<br />
Persian territory at the time of Christ, and the Wise Men cited in the<br />
Bible were clearly members of the Megistanes - very high Parthian<br />
officials. The Magi from which we got the word magic and magicians<br />
were “wise men” which actually meant in todays terminology<br />
scientists. Science grew out of magic and even witchcraft. That<br />
involved occult arts of healing mind and body, mantra, tantra, yantra,<br />
Astronomy, Astrology, forth telling, prophecy and interpretation of<br />
dreams. In those days they were the advisers to kings and rulers just<br />
like Daniel. Daniel <strong>was</strong> the chief of the magi – Rab Mag - in his time.<br />
This will give some insight into their interest in the Jewish prophecy.<br />
As such we should expect that the Magi represented a delegation from<br />
the Jewish diaspora with official diplomatic status of a super power.<br />
The Bible does not give the number of delegates in this delegation even<br />
though tradition numbers them as three which probably <strong>was</strong> because of<br />
the three gifts named. They must have come with large retinue<br />
caravans and went direct to Herod the King who received them. Their<br />
arrival disturbed the whole Judea that the Bible records that "all<br />
Jerusalem" <strong>was</strong> "troubled"<br />
Traditions identify a variety of different names for the Magi. In the<br />
Western Christian church they have been commonly known as:<br />
Melchior , Caspar or Gaspar and Balthasar. These names apparently<br />
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