Three Parthian Clerics & Biblical Magi

http://www.anobanini.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1281

Mount Khwaja is a flat-topped black basalt hill rising up as an island in the middle of Lake Hamun, in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan. According to experts, the region has been a great site for social and political communities to flourish. Herzfeld's findings also indicated that the palace and the fire temple existed during the Parthian era and that the ruins of the southern slope, known as Kuk-u Kohzad, date back to the 1st century BCE. Archeologists have also found a mural painting on Mount Khwaja, depicting three clerics, the God of Victory on a horse, and a Parthian king along with his queen and dignitaries.

Mural painting on Mount Khwaja:

http://mohebali60.mihanblog.com/post/216







And about Biblical Magi:

http://www.tonyburke.ca/wp-content/uploads/3-Landau_RevMagi_Final.pdf

According to Rev. Magi, the Magi are an ancient order of mystics residing in a land called “Shir,” located at the extreme eastern edge of the inhabited world (1-2). They are descendants of Adam’s son Seth, who received a prophecy from his father Adam about the coming of a star that would signify the birth of God in human form (2). This prophecy is written down by Seth in the world’s first book, and is transmitted through the generations by his offspring, the Magi (3-4). In expectation of the star’s coming, every month the Magi immerse themselves in a sacred spring, ascend their country’s most sacred mountain (the “Mountain of Victories”), pray to God in silence, and enter a cave (the “Cave of Treasures of Hidden Mysteries”) atop the mountain to read the prophecies written by Seth (5). At last, the star appears to the present generation of Magi (who serve as the story’s narrators), descends to the peak of the Magi’s mountain, and transforms into a small, luminous human being (11-13). Then, in star form once more, it guides them on a miraculously brief journey from Shir to Bethlehem, during which it relieves their fatigue and multiplies their food (16). When they reach Bethlehem, the star enters a cave, transforms into a luminous infant, and commissions the Magi to return to their country to spread his gospel with his other disciples (18-21)

It seems there is a relation!


Edited by Cyrus Shahmiri - 17-Dec-2014 at 16:01

Matthew Chapter 2 (1611 Bible)



View original 1611 Bible scan for Matthew chapter 2
(this is a scan from the exact, authentic, original 1611 'HE' King James Bible)

1 Now when Iesus was borne in Bethlehem of Iudea, in the dayes of Herod the king, behold, there came Wise men from the East to Hierusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is borne King of the Iewes? for we haue seene his Starre in the East, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Hierusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chiefe Priests and Scribes of the people together, hee demanded of them where Christ should be borne.

5 And they said vnto him, In Bethlehem of Iudea: For thus it is written by the Prophet;

6 And thou Bethlehem in the land of Iuda, art not the least among the Princes of Iuda: for out of thee shall come a Gouernour, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had priuily called the Wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the Starre appeared:

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Goe, and search diligently for the yong child, and when ye haue found him, bring me word againe, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the King, they departed, and loe, the Starre which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood ouer where the young childe was.

10 When they saw the Starre, they reioyced with exceeding great ioy.

11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the yong child with Mary his mother, and fell downe, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented vnto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrhe.

12 And being warned of God in a dreame, that they should not returne to Herode, they departed into their owne countrey another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeareth to Ioseph in a dreame, saying, Arise and take the young childe, and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and bee thou there vntill I bring thee word: for Herode will seeke the young childe, to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he tooke the yong childe and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:


KJV 1611

Originally posted by Sidney In the Bible there were not three Magi, only the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Assigning one gift to one Magi apiece is what created the tradition of three Magi. The Rev.Magi says that there were twelve mystics who travelled to Bethlehem to visit Jesus. The murals are dated to the Sassanid period.

Excellent Sid.



What I posted is there for a reason. The only source reference the event. Not only was a specific number 'not' identified. Nor were their initial 'ethnicities'...nor the way into which they returned to the 'east'. From which they came.

All that occurred later as the Christmas story iwas developed and modified.

All I want to add is that "Wise men" in those passages of Matthew 2 is the translation of "magoi" (v. 2), "magous" (v. 7), and "magon" (v. 16)" in the original Greek.   And yeah, there is no mention of the number of magi in Scripture.   This was a later tradition.