The actual word that is used is “magi,” we can thank the “King James translators” for choosing the word “king” (as in, “We Three Kings”) and the choice of the term “wise men” has only been a recent addition.
“Magi” is a “very specific word” that denotes “followers of Zoroastrianism.” The earliest mention of it is found in ancient or “Old Persian” (or Iranian texts)…predating the Greco-Hellenistic period.
What we are talking about is practitioners of “magic,” “magicians,” “astronomy,” “astrology,” “alchemy” and other forms of “esoteric knowledge.”
It is not uncommon to use language that speaks of “spells,” “chemistry,” “sorcery,” “witchcraft,” “enchantment” and “incantations.” We are also talking about such things as “illusion,” “sleight of hand” and other “extraordinary powers of influence.”
These men were considered to be “learned”… and “scholarly.”
Many believe these were “priests” or “seers” or “counselors” whose origins were probably from present day areas of Iraq and Iran.
They would actually wander from court to court, attending “weddings,” “births,” “coronations,” and other major “High Court” events of their day. They were use to traveling great distances.
“Philosophy,” “interpretation of dreams,” the “occultic arts” were all a part of their forte. They served as “royal court advisors” making “forecasts” and “predictions” based on their “various studies.”
The “interesting thing” is that they studied and were familiar with the prophecies of various lands, various countries and of various religions.
They would have been aware, if not familiar with, the “Hebraic prophets” and their various prophecies.
So for example, they probably were aware of the writings of Daniel who actually lived in Babylon during the time of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon and Cyrus, King of the Medes and Persians.
In one of Daniel’s prophecies he wrote down God’s word that 70 weeks, or 70 groups of 7 years, had been determined upon the nation of Israel for complete restoration. There would be a return for those who lived in exile. Jerusalem would one day be rebuilt.
But one week before the end, or 69 weeks, the Messiah, the prince would come and then die.
Arta-xerxes of Persia gave the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem around the year 445 BC.
When that period of waiting was over, it would be time for the Messiah to come.
There was also “another prophecy,” one of their own – Balaam. It was a prophecy given while he was trying to curse Israel for King Balak of Moab – while Israel was wandering in the wilderness.
He said, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near, a star shall come out of Jacob, a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”
With these “portents” or “signs” they headed west to the land of Judea to find a new great king of Israel.
The sign was in the heavens above based on their studies and observations. They were led into the general region from there they were on their own.
These were not willy-nilly trips or excursions. They were based on scientific fact and knowledge.
They went first to the holy city of Jerusalem. It only made sense it was the capital city, home of the Temple, seat of the throne of the Herodians.
Which is why they asked their infamous question, “Where is he – who has been born King of the Jews?”
It was the scribes and the priests of Herod who searched their scriptures and found in Micah the passage they were seeking: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to me, the one to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
It was written in the stars! So off to Bethlehem they went with great haste.
Men of knowledge… Men of certainty… Keeping their eyes on the heavens above… Excitement building with every step…
To Bethlehem, to Bethlehem, to Bethlehem…Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar tradition has named them. We are off to see royalty, a King, a Messiah, the Prince of Peace.
According to at least one scholar, “we hear of Magi not only in Persia, Parthia, Bactria, Chorasmia, Aria, Media, and among the Sakas but also in non-Iranian lands like Samaria, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Their influence was also widespread throughout Asia Minor. So who knows where these guys really originated from!