7) A theory exists which suggests that Jesus could have been given birth to out with the shepherds. What we may be less familiar with is the related belief, based on Micah 4:8, that the messiah would be revealed from a place called Migdal Eder, also known as the “tower of the flock.” Edersheim proposes that Jesus was actually born in the tower. A passage in the Mishnah 951 leads to the conclusion, that the flocks, which pastured there, were destined for Temple-sacrifices, 952 That makes the Mar Elias Monastery the best fit. There are to this day numerous documented shepherds’ towers in the hills around Bethlehem. Migdal Edar lay close to the Temple, in the land of Jerusalem, in the hamlet of Bethlehem (which translated, means “House of Bread”). The Biblical arguments for the theory of Migdal Eder cite the fact that the word translated “manger” in the Gospels could also be translated as “stall” or any holding area for animals — such as Migdal Eder. Luke 2:12-14: And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. The new lambs would, according to some sources, even be wrapped in special swaddling clothes once certified. hide. And Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. Migdal-Eder can be the technical term for a tower used to take refuge to when attacked by bandits. Equally so, was the belief that He was to be revealed from Migdal Eder, the tower of the flock. This places the Messiah’s death somewhere between 32 and 70 AD according to our reckoning of time. Section 3: The Wise Men. This thread is … 1 comment. the location where Jacob pitched his tent after he buried his wife Rachel who had died in childbirth. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Dangerous Noahide Laws! The Temple shepherds watched the flocks, and they would keep them out in the fields all the time, except when the ewes were ready to give birth. I heard a pastor mention it the other day and searched around a little but didn't see anything particularly scholarly on the subject. The 'Gap-Theory' of Genesis 1. Some distance before Bethlehem there existed a watchtower known as Migdal Eder which was a special watchtower for the shepherds.. 8) The exact time of Jesus’s birth has always had contradicting opinions. Therefore, Migdal Eder is seen to have been the place where the flocks could be watched over which would end up being slaughtered for sins. For the record: This article is NOT about refuting if Christ was indeed born there. The towers in the shepherds’ fields of Bethlehem were usually two-story stone watchtowers. Good things to consider and think about...especially at this time of year! Why interpreters insist on calling this place just Eder is also an unexplained mystery. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is because on the outskirts of Bethlehem there was a distinct watch tower called the Migdal Eder. Summoning the chief priests, Herod repeated the question and was referred to Micah 5:2 where Bethlehem is identified. Commonly used words are shown in bold. The Temple shepherds watched the flocks, and they would keep them out in the fields all the time, except when the ewes were ready to give birth. First of all, I cannot find any reference to Magdal-Eder, only Migdal (same in Micah 4:8). Rare words are dimmed. Presenting the Gifts. This birthing room and rock manger at the Tower of Migdal Eder is where my tour guide believed Jesus was actually born and that he was swaddled in the cloths used for the lambs. Organize by: [Relation] Letters: This Migdal Eder, was not the watch tower for ordinary flocks which pastured on the barren sheep ground beyond Bethlehem, but lay close to town, on the road to Jerusalem. First of all, I cannot find any reference to Magdal-Eder, only Migdal (same in Micah 4:8). This thread is archived. The other mention of Migdal Eder or “tower of the flock” in Micah 4:8 is a prophecy. 75% Upvoted. Depending on which of the three possible areas today you think was the original Migdal Edar, it was no more than about 1–2 miles from Jerusalem. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”, The first verse above is an interesting one. Dangerous Noahide Laws! “So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrata (that is, Bethlehem). Special shepherds, hired and taught by the Temple priests, cared for these flocks. Migdal Eder & The Birth of Messiah. The supposed proof that unified this theory was that the angels never told the shepherds exactly where to go in order to find the baby Jesus. A passage in the Mishnah leads to the conclusion that the flocks which pastured there were destined for Temple Sacrifices, and accordingly that the Shepherds who watched over them were, no ordinary Shepherds. Jesus was a direct descendant from the line of David. This tower literally means “The Tower of the Flock” and it was probably used to produce sheep that were considered sacrifice animals in the local Jewish temples. It was there beyond the tower of Eder that Jacob buried his beloved Rachel after she died giving birth to Benjamin. Alfred Edersheim felt strongly that the Migdal Eder should be north of Bethlehem and south of Jerusalem, and also highly elevated. © Copyright 2020 - Bible Prophecy Tracker, Two Trains Bible Study (Chapter by Chapter), Two Trains: Israel and the Church in Prophecy (Complete). Biden Invites Tidal Wave of Illegals into the U.S. Israeli Medical Technology, A Fulfillment of Prophecy, House set to approve Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package, send bill to the Senate, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger, Passover sacrifices must be born within 5 miles of Jerusalem, lambs born to die as an offering for the sins of the people/. The ‘special shepherds’ keeping watch over these temple sacrifices were the ones to whom God announced, through His angel, the birth of the ultimate “sacrificial Lamb.” These priestly shepherds knew the ‘swaddling’ procedure and, when told it would be a sign, they recalled Micah 4:8 and, with haste (Luke 2:16) ran to see the newborn Jesus, the Son of God. God's Word does NOT tell us 100%. But, why does Luke state that a baby swaddled up be a sign? His Reason Is Absurd, Doctor-turned-patient realizes: Disabled people are nudged to be euthanized, Killing the Republic – Trump As Tiberius Gracchus, Why ARE coronavirus cases plummeting? Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. The first time Migdal Eder is mentioned in the Bible is in the account of Rachel, who died after giving birth to Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob. Micah 4:8 States, "And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." Based on Genesis 35:19-20, Migdal Eder is at or near Bethlehem and that is where Yeshua was born. “So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). The 'Gap-Theory' of Genesis 1. Migdal Eder is known as the “Tower of the Flock” located not far outside Bethlehem. Migdal Eder ("Tower of flock") Pidyon haben; Related Bible parts: Micah 4, Micah 5, Matthew 2; References. The bottom floor of the tower was for the birthing of these lambs. His birth points to the cross. There is a theory that Jesus could have been born a couple of miles outside of Bethlehem, and he was actually born in the company of the shepherds! Once we know about Migdal Eder and the temple shepherds it all makes sense. The “Magi” The Star of Bethlehem. The phrase is only used twice in the Bible – Genesis 35:21 and Micah 4:8. Migdal-Eder can be the technical term for a tower used to take refuge to when attacked by bandits. Even back in that time, newborn babies were usually wrapped up in ‘cloths’. He was born in the very birthplace where tens of thousands of lambs, which had been sacrificed to prefigure Him. Migdal Eder in Hebrew means: The Tower of the Flock. Just as the shepherds made known to others as it had been told them, will you make it known to others as it has been told to you? Many people believe that Jesus was most likely born in September or October during Sukkot which is the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles because the upper levels of the houses were already full. New US infections have fallen 44% and 30% globally in past 3 weeks, Report: Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain Seek Military Alliance, House Democrats: Free Border Crossers into U.S. to Stop Coronavirus Spread in Foreign Countries, Gov. That makes the Mar Elias Monastery the best fit. Some distance before Bethlehem there existed a watchtower known as Migdal Eder which was a special watchtower for the shepherds.. 8) The exact time of Jesus’s birth has always had contradicting opinions. End of Presentation Close by where the shepherds were camped that night . They remained true to Daniel’s commission, and upon seeing the star followed it to Jerusalem. The Passover Lamb The "Tower of the Flock", or Migdal Eder, was the place where Passover lambs were birthed in Bethlehem. Ten Arab landowners gathered in a large room there . Was Jesus born at Migdal Eder or is it one of those theories? The sheep raised in the shepherds’ fields of Bethlehem were specifically destined for Temple sacrifice. Is this a common theory? . Therefore, Migdal Eder is seen to have been the place where the flocks could be watched over which would end up being slaughtered for sins. Migdal Eder & The Birth of Messiah. 1 Corinthians 1 Samuel 2 Kings 2 Samuel 153 fish 300 666 3000 5000 144000 Aaron Aaron's rod Aaronic priesthood Aaron Renn Abel Abigail Abihu Abijah Abimelech Abishai Abner Abraham Abrahamic covenant Abram Absalom Achan Achish Acts Acts of the Apostles AD70 Adam adultery Advent Advent to Epiphany advice Agabus Ahab Ahasuerus Ahaz Ahaziah Ahijah Ahithophel Ai Akedah … Of course He was born at Migdal Eder, in the watch tower of the flock. © Copyright 2020 - Bible Prophecy Tracker, Two Trains Bible Study (Chapter by Chapter), Two Trains: Israel and the Church in Prophecy (Complete). There may have been other human babies swaddled up in cloths, but only One would be in a manger. MORE TEACHINGS - Click Here *Archives. The connection to the sign is in a place in the shepherds’ fields called the “Tower of the Flock.”. For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2), it was already known from prophecy, it was a settled conviction from the days of eternity, regarding the place in Israel where the Ruler would be born. Genesis 6:4 'Sons of God' What is the Messianic/ Hebrew Roots Movement? New US infections have fallen 44% and 30% globally in past 3 weeks, Report: Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain Seek Military Alliance, House Democrats: Free Border Crossers into U.S. to Stop Coronavirus Spread in Foreign Countries, Gov. Wrapped in swaddling cloths to keep the new lambs without spot or blemish, they would be laid in a manger until they had calmed down. According to this theory, they didn't need to because a message of messiah born+wrapped in swaddling clothes+lying in a manger=the birthing room at Migdal Eder. If that is true, the shepherds would have known exactly where to go to look for a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger. Click on a word above to view its definition. The Wise Men Identified. Presenting the Gifts. When Herod was asked of the wise men, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? SUNDAY STUDY: “for all the earth is Mine”, SUNDAY STUDY: Triune Man – Body, Soul, and Spirit, Merrick Garland Won’t Call Antifa Attacks on Federal Buildings Domestic Terrorism. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. The Story in the Bible (3) The Wise Men. Section 3: The Wise Men. The name Merovingian derives from that ofQuestion: "What was the Merovingian Dynasty? After burying Rachel, Jacob moved his flocks beyond Migdal Eder (tower of Eder Profits will enable me to give this book to disadvantaged children. Here's a really good one from Lee. Israel journeyed on and the very next spot they camped was called Migdal-eder (מגדל־עדר; Genesis 35:21). End of Presentation. Typically, "Migdal Edar", (the tower of the flock) at Bethlehem is the perfect place for Christ to be born. “So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). After Jacob left Bethel he came to Migdal Eder (the tower of the flock) and there Rachel began hard labour and as she delivered Benjamin she died and was buried there in ”…Ephratah which is Bethlehem” (Gen. 35:19). It was kept ceremonially clean according to strict rabbinical rules. . These watchtowers of the flock (Migdal Eder) were agricultural “forts” where the shepherds would watch over their flock from the second story and where they birthed the newborn lambs in the lower portion of the towers in the fields of Bethlehem. Thank You, O God, for what You have done for us! The Migdal Eder Theory. was the tower known as Migdal Eder, the “watch-tower of the flock.” On the top story, a ‘priestly shepherd’ would stand watching over the flock to make certain that the sheep were not being harmed, vigilant to protect them from their natural enemies, the robber, the wolf, the bear and the lion. As far as I can tell, in the Sheqalim text, Migdal Eder could be any direction from Jerusalem, not near Bethlehem as you write. After Jacob left Bethel he came to Migdal Eder (the tower of the flock) and there Rachel began hard labour and as she delivered Benjamin she died and was buried there in ”…Ephratah which is Bethlehem” (Gen. 35:19). God promised it, pictured it, and performed it at "Migdal Edar". The sure and perfect word of Bible prophecy is assurance that unfulfilled prophecies will also be fulfilled … perfectly. Well, maybe not Palestinians. “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. Ron DeSantis: Florida ‘Oasis of Freedom’ in Country of Lockdowns. Migdal Eder was the watchtower of the flock, the place at Bethlehem where the Temple shepherds looked after the temple flock; the flock that ‘produced’ the sacrificial lambs for … There is yet another theory that Christ might have been born a few miles outside of Bethlehem and He might have been in the company of some other shepherds when he entered into human flesh. An Israeli Theory of Justice Only for Jews . Migdal-eder returns in Micah 4:8, but only the JSP calls it so and only Young speaks of Eder. “Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder”, records Genesis 35:21. At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Roman government had recently ordered everyone to their ancestral hometown for census and taxation, which is why Joseph and Mary, David’s descendants, were in Bethlehem. It was the very first day of their first… In ancient times, the watchtower was used by the shepherds for protection from their enemies and wild beasts. Maybe that's also where David's Fortress was, who knows if it's even possible to investigate if a Davidic era structure once existed there. Ron DeSantis: Florida ‘Oasis of Freedom’ in Country of Lockdowns. The Passover Lamb The "Tower of the Flock", or Migdal Eder, was the place where Passover lambs were birthed in Bethlehem. hide. Migdal Eder is mentioned in the Targums. Herod & the Wise Men. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gospel of Luke - Chapter 2 Further reading. This is most significant because the Tower had a manger and swaddling clothes! All other translations speak of 'tower of the flock'. Priestly shepherds would wrap the newborn lambs “tightly swaddled in specially designated temple cloths, and they would be laid in a manger to keep them contained while they were being examined for blemishes. Migdal Edar, Shepherd’s Field, or the Tower of the Flock, is the traditional place where the royal flocks were therefore raised and cared for. The Word tells us He would be born at Migdal Eder (Micah 5:2 and 4:8). His Reason Is Absurd, Doctor-turned-patient realizes: Disabled people are nudged to be euthanized, Killing the Republic – Trump As Tiberius Gracchus, Why ARE coronavirus cases plummeting? Profits will enable … And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Migdal Eder is on the road between Bethlehem, where Rachel was buried, and the city of Jerusalem, which is less than 5 miles away. Learn how your comment data is processed. We had not heard this part of the Nativity story before and have included it in every Christmas Eve post since. Lambs that were destined to become ritual and ceremonial sacrifices in the temple at Jerusalem were born in the birthing room below the "tower of the flock," (in Hebrew Migdal Eder). “Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder”, records Genesis 35:21. It came to be known as the City of David. It was also the birthplace of David and where he was crowned as king of Israel by Samuel. All other translations speak of 'tower of the flock'. He is THE sacrificial lamb; He would deal with the sin of the whole world through HIS sacrifice on the cross. In the Genesis passage, Migdal Eder (also spelled Edar) is referring to the location where Jacob pitched his tent after he buried his wife Rachel who had died in childbirth. A foreshadowing through people, events, or institutions of history in the Old Testament that will be fulfilled in the ministry of Christ as explained in the New Testament. 7) A theory exists which suggests that Jesus could have been given birth to out with the shepherds. He was born in the very birthplace where tens of thousands of lambs, which had been sacrificed to prefigure Him. Perhaps He was born there, I do not know. Then, they made known everything they had seen and heard. This is … This is a bundle of 2 highly animated, power point presentation on Religion - The Birth of Jesus & The Star of Bethlehem. “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. This Migdal Eder, was not the watch tower for ordinary flocks which pastured on the barren sheep ground beyond Bethlehem, but lay close to town, on the road to Jerusalem. The Story in the Bible (3) The Wise Men. Therefore, the sacrificial … Micah 4:8 clearly places it near Jerusalem, not Bethlehem. 1 Corinthians 1 Samuel 2 Kings 2 Samuel 153 fish 300 666 3000 5000 144000 Aaron Aaron's rod Aaronic priesthood Aaron Renn Abel Abigail Abihu Abijah Abimelech Abishai Abner Abraham Abrahamic covenant Abram Absalom Achan Achish Acts Acts of the Apostles AD70 Adam adultery Advent Advent to Epiphany advice Agabus Ahab Ahasuerus Ahaz … Bethlehem’s shepherds’ fields were the holding pens for the hundreds of sacrificial lambs. These priestly shepherds knew this procedure and, when told it would be a sign, and even more precisely that He would be born in a manger, they recalled Micah 4:8 and, with haste (Luke 2:16), ran to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) to see the newborn Jesus, the Son of God. What do they believe? " The tower of the flock, Migdal Eder, is at the edge of the Shepherd's fields where Priestly Shepherd's watched over their lambs that were to be sacrificed at the Temple about three miles away in Jerusalem. It … Here is what I am willing to accept: 1) Migdal-Eder was a real place about a mile east of Bethlehem (a thousand Roman paces), and this comes from Jerome (2nd-3rd century which is early, but still is NOT 1st century or earlier), and he identified this area to what we today call the Shepherds Fields 2) I believe and accept that Migdal-Eder was the place prophesied … In the Hebrew language, the name is “Migdal Eder.” Migdal means “tower” and Eder means “flock”. Biden Invites Tidal Wave of Illegals into the U.S. Israeli Medical Technology, A Fulfillment of Prophecy, House set to approve Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package, send bill to the Senate. Then Israel (Jacob) journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder” Genesis 35:19-21. Is this a common theory? Was Jesus born at Migdal Eder or is it one of those theories? At the time of Jesus’ birth, the descendants of these priests were now a very influential political force in Parthia (as Persia came to be known). After wrapping the baby lamb, the shepherd would lay it in a manger until the newborn had calmed down. There was no need for the angel to give these shepherds directions to the birth place because they already knew. Location of Migdal Eder. . This Migdal Eder was not the watchtower for the ordinary flocks which pastured on the barren sheepground beyond Bethlehem, but lay close to the town, on the road to Jerusalem. His birth could have possibly taken place in between 4 and 7 BC … Why interpreters insist on calling this place just Eder is also an unexplained mystery. Migdal Eder—the “tower of the flock”—was first mentioned here in Genesis 35:19-21. God promised it, pictured it, and performed it at "Migdal Edar". That the Messiah was born in Bethlehem was a settled conviction. The Migdal Eder had a cave-like room on the ground floor that was used as a birthing room for sacrificial lambs. See the “Study Questions” at the end of this website. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. The Migdal-Eder connection unfortunately does not answer the N-question either, I am afraid. And the over-riding thought… Arriving there they sought an audience with King Herod, asking for the whereabouts of the one born to be King of Israel. His name is Jesus, Son of God. The Migdal-Eder connection unfortunately does not answer the N-question either, I am afraid. Merovingian bloodline. The male sheep was a ‘burnt’ (sin) offering and the female was for a ‘peace’ offering. 1 comment. Typically, « Migdal Eder », at Bethlehem is the perfect place for Yeshua the Messiah to be born.He was born in the very birthplace where tens of thousands of lambs, which had been sacrificed to prefigure Him. Migdal Edar, Shepherd’s Field, or the Tower of the Flock, is the traditional place where the royal flocks were therefore raised and cared for. Migdal Eder—the “tower of the flock”—was first mentioned here in Genesis 35:19-21. After burying Rachel, Jacob moved his flocks beyond Migdal Eder (tower of Eder/Flock). Two hundred years after Micah identified Bethlehem as the Messiah’s birthplace, the Lord told Daniel the time of His death. Herod & the Wise Men. save. The “Magi” The Star of Bethlehem. The migdal offers its inhabitants a place of refuge, splendor, and vantage. This Migdal Eder, was not the watch tower for ordinary flocks which pastured on the barren sheep ground beyond Bethlehem, but lay close to town, on the road to Jerusalem. The Parthian priests, or Magi as we call them, went there and found the baby Jesus. save. Author and I first learned of the Tower of the Flock from a lecture by Mark Bailey, of Dallas Theological Seminary, at a conference several years ago. Some people think Mary and Joseph may have found shelter in the Migdal Eder, and that’s where Jesus was born. Location of Migdal Eder. Skip to content. 75% Upvoted. And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. This is just another theory added to the ones we have discussed in a previous Advent post. Until I heard the theory that Jesus was born away in a manger — but at Migdal Eder and not in a cramped and filthy cave behind a crowded inn. Ephrata was the ancient name of Bethlehem. Commonly used words are shown in bold. This is picked up by the Prophet Micah 4.8, “And thou, O tower of the flock, (Migdal Eder) the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” There’s a theory that Jesus might have been born a few miles away from Bethlehem where there was a shepherd’s watch tower named the Migdal Eder. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Emphasis added, “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Micah disclosed that the Messiah, who embodied the hope of the Kingdom of Israel, “was to be revealed from Migdal Eder” [Micah 4:8] .