The Magi: Balaam and his two sons, Jannes and Jambres, were called ‘magi’ by Philo (Life Moses), who prophesied about the star which pointed to the Messiah, and the child from whom he would rise. Because of this Pharaoh ordered the death of all baby boys. The Torah’s narrative about Balaam ends when Balaam “went off to his home” (Num.24.25), just as the Magi “went away to their own country” (Mt.2.12). The Gospel of Matthew’s writings about Herod, parallel Josephus’ version of the story of Pharoah – where he consulted his magicians, expressed fear for his throne, and ordered the death of the baby boys.
