Meaning of HERODIAS

Daughter of Aristobulus and half-sister of Herod Agrippa I.
She married her uncle Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great and Mariamne II, who was the daughter of the high priest Simon.

In the NT, Herodias's first husband is named Philip (Mt. 14:3; Mark 6:17); he was not entitled to the title of tetrarch, and should not be confused with Philip the tetrarch.

He is usually called Herod Philip, since it is probable that he had both names (See PHILIP.). Her half-brother, Herod the tetrarch, yielding to an unspeakable passion, repudiated his wife, daughter of King Aretas of Arabia, and married Herodias while her first husband was alive (Ant 18:5, 1; 6:2; 7 :2; Wars 2:9, 6).

John the Baptist rebuked this illicit union, so Herodias plotted her death. Salome, daughter of Herodias, gained Herod's favor by dancing before him at a party where the dignitaries of the tetrarchy were gathered; Herod recklessly promised her that he would give her whatever she asked for, whatever it was from her, and the young woman demanded the head of John the Baptist.

The tetrarch was pained by such a request, but, because of his oath, he relented (Mt. 14: 3-12; Mark 6: 17-29; Luke 3:19, 20). When Herod was banished, Herodias followed him (Ant 18:7, 2; Wars 2:9, 6).

Salome, daughter of Herodias, became the wife of her uncle Philip, the tetrarch of Trachonitis, son of Herod the Great. When she was widowed, she married her first cousin Aristobulus, son of Herod king of Chalcis, brother of King Agrippa.