The Origin and Manufacture of Birthdays in the Bible: Examining Pharaoh, Herod, and Joseph

In the annals of biblical characters, the celebration of birthdays has intrigued scholars and believers alike. The Bible mentions only a few characters celebrating birthdays, throwing light on this cultural practice. Among these, Pharaoh and Herod are the only two characters explicitly mentioned. Yet, the Joseph story also sheds light on some calendrical themes related to birthdays. This article explores the truth behind these biblical references, debunking the common belief that God's laws forbid the celebration of birthdays.

Pharaoh's Birthday in Genesis

The Hebrew Bible, specifically Genesis, mentions Pharaoh's birthday as one of the earliest references to a celebration in the Old Testament. Genesis 40:20-22 recounts Pharaoh's dream and the subsequent celebrations:

After three days Pharaoh's head councillors came to him. And behold, the dream of Pharaoh was resolved: and Pharaoh arose early in the morning, and was in ill humour: and he laid the dream and the resolution of it to heart. And the chief butler spake unto Pharaoh, saying, Let me beseech my lord to put thy servant in remembrance of thee, and to shew kindness unto me, and to put thy servant the chief butler in charge of the vine dress, as I did in thy sight when I was still in the vine dress. The king answered and said to his butler, In the same day that thou were lifted up from the dungeon, and thou didst restore the cup into my hand, even in the same way shall thou be lifted up with the[1] and thou shalt serve the king: but thou shalt forget me, and shalt not speak a word to the king in my behalf.

This passage indicates that birthdays, at least in the context of the court, were occasions for feasting and festivities. However, it is worth noting that the Bible does not explicitly forbid the celebration of birthdays in any of its laws.

Herod and the Death of John the Baptist

The story of Herod Antipas and his niece Salome is a particularly dramatic example of birthday celebrations. In Matthew, chapter 14, the narrative refers to the feast in honor of Herod's birthday:

And a days feast was made to Herod. And when her daughter Salome came in, she danced in presence of Herod and his lords, and pleased Herod. And he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being enforced of her mother, said, Give me here in a dish the head of John the Baptist. And the king was grieved, nevertheless for the oath's sake and for their sakes which sat with him, he commanded it to be given Herodias's daughter, which had asked it. And he send his executioner, and gave her the head of John in a dish. And his head was brought on a dish, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

This passage is often cited to argue against the celebration of birthdays based on the tragic end it brought to John the Baptist. However, this event, though it occurred during a birthday feast, does not reflect the cultural mandate to celebrate birthdays.

The Mystery Behind the Death of Joseph's Sons

The story of Joseph, which is found in the Book of Genesis, provides insight into the calendrical themes associated with birthdays. Joseph’s life timeline is intricate, spanning from his birth in 1805 BC to his days in Egypt. The significant dates align with astrological and calendrical observations:

And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And there was a famine in all the land; and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians. Also the famine was in the land of Canaan; and the people of Joseph moved and went up into Egypt, for the famine was sore in the land of Canaan. And Joseph had a name of many days in the land of Egypt.

Joseph's account, particularly his timeline and interaction with Pharaoh, suggests a deep connection between the astrological calendar and certain events. However, it is important to note that the narrative, like much of the Bible, may have been crafted to fit pre-existing myths and stories, such as the Nimrod story you mentioned.

Conclusion and Biblical Perspective

The Bible does not explicitly forbid the celebration of birthdays. Characters like Pharaoh and Herod lived and celebrated these events, indicating a cultural practice that predates Christianity. However, the texts also warn against the incorporation of pagan practices into religious celebrations. The story of Nimrod and his wife Semiramis often discussed in relation to astrology and pagan rituals, highlights the risk of conflating paganism with biblical observances.

Therefore, while Christians have engaged in various practices to commemorate Jesus’s birth, the celebration of birthdays as a cultural practice is not without its roots in ancient traditions. In essence, the Bible offers a nuanced view on birthdays, recognizing them as part of cultural heritage while cautioning against their misuse in religious contexts.

1. The term "soul" or "spirit" is often used to refer to the life-giving force in ancient cultures, particularly in the context of dreams and prophetic visions.

Keywords: Pharaoh, Herod, Joseph