Petra

An Ancient Desert People

There is a tribe of people of antiquity called the Nabataeans, who were one of several nomadic desert tribes who lived in the Arabian Desert, which includes the lands east of Canaan in the western part of Asia.

The first and third photos show an actual picture of the ruins of the great city of Petra, the capital of the Nabataean empire. You can explore the ruins of Petra more by following the link.

The Nabataean people were highly skilled merchants with trade routes throughout the Arabian desert and beyond spanning from Egypt to China. The second photo is a recreation of some of their trade routes, including the Incense Road along the western coast and the beginning of the Silk Road leading all the way to China. Mastering travel through the desert gave them a monopoly in trade across kingdoms and military advantage over their adversaries. Their trade commodities included spices, especially frankincense and myrrh, gold, iron, perfumes, fabrics, copper, and much more.

Could the caravan of travelers to whom Joseph's brothers sold him for slavery in Egypt be of these Nabataean people?

"…And as they raised their eyes and looked, behold, a caravan...was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing aromatic gum and balm and myrrh, on their way to bring them down to Egypt" (Genesis 37:25, New American Standard Bible 2020).

The history of the Nabataeans has two strong connections to what we know of the Magi: they lived east of Canaan, and their main trade commodities were frankincense and myrrh, which made them very wealthy. From this, it is probable the Magi are of these people. Though, there is a lingering question. How would a desert tribe from the East know to look for the Messiah of the Jews?

Journey of the Magi
  1. Who Were the Magi?
  2. An Ancient Desert People
  3. A Heritage of Blessing
  4. The Prophets
  5. The Star
  6. The Vision
  7. The Journey
  8. The Adversity
  9. Keep Seeking Him