Son of Herod the Great by Malthace, a Samaritan. He succeeded his father as Ethnarch of Idumea, Judaea, Samaria, and the maritime cities of Palestine. From his known oppressive character Joseph feared to bring back the infant Jesus into his territory, and turned aside to Galilee, which was under the jurisdiction of his brother Antipas (Matt. 2:22). He reigned 10 years. Josephus relates that soon after his accession he put to death 3,000 Jews; eventually for his tyranny to the Jews and the Samaritans he was deposed and banished to Vienne in Gaul.