Herod Philip, often called Philip the Tetrarch, was another son of Herod the Great. When his father’s kingdom was divided in 4 BC, Philip was given control of territories northeast of the Sea of Galilee, including Iturea and Trachonitis. He ruled at the same time as his brothers Archelaus and Antipas, each governing a portion of their father’s former kingdom under Roman authority. Philip also held the title of “tetrarch”, meaning ruler of a portion of the former kingdom.
Compared with other rulers in the Herodian family, Philip is remembered as relatively stable and moderate. Ancient historians describe his reign as peaceful, and he governed his territories for several decades without the political turmoil associated with his brothers.
Philip appears briefly in the New Testament in the opening of Luke’s Gospel, which lists the rulers of the region during the time when John the Baptist began his ministry (Luke 3:1).
Philip ruled until about 34 AD, after which his territories eventually came under Roman control and were later reassigned to other rulers within the Herodian dynasty.