The Greek term Magi, left untranslated from the Chaldean, was well known in the Middle East and could describe righteous wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, prophets, and dream interpreters, as well as false prophets, astrologers, augurers, soothsayers, and sorcerers, whom God repeatedly condemns. Renderings such as J.B. Phillips' "astrologers" are obviously incorrect and illogical when Matthew 2 is studied alongside other scriptures. God has nothing against astronomical stargazing, but He condemns astrology (Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:2-5; Isaiah 47:13-14; Daniel 2:2, 10, 27). The wise men who visited Jesus did not follow a moving star aimlessly; they knew in advance whose star it was, whom they were visiting, and that their purpose was to worship Him. It is highly unlikely that heathen, idolatrous astrologers would travel hundreds of miles to honor the son of a Deity they did not worship. These Magi were therefore not pagan astrologers. Given the earlier Diaspora of the Hebrews, they were more likely descendants of exiled Israelites or Jews, sent to recognize the birth of a scion of David's line.