It’s not about 483 years as much as it is about 69 sabbatical year cycles.

Why were the Magi watching for the birth of Christ, when His own countrymen were not? The story of the wise men from the east is recorded in Matthew 2:1-12. The answer to that question requires some speculation, but not outlandish speculation.

“The East” from Israel—the far east to them—was Babylon and Persia.  One of the greatest and most influential of all the Babylonian and Persian scholars was a Jewish slave who rose from the ranks of servitude to one of the highest positions in the land, first under the Babylonians and then under the Persians.  His name was Belteshazzar—but most know him by his Hebrew name—Daniel.

A significant Jewish community remained living in Babylon during the time of Christ.  While the wise men who came to visit the Christ-child were most like Gentiles, there had been interaction between the Jews and the intelligentsia.  These magi were likely familiar with the Jewish Old Testament and the writings of Daniel. …

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