# Melchior — Ben Hur character guide

> Melchior in Ben Hur by Lew Wallace.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Hindu, Melchior the Hindu

**First appearance:** 0001-ben-hur

## Who they are

One of the three wise men who visited the infant Jesus.

## In the story

### [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/epigraph)

Referenced as one of the 'star-led wizards' in Milton's epigraph.

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/book-i)

The Hindu wise man who joins the journey to find the newborn king.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/ii)

The Hindu, tall and gaunt, dressed in white linen, who arrives second and embraces Balthasar.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/iii)

Melchior the Hindu responds with approval to Gaspar's tale of faith and revelation.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/iv)

The Hindu sage who narrates his life story, from Brahman caste to heretic, and his vision of the star promising redemption.

### [The Star of the Redeemer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/v)

The Hindu wise man who listens intently to Balthasar's story and trembles with delight at the revelation.

### [The Mysterious Light Over Bethlehem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/x)

Not present, but the celestial sign is connected to the wise men's journey.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/xii)

One of the three wise men, present with Balthasar and Gaspar.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/xiii)

The Hindu wise man who feels the Spirit burning within him and urges the group to proceed to Bethlehem.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/xiv)

The Hindu wise man; exclaims 'God indeed lives!' and declares the Savior is found.

### [The Mother's Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/chapters/v)

Not present in this chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/characters/melchior
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ben_hur_se/characters