Lexical Summary
kokab: Star
Original Word:כּוֹכָב
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:kowkab
Pronunciation:koh-kawb'
Phonetic Spelling:(ko-kawb')
KJV: star((-gazer))
NASB:stars, star
Word Origin:[probably from the same asH3522 (כַּבּוֹן - Cabbon) (in the sense of rolling) orH3554 (כָּוָה - scorched) (in the sense of blazing)]
1. a star (as round or as shining)
2. (figuratively) a prince
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
star, stargazer
Probably from the same asKabbown (in the sense of rolling) orkavah (in the sense of blazing); a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince -- star((-gazer)).
see HEBREWKabbown
see HEBREWkavah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitiona star
NASB Translationstar (2), stars (35).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Genesis 15:5 (Late Hebrew
id.; Aramaic ,
,
, feminine form specifically of planet Venus, see also We
Skizzen iii. 36, 38; Arabic
Generally of
single stars and probably Aramaic loan-word, We
Skizzen iii. 173; Ethiopic
; probably for * see Mahri
kubkob, kobkib, etc., Maltzan
ZMG 1873, 227 and Assyrian
kakkabu Dl
HWB 336; Punic (Dioscorides), name of a plant, probably from shape of seed-cup, Blau
ZMG xxvii, 1873, 529; on formation compare Nö
M § 109 Ba
NB § 138. 1) — absolute
Numbers 24:17; construct
Amos 5:26; plural
Genesis 1:16 19t.; construct ()
Genesis 22:17 13t.;
Ezekiel 32:7; — singular only
Amos 5:26 (where, however, is probably a gloss, so GFM Dec. 19, 1890, and now We; see further ); and
Numbers 24:12 (J E; "" , metaphor of future ruler); elsewhere plural
stars, "" sun and moon (compare also below)
Genesis 1:16 (P)
Psalm 136:9 (to rule the night, compare
Genesis 1:16),
Jeremiah 31:35;
Genesis 37:9 (E), Joseph's dream ( = 11 brethren);
Deuteronomy 4:19 object of idolatrous worship (compare below); observed in augury
Isaiah 47:13 (of Babylon);
Ecclesiastes 12:2 ("" (also)
light; figurative of brightness of youth); "" sun
Job 9:7; "" moon
Psalm 8:4; sign of evening
Nehemiah 4:15 () compare
Job 3:9 (apparently sign of dawn); numbered by God
Psalm 147:4; simile of abundant posterity,
Genesis 15:5;
Genesis 22:17;
Genesis 26:4;
Exodus 32:13 (all J E); of Israel
Deuteronomy 1:10;
Deuteronomy 10:22;
Deuteronomy 28:62;
1 Chronicles 27:32;
Nehemiah 9:23; of number of merchants of Nineveh
Nahum 3:16; as lofty,
Job 22:12; so in figure of haughty nations Obadiah 4;
Isaiah 14:13; compare symbolic vision of Daniel ("" , )
Daniel 8:10; simile of brightness of righteous
Daniel 12:3; not pure () before God
Job 25:5 ("" moon); darkened in Yahweh's judgment
Joel 2:10; Joel 4:15;
Ezekiel 32:7 ("" sun and moon; so)
Isaiah 13:10 ("" also ); personified: as fighting
Judges 5:20; shouting
Job 38:7 (, "" ); praising
Psalm 148:3 (, "" sun and moon). — On stars in Arabic mythology see We
Skizzen iii. 173 f.
Topical Lexicon
Overviewכּוֹכָב (kokav) appears about thirty-seven times in the Hebrew Scriptures. The noun denotes the “star” as a physical luminary, yet the contexts range from literal astronomy to rich theological metaphor, covenant promise, prophetic warning, messianic hope, and eschatological glory.
Distribution of Usage
Torah: 18 occurrences (Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
Historical Writings: 2 (Judges)
Wisdom Literature: 10 (Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes)
Major Prophets: 6 (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel)
Minor Prophets: 4 (Amos, Nahum, Habakkuk,Numbers 24 is Balaam in Torah)
Daniel: 3 (chapters 8 and 12)
Stars in the Work of Creation
Genesis 1:16 presents the stars as part of the ordered heavens set in place by the Creator: “God made... the lesser light to rule the night—as well as the stars.” The verse establishes divine sovereignty; stars are neither independent powers nor deities but created servants that “declare the glory of God” (cf.Psalm 19, where the noun does not appear yet the theme is parallel).
Covenant Promise and Countless Multitude
The most frequent figurative use compares Israel’s numbers to the starry host. The promise is introduced to Abram inGenesis 15:5, reaffirmed after the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:17), to Isaac (Genesis 26:4), and echoed to Jacob’s descendants (Exodus 32:13;Deuteronomy 1:10; 10:22; 28:62). The image expresses both immeasurability and certainty: the stars are fixed and visible reminders that God’s oath cannot fail.
Stars as Symbols of Authority and Rule
1. Patriarchal Dream: Joseph’s vision of “eleven stars” bowing to him (Genesis 37:9) portrays tribal heads as celestial bodies, foreshadowing his rise to leadership.
2. Balaam’s Oracle: “A star will rise from Jacob” (Numbers 24:17) joins regal imagery to messianic anticipation, pairing kokav with “scepter.” New Testament hope finds indirect resonance here (Matthew 2:2;Revelation 22:16).
3. Cosmic Rebellion:Isaiah 14:13 records the arrogant aspiration, “I will raise my throne above the stars of God,” depicting angelic or royal rebellion against divine order.
Stars in Heavenly Warfare
Judges 5:20 poetically states, “From the heavens the stars fought,” portraying creation enlisted on Israel’s side.Daniel 8:10 describes a little horn that “cast down … some of the stars,” picturing oppression of God’s people and possibly angelic beings. Such texts underline that the host of heaven is aligned with the LORD and that cosmic conflict mirrors earthly struggles.
Stars in Worship and Idolatry
Deuteronomy 4:19 forbids bowing to sun, moon, and stars.Amos 5:26 indicts Israel for bearing “Kaiwan your star god.”Isaiah 47:13 mocks Babylon’s astrologers who “observe the stars.” These passages contrast the true Creator with the futility of celestial worship.
Darkening of Stars in Prophetic Judgments
Prophetic oracles often announce cosmic blackout as a sign of judgment:Isaiah 13:10;Ezekiel 32:7;Joel 2 (verbally related), andEcclesiastes 12:2 (personal eschatology). The extinguishing of stars dramatizes national collapse and the shaking of the created order under divine wrath.
Stars and Divine Knowledge
Psalm 147:4 marvels, “He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name,” emphasizing God’s omniscience and intimate governance.Job 22:12 similarly lifts the gaze: “Look at the highest stars, how lofty they are!”
Stars and Praise
Psalm 148:3 summons, “Praise Him, all you shining stars.” Celestial bodies serve as a choir, reflecting mankind’s calling to worship.
Morning Stars and Angelic Company
Job 38:7 reveals creation’s dawn: “the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy,” intertwining stars with angelic beings and underscoring the harmony of ordered creation under its Maker.
Stars as Emblems of Wisdom and Righteous Witness
Daniel 12:3 elevates the faithful: “Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.” The imagery motivates evangelism, discipleship, and perseverance, promising eternal radiance to those who guide others to covenant fidelity.
Historical Background
Ancient Near Eastern cultures often personified stars and consulted them for omens. Scripture acknowledges their grandeur yet consistently subordinates them to the LORD. The polemic dimension is seen inGenesis 1 (created objects), Deuteronomy’s prohibitions, andIsaiah 47’s satire of astrologers.
Ministry Significance
1. Teaching: Stars illustrate both the vastness of divine promise and the precision of divine care, aiding lessons on faith, sovereignty, and assurance.
2. Worship: Their assigned role in praising God encourages believers to join creation’s chorus.
3. Evangelism and Discipleship:Daniel 12:3 frames soul-winning as producing everlasting “stars,” inspiring gospel proclamation.
4. Eschatology: Prophetic star imagery read alongside New Testament passages (Matthew 24:29;Revelation 6:13) shapes a coherent anticipation of the Day of the LORD, urging readiness and holy living.
Key References
Genesis 1:16; 15:5; 22:17; 26:4
Exodus 32:13
Deuteronomy 4:19; 10:22; 28:62
Judges 5:20
Job 38:7
Psalm 147:4; 148:3
Isaiah 13:10; 14:13
Jeremiah 31:35
Daniel 8:10; 12:3
Amos 5:26
Nahum 3:16
Numbers 24:17
Summary
כּוֹכָב communicates God’s faithfulness, authority, and glory from Genesis to the Prophets. Whether counting the covenant seed, heralding the Messiah, rebuking idolatry, or promising the believer’s future brilliance, each appearance of “star” lifts the reader’s eyes from Earth to heaven, from human limitation to divine majesty, and from present struggle to eternal hope.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים בכוכבים הַכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗ים הַכּֽוֹכָבִים֙ הַכּוֹכָבִ֖ים הַכּוֹכָבִֽים׃ הכוכבים הכוכבים׃ וְ֝כוֹכָבִ֗ים וְ֭כוֹכָבִים וְהַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים וְכוֹכָבִ֖ים והכוכבים וכוכבים כְּכֹכְבֵ֖י כְּכוֹכְבֵ֖י כְּכוֹכְבֵ֣י כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥י כַּכּוֹכָבִ֖ים כֹּֽכְבֵיהֶ֑ם כּ֣וֹכְבֵי כּ֥וֹכְבֵי כּֽוֹכָבִ֔ים כּֽוֹכָבִ֖ים כּוֹכְבֵ֪י כּוֹכַב֙ כּוֹכָ֜ב כּוֹכָבִ֣ים כוֹכְבֵ֤י כוכב כוכבי כוכבים ככביהם ככוכבי ככוכבים כככבי לְכֽוֹכְבֵי־ לַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים לכוכבי־ לכוכבים מִכּוֹכְבֵ֖י מכוכבי bak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm bakKochaVim bakkōwḵāḇîm chochVei hak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm hakkochaVim hakkōwḵāḇîm kak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm kakkochaVim kakkōwḵāḇîm kə·ḵō·ḵə·ḇê kə·ḵō·wḵ·ḇê kechocheVei kechochVei kəḵōḵəḇê kəḵōwḵḇê kō·ḵə·ḇê·hem kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm kō·w·ḵaḇ kō·w·ḵāḇ kō·wḵ·ḇê ḵō·wḵ·ḇê koChav kochaVim kocheveiHem kochVei kōḵəḇêhem kōwḵaḇ kōwḵāḇ kōwḵāḇîm kōwḵḇê ḵōwḵḇê lak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm lakkochaVim lakkōwḵāḇîm lə·ḵō·wḵ·ḇê- lechochvei ləḵōwḵḇê- mik·kō·wḵ·ḇê mikkochVei mikkōwḵḇê vechochaVim vehakkochaVim wə·hak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm wə·ḵō·w·ḵā·ḇîm wəhakkōwḵāḇîm wəḵōwḵāḇîm
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