Topical Encyclopedia
Astrologers, in the context of the Bible, are individuals who study the stars and celestial bodies to predict future events and gain insight into human affairs. This practice, often associated with divination, is mentioned in several passages throughout the Scriptures, typically in a negative light.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, astrologers are often grouped with magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers, all of whom are condemned for their practices. The most notable mention of astrologers is found in the Book of Daniel. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a troubling dream, he summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to interpret it. However, they were unable to do so, highlighting their limitations and the superiority of divine wisdom given to Daniel.
Daniel 2:27-28 states, "Daniel answered the king, 'No wise man, enchanter, magician, or diviner can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days.'"
The practice of astrology is further condemned in the prophetic books.
Isaiah 47:13-14 speaks against the reliance on astrologers: "You are wearied by your many counselors; let them stand up and save you—those who divide the heavens and gaze at the stars, who predict the new moons and proclaim what will happen to you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, astrology is not directly addressed, but the practice of seeking guidance from celestial bodies is implicitly discouraged. The focus is on seeking wisdom and guidance from God rather than created things. The Magi, often referred to as "wise men from the east," are sometimes thought to have been astrologers, as they followed a star to find the newborn Jesus (
Matthew 2:1-2). However, their journey is seen as a divine appointment rather than an endorsement of astrology.
Biblical PerspectiveThe Bible consistently warns against the practice of astrology and other forms of divination.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 clearly states, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."
The biblical narrative emphasizes reliance on God for guidance and wisdom. The stars and celestial bodies are part of God's creation, meant to declare His glory (
Psalm 19:1), not to be used as tools for divination. The Scriptures encourage believers to seek God's will through prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rather than through astrology or other forbidden practices.
Topical Bible Verses
Deuteronomy 4:19And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD your God has divided to all nations under the whole heaven.
Topicalbible.orgIsaiah 47:13-14
You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from these things that shall come on you.
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Leviticus 19:26
You shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall you use enchantment, nor observe times.
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Daniel 2:27
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king has demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show to the king;
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Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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ATS Bible Dictionary
AstrologersMen who pretended to foretell future events by means of astronomical observations. It was fancied that the stars and planets had an influence, for good or for evil, on human affairs, and that certain aspects and relative positions of the heavenly bodies were full of meaning to those who had skill to interpret them,Daniel 2:2. These superstitions were prevalent among the Chaldeans, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Arabians, and were closely connected with the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, De 4:19 17:3 2Ki 23:5,12Jeremiah 19:13Ezekiel 8:16Zephaniah 1:5. They were thus idolatrous in their spirit, robbed God of his glory, and were highly offensive in his sight.
Strong's Hebrew
1895. habar -- probably divide... 1894, 1895. habar. 1896 . probably divide. Transliteration: habar Phonetic
Spelling: (haw-bar') Short Definition:
astrologers. Word Origin a prim.
...8064. shamayim -- heaven, sky
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition heaven, sky NASB Word Usageastrologers*
(1), compass (1), earth (1), heaven (191), heaven and the highest (2...
Library
Astrologers.
... Book IX. Chapter XII."Astrologers. "Therefore theastrologers, [841] being
ignorant of such mysteries, think that these things...
System of theAstrologers; Sidereal Influence;
... Book IV. Chapter I."System of theAstrologers; Sidereal Influence;
Configuration of the Stars. But in each zodiacal sign they...
Prodigies of theAstrologers; System of the Astronomers; Chaldean...
... Book IV. Chapter VIII."Prodigies of theAstrologers; System of the Astronomers;
Chaldean Doctrine of Circles; Distances of the Heavenly Bodies....
Superstition ofAstrologers.
... Book II. Chapter 21."Superstition ofAstrologers. 32. Nor can we exclude
from this kind of superstition those who were called...
The Perat?? Derive their System from theAstrologers; this Proved...
... Book V. Chapter VIII."The Perat?? Derive Their System from theAstrologers; This
Proved by a Statement of the Astrological Theories of the Zodiac; Hence the...
He Refutes the Divinations of theAstrologers, Deduced from the...
... Book VII. Chapter VI."He Refutes the Divinations of theAstrologers, Deduced
from the Constellations. 8. Now also had I repudiated...
Waste of Mental Energy in the Systems of theAstrologers.
... Book IV. Chapter XII."Waste of Mental Energy in the Systems of the
Astrologers. Who will not feel astonishment at the exertion...
Professions of Some Kinds Allied to Idolatry. Of Astrology in...
... Ofastrologers there should be no speaking even; [208] but since one in these days
has challenged us, defending on his own behalf perseverance in that...
Whether Divination by the Stars is Unlawful?
... iv, 3): "Thoseastrologers whom they call mathematicians, I consulted without scruple;
because they seemed to use no sacrifice, nor to pray to any spirit for...
Letter ccxlvi. To Lampadius
... How much more legitimate and right, therefore, is it for us to reject the absurdities
ofastrologers [mathematici], than to submit to the alternative necessity...
Thesaurus
Astrologers (9 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Astrologers (9 Occurrences). Isaiah 47:13 You
are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the
...Sooth-sayers (5 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which
the king hath demanded, the wise men, theastrologers, the magicians, the...
Stargazers (1 Occurrence)
... The Chaldeanastrologers "divined by the rising and setting, the motions,
aspects, colour, degree of light, etc., of the stars.". Int....
Astrology
... as-trol'-o-ji: I. THE DESIRE TO FORECAST THE FUTURE 1. Methods of Soothsaying 2.
Divination 3. Looking in the Liver 4. TheAstrologers, or Dividers of the...
Divination (25 Occurrences)
... The word occurs only in Daniel (2:27; 4:7 (4); 5:7, 11), and is translated
"soothsayers." Some think they were "astrologers," the etymology in that case...
Wise (422 Occurrences)
... is meant. Wise men. Mentioned in Dan. 2:12 included three classes, (1)
astrologers, (2) Chaldeans, and (3) soothsayers. The word...
Influence (13 Occurrences)
... tendency of any kind which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the influence
of education on the mind; the influence, according toastrologers, of the...
Enquired (12 Occurrences)
... And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them,
he found them ten times better than all the magicians andastrologers that were...
Magic (12 Occurrences)
... sense of the word. They belonged to a religious caste, the followers of
Zoroaster, theastrologers of the East. Simon, a magician...
Magicians (16 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Daniel 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring
in the magicians, the Chaldeans, and theastrologers....
Resources
Who was Daniel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Nebuchadnezzar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about astrology and the zodiac? Is astrology something a Christian should study? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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