Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, constellations are groups of stars that form recognizable patterns in the night sky. These celestial formations have been observed and named by various cultures throughout history, including those in the ancient Near East. The Bible makes several references to constellations, often highlighting God's sovereignty and creative power over the heavens.
Biblical References:1.
Job 9:9 : "He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south." This verse acknowledges God's creation of specific constellations, emphasizing His authority over the universe. The "Bear" likely refers to the constellation Ursa Major, while "Orion" and "Pleiades" are well-known constellations visible in the night sky.
2.
Job 38:31-32 : "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loosen the belt of Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?" Here, God challenges Job, illustrating His unmatched power and wisdom in controlling the cosmos. The rhetorical questions underscore human limitations compared to divine omnipotence.
3.
Isaiah 13:10 : "For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light." This prophetic imagery describes a time of divine judgment, where celestial bodies, including constellations, are affected. It serves as a metaphor for the disruption of the natural order during significant eschatological events.
Cultural and Theological Significance:In ancient times, constellations were often associated with mythological accounts and were used for navigation and timekeeping. The biblical references to constellations, however, focus on their role in demonstrating God's grandeur and meticulous design of the universe. The constellations serve as a testament to His creative work and are used in Scripture to remind humanity of God's eternal power and divine nature.
The mention of constellations in the Bible also reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern context, where celestial phenomena were often linked to divine activity. However, the biblical narrative consistently attributes the creation and control of these celestial bodies to the one true God, distinguishing the Hebrew understanding from surrounding polytheistic beliefs.
Interpretation and Application:From a theological perspective, the biblical references to constellations invite believers to recognize the majesty and authority of God as the Creator. They encourage a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world, prompting reflection on the order and beauty inherent in creation. These passages also serve as a reminder of God's intimate involvement in the universe, reinforcing the belief in His providential care and governance over all things.
In summary, constellations in the Bible are not merely astronomical phenomena but are imbued with spiritual significance, pointing to the glory and sovereignty of God. Through these celestial patterns, Scripture communicates profound truths about the Creator's relationship with His creation.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A cluster of stars, or stars which appear to be near each other in the heavens, and which astronomers have reduced to certain figures (as the "Great Bear, " the "Bull, " etc.) for the sake of classification and of memory. In Isaiah 13:10, where this word only occurs, it is the rendering of the Hebrew kesil, i.e., "fool." This was the Hebrew name of the constellation Orion (
Job 9:9;
38:31), a constellation which represented Nimrod, the symbol of folly and impiety. The word some interpret by "the giant" in this place, "some heaven-daring rebel who was chained to the sky for his impiety."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A cluster or group of fixed stars, usually designated by the name of some animal or mythological personage, within whose imaginary outline, as traced upon the heavens, the group is included.
2. (n.) An assemblage of splendors or excellences.
3. (n.) Fortune; fate; destiny.
Greek
798. astron -- a star... star. Neuter from aster; properly, a
constellation; put for a single star (natural
or artificial) -- star. see GREEK aster. (astra) -- 1 Occurrence.
...Strong's Hebrew
4216. mazzaroth -- perhaps aconstellation... 4215, 4216. mazzaroth. 4217 . perhaps a
constellation. Transliteration: mazzaroth
Phonetic Spelling: (maz-zaw-raw') Short Definition:
constellation.
...3685. Kesil -- a heavenlyconstellation
... 3684, 3685. Kesil. 3686 . a heavenlyconstellation. Transliteration: Kesil
Phonetic Spelling: (kes-eel') Short Definition: Orion....constellation, Orion....
5906. Ayish -- (aconstellation) perhaps Great Bear
... 5905, 5906. Ayish or Ash. 5907 . (aconstellation) perhaps Great Bear.
Transliteration: Ayish or Ash Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-yish) Short Definition: bear....
4208. mazzaloth -- constellations, perhaps signs of the zodiac
... planet. Apparently from nazal in the sense of raining; aconstellation, ie Zodiacal
sign (perhaps as affecting the weather) -- planet. Compare mazzarah....
3882. Livyathan -- "serpent," a sea monster or dragon
... From lavah; a wreathed animal, ie A serpent (especially the crocodile or some other
large sea- monster); figuratively, theconstellation of the dragon; also as...
1281. bariach -- fleeing
... Or (shortened) bariach {baw-ree'-akh}; from barach; a fugitive, ie The serpent
(as fleeing), and theconstellation by that name -- crooked, noble, piercing....
Library
Invention of the Lyre; Allegorizing the Appearance and Position of...
... Lyre; Allegorizing the Appearance and Position of the Stars; Origin of the Phoenicians;
The Logos Identified by Aratus with theConstellation Canis; Influence...
The Sun Stayed
... in the retrospect! Only by seeingconstellation afterconstellation set,
do we know that the heavens are in motion. We have need...
The Constellations.
... the associates. Thus Zeus made Callisto aconstellation, called the Little
Bear, which some also call the Dog's Tail. Poseidon also...
The visit and Homage of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt
... It must be admitted, that this was not always consistently carried out; and there
were Rabbis who computed a man's future from theconstellation (the Mazzal...
Faustus Claims to Believe the Gospel, yet Refuses to Accept the...
... with our saying that a star announced the birth of the Son of God, as if this were
placing His birth under the influence of aconstellation; while they subject...
Search the Scriptures
... What would you think of a man who should say to an astronomer, "Now, it is of no
use your telling me that theconstellation of Scorpio of such-and-such a shape...
Chronology of the Life of Christ.
... His astronomical observations on theconstellation which led him to this investigation
are fully described in his treatises De Stella Nova in Pede Serpentarii...
The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
... In like manner theconstellation of "THE WOMAN AND CHILD" was set as the first of
the three constellations which are assigned to the sign "Virgo." [255] It is...
The Gods of Egypt
... Biot contested their conclusions, and while holding that the hippopotamus might
at least in part present ourconstellation of the Dragon, thought that it was...
What is Meant by "Altogether Lovely"
... all loveliness. Things that shine as single stars with a particular glory,
all meet in Christ as a gloriousconstellation. Col.1...
Thesaurus
Constellation (1 Occurrence)... In Isaiah 13:10, where this word only occurs, it is the rendering of the Hebrew
kesil, ie, "fool." This was the Hebrew name of the
constellation Orion (Job 9:9
...Orion (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews Kesil; ie, "the fool", the name of aconstellation
(Job 9:9; 38:31; Amos 5:8) consisting of about eighty stars....
Arcturus (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Bear-keeper, the name given by the ancients to the brightest
star in theconstellation Bootes.... bar. A great northernconstellation....
Pleiades (3 Occurrences)
... a cluster" (Job 9:9; 38:31; Amos 5:8, AV, "seven stars;" RV, "Pleiades"), a name
given to the cluster of stars seen in the shoulder of theconstellation Taurus...
Dioscuri (1 Occurrence)
... and Rhegium. The Dioscuri (ie sons of Zeus), Castor and Pollux, are the
two chief stars in theconstellation of the Twins. Some...
Diotrephes (1 Occurrence)
... who loveth to have the preeminence, among them" may indicate that he was a church
official, abusing his position, chief stars in theconstellation of the Twins...
Pollux (1 Occurrence)
... They appeared in the heavens as theconstellation Gemini. Noah Webster's Dictionary.
1. (n.) A fixed star of the second magnitude, in theconstellation Gemini....
Castor (1 Occurrence)
... They appeared in the heavens as theconstellation Gemini.... 6. (n.) the northernmost
of the two bright stars in theconstellation Gemini, the other being Pollux....
Star (16 Occurrences)
... the ingenious and devout Kepler supposed that he could identify the star with a
conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in theconstellation Pisces, the...
Astrology
... sting and his son after him will take the throne." It may be remarked that as the
planet Saturn takes three years to pass through theconstellation Leo, the...
Resources
What does the Bible say about astrology and the zodiac? Is astrology something a Christian should study? | GotQuestions.orgConstellation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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