Search the Site

Donate

stars


The self-luminous bodies in the sky (except meteors, comets, and nebulae). In modern times, the sun is considered a star; in ancient thought, however, and in the Bible, the sun, moon, and stars are distinguished (Gen 1:16). Moreover, although planets are not considered stars today, biblical writers considered them such; the “Day Star, son of Dawn” (Isa 14:12), was most likely Venus, and the “star” of the “god Rephan” (Acts 7:43) was probably Saturn. The stars and constellations have been created by God (Gen 1:16; Ps 8:3; Ps 136:9; Job 9:9; Amos 5:8). God has named them (Ps 147:4; Isa 40:26) and has set them in their courses (Jer 31:35; Job 9:7). No one can count them (Gen 15:5; Gen 22:17; Gen 26:4). In the ancient Near East, the stars were generally regarded as divinities affecting human destiny. Astrology sought to predict coming events through observing the courses of the stars and planets (Isa 47:13). In the OT, however, the stars are not recognized as divinities, and astrology is rejected as a foreign influence (Jer 10:2). In particular, star worship was condemned (Deut 4:19; Deut 17:2-5; 2Kgs 23:4-14; Amos 5:26).

  • Powell, Mark Allan, ed. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Abridged Edition. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009.