Topical Encyclopedia Kimah is a term found in the Hebrew Bible, traditionally understood to refer to a celestial constellation. The term appears in the context of God's creation and control over the cosmos, highlighting His sovereignty and the order He established in the universe. The most common identification of Kimah is with the Pleiades, a prominent star cluster in the constellation Taurus.Biblical References: 1. Job 9:9 : "He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south." In this passage, Kimah is translated as "Pleiades," emphasizing God's creative power over the heavens. The mention of Kimah alongside other constellations underscores the vastness and complexity of God's creation. 2. Job 38:31 : "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loosen the belt of Orion?" Here, God challenges Job, using Kimah (Pleiades) to illustrate His unmatched authority and the limitations of human power. The "chains" of the Pleiades may refer to the tight grouping of stars in this cluster, which ancient observers would have noted. 3. Amos 5:8 : "He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth—the LORD is His name." This verse calls the people to seek the Creator, who made Kimah, as a reminder of His omnipotence and the natural order He governs. Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, constellations were often associated with deities and mythological accounts. However, the biblical text refrains from attributing any divine power to the stars themselves, instead pointing to the God of Israel as the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The mention of Kimah in the Bible serves to direct worship and reverence to God, rather than to the celestial bodies. Theological Significance: The references to Kimah in Scripture highlight several key theological themes: · Divine Sovereignty: The mention of Kimah in the context of God's rhetorical questions to Job and the prophetic call in Amos underscores God's supreme authority over creation. The constellations, including Kimah, are part of the ordered universe that God maintains. · Human Limitation: The inability of humans to control or alter the constellations serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations in contrast to God's infinite power and wisdom. · Creation's Testimony: The heavens, including the constellations like Kimah, declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). They serve as a testament to His creative work and invite humanity to acknowledge His majesty. In summary, Kimah, identified with the Pleiades, is a testament to God's creative power and authority over the universe. Its mention in Scripture serves to remind believers of God's sovereignty and the order He established in the cosmos. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia KIMAHki'-ma (Pleiades). Strong's Hebrew 3598. Kimah -- a cluster of stars... 3597, 3598. Kimah. 3599 . a cluster of stars. Transliteration: Kimah Phonetic Spelling: (kee-maw') Short Definition: Pleiades. ... 3597, 3598. Kimah. 3599 ... /hebrew/3598.htm - 6k Thesaurus Kimah (2 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia KIMAH. ki'-ma (Pleiades). ...Kimah (2 Occurrences). Job 9:9 Making Osh, Kesil, and Kimah, And the inner chambers of the south. (YLT). ... /k/kimah.htm - 7k Kesil (3 Occurrences) Kiln (5 Occurrences) Kimham (3 Occurrences) Osh (1 Occurrence) Darkens (2 Occurrences) Pleiades (3 Occurrences) Attractions (1 Occurrence) Inner (141 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |