Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4200 Places  »  4281 stars

Heavenly luminaries other than the sun and moon, often worshipped as gods by pagan nations. Scripture stresses that the stars were created by God, and are subject to him. Stars are often treated as symbols of the generosity of God, and his faithfulness to his promises.

The relationship between God and the stars

God is the creator

Psalm 33:6 See also Genesis 1:16; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 136:7-9; Psalm 148:3-6

The stars demonstrate the power of their maker

Isaiah 40:26 See also Job 9:7-9; Job 38:31-33; Psalm 147:4-5; Isaiah 45:11-12; Amos 5:8

Worship of the stars

Prohibited by God

Deuteronomy 4:19 See also Deuteronomy 17:3; 2 Kings 23:4-5

God's judgment of star worshippers

Jeremiah 8:2 See also Jeremiah 19:12-13; Amos 5:25-27; Zephaniah 1:4-5; Acts 7:42-43

Examples of star worship

2 Kings 17:16; Kings 21:3-5; 2 Chronicles 33:5; Acts 28:11

Reading the stars

Isaiah 47:13 See also Daniel 2:2-5; Daniel 4:7

Signs in the stars

Isaiah 34:4 See also Ezekiel 32:7-8; Revelation 6:13

The star of Bethlehem

Matthew 2:9-10 See also Matthew 2:2,7

The stars illustrating God's promise to Abraham

Genesis 15:5 See also Genesis 22:17; Deuteronomy 10:22; 1 Chronicles 27:23; Nehemiah 9:23; Jeremiah 33:22; Hebrews 11:12

Metaphorical references to the stars

A coming ruler

Numbers 24:17

The morning star

Revelation 22:16 See also Isaiah 14:12-13; 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 2:28

Wandering stars

Jude 13

Stars representing angels

Revelation 1:16,20

God's people shining like stars

Philippians 2:15 See also Daniel 12:3

See also

1670  symbols
4212  astronomy
4251  moon
4272  sky
4284  sun
4287  universe
4937  fate, fatalism
8709  astrology
8747  false gods
9410  heaven