Science 9 Unit: Exploring our Universe
In ancient times, the Hebrews were surrounded by many cultures that worshiped the stars as gods. Even though the ancient Hebrews marveled at the stars, they didn’t create a system to study the stars because they feared that such a system could lead to idolatry – the worship of false gods. However, there are many references to stars by their biblical names found in scripture. When the Bible was translated into the Greek (Septuagint) and Latin (Vulgate), the Greek names for these stars and constellations were used. As a result, when you read the Bible today, you will see the Greek names rather than the original Hebrew names. One version of the bible called Young’s Literal Translation (not a version used by the Catholic Church) uses the Hebrew names. For example, from Job 9:9 from Young’s Literal Translation, you read, “Making
Osh, Kesil, and Kimah, And the inner chambers of the south”
In the following activity you will learn the Hebrew and Greek names of some stars, constellations and even some planets in specific biblical passages.
Table 1: Greek and Hebrew Names for Stars and Constellations Greek Names for
stars or constellations
Hebrew Names for stars or
constellations
Biblical reference
the Pleiades (The greek names for the stars appear in our translation of the bible. To find the Jewish names we would have to look to the original Jewish scriptures.)
Kimah (translated as
Pleiades in the Vulgate)
Amos 5: 8 The one who made the Pleiades
and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the LORD is his name
Job 9: 9 [God] who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
Job 38:31-33 "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Orion Kesil (translated into Arcturus in the Vulgate)
Amos 5: 8 The one who made the Pleiades
and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea, and
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Kesil is translated as
Orion in the book of Job in the Greek translation of the bible called the Septuagint.
pours them out on the surface of the earth, the LORD is his name,
Job 9: 9 [God] who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
Job 38:31-33 "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
the Hyades Osh, Ash , or Ayish In some translations of the bible, namely the Vulgate, Hyades is used rather than the ‘Bear’ constellation Ursa Major. Job 9:9 the Bears (Great and
Little) Ursa Major and Minor
Mezarim, Job 9: 9 [God] who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
Job 38:31-33 "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Canopus, the
Southern Cross, and a Centauri;
•Hadre theman — "the chambers of the south" —
Job 9: 9 [God] who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
Draco Nachash Job 26:13 His spirit has adorned the
heavens, and his obstetric hand brought forth the winding serpent.
Footnote : The winding serpent, a
constellation of fixed stars winding round the north pole, called Draco. This appears from the foregoing part of the same verse, His spirit hath adorned the heavens. (Challoner)
Questions:
1. How did the ancient Hebrews think about the stars?
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Table 2: Greek and Biblical Names for the Planets Greek Names for
planets
Hebrewl Names for the planets
Biblical reference
Venus Mazzaroth Job 38:31-33 "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion?Can you lead forth the
Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Saturn Kaiwan (in this text Saturn is called a star- god and the prophet Amos is denouncing Hebrew idolaters who worship Kaiwan.
Amos 5:25-27 Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You shall take up Sakkuth your king, and Kaiwan your star-god, your images, which you made for yourselves; therefore I will take you into exile beyond Damascus, says the LORD, whose name is the God of hosts. Questions:
1. Only Saturn and Venus were mentioned in the Old Testament. They were also called stars. Why might the ancient Jews describe these planets as stars?
2. Why were only names given to two ‘stars’?
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