What is the significance of stars in the bible?

Stars appear frequently in the bible, from the creation story in Genesis to their appearance in Revelation. 

In the Old Testament Hebrew, the term ‘star’ referred to all heavenly bodies, except for the sun and moon. Stars are mainly connected with the light Christ brings, angels and leadership.

The Morning Star 

Revelation 2:26-28: To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end ... I will also give the morning star.

Revelation 22:16: I, Jesus ... I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

2 Peter 1:19: ... until the day dawns, and the morning star rises in your hearts.

The morning star precedes the day, and symbolizes Christ bringing the gospel light. According to Cruden, it also symbolises the Spirit illuminating the hearts of those who have accepted Christ, as suggested in 2 Peter.

 ..........................................................................................................

Shining like stars

Philippians 2:15: Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure ... then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

Daniel 12:3:  Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Those who have accepted Christ have the chance to shine His light so brightly that they'll be 'like stars.'

..........................................................................................................

The Day Star

Isaiah 14:12: How you have fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of the dawn! (note that the NIV refers to the 'morning star' here. However, it's clearly not referring to Jesus, who says He is the true Morning Star).

The Day Star refers to the King of Babylon, who followed in the steps of Satan in wanting to become greater than God. Clearly, then, stars in the bible are not always positive. As 2 Corinthians 11:14 suggests: 'Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.'

..........................................................................................................

The Star Directs the Magi



Numbers 24:17: A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel ...

Matthew 2:2: Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.

The star spoken of in Numbers refers to Jesus, the 'King of the Jews,' which the Magi recognise and follow. This introduces the theme of leadership - in ancient times the stars were used as a guide to travel at night. Revelation 1 describes Jesus holding 'seven stars' in his hands which represent the angels of the seven churches, also leading the way.

..........................................................................................................

The falling of stars 

Isaiah 13:9-10: A day of the Lord is coming - a cruel day... The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. 

Revelation 12:3-4: ... an enormous red dragon ... its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. 

The falling of stars r
epresents monumental upheaval. Many believe the 'third of the stars' indicates a third of the angels, concluding that Satan took angels with him when he was cast out of heaven.

..........................................................................................................

Infinite stars

Since the number of stars was considered immeasurable, stars are used when describing an enormous increase. (see Genesis 15:5, 22:17, 26:4; Hebrews 11:12).

What other occurrences of stars in the bible have you noticed? 

Sources include: 

Cruden’s Complete Concordance To the Old and New Testaments 
by Alexander Cruden (London: Lutterworth Press, 1930).