Hebrew · Strong's H3556
כּוֹכָב
(koh-KHAV)
noun, common
A celestial body appearing as a luminous point in the night sky, often associated with divine promises or judgment.
The Hebrew term כּוֹכָב (koh-KHAV) broadly refers to a luminous celestial body, a star. Its semantic range primarily focuses on literal stars as components of the night sky, created and sustained by God. It often appears in conjunction with the sun and moon, emphasizing God's dominion over creation and the cosmic order. The term can also carry figurative weight, particularly in promises of numerous offspring, reflecting the countless nature of stars. Given the limited occurrences and the straightforward nature of the word, its theological weight is primarily tied to the concepts it underscores rather than intrinsic meaning complexities.
The most frequent usage of כּוֹכָב is in the context of divine promises, specifically concerning the multiplication of Abraham's descendants. God’s promise to make Abraham’s offspring as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5, Exodus 32:13, Deuteronomy 1:10, 10:22) highlights the vastness of God's covenantal faithfulness. This imagery underscores the miraculous growth of the Israelite nation. Furthermore, כּוֹכָב appears in descriptions of natural phenomena, such as God numbering and naming the stars (Psalm 147:4), demonstrating His meticulous care and omnipotence, ruling over them by night (Psalm 136:9).
In prophetic and apocalyptic contexts, the darkening or withdrawal of stars signifies divine judgment and cosmic upheaval (Joel 3:15, Ezekiel 32:7). This usage demonstrates that just as God established the stars, He can also cause their light to fail as a sign of His wrath or as a precursor to significant events. While there is a warning against worshipping celestial bodies, including stars (Deuteronomy 4:19), the term כּוֹכָב itself does not inherently carry negative connotations but rather describes an element of creation that can be misused by humanity. The term also appears in a wisdom context as a metaphor for the natural cycle (Ecclesiastes 12:2). Occasionally, the term can metaphorically refer to a prince or leader, though this is less common and often inferred from context or parallel structures rather than a direct semantic shift.
Common English renderings
- star
- stars
- star-gazer
Key verses
"And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be."
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"Jehovah your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude."
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"He counteth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names."
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"The moon and stars to rule by night; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever:"
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"The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining."
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"and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, thou be drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which Jehovah thy God hath allotted unto all the peoples under the whole heaven."
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