Lexical Summary kokab: Star Original Word: כּוֹכָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance star, stargazer Probably from the same as Kabbown (in the sense of rolling) or kavah (in the sense of blazing); a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince -- star((-gazer)). see HEBREW Kabbown see HEBREW kavah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a star NASB Translation star (2), stars (35). Brown-Driver-Briggs כּוֺכָב noun masculineGenesis 15:5 star (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic כּוֺכְבָא, כּוֺכַבְתָּא  ,  , feminine form specifically of planet Venus, see also WeSkizzen iii. 36, 38; Arabic  Generally of single stars and probably Aramaic loan-word, WeSkizzen iii. 173; Ethiopic  ; probably for *כבכב see Mahri kubkob, kobkib, etc., MaltzanZMG 1873, 227 and Assyrian kakkabu DlHWB 336; Punic κακαβουμ (Dioscorides), name of a plant, probably from shape of seed-cup, BlauZMG xxvii, 1873, 529; on formation compare NöM § 109 BaNB § 138. 1) — ׳כ absolute Numbers 24:17; construct כּוֺכַב Amos 5:26; plural כּוֺכָבִים Genesis 1:16 19t.; construct כּוֺכְבֵי (כֹּכְבֵי) Genesis 22:17 13t.; כֹּכְבֵיהֶם Ezekiel 32:7; — singular only אֱלֹהֵיכֶם ׳כ Amos 5:26 (where, however, ׳כ is probably a gloss, so GFM Dec. 19, 1890, and now We; see further כִּיּוּן); and מִיַּעֲקֹב ׳כ Numbers 24:12 (J E; "" שֵׁבֶט בישׂראל, metaphor of future ruler); elsewhere plural stars, "" sun and moon (compare also below) Genesis 1:16 (P) Psalm 136:9 (to rule the night, compare Genesis 1:16), Jeremiah 31:35; Genesis 37:9 (E), Joseph's dream (׳אַחַד עָשָׂר כ = 11 brethren); Deuteronomy 4:19 object of idolatrous worship (compare below); observed in augury ׳הַחֹזִים בַּכּ Isaiah 47:13 (of Babylon); Ecclesiastes 12:2 ("" (also) light; figurative of brightness of youth); "" sun Job 9:7; "" moon Psalm 8:4; sign of evening Nehemiah 4:15 (׳מֵעֲלוֺת הַשַּׁחַר עַד צֵאת הַכּ) compare כּוֺכְבֵי נִשְׁכּוֺ Job 3:9 (apparently sign of dawn); numbered by God Psalm 147:4; simile of abundant posterity, Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Exodus 32:13 (all J E); of Israel Deuteronomy 1:10; Deuteronomy 10:22; Deuteronomy 28:62; 1 Chronicles 27:32; Nehemiah 9:23; of number of merchants of Nineveh Nahum 3:16; as lofty, Job 22:12; so in figure of haughty nations Obadiah 4; Isaiah 14:13; compare symbolic vision of Daniel ("" צָבָא, צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם) Daniel 8:10; simile of brightness of righteous Daniel 12:3; not pure (זַכּוּ) before God Job 25:5 ("" moon); darkened in Yahweh's judgment Joel 2:10; Joel 4:15; Ezekiel 32:7 ("" sun and moon; so) Isaiah 13:10 ("" also כְּסִילֵיהֶם); personified: as fighting Judges 5:20; shouting Job 38:7 (בְּרָןיַֿחַד כּוֺכְבֵי בֹקֶר, "" בְּנֵי אֱלֹחִים); praising Psalm 148:3 (כּוֺכְבֵי אוֺר, "" sun and moon). — On stars in Arabic mythology see WeSkizzen iii. 173 f. Topical Lexicon Overview כּוֹכָב (kokav) appears about thirty-seven times in the Hebrew Scriptures. The noun denotes the “star” as a physical luminary, yet the contexts range from literal astronomy to rich theological metaphor, covenant promise, prophetic warning, messianic hope, and eschatological glory. Distribution of Usage Torah: 18 occurrences (Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) Historical Writings: 2 (Judges) Wisdom Literature: 10 (Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes) Major Prophets: 6 (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) Minor Prophets: 4 (Amos, Nahum, Habakkuk, Numbers 24 is Balaam in Torah) Daniel: 3 (chapters 8 and 12) Stars in the Work of Creation Genesis 1:16 presents the stars as part of the ordered heavens set in place by the Creator: “God made... the lesser light to rule the night—as well as the stars.” The verse establishes divine sovereignty; stars are neither independent powers nor deities but created servants that “declare the glory of God” (cf. Psalm 19, where the noun does not appear yet the theme is parallel). Covenant Promise and Countless Multitude The most frequent figurative use compares Israel’s numbers to the starry host. The promise is introduced to Abram in Genesis 15:5, reaffirmed after the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:17), to Isaac (Genesis 26:4), and echoed to Jacob’s descendants (Exodus 32:13; Deuteronomy 1:10; 10:22; 28:62). The image expresses both immeasurability and certainty: the stars are fixed and visible reminders that God’s oath cannot fail. Stars as Symbols of Authority and Rule 1. Patriarchal Dream: Joseph’s vision of “eleven stars” bowing to him (Genesis 37:9) portrays tribal heads as celestial bodies, foreshadowing his rise to leadership. Stars in Heavenly Warfare Judges 5:20 poetically states, “From the heavens the stars fought,” portraying creation enlisted on Israel’s side. Daniel 8:10 describes a little horn that “cast down … some of the stars,” picturing oppression of God’s people and possibly angelic beings. Such texts underline that the host of heaven is aligned with the LORD and that cosmic conflict mirrors earthly struggles. Stars in Worship and Idolatry Deuteronomy 4:19 forbids bowing to sun, moon, and stars. Amos 5:26 indicts Israel for bearing “Kaiwan your star god.” Isaiah 47:13 mocks Babylon’s astrologers who “observe the stars.” These passages contrast the true Creator with the futility of celestial worship. Darkening of Stars in Prophetic Judgments Prophetic oracles often announce cosmic blackout as a sign of judgment: Isaiah 13:10; Ezekiel 32:7; Joel 2 (verbally related), and Ecclesiastes 12:2 (personal eschatology). The extinguishing of stars dramatizes national collapse and the shaking of the created order under divine wrath. Stars and Divine Knowledge Psalm 147:4 marvels, “He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name,” emphasizing God’s omniscience and intimate governance. Job 22:12 similarly lifts the gaze: “Look at the highest stars, how lofty they are!” Stars and Praise Psalm 148:3 summons, “Praise Him, all you shining stars.” Celestial bodies serve as a choir, reflecting mankind’s calling to worship. Morning Stars and Angelic Company Job 38:7 reveals creation’s dawn: “the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy,” intertwining stars with angelic beings and underscoring the harmony of ordered creation under its Maker. Stars as Emblems of Wisdom and Righteous Witness Daniel 12:3 elevates the faithful: “Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.” The imagery motivates evangelism, discipleship, and perseverance, promising eternal radiance to those who guide others to covenant fidelity. Historical Background Ancient Near Eastern cultures often personified stars and consulted them for omens. Scripture acknowledges their grandeur yet consistently subordinates them to the LORD. The polemic dimension is seen in Genesis 1 (created objects), Deuteronomy’s prohibitions, and Isaiah 47’s satire of astrologers. Ministry Significance 1. Teaching: Stars illustrate both the vastness of divine promise and the precision of divine care, aiding lessons on faith, sovereignty, and assurance. Key References Genesis 1:16; 15:5; 22:17; 26:4 Deuteronomy 4:19; 10:22; 28:62 Psalm 147:4; 148:3 Isaiah 13:10; 14:13 Daniel 8:10; 12:3 Summary כּוֹכָב communicates God’s faithfulness, authority, and glory from Genesis to the Prophets. Whether counting the covenant seed, heralding the Messiah, rebuking idolatry, or promising the believer’s future brilliance, each appearance of “star” lifts the reader’s eyes from Earth to heaven, from human limitation to divine majesty, and from present struggle to eternal hope. Forms and Transliterations בַּכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים בכוכבים הַכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗ים הַכּֽוֹכָבִים֙ הַכּוֹכָבִ֖ים הַכּוֹכָבִֽים׃ הכוכבים הכוכבים׃ וְ֝כוֹכָבִ֗ים וְ֭כוֹכָבִים וְהַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים וְכוֹכָבִ֖ים והכוכבים וכוכבים כְּכֹכְבֵ֖י כְּכוֹכְבֵ֖י כְּכוֹכְבֵ֣י כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥י כַּכּוֹכָבִ֖ים כֹּֽכְבֵיהֶ֑ם כּ֣וֹכְבֵי כּ֥וֹכְבֵי כּֽוֹכָבִ֔ים כּֽוֹכָבִ֖ים כּוֹכְבֵ֪י כּוֹכַב֙ כּוֹכָ֜ב כּוֹכָבִ֣ים כוֹכְבֵ֤י כוכב כוכבי כוכבים ככביהם ככוכבי ככוכבים כככבי לְכֽוֹכְבֵי־ לַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים לכוכבי־ לכוכבים מִכּוֹכְבֵ֖י מכוכבי bak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm bakKochaVim bakkōwḵāḇîm chochVei hak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm hakkochaVim hakkōwḵāḇîm kak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm kakkochaVim kakkōwḵāḇîm kə·ḵō·ḵə·ḇê kə·ḵō·wḵ·ḇê kechocheVei kechochVei kəḵōḵəḇê kəḵōwḵḇê kō·ḵə·ḇê·hem kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm kō·w·ḵaḇ kō·w·ḵāḇ kō·wḵ·ḇê ḵō·wḵ·ḇê koChav kochaVim kocheveiHem kochVei kōḵəḇêhem kōwḵaḇ kōwḵāḇ kōwḵāḇîm kōwḵḇê ḵōwḵḇê lak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm lakkochaVim lakkōwḵāḇîm lə·ḵō·wḵ·ḇê- lechochvei ləḵōwḵḇê- mik·kō·wḵ·ḇê mikkochVei mikkōwḵḇê vechochaVim vehakkochaVim wə·hak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm wə·ḵō·w·ḵā·ḇîm wəhakkōwḵāḇîm wəḵōwḵāḇîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 1:16 HEB: הַלַּ֔יְלָה וְאֵ֖ת הַכּוֹכָבִֽים׃ NAS: the night; [He made] the stars also. KJV: the night: [he made] the stars also. INT: to govern the night the stars Genesis 15:5 Genesis 22:17 Genesis 26:4 Genesis 37:9 Exodus 32:13 Numbers 24:17 Deuteronomy 1:10 Deuteronomy 4:19 Deuteronomy 10:22 Deuteronomy 28:62 Judges 5:20 1 Chronicles 27:23 Nehemiah 4:21 Nehemiah 9:23 Job 3:9 Job 9:7 Job 22:12 Job 25:5 Job 38:7 Psalm 8:3 Psalm 136:9 Psalm 147:4 Psalm 148:3 Ecclesiastes 12:2 37 Occurrences |
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