Lexical Summary mazzaroth: Constellations, Zodiac Original Word: מַזָּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mazzoroth Apparently from nazar in the sense of distinction; some noted constellation (only in the plural), perhaps collectively, the zodiac -- Mazzoroth. Compare mazzalah. see HEBREW nazar see HEBREW mazzalah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition perhaps a constellation NASB Translation constellation (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַזָּרוֺת noun [feminine] plural probably = מַזָּלוֺת q. v. above (on ר = ל see WSG 67, yet also NöZMG xi.1886,185) only בְּעִתּוֺ ׳הֲתֹצִיא מ Job 38:32, where treated as masculine singular, and perhaps understood of some particular star or constellation. ᵐ5 μαζουρωθ. מִזְרָח see זרח. מְזָרִים see זרה Pi`el 1. [מִזְרָע] see I. זרע. מִזְרָק see זרק. [מֵחַ], מֹחַ see מחח. Topical Lexicon Biblical Context Job 38:32 records the sole occurrence of מַזָּרָה (mazzarah): “Can you bring forth the constellations in their season or lead out the Bear and her cubs?”. Here, the LORD confronts Job with questions that highlight human limitation and divine sovereignty. By naming the constellations, God underscores His intimate governance over the ordered cosmos. Astronomical Order Established by the Creator Mazzarah draws attention to the ordered movement of the heavenly bodies. Genesis 1:14-16 describes the luminaries as markers “for signs and for seasons,” and Psalm 19:1-6 declares that “the heavens proclaim the glory of God.” Together these passages present the stars as divinely ordained timekeepers—evidence of both God’s precision and His covenantal faithfulness in sustaining creation (Genesis 8:22). God’s Sovereignty Over the Heavens In Job 38–41, every realm—earth, sea, weather, animal life, and the heavens—falls under the LORD’s interrogation of Job. Mazzarah belongs in this catalog of wonders. The implied answer to God’s question is “No, Job cannot.” The rhetorical force rests on the contrast between human frailty and God’s unlimited power, a theme reinforced in passages such as Isaiah 40:26 (“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?”). Seasons and Salvation History The seasonal aspect of mazzarah carries theological weight beyond meteorology. Key redemptive events are timed according to God’s liturgical calendar (Exodus 12:1-14; Leviticus 23). The One who “brings forth the constellations in their season” likewise orchestrates the “fullness of time” for messianic fulfillment (Galatians 4:4). Mazzarah thereby underlines God’s punctuality in both nature and redemption. Warning Against Pagan Astrology While mazzarah points to legitimate celestial order, Scripture consistently forbids divination by the stars (Deuteronomy 4:19; Isaiah 47:13-14). The constellations proclaim God’s glory, not humanity’s fate. Mazzarah therefore invites worship, not horoscope consultation, directing believers to trust the Creator rather than created lights. Implications for Discipleship and Ministry 1. Awe-Filled Worship: Contemplating mazzarah fosters a doxological response echoing Psalm 8:3-4. Theological Reflection Mazzarah encapsulates a crucial biblical motif: God is both transcendent ruler and immanent sustainer. The same One who charts the stars charts the course of human history, culminating in the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. For the believer, mazzarah is not an obscure Hebrew term but a reminder that every sunrise and starry night testifies to a faithful Creator who governs both the macrocosm of galaxies and the microcosm of individual lives. Forms and Transliterations מַזָּר֣וֹת מזרות maz·zā·rō·wṯ mazzaRot mazzārōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 38:32 HEB: הֲתֹצִ֣יא מַזָּר֣וֹת בְּעִתּ֑וֹ וְ֝עַ֗יִשׁ NAS: Can you lead forth a constellation in its season, KJV: Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? INT: lead A constellation season the Bear 1 Occurrence |
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