Definition and Context:
Star-gazers, in the biblical context, refer to individuals who study the stars and celestial bodies, often for the purpose of divination or seeking guidance beyond what is provided by God. This practice is closely associated with astrology, which is the interpretation of celestial events as having influence over human affairs and natural phenomena.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses the practice of star-gazing and astrology in several passages, often in a negative light. In Isaiah 47:13, the prophet Isaiah speaks against the Babylonians, who relied heavily on astrologers and star-gazers: "You are wearied by your many counselors; let them stand up now and save you—those who divide the heavens and gaze at the stars, who predict the new moons and save you from what is coming upon you."

Deuteronomy 4:19 warns the Israelites against being led astray by celestial bodies: "And when you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." This passage underscores the importance of worshiping the Creator rather than the creation.

Historical and Cultural Background:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Babylon and Egypt, astrology was a common practice. Astrologers and star-gazers were often consulted by kings and rulers for guidance in decision-making. The Babylonians, in particular, developed a sophisticated system of astrology that influenced other cultures.

The Israelites, however, were called to be distinct from surrounding nations. The Law given to Moses explicitly forbade practices such as divination and astrology (Deuteronomy 18:10-12), emphasizing reliance on God for guidance and wisdom.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the practice of star-gazing is seen as a form of idolatry, as it places trust in creation rather than the Creator. The Bible consistently calls believers to seek wisdom and guidance from God alone. In Jeremiah 10:2, the LORD instructs, "Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them."

The New Testament reaffirms this stance by emphasizing the sufficiency of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Colossians 2:8 warns against being taken captive by deceptive philosophies, which can include astrology and other forms of divination.

Practical Application:
For Christians, the practice of star-gazing serves as a reminder to place trust in God's sovereignty and providence. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of the Holy Spirit rather than through astrological signs or celestial phenomena. The focus remains on a personal relationship with God, who is the ultimate source of truth and guidance.

The Song of the Little Baltung. AD 395
... He showed him his temples and pillared halls, And his streets of houses high; And
his watch-towers tall, where his star-gazers Sit reading the signs of the sky ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the song of the little.htm

Those Impostors Then, whom they Style Mathematicians, I Consulted ...
... whereby it might without all doubt appear, that what had been truly foretold by
those consulted was the result of haphazard, not of the art of the star-gazers. ...
/.../the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iii those impostors then.htm

Not Even the Most Experienced Men could Persuade Him of the Vanity ...
... sought"whereby it might without doubt appear that what had been truly foretold by
those consulted was by accident or chance, not by the art of the star-gazers ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii not even the most.htm

Nineveh.
... the sign of which was, that the sun seemed to retreat in his course, it probably
won the attention of the Chaldeans, who were great star-gazers; and Merodach ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Book Four this is the Story of his Years among the Manicheans. ...
... which it could be shown without doubt that what had been truly foretold by those
consulted came from accident or chance, and not from the art of the stargazers ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book four this is the.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... If so be thou mayest prevail. "Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels.
Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators,. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... Let now the astrologers, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up,
and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee," Isa.47:12, 13. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

On the Ten Points of Doctrine.
... Give no more heed, pray, to astrologers; for of these the divine Scripture saith,
Let the stargazers of the heaven stand up and save thee, and what follows ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iv on the ten.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... Thou art wearied in thy counsels. Let the astrologers of the heavens stand and save
thee; let the star-gazers announce to thee what shall come upon thee. ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... last to arrive. All the tribes of the star-gazers had seen the star, but
these were the only ones who followed it. The star which ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

Stargazers (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. STARGAZERS. star'-gaz-erz. See ASTROLOGY,
5. Multi-Version Concordance Stargazers (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/stargazers.htm - 7k

Star-gazers (1 Occurrence)
Star-gazers. Stargazers, Star-gazers. Star-god . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV WBS). Stargazers, Star-gazers. Star-god . Reference Bible.
/s/star-gazers.htm - 6k

Astrology
... 3. Looking in the Liver 4. The Astrologers, or Dividers of the Heavens 5. The
Stargazers, or See rs of ... "Let now the astrologers, the star-gazers, the monthly ...
/a/astrology.htm - 38k

Prognosticators (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 47:13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers,
the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you ...
/p/prognosticators.htm - 7k

Counsels (22 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 47:13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers,
the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you ...
/c/counsels.htm - 12k

Astrologers (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 47:13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers,
the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you ...
/a/astrologers.htm - 9k

Stares (1 Occurrence)

/s/stares.htm - 6k

Star-god (1 Occurrence)
Star-god. Star-gazers, Star-god. Staring . Multi-Version Concordance Star-god
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Star-gazers, Star-god. Staring . Reference Bible
/s/star-god.htm - 6k

Wearied (36 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 47:13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers,
the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you ...
/w/wearied.htm - 17k

Gaze (46 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 47:13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers,
the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you ...
/g/gaze.htm - 19k

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