Arcturus is a prominent star mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament. It is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and is part of the constellation Boötes. The name "Arcturus" is derived from the Greek word "Arktouros," meaning "Guardian of the Bear," as it appears to follow the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear.

Biblical References:

Arcturus is referenced in the Book of Job, a poetic and wisdom literature text that explores themes of suffering, divine justice, and the majesty of God's creation. In Job 9:9 , it is written: "He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south." Here, Arcturus is associated with the "Bear," indicating its connection to the constellation Boötes, which is near Ursa Major.

Additionally, Job 38:32 states: "Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?" This verse highlights God's sovereignty over the cosmos, emphasizing His control over the celestial bodies, including Arcturus.

Theological Significance:

In the context of the Book of Job, the mention of Arcturus serves to illustrate the vastness and complexity of God's creation. The reference to this star, along with other celestial bodies, underscores the idea that God's wisdom and power are beyond human comprehension. The inclusion of Arcturus in these passages invites readers to reflect on the grandeur of the universe and the Creator's authority over it.

From a theological perspective, the mention of Arcturus and other stars in the Bible can be seen as a reminder of God's omnipotence and the order He has established in the natural world. It encourages believers to trust in God's providence and to recognize their own limitations in understanding the divine plan.

Astronomical Context:

Arcturus is the fourth brightest star in the night sky and the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is a red giant located approximately 36.7 light-years from Earth. As part of the constellation Boötes, Arcturus is often used as a navigational star due to its brightness and distinct position in the sky.

In ancient times, Arcturus was an important star for agricultural societies, as its appearance in the night sky signaled the changing of seasons. This aligns with the biblical references to constellations and their seasons, further illustrating the interconnectedness of God's creation.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, stars and constellations held significant cultural and religious importance. They were often associated with deities and used for calendrical purposes. The biblical references to Arcturus and other celestial bodies reflect the broader ancient understanding of the heavens as a testament to divine power and order.

The mention of Arcturus in the Book of Job, a text that is believed to have been written during the patriarchal period or the early monarchy of Israel, indicates the longstanding recognition of this star's prominence in the night sky. It also highlights the integration of astronomical knowledge into the theological and literary traditions of the Hebrew Bible.Arcturus

a gathering together

Bear-keeper, the name given by the ancients to the brightest star in the constellation Bootes. In the Authorized Version (Job 9:9; 38:32) it is the rendering of the Hebrew word 'ash, which probably designates the constellation the Great Bear. This word (`ash) is supposed to be derived from an Arabic word meaning night-watcher, because the Great Bear always revolves about the pole, and to our nothern hemisphere never sets. (n.) A fixed star of the first magnitude in the constellation Bootes.ARCTURUS

ark-tu'-rus: The "Plough" or "Charles's Wain" is intended. See ASTRONOMY, sec. II, 13.

BEAR, THE (ARCTURUS)

bar. A great northern constellation.

See ASTRONOMY, sec. II, 13.

5906. Ayish -- (a constellation) perhaps Great Bear
... Arcturus. Or Ash {awsh}; from uwsh; the constellation of the Great Bear (perhaps
from its migration through the heavens) -- Arcturus. see HEBREW uwsh. ...
/hebrew/5906.htm - 6k

The Blood of Sprinkling (Second Sermon. )
... I only mean that it will be before you as the ocean is before us when we sit on
the beach, or as the heavens are before us when we gaze upon Arcturus with his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling second.htm

A Refutation on the Ground of the Constitution of the Universe.
... And as certainly neither would Arcturus, resplendent as he is, ever boast his having
the atoms possessed by Lucifer, nor would the Pleiades glory in being ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/iii a refutation on the.htm

God is Known by his Works.
... bodies, the morning star rising and heralding the approach of the perfect luminary;
and the constellation of Pleiades, and Orion, and Arcturus, and the orbit ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter vi god is known by.htm

The Power of the Holy Ghost
... He looseth the bands of Orion; he bindeth the sweet influences of the Pleiades,
and binds Arcturus with his suns. He made all those stars that shine in heaven. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the power of the holy.htm

One of Paul's Prayers
... Let us then also, my brethren, as often as we lift our eyes and look up at the sun
and the moon and the stars,"at Arcturus, and the bands of Orion, and the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xii one of pauls prayers.htm

The Arians are Condemned by the Holy Spirit through the Mouth of ...
... The pilot knows for how many watches Arcturus continues, what sort of a rising of
Orion he will discover, but he knows nothing of the connection of the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvi the arians are.htm

To Cledonius the Priest against Apollinarius. (Ep. Ci. )
... part, as when Scripture says that the young ravens call upon God, [4713] to indicate
the whole feathered race; or Pleiades, Hesperus, and Arcturus [4714] are ...
/.../select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/to cledonius the priest against.htm

The Beginning, Increase, and End of the Divine Life
... If some little star in the sky should declare it was not a star, because it did
not shine as brightly as Sirius or Arcturus, how foolish would be its argument! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the beginning increase and end.htm

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien ...
... If any man knows not that the star Arcturus [60] has his course nearest the topmost
pole how shall he not be amazed that Bo??tes so slowly takes his wain and ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iv thus gently sang.htm

Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright ...
... breeze of spring brings back the leaves which winter's north wind tore away; so
that the dog-star's heat makes ripe the ears of corn whose seed Arcturus watched ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book i to pleasant songs.htm

Arcturus (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARCTURUS. ark-tu'-rus: The "Plough" or "Charles's
Wain" is intended. See ASTRONOMY, sec. II, 13. BEAR, THE (ARCTURUS). bar. ...
/a/arcturus.htm - 7k

Astronomy
... Isaiah 14:12), the "seven stars" and "Pleiades," "Orion," "Arcturus," the "Great
Bear" (Amos 5:8; Job 9:9; 38:31), "the crooked serpent," Draco (Job 26:13 ...
/a/astronomy.htm - 40k

Archives (3 Occurrences)

/a/archives.htm - 8k

Mazzaroth (1 Occurrence)
... Mazzaroth (1 Occurrence). Job 38:32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season?
or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? (KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT). ...
/m/mazzaroth.htm - 7k

Ard (2 Occurrences)

/a/ard.htm - 8k

Bear (425 Occurrences)
... together." Alfred Y. Day. BEAR, THE (ARCTURUS). bar. A great northern constellation.
See ASTRONOMY, sec. II, 13. BEAR; BORN. bar, born (vb ...
/b/bear.htm - 44k

Canst (62 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Job 38:32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season?
or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/c/canst.htm - 24k

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