The term "Host of Heaven" refers to the celestial bodies and spiritual beings associated with the heavenly realm, as depicted in the Bible. This term is used to describe both the physical stars and planets as well as the angelic beings that serve God.

Celestial Bodies

In the context of the physical universe, the "Host of Heaven" often refers to the stars and planets. These celestial bodies are seen as part of God's creation, reflecting His glory and majesty. In Genesis 2:1 (BSB), it is written, "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array." Here, the "vast array" can be understood as the host of celestial bodies created by God. The stars are also mentioned in Deuteronomy 4:19 (BSB), where the Israelites are warned, "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."

Angelic Beings

The "Host of Heaven" also refers to the multitude of angels who serve God. These spiritual beings are depicted as warriors and messengers who carry out God's will. In 1 Kings 22:19 (BSB), the prophet Micaiah describes a vision: "I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left." This passage illustrates the heavenly host as a divine council surrounding God's throne, ready to execute His commands.

Worship and Idolatry

Throughout the Old Testament, the worship of the "Host of Heaven" is condemned as idolatry. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the pagan practices of surrounding nations, which included the worship of celestial bodies. In 2 Kings 17:16 (BSB), it is recorded, "They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal." This idolatrous practice was a significant factor in the spiritual decline of Israel and Judah.

Heavenly Warfare

The "Host of Heaven" is also depicted in the context of spiritual warfare. In Daniel 10:13 (BSB), an angelic messenger refers to a conflict involving the heavenly host: "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia." This passage highlights the role of the heavenly host in the cosmic struggle between good and evil.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the "Host of Heaven" is primarily associated with the angels who announced the birth of Jesus Christ. In Luke 2:13-14 (BSB), it is written, "And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!'" This event underscores the role of the heavenly host in proclaiming God's redemptive plan through Christ.

The "Host of Heaven" thus encompasses both the physical and spiritual realms, serving as a testament to God's creative power and sovereign authority.Host of Heaven

HOST OF HEAVEN

(tsebha' hashamayim): The expression is employed in the Old Testament to denote

(1) the stars, frequently as objects of idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:19; Deuteronomy 17:3 2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3, 1; 23:4 Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 19:13 Zephaniah 1:5), but also as witnesses in their number, order and splendor, to the majesty and providential rule and care of Yahweh (Isaiah 34:4; Isaiah 40:26, "calleth them all by name"; 45:12:00; Jeremiah 33:22); and

(2) the angels (1 Kings 22:19 2 Chronicles 18:18 Nehemiah 9:6; compare Psalm 103:21).

(1) Star-worship seems to have been an enticement to Israel from the first (Deuteronomy 4:19; Deuteronomy 17:3 Amos 5:26; compare Acts 7:42, 43), but attained special prominence in the days of the later kings of Judah. The name of Manasseh is particularly connected with it. This king built altars for "all the host of heaven" in the courts of the temple (2 Kings 21:3, 5). Josiah destroyed these altars, and cleansed the temple from the idolatry by putting down the priests and burning the vessels associated with it (2 Kings 23:4, 5, 12).

(2) In the other meaning of the expression, the angels are regarded as forming Yahweh's "host" or army, and He himself is the leader of them-"Yahweh of hosts" (Isaiah 31:4, etc.)-though this designation has a much wider reference.

See ANGEL; ASTRONOMY; LORD OF HOSTS; compare Oehler, Theol of Old Testament, II, 270 (ET).

James Orr

4756. stratia -- an army
... Phonetic Spelling: (strat-ee'-ah) Short Definition: an army, host of angels Definition:
an army; met: a host of angels, the hosts of heaven (ie the stars). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4756.htm - 7k

The Host of Heaven and of Earth.
... VI. The Host of Heaven and of Earth. ... What "the host of heaven" means is not easily
decided. It may refer to sun, moon, and stars, or to the host of angels. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vi the host of heaven.htm

Various Relations of the Logos to Men.
... is somewhat on this wise: [4667] "Lest when thou liftest up thine eyes to heaven,
and seest the sun and the moon and the whole host of heaven, thou wander away ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/3 various relations of the.htm

The Living One
... 4:19), we read, "Lest thou lift up thine eyes to heaven, and when thou seest the
sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/the living one.htm

Of the Sixth Seal.
... of Aben Ezra, concerning the slaughter with which the Lord, when about to reign
in Jerusalem, (exactly as in this seal,) should visit the host of heaven on high ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the sixth seal.htm

Two Standpoints.
... spirits, be they angels or demons from other spheres. Wherefore the Spirit's
work must touch the entire host of heaven and earth. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii two standpoints.htm

The Principle of Life in the Creature.
... And finally, as the disposition of man as such is connected with the host of heaven
and earth, His work must touch the formation of this also, tho to a much ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v the principle of life.htm

Wishing to Answer the Above-Stated Objection Somewhat More Fully.. ...
... Lastly, in the Book of the Kings, Micaiah the prophet said: "I saw the Lord God
of Israel sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing around Him ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi wishing to answer.htm

Acts vii. 35
... Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written
in the book of the Prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii acts vii 35.htm

On the Immeasurable Joys of Heaven.
... is another heaven which is called Coelum Empyreum, the fiery heaven, so called ... soars
aloft in dignity and joy over the whole celestial host, reclining tenderly ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xii on the immeasurable.htm

Isaiah's Discourse
... And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together
as a scroll: and all their host shall fade away, as the leaf fadeth ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/v isaiahs discourse.htm

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