T H E A S T R O N O MY

OF TH E BI BLE
AN E L EME N TARY C OMMENTARY ON TH E
ASTR ONOM I CAL RE F E RE N C E S

OF H OL Y SC RI PTU RE

E . WA L TE R MA UN DE R ,

A OR U TH OF

TH E RO Y ALO S R A TOR Y
B E V W ,
s H I TOR Y A N D W O
GRE E N I CH I
'

xr S R K,
’

A STRO O M Y w m u A T E L E SCO P E
'

A D N N x o r

WI T H TH I R T Y -
F OU R I L L U ST R A T I ON S

F O UR TH E DI TI O N

l on b on
TH E EP WO R TH P R E SS

J AL F RE D SH AR P
 P R E F A CE

WH Y Should an as t ron o mer wri te a co mmen tary on the

Bi bl
e

B ecau se comm en tators a s a rul e are n ot as tron omers ,

an d t h ere fore ei t h er p a ss ov er t h e as tron omica l allu s i on s

of Sc rip t u re i n s il en c e or el s e an n ot at e t h e m i n a way
,

wh ich from a sci en tific poin t of view l eaves much to b e

, ,

d esired .

As tron omic al allu si on s i n th e Bibl e direc t an d in direc t

, ,

a re n ot few in n umb er a n d i n ord er t o b ri n g ou t t h eir full

, ,

s i n ifican c e n ee d t o b e t reat e d as tron omic ally A s t ron omy

g , .

fu rth er gives u s t h e p ow er of p l acin g ou rs elves t o som e

d egree in th e p os ition of th e patriarch s an d proph ets of
ol d. We kn ow t ha t t h e s am e su n an d m oon stars an d ,

pl an ets s h in e u p on u s as sh on e u p on Ab rah am an d Moses

, ,

D a vid an d I saiah We can i f we wil l s ee th e u n chan gin g

. , ,

h ea v en s wi th t h ei r ey es an d u n d erst an d t h eir att it ud e

,

towa rds th em .

I t i s w ort h wh il e for u s so to d o For t h e imm e n se .

a dva n c es i n s ci en c e m ad e s i n ce t he Ca n on of H oly
,

Scri ptu re was cl osed an d esp ecia lly d uri n g t h e l as t t h ree

,

h u n d re d y ears may en abl e u s t o reali z e t h e s ign ifican c e

,

of a m os t rem ark a bl e fa c t Ev en i n t h ose early ages

.
,

when to allt he n ati on s s u rroun din g I sra el th e h ea ven ly

bodies w ere obj ec ts for divi n ati on or id ol atry t h e a t ti tud e ,

o f t h e sa cre d wri t ers t oward t h em was p erfec t i n i ts

san ity an d t ru t h .
 P R E F A CE

a s tron o my h as a y et fu rth er part to play i n Biblical

s t udy . Th e d a t in g of th e s e vera l b ook s of t h e Bibl e an d ,

th e rela t ion of c ertain heath en my th ol ogi es t o t h e Scrip t ure

n arra t iv e s of t h e world s earli es t a ges h a v e re c e iv ed muc h
’

at t en t i on of lat e y ears Li terary an alys is h a s t hrown m u ch

.

ligh t on th ese s ubj ects b u t h ith erto an y e viden ce t hat

,

as t ron omy c o uld

g iv e h a s b een a lm os t w h olly n egl ec t ed ;

a l t h ou h from t h e n at u re of t h e cas e s uch e vid en c e s o

g , , ,

far a s i t i s a vail abl e mu s t b e mos t d e cis ive a n d ex ac t

, .

I h ave en deav ou red i n th e pres en t b ook t o mak e an

, ,

astron omic a l c omm en t ary on th e Bibl e i n a m an n er t h a t ,

s h all b e both cl ear an d i n t eres t in g t o t h e en era l read er

g ,

dis p en sin g as far as pos sibl e with as tron omical t echn i ca li

t i es s in c e t h e p rin cip l es c on c ern e d are for th e m ost p a rt
, , ,

qu i te s impl e I tru st a l so th at I have tak en t h e first

.
, ,

st e p i n a n ew 1n qu 1ry w h ic h promi s es t o giv e res ult s of

n o s m a ll imp ort an c e .

E . WAL TER MAU N DE R .

Ja mm y 1 9 08 .

Th ree e b ook app eared b efore th e War

dition sof th i s ,

an d as th ere h as re c e n t ly b een a c on sid e rabl e d eman d

for i t th e th i rd e di ti on h as n ow b een rep rin te d

,
It .

h as n ot b e en th ou gh t n ecessary to en l arg e th e b ook i n

ord er t o gi v e an a c c ou n t of th e gre at astron omic al

ad v an ces wh i c h h ave b ee n mad e s in ce 1 9 0 8 as th e se ,

i n n o way aflect i t s g e n e ral p u rp ort an d c on c l

u s i on s .

Green wi ch ,
1 92 2 .
 CON TE N TS
B OO K I

TH E H E AV EN LY B O DI ES
F AG]

CH AP TE R I . TH E H B R E EW A N D A S T R ONO M Y
M od ern Astron my — Astron o my i n th e Cl assi cal Age—Th e
o
Can on of H oly Scri p tu re cl os ed b efore th e Cl
ass i ca l
Age—Ch aracter of th e Scri ptu ral Referen ces t o th e
H ea en ly B od i es—Tradi ti on of Sol omon s E mi n en ce i n
v ’

Sci en ce—Atti tu d e t owards Nat u re of th e Sacred Wri ters

—Plan of th e B oo k
C HA P TER II . TH E C REAT I ON
I n d ian E cli p se of 189 8 Con trast b etween th e H eath en an d
Sci en ti c Atti tu d es —
fi Th e L aw of Cau sal i ty —I n con si sten t
wi th Polyt h ei sm—Fai th i n On e God th e Sou rce to th e
H eb rews of I n tel lectu al Freed om—Th e Fi rst Word s
of G en esi s th e Ch art er of t h e Ph y si cal Sci en ces—Th e
Li mi tati on s of Sci en ce — “
E x plan ati on s ”
of th e Fi rst
Ch ap ter of G en esis—I ts Real P u rp oses—Th e Sabb ath

CHAP TE R III . TH E D EEP

Bab y lon i an Creati on My th Ti amat, th e D ragon of Ch aos
v
O ercome b y Merod ach Si mi l ari ty to th e Scan d i n a i an
-
v
M y th — N o Resemb l an ce to th e N arrati e i n G en esi sv
M ean i n gs of th e H eb re w Word tekom— D ate of t h e
B ab y l on i an Creati on St ory

)H APTE B I V . TH E F I R MA M E N T
Twofol d A pp li cati on of th e H eb rew Word 7 C ‘
—I ts E ty mo
— i igi
l ogi cal Mean i n g Th e I d ea of Soli di ty i od u ced b y th e
“
S e ven ty — —
N ot th e H eb ew I d ea Th e Foun d ati on s ”

v
of H ea en an d E arth — Th e Can opy of H ea en —Th e
“ ”
v
Stori es of H ea en —Cl ou ds an d Rai n —Th e Atmo
”
v
sph eri c Ci rcu l ati on —H eb re w A v
ppreciati on e en of th e
Terri b l e i n Natu re Th e — B al an ci n gs an d
”
Sp read
i n gs of th e Cl ou d s Th e Wi n d ows of H ea en —N ot
— “
v
Li teral Sl u i ce gates—Th e F ou r Wi n d s —Th e Fou r
-

Q u a rt e rs — Th e C i rcl e o f t h e E a rth — Th e Waters u n d er

th e E arth — Th e Dep th s
“

IX
x C ONTE NTS

C HAPTE R DI NAN C ES OF THE H EAV EN S

V . TH E O R
Th O d
e f th H v ly M v m t — B il
r er o y M v m t
e ea en o e en s a o e en
f th
o S — Ni gh tly M v m t
e f th St
un — Th o e en s o e ars e
H t f H v
“
os —Sy mb lio f th A g l i H t
ea en o c o e n e c os

Th E th h g th
e p ar t h i g
—“
M i an
g St e u on n o n
”
orn n ars

Th S i pt
-

Vi w f th H v ly O d
e cr u re e o e ea en r er

C HAP TER V I TH E SUN .

Th D b l P p
e ou f th Tw Ge t H v ly B d i
u r ose o e o rea ea en o es

Sy mb li U f th S o L i gh t gi v — N D i fi ti
c se o e un as -
er o e ca on

of Su n or of Li gh t —So ar I d o at ry i n I srae
th e l l l
Sh emesh an d H eres— Su n sp ot s— Li gh t b efore th e Su n -

”—
“
Un d er th e Su n Th e Ci rcu i t of th e Sun — Su n
stro e — k
f‘
V ari ab l
en ess
”
Ou r p resen t n ow ed ge of -
K l
th e Su n —Si r Wi i am H ers ch e s Th eory —Con fli ct b e
ll l ’

w
t een th e Ol d Sc ie n ce an d th e N ew—Ga i eo—A ll
Q esti on o
u f E d
i e n ce — v
A Q u esti on of Pri n ci p e l
CHA PT E R V I I . TH E M OON
m
I p ort an ce o f th e M oo n i n O l d en Ti mes— l
E s peci aly t o t h e
Sh ep h erd — J e wi sh F easts at th e Full M oon — Th e
H arv est M oon —Th e H eb rew Mon th a N atu ral on e
D i fferen t H eb rew W ord s for M oon —M oon worshi p -

forb i d d en — “
Si mi li tu d es of th e M oon —Worsh i p of
”

Ash toreth —N o men ti on of Lu n ar P h ases— Th e M oon

“
for Season s

C H A PT E R V III . TH E ST A RS
N u mb er of th e Stars M agn i t u d es ”
of th e Stars —Distan ces
of th e Stars

C HAP T ER IX . COME Ts
Great Come ts u n ex pected Vi si tors— D escri pti on of Comets
F ormati on of t h e Tai l—Possib le Referen ces i n Scri p
tu re to Comets

C HAP T ER X . M E T E O RS
Aeroli tes— Di an a of th e E ph esi an s—Star sh owers—Th e Leo -

n id Met e ors— R e feren c es i n Scri p tu re— Th e Au rora

B orea i s l
C HAPTER X I . E C LIP S E S or THE SUN AND M OON
Vi vi d I mp ressi on
p rod u ced
So ar E c i pse by a Total l l
E c i pses n ot Omen s to th e H eb rews— E c i pses i si b e i n
l l v l
An ci en t Pa esti n e— E x p an ati on of E c i pses—Th e Saros
l l l
—Scri ptu re Referen ces to E c i pses —Th e Coron a—Th e l
E gyp ti an Wi n ged D i sc —Th e B ab y on i an Ri n g wi th l
W gi n s
”
— Th e Coron a at Mi n i u m m
 C ON TE NTS Xi
P A GE

C HAP TE R XI I . S AT UR N A N D A ST R O L O G Y
Th e “
Se P an ets —P ossi b e Scri ptu re Referen ce s t o
v en l l
Ven u s an d u pi ter J
Y ou r God R emph an prob ab y ”
l
Sat u rn — Th e Sab b a t h an d S atu rn
’
s D ay
— R A P roct or . .

o n th e N ames of th e D ay s of th e W eek
— Ord er of th e
Pl an et s— A ex an d ri an Ori gi n of th e W ee d ay N ames
l k
Th e R el ati on of A tro o t o A s tr on om l
y
— E ar y B ab l y
s
gy
I on ian Astro og — H eb re Con tempt for D i i n ati on
l y w v

B OOK I I

TH E CO N STE L LATI O N 8

C HAPTE R I . TH E O R IGI N O F THE CO N ST ELLATI ONS

Th e G r
“
ee k S h ere — A rat u s — St P au l s Sermon at Ath en s
’
p .

— Th e Con stell ati on s of P tol emy s Catal ogu e— Referen ces

’

t o th e Con s tell ati on s i n H e si od an d H omer— Th e Con

l
s te la ti on F i gu res on G reek Coi n s—An d on B ab y l on i an
”—
B ou n d ary s ton es Th e U n mapped Sp ace i n
-

th e
Sou th — I ts E x pl an ati on — Precessi on —D ate an d Pl ace of
t h e Ori gi n o f t h e Con s telati on s —Si gn i fi can t P osi ti on s
l
o f th e Ser en t F orms i n th e Con s te ati on s — Th e F ou r ll
p
“
R oy a Stars — Th e Con ste ati on s ear i er th an th e
l ll l
d Testa men t
Ol

C HAPTE R II . ENES IS
G A N D THE C ONS TELLATI ON S
Th e B o w set i n th e C ou d — Th e on c e l C fli t wi th th S erp en t
Th e Se ed of th e W oman — Th e Ch eru b i m— Th e M i gh ty
Hu n t er
C HAP T E R III . THE DEL U GE
TH E ST O R Y or

R esembl an ce b et ween th e B ab y l on i an an d G en esi s D el u ge

Stori es— Th e D el u ge St ori es i n G en esi s— Th ei r Spe ci a l
Featu res— Th e B ab y l on i an D el u ge Story — Q u esti on as
t o i ts D at e—I ts Corresp on d en ce wi th b oth t h e Gen esi s
Narrati es— Th e Con st e l
v at i on D e u ge Pi ct u re— I ts
l l
Corresp on d en ce wi t h b oth th e G en esi s N arrati es—Th e v
G en e si s D e u ge Story i n d ep en d en t of Star My th an d
l
l
B ab y on i an L egen d

CH AP T E R I V . TH E TR B I E S O F I SRAE L AN D THE ZOD I A C

J s D rea m—Al eged A ssoci ati on o f th e Z o di a ca F i u res l
’
os e
ph l g
wi th th e Trib es of I srae —Th e St an d ard s o f th e F ou rl
Camp s of I srae — Th e B ess i n gs of J acob an d M oses
l l
Th e Prop h eci es of B al aam— Th e Go d en Ca f— Th e l l ~

Li on of u d ah J
 C ONTE NTS

C HAPTER V . L EV IAT HA N
Th e Four Serpen t lik F
-
llati on s—Th eir
e ms
or i n th e Con ste
Si gn i fican t Posi ti on s— Th e D agon s H ead an d Tai l
’
r

Th e Sy mb ols for th e Nod es— Th e D rag on of E cl i pse

H i n d u My th of E cli p ses— Levi ath an — R eferen ces t o th e
Stellar Serp en ts i Scri p t u re— Rah ab — An d ro med a
n
“
Th e E y eli d s of th e M orn i n g — P oetry Sci en ce an d , ,

M y th 9 o o 0

CH AP TE R V I . TH E P L EIADES
Di fli cu lty I d en ti fi cati on — Th e most Attracti e Con ste a
of v ll
ti on s— Ki ma h— N ot a Bab y on i an Star Name— A Pre l
ex i l ic H eb rew Term— Th e P ei ad es t radi ti on a y l ll
v
Se en Madl— e r s Su ggesti on —P ei ad es ass oci ated i n Tra l
’

d i ti on wi th th e Rai n y Season — An d wi th t h e D e u ge l
Th ei r Sweet I n u en ces —Th e R et u rn of Spri n g—Th e
fl
P ei ad es i n recen t Ph otograph s— Great Si z e an d D i stan ce
l
of th e C ster lu

C HAPTER VII . O R I ON
Kesi l— Prob ab ly Ori on —Appearan ce of th e Con stellati on
I d en ti ed i n fiewi sh Tradi ti on J Ni mrod , wh o w i th
was prob ab y M erod ach —Atti tu d e of Ori on i n th e Sk y
l
— —
Kestlim Th e B an d s of Ori on —Th e B ow star an d
“ ” -

lan ce star Ori on s D o s— I d en ti fi cati on of Ti a mat w

g
’
,
-

g i th
et u s

CHAPTE R V III . MAZZARO T H

Prob ab y th e Si gn s of th e Zod i ac —Bab on i an Creati on
l yl
Story —Si gn i fi can ce of i ts Astron omi ca Re feren ces l
w
D i fferen ce b et een th e Si gn s an d th e Con st e a ll
ti on s of th e Z od i ac—D at e of th e Ch an ge—An d of th e
”

Bab y lon i an Creati on E pi c Stages of Astro ogy — Astro u

l
logy You n ger th an Astron o my b y 20 00 Years—M a z
za rath an d th e Ch amb ers of th e Sou th
Th e So ar an d Lu n ar Zodi acs —Ma zaroth i n hi s Season
l a

CHAPTE R I X . A R CTURUS

A sh d Ay i sh —U n certai n ty as to th eir I d en ti cati on fi

‘ ‘
an r

P rob ab y th e G reat B ear— Meza ri m—Prob ab y an oth er

l '
l
N ame for th e B ears — “
Can st th ou gu i d e th e B ear ?”

Proper Moti on s of the P ou gh st ars Esti mated D i stan ce

l - -

25 $
 CONTE NTS

B OOK III

TI MES AN D SEASON S
P AGE

C HAP TER I . TH E DAY A N D I Ts DI v I SI ON s

Rotat i on P eri o d of Ven u s—Diffi culty of
'

th e Ti me P rob l em
on Ven u s —Th e d Stars as Su n an Ti me M ea s u rers
Th e apparen t So ar Day th e F i rst l i n U se— I t b egan
‘

at Su n se t— Su b d i i si on s of t h e Day v I n ter al— Betwe zn

v
th e T w o E en i n g s — T hve W at c h es of th e Ni gh t —Th e
1 2 h ou r Day an d t h e 24 h ou r Day
-
-

C HAPTE R TH E S BB T H A N
II .
'

THE W E K
A A D E
Th e W ee n ot ka n A s tron om i cal P e ri od — Di fi eren t Wee s k
e m loy ed b y t h e An ci en t s— F ou r Ori gi n s assi gn ed for
p
th e W ee — Th e Q u arter mon t h — Th e B ab y l on i an Sy s
k -

te m — T h e B ab y l on i an Sa b b ath n o t a R e s t D ay
— Th e
Jewi sh Sab b ath a mon gs t th e R oman s— Al l eged Astro
l ogi cal Ori gi n of t h e W ee —Origin of th e Wee gi en k k v
i n th e B i b le
CHAPT ER I I I . TH E M ON H T
Th e N ew M oon H oly Day wi th th e H ebrews— Th e F u ll
a
M oon s at th e Two E qu in ox es al so H oly D ay s— Th e
B egi n n i n gs of th e M on th s d etermi n ed from actu al
Ob serva ti on — R u l e for fi n d i n g E aster—Names of th e
J e wish M on th s— P h oen i ci an an d B ab y l on ian M on th
Names — N u mb er o f D ay s i n th e M on th — Bab y l on i an
D ead R eck on i n g— Presen t J ewi sh Cal en dar

CH APTE R I V . TH E Y E AR
Th e J ew i sh L u n i so ar on e—N eed for an I n terca ary
Year a -
l l
M on th —Th e M eton i c Cy c e—Th e Si d erealan d Tropi ca l l
Years— Th e H eb rew a Tropi ca Year—Begi n n i n g n ea r l
th e Spri n g E q u i n ox — M ean i n g of “
th e E n d o f th e
Year — E ar y B ab y on i an M eth od of d ete rmi n i n g t h e
l l
F i rs t M on th — Cape a as th e I n d i cator Star— Th e Tri a
ll d
of Stars— Th e Tro i ca Y ea r i n t h e D e u e Stor l l
p g y
CHAPTER V . TH E SAB B ATI O Y EAR A N D THE JU B I L E E
L aw of t h e Sab b at i c Y ear— A Year of R est
d R el eas e an
Th e J u b i le e— Di fii cu l
ti es con n ected wi th th e Sab b ati c
Y ea r an d th e u b i lee— Th e Sabb a ti c Year, an Agri cul
J
t u ra l on e— I n ter al b et wee n t h e v
ubilees, F ort
y n i n e J -

Y ears, n ot Fifty —Forty n in e Years an Astron omi cal -

Cy cle
x iv C ONTE NTS
P AG E

CHAP T ER V I TH E C YC LE S 0 F DAN IE L
.

Th e J u bi l ee Cy cl e p ossessed on ly b y th e H eb rews —H i gh
“

E st i mati on of D an i el an d h i s Comp an i on s en t ertai n ed

b y Neb u ch ad n ezzar—Du e p ossi b ly t o D an i e ls Kn owled ge
’

L u n i s olar Cy cles— Cy cl es i n D an i el s P roph ecy

’
of -

23 0 0 Years 1 26 0 Y ears as A stron omi ca Cy c es

an d l l
E ar y As tron omi ca P rogress of th e B ab y on ian s mu ch
l l l
v
o errated — Y et th ei r R ea Achi e emen t s n ot Sma l v ll
Li mi tati on s of th e B ab y on i an — F ree d om of th e H eb rew l
B OO K IV
T H RE E AST RON O MI CAL MARV EL S
CHAP T ER I JOSH U A S L ON G DAY
.
’

MET HO D OF STU D Y I N G TH E R E CORD — To b e di scu ssed as i t

st an d s— An ear y Astron omi ca l
Ob ser ati on B l v . EFORE
TH E B A TT L E — M o emen t s of th e I srae i t es— R eas on s for
v l
t h e Gi beon i tes Act i on
’
R ap i d M o emen ts of al l th e v
Parti es DAY, H
.
,
AN P C O OUR
THE M I R A CL D LA E F
I n d i cati o n of th e Su n s D ec i n ati on — o sh u a was at l J
’

Gi b eon — An d at Hi gh N oon — On t h e 21st Day of th e

F ou rth M on th J OSH U A S S ’
. Y —Key t o i t i n th e T RATEG
F i gh t of th e Amori tes b y t h e B eth b oron R ou te—Th e
l -

Amori tes d efeated b u t n ot s u rrou n d ed — i n g D a id as a K v

Strateg ist TH E MI C
.
— Th e Noon d ay H eat, t h e
RA LE -

r ea t H i n d ran ce t o th e I srae i t es— osh u a d es i red th e l J

g
—
H eat t o b e t empered Th e Su n mad e t o b e s ilen t “

—
Th e H ai storm Th e March t o Mak ed ah A F u lD ay s
l — ’
k l
March i n th e Aftern oon Th e Mi rac e n ot a P oeti c
”
l
H yp erb o e— E x act Accord of th e P oem an d th e Pros e
l
Ch ron i c e— Th e R ecord mad e at th e Ti me— Th ei r
l
March , th e I srae i t es Measu re of Ti me
’
l
CHAPTE R I I . TH E D IAL or AH Az
Th e Narrati e— Su ggest ed E x p an ati on s —Th e
v D ia of l l
Ah az, prob ab y a Stai rcase— Prob ab e H i story an d
l l
”

P osi ti on of th e Stai rcas e— Si gn ifi can ce of th e Sign

CHAP TE R I I I TH E ST A R OF BE T HLE HE M
.

Th e Narrati ve— N o Astron omi cal D etai l s gi v en —P u r ose o f

p
—
th e Scri pt u re Narrat i v e K epl er s s u ggested I d e n ti fi ca
’

ti on of t h e Star— Th e N ew Star o f 1 5 72— L egen d o f t h e

Well of B eth l eh e m— Tru e Sign i fi can ce of th e Reti cen ce
of th e Gospel Narrati v e
A T A B LE OF SCR IPTU RAL R EFE REN CES
I NDE X
 I L L U STR A TI ON S
P AGE

TH E STAR OF BE TH LE HE M ( B u rn e
’
Jon cs ) F ron ti sp i ece

TH E R AI N B OW (R b )
u en s

M E R ODACH A ND TIA MA T

C I R RUS AND CU M ULI

A C O R N E R O F T H E M IL KY WA Y

TH E GREAT CO M ET O F 1 8 43

FA LL O F A N A E RO LITE

M E TE O RI C SH OWER O F 1 7 9 9
TH E A SS Y R IA N R I N G WI T H W I N G S
‘

C ORONA OF M I N I M U M TY PE
ST PA UL P REA C H I N G A T A T H E N S (R ap h ael
.
)
TH E A N C IE N T C ON ST ELL AT IO N S SO UT H o r T H E E C LIPTI C

TH E CELE S TIA L SP H ERE

TH E M ID N IG HT CO N ST ELLA T I ON S 0 F SPRI N G B C 270 0

, . .

TH E M ID N I GHT CON ST ELLATIO N S O F W I N T E R B C 2700 , . .

O P H IU C H US A N D T H E N E I G H O URI N G C ON ST ELLA TIO N S

B

A Q UA R IU S A N D T H E N E I G HB OU R I N G C ON S TEL LA T I ON S

H E R C ULE S AN D D R AC O

H Y D RA A N D T H E N E I G H B OU R I N G C ON ST EL L AT I ON S
XV
 I L L U STR A TI ONS
P AGE

AN D RO M EDA AN D C ET US
STA RS O F T H E P L EIADE S .

INN E R N E B U LO S ITI ES OF TH E P LEIADE S

STA RS or O RI ON

O RI ON AN D T H E N EIG H BO UR I N G C ON S TELL ATI ON S

PO S I TI ON or SP R I NG EQ U I NO X B C 2700
, . .

P O S ITI ON or SPR I N G E Q UI NO X AD 1 9 0 0
,

STA RS O F T H E P L O UGH A S T H E W I NNO WI NG FAN

,

‘
BL O W UP T HE TR UM PET I N TH E NEW M OON ’

PO S I TI ON O F T H E N EW M OON AT T HE E Q UI N O XE S
B O UNDARY S T ON E I N T H E L O UV RE
-

WO RS H IP or TH E SUN GOD AT SI P P AR A
-
.

‘
SUN S TA N D THO U ST I LL U P ON GI B EO N A N D TI I O U
, ,

M OON I N TH E V ALLE Y O F AJALON

’

M AP or SO UT HE R N PA LE S TI N E
BEAR I N GS O F T H E R I SI N G AN D SET TI NG PO I N T S or TH E
SUN FR O M GI BEON
4 TH E A STR O N O M Y OF TH E B I B L E

re veal ed t o u s an d myst eri ou s n ebul ae wh ich s uggest by

, ,

th eir form s t h at t h ey a re sys tem s of s u n s i n th e m akin g .

More lat ely th e in ven t ion of t h e sp e c tros cop e has in

form e d u s of t h e v ery e l e m en t s wh ich go t o t h e c omp os i
'

t ion of t h e s e n umb erl ess s t ars an d we can di st in g ui s h

,

th ose wh ic h are i n a s imil ar con dit i on t o ou r s u n from

t h os e di fferin g from h i m .An d p h ot ogra ph y h as rec ord ed
for u s obj ect s t oo fa in t for m ere s igh t t o d et ec t even ,

wh en aid e d by th e m ost p owerful t el es c ope t oo d et ail ed

an d i n t ric a t e for t h e m os t s kil ful h a n d t o d e pic t .

Galileo s fri en d a n d con t emp orary Kepl er l aid th e

’

, ,

fou n d at i on s of an ot h er d ep artm en t of m od ern ast ron omy

at ab ou t t h e s a me t im e . H e s tudie d t h e a p paren t m ov e
m en ts of t h e pl an ets u n t il th ey yi eld ed h i m th eir se cret s o
far th at h e was abl e t o e xpre s s th em in t h ree simpl e la ws ;
l aws w h ich t wo gen eration s lat er Si r I saa c N ew ton d em on
, ,
.

s tra t ed t o b e t h e ou t c om e of on e g ra n d an d s impl e l aw

of u n iv ers a l ran ge t h e l
,
a w of gra vi t a t i on Up on t h is l
. aw

t h e m arvell ou s m ath e m at ica l c on qu est s of as tron omy h a v e

b een based .

All t hese won d erful res ul ts h a ve b een at tain ed by the .

free e xercis e of m en s m en t a l ab i lit i es an d i t c an n ot b e

’

imagin ed that God wou ld ha ve i n t erven ed t o hamp er t heir

row th i n in t e ll e c t u a l p ower by re v ea lin t o men f ct
g g a s

an d m et h od s W h ic h i t w as W i t h in t h eir o wn a bili ty t o

d is cover for t h em selves M en s m en tal p owers h ave d e

.
’

v el o ed by th eir e x erci se t h ey would h a v e b e e n s tu n t e d h a d

p
men be en le d t o l ook t o re velat ion ra th er th an t o diligen t
effort for t h e sa t is fa c t i on of th eir cu ri os i ty We therefore
.

d o n ot fi n d an y re feren c e i n t h e Bibl e t o t hat wh ic h

 TH E H E B R E W AND A STR ONO M Y 5

m od ern as tron o my h a s t a u gh t us . Y e t i t may b e n ot ed

t h at so m e e xpress ion s a ppropria t e at an y t im e
, ,
h a ve
b e com e much m ore a pprop riat e much m ore forcibl e i n , ,

th e l igh t of our pres en t d ay k n owl ed ge -

.

Th e age of as tron omy wh ic h p rec ed e d t h e Mod ern an d ,

may b e ca ll e d t h e Clas s ic a l age was a lm os t a s s h arply ,

d e fin ed i n i ts b egin n in g a s i ts s uccessor I t l as ted ab oiIt .

t wo t h ou san d y ears a n d b egan with th e i n ves tigat ion s

,

in to t h e m ov em en ts of t h e plan ets m ad e by som e of

t h e ea rly Greek m ath e m a t icia n s Classica l lik e Mod ern
.
,

as t ron omy h a d i t s t w o Sid es — t h e i n s t rum en t al an d t h e

, ,

m a th em at ical On th e in strum en tal s id e wa s t h e in ven ti on

.

of ra du a t e d i n s trum e n t s for t h e d e t ermi n a t i on of th e

g
p os i tion s of th e h ea v en ly b odi es ; on t h e m at he ma tical t h e ,

d evel opm en t of geom etry a n d trigon om etry for t he i n

t erpreta ti on of t h os e p os i t i on s w h en th u s d e termin ed .

Am on g st t h e great n am es of t h is p eri od are t h ose of

E ud oxu s of Kn id u s 40 8 an d Hip parch u s of
Bithyn ia wh o lived ra th er m ore t h an two c en t u ri es l a ter
, .

Un d er i ts fi rs t l ead ers as t ron omy i n th e Class ical age b egan

t o a dva n c e ra p idly b u t i t s oon exp eri en c e d a d ea dly bligh t
, .

Men w ere n ot c on t en t to observe t h e h ea ven ly b odi es for

wh at t hey were ; t h ey en d eav oured t o m ak e th em t h e
s ou rc e s of divin a t i on Th e grea t s ch ool of Al ex an d ria
.

( fou n d e d ab ou t 3 0 0 t h e h e a dqu a rters of as tron omy

,

be cam e in va d e d by t h e s pi ri t of a s trol ogy t h e bas tard ,

s ci en c e w h ich h as a l ways t ri ed — paras i t e lik e —t o s uck i ts -

li fe from as tron omy Th us from t h e d ays of Claudius

.

P tol emy t o t h e en d of t h e M i ddl e Ages t h e grow th of

astron omy wa s arres te d an d i t b ore b u t li t tl e frui t
, .
6 TH E ASTR ONO M Y OF TH E B I B L E

'

It will ic ed t h at t h e Cla ss ica l age did n ot com

be n ot

me n ce u n t il a bou t t h e t im e of t h e compl et ion of th e l ast

bo ok s of th e Old Testa m en t ; so we d o n ot fi n d an y re fer
e n c e i n H oly Scrip tu re t o t h e a s t ron o mica l a c h i e v em en ts

of t h a t p eri od a m on gs t w h ich t h e fi rs t a t t emp ts t o e xpl

,
a in

th e a p pare n t m ot ion s of s u n m oon s ta rs an d pl an e ts

, , ,

were t he m ost con sid erable

m
.

We h ave a c omplete h istory of astron o y i n th e M odern

an d Cl as s ica l p eri od s b u t th ere wa s an earli er a s tron omy
, ,

n ot in c on s id e ra bl e i n a m ou n t of w h ich n o h ist ory i s

,

preserved For wh en Eud oxu s comm en c ed h i s lab ours

.
,

t h e l en g t h o f t h e y e a r h a d a lrea dy b een d e termi n ed t h e ,

equin ox es an d sol st ic es h a d b een re cogn iz e d t h e e clip t ic , ,

t h e c el es t ia l e qu at or a n d t h e p ol es o f b ot h great ci rcl es
,

w ere k n own an d t h e fi ve prin cip al plan ets w ere familia r

,

obj e c ts . This Early as tron omy mu st ha v e h ad i ts h i s tory ,

i ts stages of d ev el opm en t bu t we can on ly wi th d i fficul ty

,

tra ce t h em ou t I t can n ot h a v e Spru n g i n to e xis te n c e

.

full grown an y m ore th an th e ot h er s ci en ce s ; i t mu s t

-

h av e s t art ed from z ero an d men mu s t h av e s lo wly foug h t

,

t h e ir way from on e ob s ervat ion t o a n oth er with grad u ally ,

'

d en in g c on c epti on s b efore th ey coul d bri n g i t e ven to

,

th a t s tage of d e vel opm en t i n w h ich i t wa s wh en th e

ob s e rv ers of t h e Muse um of Al ex an dri a b ega n t h eir w ork .

Th e b ook s of th e Ol d Tes tam en t w ere wri tten at

d i fieren t t im es du ri n g t h e progress of t h is Early age of
‘

as tron omy We s h ould t h ere fore n at ura lly expect to

.

fi n d t h e as tro n omical allu s i on s writ ten from t he s tan d

po in t of s uch s ci en tific k n owledge a s had t h en been
a cquired .We can n ot for a m om en t ex pect that a n y
 TH E H E BREW AND ASTR O N O M Y 7

s u pern a tu ra l velat ion of p u rely m ateria l fa c ts would be

re
‘

imparted to t h e wri t ers of sa cred b ooks t wo or three ,

t ho u s an d y ears b e fore t h e p rogre ss of s ci en c e h ad b rough t

t h ose fa c t s t o ligh t a n d we ough t n ot t o b e s urpris e d i f
,

e xp res s i on s are occ as i on a lly u se d wh ich we sh ould n ot

o drs el ves u se t o d ay i f we w ere wri tin g ab ou t th e

-

ph en om en a of n at ure from a t e chn ica l poin t of vi e w .

I t mu s t fu rth er b e b orn e i n min d t h a t th e as tron omica l

re feren c es a re n ot n um e rou s t h at t he y oc cu r m os t ly i n
,

p oetic im agery an d t h at Holy Scriptu re was n ot

,

i n t en d ed to give an a c coun t of th e s cien tific a ch i ev e ~

m en ts if an y of th e Hebrews of old I ts pu rpose was

, , .

wh olly differen t : i t was religi ou s n ot s cien t ific ; i t was ,

m e an t to give spiri tu al n ot i n t ell e ct ua l en light en m en t

,
.

An e xc e ed in gly valu abl e an d i n teres ti n g work h as

rec en t ly b een brou h t ou t by t h e m os t e mi n e n t o f l ivi n g
g
I tal ian astron omers Prof G V Sch i aparell i on th is
, . . .
,

s ubj e c t of
“
As tron omy i n th e Old Tes ta m en t to w h ich ,
”

work I sh ould lik e h ere to a ck n owl edge my in d eb ted n es s .

1 —
Yet I feel t h at t h e a v ow ed obj ec t of h i s b ook to ,

“
dis cover wh at id eas t h e an cien t Je wish sages h eld
regardin g t h e s tru c tu re o f t h e u n ivers e what obs erva ,

ti on s t h ey m a d e of t h e s tars an d h ow fa r th ey m a d e u se
,

of t h e m for t h e m eas u re m en t an d divi s i on of t im e — i s

.

op en to t h i s cri tici s m — th a t s u ffici en t m a t eria l for c a rryin g

,

i t Ou t i s n ot W i th i n our rea c h I f we w ere to a cc e p t

.

implicitly t h e a rgum en t from t he silen ce of Scrip tu re ,

we s h ould c on clud e t ha t t h e H ebrews — th ough t h e ir

cal en dar was ess en t ia lly a lu n ar on e bas ed u p on th e ,

1
Astron omy i n the Old Tes ta men t, p 12 . .
8 TH E A STR O N OMY OF TH E BI BL E

a ctu al ob servation of th e n ew m oon — had n e ver n oticed

t h at t h e m oon c h an ged i ts a pp a ren t form as th e m on t h

w ore on for th ere i s n o m en t ion I n th e Bibl e of th e

,

l un ar ph as es
i
.

Th e refere n ces to t h e h ea v en ly b odi es i n Scriptu re are

’

n ot n um erou s an d d eal with t h em eith er as t ime

,

m easurers or as s ubj ec ts for de vou t allu sion p oetic Simil e , ,

or symb olic u s e B u t t h ere i s on e ch arac t eris tic of al

. lth ese
re feren c es t o t h e ph en om en a o f N a t u re \t h at ma n ot b e
y ,

I gn ored . N on e of th e an cien ts e ver approach ed th e

reat H eb re w w ri t ers i n s pi ri t u a l el e va t ion ; n on e e qu a ll ed
‘

g
t h e m i n p oet ic s ublimi t y ; a n d few i f an y s u rpa ss e d , ,

t h e m i n k een n ess of ob s erva t i on or i n quick sympa t h y

,

wi th e very work of th e Creat or .

Th es e chara c teris ti cs impl y a n at u ral fi tn ess of th e

Hebrews for successful s cien tific w ork an d we s h ould ,

h av e a righ t t o b elie ve t h a t u n d er propi tious circum

s t an c e s t h ey w ould h a v e Sh ow n re e mi n en c e i n t h e
a
p
-

fi eld of phys ical res earch as s trikin g as is t h e superiority

of t h e i r re ligiou s c on c ep t i on s ov er t h os e of t h e s u rrou n d

i n g n a tion s We can n ot of c ou rse c on c e iv e of t h e av erage

.
, ,

Jew as an I sai ah a n y m ore th an we can c on c eiv e of t h e

,

a verage En gli sh m an a s a Sh ak es p eare y e t t h e on e ma n , ,

lik e th e ot h er i s an in d e x of t h e a dvan cemen t an d

,

capa city of hi s race ; n or could Isaiah s writin gs h a ve b een

’

p reserved m ore th an th ose of Shak es peare wi th ou t a

, ,

t ru e a ppre cia t ion of t h e m on t h e p a rt of m an y of h i s

coun t rym en .

B u t t h e n ec essary c on dit i on s for an y great s ci en t ific

d evel opm en t were la ckin g to Isra el A s mall n ation
.
,
plan ted b et ween p owerful gg iv e e mpire s
an d a t h ei r
ress ,

hist ory wa s for th e m ost p art t h e re cord of a struggl e for

bare exi st en ce ; a n d aft er t h ree or fou r c en turi es of th e
un equ a l con flict firs t t h e on e an d th en t h e oth er of th e
,

two Sis t er ki n gd om s was ov erwh elm ed Th ere was b u t .

litt l e Opp ortun ity du rin g t h es e y ears of s torm an d s tress

for men t o in dulge i n an y cu ri ou s s earch in gs in t o t h e
se cre ts of n at u re .

On ce on ly was th ere a l on g in t erva l of prosp erity a n d

p eac e ; vi z from th e t im e t h a t D a vid h ad con s olidat ed th e
.

kin gdom t o t h e t im e wh en i t s uffered disrupti on u n d er

h is gran d s on R eh ob oam ; an d i t i s s ig n ifican t t h at
,

t rad it i on h a s a s crib e d t o Sol om on a n d t o h i s t im es j u st

s uc h a s ci en t ific a c t ivi ty a s t h e a bili ty a n d t emp eram e n t

of t h e H ebre w ra c e w ould l e ad u s t o e xp e c t i t to di s pl a y

wh en th e con dit i on s Sh ould b e fa vou ra bl e for i t .

Thu s in th efou rth ch a p t er of th e Fi rs t B ook of Kin gs

, ,

n ot on ly are t h e a t ta in m en t s of Sol om on h ims el f

d es crib ed b u t oth er men c on t emp orari es ei th er of h i s
, ,

fa th er D avid or h im sel f a re refe rred t o as distin gui s h ed

, ,

i n th e s am e di rec ti on t h ough t o a l ess d egree

, .

An d God gav e Sol omon wis d om

u n d erst an din g
an d
e x c e edin g muc h a n d l ar en ess o f h eart e v en as t h e s an d
, g ,

t h a t i s on t h e seas h o re An d Sol om on s wi s d om e xc ell ed t h e

’
.

wis d om of a llth e c h ildren of t h e ea s t cou n try an d a llt h e ,

W is d om of E gyp t F or h e was wi se r t h a n a l
. l men ; t h a n
E t han t h e E z ra h i te a n d H em an an d Ch a lc ol a n d D ard a
, , , ,

t h e s on s of Ma h ol : a n d hi s fa m e wa s i n a l ln a t i on s rou n d
a b ou t
. An d h e s p ake t h re e t h ou s an d prov erb s : a n d h i s
s on s w ere a t h o u sa n d an d fi v e
g A n d h e s p ak e of t re es
.
,

from t h e c ed a r tre e t h at i s i n Leb an on e v e n u n t o t h e

-

hy ssop t h at s p ri n ge th ou t of t h e wa ll : h e s pa k e also of
10 TH E ASTR ONO MY OF THE B I B L E

be asts d of fowl ,
creepi n g th in gs a n d of fis h es
d of
'

, an an ,
.

An d t h ere ca m e of all p eopl e to h ea r t h e wi s d om of

Sol om on from a l
,
lkin gs of t h e earth w h ic h h ad h eard ,

of h i s wis d om
”
.

Th e tra di t i on of min en c e i n s cien tific

his grea t e

res earch i s a l so p reserved in t h e w ord s

pu t i n t o h i s m ou t h

i n t he B ook of th e Wis d om of Sol om on n ow i n clud ed in ,

t h e Ap ocryp h a .

For ( God) Hims el f gave me an u n e rri n g k n owl edge

of t h e t h in gs t h at are t o k n ow t h e c on s t it u t i on o f t h e
, .

world a n d t h e Op erat i on of th e e l em en ts ; t h e b egin n i n g

,

an d en d an d m i ddl e of t im es , t h e a l t ern at i on s of t h e

s ols t ic es an d t h e c h an es o f s eas on s , t h e circu i t s of y ea rs

g
an d t h e p os i t i on s
”

( ma rgi n ,
c on s t ell a t i on s
) o f s t ar s ; t h e

n a t u res of livi n c reat ures an d t h e ra i n s of wild b ea s ts

g g g ,

t h e vi ol en c es of Wi n d s an d t h e t h ou gh t s o f me n , t h e
divers it i es of p lan ts an d th e virt u es o f roots : a llth i n gs
t h at are e i th er s e cre t or m an i fest I l e arn e d for s h e t h at i s ,

lt h in gs t au gh t me, e ven Wi s d om
”
t h e arti fi cer of a l .

Two great na m es h av e imp ress ed th e m sel ves up on

e v ery p art o f t h e E a s t — th e on e t h at of Sol om on t h e s on
,

of D a vid a s t h e m a s t er of e v ery s e c ret s ou rc e of k n o w

,

l edge ; an d th e oth er t hat of Al ex an d er t h e G rea t as t h e ,

migh ti est of c on qu erors I t i s n ot u n reason able to be lieve

‘
.

t h at th e t radi ti on s resp ec tin g t h e fi rs t h a ve b e en fou n d ed

up on as real a basis of a c tua l a ch ievem en t as t h ose

p
res e cti n g t h e s e c on d .

B u t t o s uch s ci en tific a ch i e vem en t s we h a v e n o

e xp re s s a llu si on I n Scrip t u re o th er th a n i s a fford ed u s by
,

th e t wo qu ot at ion s ju s t m a d e Na tu ral obj ec ts n atural

.
,
.

p h en om en a a re n ot refe rred t o for t h e ir own sake E very .

:
 C H A P TE R I I
E
TH E CR ATI ON

A FE W years ago a great e clip s e of t h e su n s een as total

,

a l on a b roa d b el t of c ou n t ry ri h t a cross I n dia d re w

g g ,

t h i t h er as tron om ers from t h e v ery e n d s of t h e e arth N ot

.

on ly d id m an y En glis h ob s erv ers t ra v el t h i th er b u t th e ,

Un it e d Stat e s of Am erica i n th e far w est an d J ap an i n

,

t h e far e a s t sen t t h e ir c on t in gen ts an d t h e en t i re l en g th

,

o f c ou n t ry c o v ere d by t h e p a t h of t h e s h a d ow wa s d ott e d

with th e t emp orary ob serva tories set up by t h e men of

s ci en c e .

I t was a w on d erful s igh t t h at was v ouch sa fe d t o t h es e

tra v ell ers i n p urs uit of k n owl edge . I n a s ky of u n brok en
pu rity u n dimm e d e ven for a m om en t by h aze or cl oud
, ,

t h ere s h on e d own th e fierc e In dia n su n . G radu ally a d ark

mysteri ou s circl e in vad ed i ts l ower edge an d covered i ts
,

brigh tn ess ; cool n ess repl ac ed th e burn i n g h eat ; s l owly ‘

t h e dark c ov eri n g crep t on ; s l owly t h e s u n ligh t dimi n

i s h ed u n t il a t l en gt h t h e wh ol e of t h e s u n s di s c was
’

h idd en . Th en i n a m om en t a w on d erfu l s tarl ike form

flash ed ou t a n obl e form of glowmg silver ligh t on t h e
,

d eep purple colou red sky

-
.

Th ere waa h owe ver n o t im e for t h e as tron om ers t o d e v ote

’

12
 TH E CRE ATI O N 13

to admiration b ea uty of t h e s cen e or in dulgen ce

of th e ,

i n rh ap s odies Two s h ort min u t es a l on e w ere a ll ot t e d

.

t h e m t o n ot e a l l t h a t w as h a pp en i n g t o t ak e a l l t h e ir
,

ph ot ograph s to ask allt h e qu est i on s an d obtain all t h e

, ,

a n s w ers for w h ic h t h i s s tran g e v e ili n f t h e su n a n d s t ill

g o ,
,

s t ran er u n v eilin g of h i s h a l o lik e s u rrou n din s g v

g g a e
-

opp ort u n i ty I t was t wo mi n u t es o f in t en sest s tra in of

.
,

h u rri ed t h ough ord erly w ork ; an d t h en a s udd en ru s h of

s u n li h t
g p u t an en d t o a l l Th e my s t eri ou s V i s i on h a d
.

wi th d ra wn its el f ; t h e col ou r ru s h ed b ack t o th e l an d s ca pe ,

s o c orp se lik e wh il s t i n t h e sh a d ow ; t h e bl ack v eil s lid

-

ra pidly from OH t h e s u n ; t h e h e at re t u rn e d t o t h e a i r ;
-

t h e e clip s e wa s ov er .

B u t t he a s t ron om ers from di s ta n t l an d s w ere n ot t h e

on ly p eopl e en a ge d in w a t c h i n t h e e cli s e A t t h i
g g p e . r

work th ey c ould h ea r t h e s ou n d of a great mult i tud e a

, ,

s ou n d o f w eepin g a n d w a ili n g a p e opl e di s m ay e d a t t h e

,

dis tress of th eir god .

I t wa s s o a t e v ery p oi n t a l on g th e s h ad ow track b u t ,

es p eci a lly wh ere t h a t t rac k met t h e c ou rs e of t h e s a cre d

riv er . Al on g a h u n dre d road s t h e pilgrim s h ad p ou re d

i n u n c ea si n g s trea m s t oward s H oly M ot h er Gu n ga ;
t owa rd s B e n a re s t h e s acre d city ; to ward s Bux ar w h ere
, ,

t h e e clip s e wa s c en t ra l a t t h e riv er ba n k I t i s always

.

—
m eri toriou s s o t h e Hi d n oo —
h old s to b ath e i n t h a t
s a c re d riv er b u t s uc h a t im e a s t h i s w h en t h e s u n i s i n
, ,

e clip s e i s t h e m os t p ropit i ou s m om en t of al
,
l for s uc h
lu s tration .

Could t h ere b e a great er c on t rast t h an t h at off ere d

b etw een th e m i ll io n s tre mblin g an d dis may ed at th e sig n s
14 TH E ASTRO N O MY OF TH E B I B LE

of h eav en , an li ttl e com pan ies who had come for

d th e
t ho us an d s of mil es ov er l a n d a n d sea rej oicin g i n t he
,

bri ef ch an c e t h a t wa s giv en th em for l ea rn in g a li t t le m ore

of t h e s ec re ts of t h e w on d ers of N a t u re ?

Th e c on t rast b et we en t h e h eath en an d t h e s cien tis ts was

i n both t heir sp iritu al an d t h e ir in t ell e c tu al s tan d poin t ,

an d as we sh a ll s e e l a t er t h e i n t ell e c tu a l c on tra st 18 a
, ,

res ult of t h e s pi ri t u al Th e h eat h en id ea i s t h at t h e orb s

.

of h ea v en a re divi n e or a t l east t h at ea
, ch expresses a
divi n ity Th is d oes n ot i n i ts e l f s eem an u n n atu ral id ea
.

when we con sider t h e g reat b en e fi ts th at c om e t o u s

t h rough t h e i n s tru m en t ality of t h e s u n an d m oon I t is .

t h e s u n t h a t m orn i n g by m orn i n g roll s b a ck t h e d ark

n ess an d b ri n s li h t a n d w armth an d re t u rn i n li fe to
, g g g
men ; i t i s th e s u n t h at rou ses th e earth a fter h er win ter
s l e ep a n d quick en s v eg e ta t i on I t i s t h e m oon t hat h as
.

power over th e great world of wa t ers Wl lOSe pul s e b ea ts

,

i n som e ki n d o f mys t e riou s ob edi en c e to h er w ill .

Nat u ral th en h as it b een for men to go furth er an d to

, , ,

s uppos e t ha t n ot on ly i s p o wer l od g e d i n t h e s e a n d i n t h e
,

ot h er m emb ers of t h e h ea v en l y h ost b u t t ha t i t i s livin g

, ,

in telligen t p ers on a l power ; t hat t h ese s h in in g orbs are

,

b ein gs, or the man i festa tion s of b ein gs ; e xal ted migh ty , ,

imm ortal that th ey are god s

-
.

B u t i f th ese are god s t h en i t i s sacri l egiou s i t i s pro

, ,

fan e t o treat t h em as m e re th i n gs ; t o obs erve t h em

”
,

min u t e ly 1n t h e micros cope or tel es c ope t o dis s ect t h e m ,

a s i t w ere i n t h e s p e c tros c op e ; t o id en t i fy t h e i r e l em en ts
,

1n t h e l ab ora t ory ; t o b e cu ri ou s a bo u t t h e i r p rop erti es

'

in flu en ces relation s an d a ction s on ea ch ot her

, ,
.
 TH E CR E ATION 15

An d i f th es e god s th ere are m an y gods n ot On e ' '

a re , ,

God . An d i f th ere are m a n y god s t h ere are man y la w s , ,

n ot on e law Th u s s ci en t ific ob servat i on s can n ot b e re c on

.

ciled with p olyth eism for s ci en tific ob servation s d em an d

,

t h e a ssumpt ion of on e u n iv e rsa l l aw Th e wise kin g .

e xp ress ed t h i s l aw th u s

Th e t h i n g t h at h a th b een i t i s th at wh ich sh al l be , .

The ac tu al l an gu age of sci en c e as e x p ress e d by P rofessor ,

Th i el e a l ea di n g C on t in en ta l as tron om er st at es t h a t
, ,

E very th in g t h a t e xis ts a n d e ve ry th i n g t h at h a pp en s
, ,

e xi st s or h ap pen s as a n ec e s s a 1 c on s e u e n c e o f a re vi ou s
y q p
s t at e of t h in gs I f a sta t e of t h i n gs 18 rep ea te d ln e v ery
.

d etail , i t mu st l ead t o e x ac tly t h e sam e c on s equ en ces .

An y di ffere n c e b e tw een t h e res ul ts of c au s e s t h a t a re i n

part t h e sam e, must b e e xpl a i n abl e by som e di fferen ce i n
t h e ot h er p art of t h e c au ses
” 1
.

Th e l aw s ta t e d i n t h e a b ov e w ord s h as b e en c all e d t h e

L aw of C au s a li ty It “
can n ot b e proved b u t mu s t b e
.
,

b e lie ved ; i n t h e sam e way a s we b elieve th e fun d am en ta l

as s ump t i on s of re ligi on with wh ic h i t i s cl os ely an d
,

in tima t ely c on n e cted Th e law of cau sali ty forc es i tsel f

.

up on ou r b e li ef I t may b e d en ie d i n t h eory , b u t n ot i n
.

p rac tic e An y p erson w h o d en i es i t will i f h e i s watch ful

.
, ,

e n ou h c a tch h i m se lf c on s t an t ly a ski n g h im sel f i f n o on e

g , ,

e l s e wh y thi s h a s h a pp e n ed a n d n ot th a t
,
B u t i n th a t
, .

v ery qu es tion h e b ears wi tn ess t o t h e law of ca u s ali ty I f .

w e a re c on s is ten t ly t o d en y t h e l aw of ca u s a l i t y , we mu s t

rep udia t e a l l ob se rv ati on an d particul arly al , l p red i c ti on

ba sed on past exp eri en c e, as u seless a n d misleadin g .

“
I f we c ould im agi n e for a n in st an t t h a t t h e sam e
compl ete c ombi n a ti on of cau s es could h ave a d efin ite
n umb er o f differen t c on se qu en c es , h ow ev er s m all t h at

T N Th i ele, D i rector of the Copen h agen Observatory , Th eory

1
. . o
f
Observa ti on s, p 1 . .
16 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
n umb er migh t b e an d t h at am on g t h ese t h e occurren c e
,

o f th e a ct u a l c on s e qu en c e wa s i n t h e ol
d s en s e of t h e w ord
, ,

a ccid en t al n o observa t i on w ould e v er b e o f a n p articul ar

”
, y
valu e 1
.

[
l on g as men h eld as a p ractical fai th th at th e
So , ,

res ul ts w h ich a t t en d t h eir effort s d ep en d up on w h e th er

Ju p iter i s awake an d active or N eptu n e i s t aki n g ,

an un fa ir a dv an ta g e of h i s b rot h er s s l ee p ; up on w h e th er
’

Dian a 1s b en din g h er s ilver b ow for t h e ba tt l e or flyin g ,

w eepin g an d di scomfi ted bec au s e Ju n o h as b ox ed h er

e ars — se l on g is i t u s el ess for t h em t o m ak e or con s ul t

ob s e rvat i on s .

B u t as P rofessor Th iel e goes on t o say

,

I f th e la w of c au sality i s a ck n owl ed ge d to b e an
a ss ump t i on wh i ch a lway s h old s ood t h e n v y e h s er
g e e r ,

va ti on gi ve s u s a rev el at i on w h ich w h en c orre ctly apprais e d

,

a n d c omp a re d w i t h ot h ers t ea c h es u s t h e l a ws b w h ic h
”
, y
God rul e s t h e world .

By wh at m ean s h ave t h e m od ern s ci en t is ts arrived at a

p os ition so differe n t from t h a t of t h e h ea th e n I t c a n n ot
h av e b een by an y p roc ess of n atu ra l e v olu t i on t h a t t h e
in te ll ect ua l st an d p oin t whi ch h as m ad e s cien tific obs or
va t ion p ossible s h ould b e d erived from t h e sp iri t u a l
s ta n dp oi n t of p oly t h ei s m w h ich re n d ere d a l
l s ci en tific
ob s erv a ti on n ot on ly p rofa n e b u t u se l es s .

I n t h e ol d d ays t h e h eat h en i n gen era l regard ed th e

h ea ven ly h ost an d t h e h ea ven l y bodies as th e h eath en d o

T N Thi ele, Di rector of th e Cop en h agen Obser

1
. . vat or ,
y Theory f
o
Observa ti on s , p l . .
 TH E CR E A TION 17

to d ay
-

. Bu t by on e n a t on i , th e H eb rews ,
th e tru t h

t h at

I n th e b egin n in g God creat ed t h e h ea v e n an d th e

was pres erved i n th e first word s of th e ir Sacred B ook .

Tha t n ation d ecl ared

Al lt h e god s of th e
”
p eop l e are id ols : b u t th e Lord m ad e
th e h ea ven s .

For t h at sa me i
n at on the wat ch word was

Hear O I srael :
,
th e Lord ou r God is on e Lord .

From th es e word s th e H eb rews n ot on ly l earn ed a great

s p iri tu a l tru th b u t d eriv e d in t elle c t u a l fre ed om
, For by .

t he s e w ord s t h ey w ere t aug ht th at a l lth e h ost of h ea v e n

an d o f ea t h w e e c e
r r r a t h
ed t i g
n s— m erely th in gs n ot “
,
”

—
d i vin i ti es a n d n ot on ly th at b u t t h at th e Creat or was On e ,

God n ot m an y god s ; th at t h ere wa s b u t on e l

,
a w giv er ; an d -

t h a t t h ere fore th e re c ould b e n o c on flic t of l a ws Th es e .

firs t w ord s of Gen es is th en may b e call ed th e ch art er of all

, ,

t h e ph ys ic a l s ci e n c es for by t h e m i s c on fe rre d freed om from

,

al lt h e b on d s of u n s ci en tific supe rs t it i on an d by t h em al so ,

d o men kn ow t h at c on s i st en t l a w h old s t h rou h ou t t he

g
wh ole u n ivers e I t i s t h e in tell ect u al freed om of th e
.

H ebrew t h a t t h e s cien t ist of t o d ay in h eri ts H e may n ot -

.

in d eed b e abl e t o ri se t o t h e s piri tu al s tan dpoin t of t h e

H ebrew an d con sciou sly a ck n owl ed ge th at
,

Th ou e v en Th ou art L ord
, ,
l
a on e ; T h ou h a s t m a d e

h ea ven , th e h eav en of h eav e n s, wit h all t h e ir h os t, t h e

 18 TH E A STR ONOM Y OF TH E B I B LE "
‘

e a rt h , an al lt h at
lth in gs th at are th e rei n , t h e s ea s an d al
d ,

i s t h erein an d Th ou p res erves t t h e m al

,
l; an d t he host of
h eaven wors h ip p e th Th ee ”
.

Bu t he mu s t at l eas t u n con sci ou sly assen t t o i t for i t ,

i s on t h e fi rst great fun d am en tal assum p t i on of re li gi on as

s ta t e d i n t h e fi rs t w ord s of G en e si s t h at t h e fu n d a m en t al
,

as sump t i on of a l lh i s s ci en t ific reas on in g d ep en d s .

Sci en tific reas on in g a n d s cien tific ob serv a ti on can on ly

h old g ood so l on g an d i n s o far as th e L a w of Ca us ali ty
h old s good We must ass u m e a pre existi n g state of
.
-

a ffa i rs wh ic h h a s giv en ri s e t o t h e ob serv e d effe c t ; we

mu st a s sum e t h at t h is ob s erve d efi ect i s i tself an teced en t

t o a s u b sequ en t s ta te of a ffa i rs Scien c e t h ere fore can n ot
.

o b a ck t o t h e a b solu t e b egi n n i n gs of t h i n gs or forwar d

g ,

t o t h e ab solu te en ds of t h i n gs I t c an n ot reason a b ou t
.

t h e way m at ter an d en ergy c a m e i n t o e xis t en ce or h ow ,

t hey m igh t c ea s e t o e xis t ; i t ca n n ot rea s on a b ou t t im e

o r s p ac e a s s uch
,
b u t on l y in th e relation s of t h ese to
,

p h en om en a th a t can b e observed I t d oes n ot d eal wi th .

th in g s t h e m s elv es b u t on ly wit h t he re lat ion s b etween

,

t h i n gs
. Sci en c e in d eed can on ly c on sid er t h e u n ivers e as
a grea t m a c h i n e w h ic h i s i n an d i t c on c ern s
”
oi n g ord er
g ,

i tsel f wi t h th e relat i on s which some pa rts of th e m ach in e

b ear to oth er parts a n d with t h e l aws an d m an n er of th e
,

of t h e m ach in e i n t h os e p art s T h
”

g o i ng e re l a t i on s o f
.

t h e va ri ou s p art s on e t o t h e ot h er an d t h e way i n wh ic h
, ,

t h ey work t oget h er may a fford s om e idea of t h e d es ign a n d

,

p u rp ose of th e m ach in e b u t i t can give n o in formation as

,
~

t o h ow t h e mat eria l of wh ic h i t i s c omp osed came i n t o

'

e xis t en c e n or a s t o t h e m eth od by w h ic h i t was origi n a lly

,
20 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I B L E

Sin c e u n d er c on diti on s scien c e can afi ord n o

t h es e
'

in formati on i t is n ot to be won dered at th at the h y p oth es es

,

t h a t h a ve b een fi amed from t im e t o t im e t o e xpla in

'
the

fi rst ch apt er of G en es is or t o ex press i t i n s ci en tific t erms

, ,

are n ot wh olly sa ti s fa c t ory At on e tim e th e cha p t er was

.

in terpre ted to m ean t h at t h e en ti re un iverse was call ed

in t o ex is ten c e a b ou t years ago i n si x da ys of tw en ty,

fou r h ou rs ea c h La ter i t was recogn iz ed that b oth geology

.

an d a s tron omy s ee m e d to i n dica t e t h e exi s t en c e of m at t er

for u n t old milli on s of y ears i n s tead o f s ome s i x t h ou san d .

I t was t h en p oin t e d ou t t h a t s o far as t h e n arrat iv e wa s

,

c on cern ed th ere might ha ve b ee n a p eri od of a lmos t

,

u n limi te d du ration b et ween i ts first v ers e an d i ts fou rt h ;

an d i t wa s s ugg est ed t h a t t h e s i x d ay s of creat ion were ‘

si x d ay s of t w en ty fou r h ou rs ea c h i n wh ic h a ft er s ome
-

, ,

great cata clysm y ears ago th e fa c e of t h e earth was

, ,

ren ew e d an d re pl en i sh e d for th e h a bi ta t i on of man th e ,

p rec edin g geol ogical a ges b ein g left en t irely u n n otic ed .

Som e wri t ers h ave con fi n ed th e cata cly s m an d ren e wa l t o

a sm a l lp ort i on of t h e e art h s s u rfa c e— t o
”
E d en an d i ts
’
,

n eigh b ou rh ood O th er c omm en ta tors h av e la id s t ress on

.

th e t ru t h re v ea l e d i n Script ure t h a t on e d ay i s wi t h t h e
Lord as a th ou san d y ears an d a t h ou san d y ears as on e
,

a n d h a v e u r e d t h e argum en t t h a t t h e s i x d ays of
”
d ay , g
cre ati on were really vas t p eri od s of t ime du rin g wh ich the ,

eart h s ge ol ogic a l c h a n ges a n d t h e e volu t i on of i t s va ri e d

’

forms o f li fe w ere ru n n in g t h ei r c ou rs e O th ers agai n .

, ,

h a v e u rge d th at t h e s i x d ays o f c reat i on w ere s i x lit eral

d ays b u t in stea d of b ei n g c on s e cu t iv e were s epara te d
,

by lon g ages An d y et again as n o man was pres en t

.
,
 TH E CR E ATION 21

du ri n g th e creati on p eri od i t h as b e en s ugges ted th at th e

,

Divin e rev elat i on of i t was given t o M os es or s om e oth er

i n s p i re d p roph et i n s i x s ucc es s i v e V I SI ODS or d re am s w h ic h
,

con stit u ted t he s i x d ays in wh ich t h e ch ief facts of

”

cre ati on w ere set forth .

I would offer n o opi n ion as t o w h eth er an y of th e fore

goin g hyp ot h es es b ears an y rela t i on to th e a ct ua l ph ysica l
h is tory of o u r gl ob e . I would on ly s ay t h at i t see m s t o
me t h at a l la lik e are b as e d on t h e ass umpt i on t h a t t h e
op en i n c h ap t e rs of G e n es i s are i n t e n d ed t o re v e al t o
g
man c erta in p hys ic al d etails i n th e m at eri al h i st ory of
t h is pl a n e t ; t o b e i n fa c t a li t tl e c om p en dium of t h e
geol og ical an d z ool ogica l h is t ory of t h e world an d so a ,

s ui t abl e i n troduc ti on t o t h e h is tory o f t h e e a rly d ay s of

m a n kin d w h ich foll ow ed i t .

I t i s s u rely m o re re as o n abl e t o c on clud e t h a t t h ere was

n o pu rp ose wh a te v er o f t ea c h in u s a n y th i n g ab o u t t h e
g
phys ical rela ti on sh ips of l a n d an d s ea of tree an d plan t
, ,

o f b i rd an d fi s h ; i t s e em s i n d e e d
, ,
s c a rc el
y c on c eivabl e
t h a t i t s h ould h a v e b e en t h e Divi n e i n t en t i on so t o
s u pply t h e a g es wi t h a c on d en s e d m a n u a l of t h e p h y s ica l

s ci en c es
. W h at u s eful pu rp os e could i t ha ve s erved ?
W h at man w ould h ave b een t h e wis er or b et ter for i t ?
Wh o could h a ve u n d ers tood i t u n t il t h e t im e wh en
men by t h eir own in t ell ec t ua l s trivi n gs ha d at ta in e d
, ,

s u ffi ci en t k n owl ed e of t h eir p h y s ic a l s u rro u n di n s t o d o

g g
wi t h ou t s u c h a re v el ati on a t all?
B u t a l th o u gh t h e op en i n g c h ap t e rs o f G en esi s were
n o t d esi n e d t o t ea c h th e H ebre w c ertai n p hys ic a l fa c ts
g
of n a t u re t h ey gav e h i m t h e kn owl edge t ha t h e migh t
,
22 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
law fully s tudy n a t u re For h e l earn t from t h em th at
.

n a t u re h a s n o p ow er n or vi ta li ty of i ts own ; t h a t s u n ,

a n d s ea an d cl oud a n d win d a re n ot s epa ra t e d e i t i es

, , ,

n or t h e exp ressi on of d e it ie s ; t h a t t h ey are b u t t h i n gs

“ ”
,

h ow ev er gl ori ou s a n d admira bl e ; th a t t h ey are th e

h an d iwork of God ; an d

Th e works of th e L ord are great ,

l th em th at h ave pl easu re
Sough t o u t of al th erein .

k
H i s wor i s h on ou r an d ma esty ; j
An d H i s ri gh teou sn ess en d u reth for e ver .

H e h ath mad e H i s won d erfu l wor s to b e k re memb ered .

Wh at t h en i s t h e s ign ifica n c e of t h e d etail ed a ccou n t

, ,

iv en u s of t h e w ork s e ffe c t e d on t h e s ucc e ss iv e d ays of

g
crea ti on Why are we t old th at ligh t was m ad e on th e
fi rst d ay t h e fi rma men t on t h e s econ d dry la n d on t h e
, ,

t h i rd a n d s o on ? Prob ably for t wo reas on s

,
Fi rs t th at
.
,

t h e re h earsa l a s i n a ca t alogu e of t h e l eadin g cla ss es

, ,

o f n a tu ra l obj e c t s m i h t giv e d e fin i ten es s an d p reci s i on

,g
t o t h e t e a c h i n g t h at e a c h a n d al l w ere creat u res th i n gs ,

ma d e by t h e word of God Th e b ald s t a t em en t t h a t

.

th e h ea v en an d t h e e art h w ere m a d e by God migh t

s t ill h a v e l e ft room for t h e im a in at i on t h at t h e p ow ers
g
of n at u re w ere c o e t ern a l wi t h God
-
or w ere a t l ea st
,

s ub ordi n a t e divin i t i es ; or t h a t ot h er p ow ers t h an God

h a d w ork e d up in to t h e p res en t ord e r t h e m ateria l s H e
h ad crea t e d . Th e d et a il ed a cc ou n t m ak es i t cl ear t h at
n ot on ly was t h e u n ivers e i n e n e ra l c rea t ed by God
g ,

b u t t h a t t h ere was n o p art of i t t h a t wa s n o t fash i on ed

b y Him .

Th e n ext pu rp ose was t o s et a s ea l o f sa n c ti ty u p on

 TH E CR E A TION 23

th e Sa bbath . In th e c
s e on d ch apt er of G en esis we
rea d
“
On t h e s ev en t h d ay God en d e d H i s w ork wh ic h H e
h ad m ad e ; an d H e re st e d on t h e s e ven t h d ay from a l l
H is w ork w h ic h H e h ad m ad e An d God bl ess e d t h e
.

s e v e n t h d a , a n d san c t i fi e d i t : b e c a u s e t h at i n i t H e h a d
y
res t e d from a l lH i s w ork w h ic h God creat e d an d m a d e .

I n t h i s we get t h e i n s ti t ut ion of t h e week, th e fi rs t

ordin a n c e imp os e d by God up on man For i n th e fo u rt h .

of th e t en c omman dm en ts wh ic h God ga v e t h rough

Mos es ,
it is s aid

Th e s ev en t h d ay i s t h e s abbath of th e Lord t h y
God : i n i t t h ou s h a lt n ot d o an y w ork F or i n s i x . .

d ays t h e Lord m ad e h ea ven an d earth t h e sea a n d all , ,

th at i n t h e m i s , an d res t e d t h e s e ve n t h d a y : w h e re fore
t h e L ord bl ess ed t h e sabb at h d ay a n d h a ll ow ed i t
”
, .

An d i
w h en
a ga n ,
t h e t ab ern a cl e was b ein g build ed ,
it
was comm an d ed

Th e ch ild ren Israel sh all k eep th e sabb ath t o

of ,

ob s erv e t h e sa bb at h t h rou gh ou t t h ei r g e n era t i on s for ,

a p erp e t u al c ov en a n t I t i s a s g b et ween Me a n d t h e
i n
.

ch ildren of Is ra e l for e ver for i n s i x d ays t h e L ord m ad e

.

h ea v en an d e arth an d on t h e s e ven t h d ay H e res t ed an d

, ,

wa s refres h ed
”
.

God m ad e th e su n ,
m oon pp oin ted
,
an d st ars , an d a

th em for s ig n s an d for s eas on s an d for d ays an d

, , ,

years .Th e s u n m ark s ou t t h e d ay s ; th e m oon by h er

ch an ges m ak es th e m on th s ; t h e s u n an d th e stars m ark
ou t t h e s eas on s an d t h e y e ars Th ese w ere divi si on s of
.

time Which man would n atu rally ad opt B u t t here is .

24 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
n ot an xa ct n umb er of days i n t h e mon th n or an exact
e ,

n umber of d ays or m on t h s i n t h e y ea r .Still l ess d oes

t h e p eri od of s ev en d ays fi t p re cis e ly i n t o m on th or s e ason
or yea r ; t h e we e k i s m ark ed ou t by n o ph as e of t h e

mo on by n o fixed rel at ion b et ween t h e s u n th e m oon

, , ,

or t h e s ta rs I t i s n ot a divis ion of t im e th at man

.

w o uld n atu rally ad op t for h imsel f ; i t ru n s across allt he

n a tu ra l divis i on s of t im e .

W hat are th e s ix d ays of creative work an d th e ,

s e v en t h d ay — t h e Sa bba t h — of creat iv e res t ? Th ey are

n ot d ays of ma n t h ey a re d ays of God ; a n d ou r da y s of
,

work an d rest ou r week with i ts Sabbath can on ly b e

, ,

th e figure an d s h a d ow of t h at week of God ; s ome t h in g

by wh ic h we may ga in s om e fain t appreh e n sion of i ts
re a lit ies n ot th at by w h ic h we c an
,
comp reh en d an d
m easure i t .

Ou r week t h ere fore i s G od s own dire ct a pp oi n tm en t

’
, ,

t o u s ; an d H i s re v el at i on t h a t H e fulfille d th e w ork of -

creation i n si x a cts or s t ages d ign i fi es a n d e xal ts t h e

,

t oil of th e labou ri n g man wi th h is s i x d ays of e ffort

,

an d on e of res t in to an emblem of th e creat ive work

,

of God .
26 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I BLE

is n ot s el f e xisten t n or ev en ( as t h e p an t h eist th in k s of i t)
-

th e e xpress i on of on e v agu e imp erson a l an d u n c on s ciou s , ,

b u t al lperva din g in flu en c e
-
I t was n ot s e l f m ad e ; i t did
.
-

n ot e xi s t from al let ern ity I t i s n ot God for God m ad e i t

.
,
.

B u t t h e probl em of i ts origi n h as e x erci sed th e mi n d s

of m a n y n at i on s b e sid e t h e H ebre w s an d an e s p e ci a l ,

in terest atta ch es t o t h e solu t ion arrive d a t by t hose

n at i on s wh o w ere n e ar n eigh bours of t h e H ebre ws an d

cam e of the sam e great Semitic stock .

From th e n ature of th e case a cc ou n t s of th e origi n of ,

t h e w orld c an n ot proc ee d from e xp eri en c e or b e t h e re sul t ,

of s ci en tific e xperim en t Th ey can n o t form i tem s of

.

h ist ory or arise from t radi t i on

,
Th ere are on ly t wo .

p ossibl e sources for t h em ; on e Divin e revelation ; t h e ,

ot h er t h e in v en t i on of men
,
.

Th e a cc ou n t cu rren t am on gst th e B abyl on i an s h as b een

preserve d t o u s by th e Syrian writ er Damasci u s wh o ,

gives i t as foll ow s

B u t t h e B abyl on i an s lik e t h e rest of th e B arb arian s,

,

pass over i n sil en c e t h e on e pri n ciple of th e Un iverse an d ,

t h ey c on s t i t u t e t wo, Tav the an d Apas on m a ki n g Apas én ,

t h e h u sb an d of Ta v t h é a n d d en omi n at i n g h er th e m ot h er
,

of t h e god s An d from th es e proc eed s an on ly begott en

’
-
.

s on , M a mi s wh ich I con c eive i s n o oth er t h an t h e i n

, , ,

t ell e w orld proc eedi n

i gib l from t h e t wo prin cipl es F m
g r o .

t h e m a l so a n oth er proge n y i s d erived La kh e an d Lak h os ; ,

a n d a a in a t h ird Ki s sa ré a n d Ass ere s , from w h ic h l as t

g ,

th re e o th ers pro c e e d An os a n d I l li n os an d Aos

, An d of .

Aos an d D ak h e i s b orn a s on c a ll e d B el os, wh o, t h ey s ay ,

”
is t h e fabrica t or of t e w orld
h 1
.

1 th e P ast, V ol i
Record s of . .
p
.
 TH E DEEP 27

Th e actu al story th u s s umm ari z e d by Damasci u s was

, ,

d is covere d by Mr G eorge Smit h in t h e form of a l on g

.
,

e pic p oem on a s eri es of t abl et s brou gh t from t h e roy a l

, ,

library of Kou y u n j ik or Nin e veh an d h e publish e d th ere

, ,

in 1 8 75 i n h i s b ook on The Ch a l
,
d ea n A ccou n t of Gen esi s .

N on e of t h e t abl ets were p erfect ; an d of som e on ly v ery

s m a ll p ort i on s rem a in B u t p orti on s o f ot h er c opi es of
.

t h e p oe m h a ve b een dis c ov ered i n oth e r l oc a lit i es an d i t ,

h as be en fou n d p oss ibl e t o pie c e t ogeth er sat is fac t ori ly a “

“

c on sid erabl e s ecti on so th at a fair id ea of th e gen eral

,

s c op e of t h e p oe m h as b een giv en t o u s .

It o p e n s wi t h t h e i n t ro duc t i on o f a b e i n
g Ti a mtu — t h e ,

Tavt e h o f t h e a cc o u n t o f D a m asc i u s — wh o i s regard e d as ,

t h e prim e va l m ot h er of al lt h in gs .

W h en on h i gh th e h ea v en s were un n a med ,
Ben eath th e earth h ere n ot a n a me
v
Th e pri me al ocean was th ei r p rod u cer ;
M a mmu Ti amtu was sh e wh o b eget th e wh ole of th em .

Th ei r waters i n on e u n i ted th emsel es , an d v

Th e plai n s were n ot ou tl i n ed , marsh es were n ot t o b e seen .

Wh en n on e of th e god s h ad come forth ,

Th ey b ore n o n ame , th e fates ( h ad n ot b een d et ermi n ed
)
Th ere were prod u ced th e god s ( al
l of

Th e gen eal ogy of th e gods foll ows a n d after a gap i n ,

t h e st ory Ti a m a t or Ti amt u i s re pre sen t e d a s prep arin g

, , ,

for b at t l e Sh e wh o creat ed e very th i n g

,
“
produc ed
Sh e c h ose on e of th e gods Ki n gu
”
gian t s erp en ts .
, ,

to b e h er h u s b an d an d t h e gen era l of h er forc es an d ,

d elivered to h i m th e t abl ets of fat e .

Th e s ec on d t abl et s h ows t h e god An sar an gered a t th e ,

1 The Ol d Testamen t i n th e L i ght of th e H i s tori ca l R ecords o

f
A y ri a a n d Ba b lon i a b T G P i n ches, 16
ss
y , ,
y . .
p.
28 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
t h reat en i n g itud e of Ti amat an d s en din g h is son An u
a tt ,

t o s p eak sooth in gly t o h er a n d ca lm h er rag e B u t firs t .

An n and th en an oth er god t u rn e d b ack b affl ed an d fi n ally ,

Me rodach t h e son of E a was a sk ed t o b ec om e t h e

, ,

cham pion of t h e god s M eroda ch gladly c on sen t ed b u t

made good terms for himself The gods were to assis t
.
,

h i m in e very p os sibl e way by en tru st in g al l t h eir p ow ers

to h i m an d w ere t o a ck n owl e dg e h i m as fi rst an d ch i e f of
,

al l Th e gods in t h eir e x tre mity w ere n ot h in g l ot h .

Th ey feast ed M erod a ch a n d w h en s w
.

, oll en wi th win e
, ,

e n du ed h i m with a l lm agica l p owers an d h a il e d hi m ,

Merod ach th ou art h e wh o i s ou r aven g er

, ,

( Ov er) th e wh ol e u n i erse h ave we

v
gi v en t h ee th e k i n gd om 1
.
”

At fi rst th e sigh t of h i s t erribl e en emy cau s ed e ven

M erod ach t o falter b u t pluckin g up c ou rag e h e a d van c ed
,

to m e et h er c au gh t h er i n h is n et an d forci n g a n e vil
, , ,

win d in t o h er Op en m ou t h
“
H e mad e th e evi l wi n d en ter so th at sh e could n ot close h er l i p s .

Th e vi ol en ce of th e wi n d s t ortu red h er stomach an d

‘

h er h eart was prostrated an d h er mou th was twi sted .

H e swu n g th e cl u b h e sh attered h er s tomach ;

,

h e cu t ou t h er en trai ls ; h e over mastered ( h er) h eart

‘

h e b ou n d h er an d en d ed h er li fe .

” a
H e th rew d own h er corp se ; he stood u pon it .

Th e b attle over an d t h e en emy s lain Merodach con ,

si d ered h ow t o di s p os e of t h e c orp s e .

H e stren gt h en s h i s mi n d h e forms a c l ev er p lan

, ,

An d h e stri pped h er of h er sk i n li k e a fi sh accord i n g to h i s pl an

, .
”3

The Ol
1
d Testa men t i n the L i ght of th e H i stori ca l R ecords f
o

Assy ri a an d B a by lon i a , b y T G Fi n ch es , p 1 6
. . . .

3
Records of the Pa st, v ol 1 p 140. . .
3
bid p
l . . .
 TH E DE E P 29

Of on e h al f corp se of Tiamat h e form ed th e

of th e

earth a n d o f t h e o t h er h a l f t h e h ea v en s
,
H e t h en pro .

ce d e d to fu rn is h th e h eav en s an d t h e earth wit h t h eir

res p ec t iv e equipm e n ts ; t h e d et a il s of t h is w ork occupyin
g
a pp a ren t ly t h e fi fth s ix th an d s e v en t h t a bl et s of t h e s eri e s
, , .

Un d er ordin ary ci rcum st an ce s s uch a l egen d as t h e

foregoin g w o uld n ot h ave attrac te d much a t t en ti on It .

i s as barbarou s an d u n in t elligen t as an y my t h o f Zulu or

Fiji an Stric tly sp eakin g i t i s n ot a Creati on myth a t a ll
.
, .

Ti a mat an d h er serp en t b rood a n d th e gods a re a l lexi s ten t

’

b efore Merod ach comm en c es h i s work an d all th at t h e ,

od e ffe ct s i s a re c on s truc ti on of t h e w orld T h e m et h od

g .

of t h i s re c on s truc ti on
. p ossess es n o fea t u re s s u p eri or t o
t h ose of t h e C re at ion myt h s of oth er b arb arou s n a t i on s .

Our own Scan di n avian an c es tors h ad a simil ar on e t h e ,

se tti n of wh ich was c ert ai n ly n ot i n feri or t o th e grot es qu e

g
b at tl e of Merodach wi th Tia mat Th e prose E dda tells u s .

th at th e fi rs t man B u r was t h e fath er of B er wh o was

, , ,

i n t urn th e fat h er of Odi n an d hi s t wo brot h ers Vili a n d

Ve . Th es e s on s of B ii r s l e w Ymir t h e ol d frost gi an t
, .

Th ey
d ragged t h e b ody of Ymir i n t o th e middl e of
Gin n u n gagap an d of i t form ed t h e eart h From Ymir s
, .
’

bl ood t h ey mad e th e s e a an d w at ers ; from hi s fl esh th e ,

l an d ; from h i s b on es t h e m ou n tain s ; an d h is t e eth an d

,

j aws t ogeth er with s om e bi t s of b rok en b on es served

, ,

th em t o m ak e th e s t on es a n d p ebbl es
”
.

It will be s een th at t h e re i s
m ark abl e lik en ess
a re

betw een th e B abyl on ian an d Scan di n avian myth s i n

th e c en t ral an d es s en t i a l fea t ure of e a ch v i z th e way in , .

which th e worl d is s u pp os ed t o h ave b een buil t u p by

30 TH E ’

A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE

t h e god s from t h e fra gmen t s
, of th e an at o my of a h u ge
prim aev al m on st er Yet i t i s n ot u rged th at t h ere i s an y
.

dire ct gen et ic c on n ec tion b etween t h e t wo ; th a t th e

Babyl on ian s eith er t augh t t h eir l egen d to th e Scan d in avian s
or l earn t i t from th em .

Un d er ordin a ry circum s tan c es i t would h ardly h a v e

occu rre d t o a n y on e t o t r t o d eriv e th e m on ot h e i st ic
y
n arra tiv e of Gen i from eith er of th es e p agan myths
. .
,

crowd e d a s t h ey are with u n cou th an d barb arou s d eta ils .

B u t i t h a pp en e d t h at Mr G eorge Smi th wh o brou gh t

.
,

t o l i gh t t h e As syrian C re at i on t abl et s brou gh t al s o t o ,

ligh t a B abyl on ian a cc oun t of th e Fl ood wh ich h a d a ,

l arge n umb er of feat u res i n c omm on wit h th e n arrat ive

of Ge n. v i —
.ix Th e a ctu al res embl an c e b et w e en t h e
.

t wo D elu ge n arrat iv es h as c au s e d a res embl a n c e t o b e

im agin ed b etw een t h e t wo Creat ion n arrat iv es I t h as .

b een w ell brou gh t ou t i n s om e of th e l at er c omm en t s of

Assyri ol ogis ts th at s o far from t h ere b ein g a n y rese m
,

bl an c e i n th e B abyl on ian l egen d t o th e n arrat iv e i n

G en esis t h e t wo a cc oun t s d iffer i n toto Mr T G Pin ch es
,
. . . .
,

for e x ampl e p oin t s ou t t h at i n t h e Ba byl on ian a cc oun t

,

t h ere i s

N o direct st atem en t of th e creat i on of th e h eav en s

an d t h e eart h ;

N o syst emat ic divi s i on of t h e t h in gs cre at ed in t o

roup s a n d cl a s s es su ch as i s fou n d i n G e n e s is ;
g ,

N o re feren c e t o th e D ays of Creat i on ;

N 9 a pp earan c e of t h e D ei ty as t h e first an d On ly c au se
of t h e e x i s t en c e of t h in gs
”
1
.

1
Th e Ol d Testa men t i n th e L i gh t of the H i s tori ca l R ecord s f
o

on i a , b
Assyri a an d B a byl y T G F i n ch es,
p 49 .. . .
 TH E DE E P 31

In d eed ,
B abyl on ian a cc ou n t th e h eaven s an d t h e
i n th e ,

e art h a re re p rese n t ed as e xi s t in g t h ou gh i n a ch a oti c ,

form from t h e first

”
.
,

Ye t on t h i s pu re ly im agi n ary resembl an c e b et w een t h e

Bib lical an d B abyl on i an Crea t i on n arra t ives t h e l egen d
h as b een fou n d e d t ha t t h e in t roduct ory c h ap t ers of t h e
B ook of G en esis presen t t o u s t h e H eb re w v ers1on of
a my th ol ogy c omm on t o man y of t h e Semi t ic p e opl es
”
.

An d t h e l e g en d h a s b een y et fu rth er d e v el op ed u n t il ,

writ ers of t h e stan d i n g of Prof Fri edrich D el i t z sch h av e .

cl aim ed t hat t h e G en es is n arrat iv e w as borrowed from th e

B abylon ian t h ough t h e pri es tly s ch ol ar wh o c omp os ed
,
“

G en es is c h apt er i en d ea voure d of c ou rs e t o rem ove all

,

p oss ibl e my th ol ogi ca l fea t ures of t h is Creation st ory 1

.
”

I f t h e H e brew pri es t did b orrow from t h e B abyl on i an

my th w h at was i t t h at h e b orrow e d
, N ot t h e e xi s t en c e
of s ea an d l an d of s u n a n d m oon
, of pl an t s an d a n im a l s o f , ,

bird s an d b ea st s an d fis h es For surely t h e H ebre w may .

b e cre dit e d wi th k n owin g t h i s much of h im s el f wi t h ou t ,

n e e d for a t ran s p ort a t i on t o B a byl on t o l e arn i t I

an
y n .

writ in g an a ccou n t of th e Creati on s ta t em en ts as t o wh at ,

a re t h e t h in s create d mu s t of n e c es s it y b e i n s erted
2 ”

g ,

wh en e ver wh erever an d by wh om s oever t h a t a cc oun t i s

, ,

wri tt en .

W h at e ls e th en i s t h ere c omm on t o t h e t wo a cc ou n ts
, ,

Ti a ma t i s t h e n am e giv en t o t h e B abyl on ian m ot h er

o f th e u n i ve rs e t h e d rag on o f th e d e e p ; a n d i n G e n e si s
,

1
e, Jo
B a bela n d Bi bl li n s ’
t ra n s l a t i on
pp 3 6,a n d 3.7 .

2
d Tes ta m
The Ol e
n t in th e L i gh t of th e H i s tori ca l R ecord s o
f
A ss y ri a and on i a , b y T
B a by l . G Pi n ch es, p 48
. . .
32 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI BL E
it is wri t ten th a t d ark n ess was up on t h e fac e of t h e d eep

H ere , an d h ere on ly ,
is
p oin t of possibl e c on n ect ion ;
a

b u t i f i t b e e vid en c e o f a c on n ec ti on wh at ki n d of a con ,

n ect i on d oes i t im p ly ? I t impli es t h a t t h e B abyl on i an

bas ed his barbarous my th up on t h e H ebrew n arrat ive .

Th ere i s n o oth er p os s ibl e way of in t erpre tin g t h e

c on n ec tion — i f c on n ec t i on t h ere b e
, .

Th e H ebre w w ord would s eem t o m e n e tym ol ogically

a , ,

stor m tossed wa ters D e ep ca ll et h u n to d eep

” ”
su rges ,
-

a t th e n oi s e o f Th w at e rsp ou ts O u r w ord i
”

y d eep s a t
p .

t o giv e u s t h e id ea of s till n ess — we h a v e t h e prov erb ,

“
St ll w t e s u d eep
i a r r n — wh erea s i n s om e in st a n c es teh om
,
”

i s u s ed i n Sc rip ture of w at e rs w h ic h w ere c erta in ly

s ha ll ow as for i n st an c e t h os e p as s e d t h rou h by I s ra e l
, , , g
at t h e Red Sea

P h araoh s ch ari ot s an d h i s h os t h ath H e ca st in to th e

’

s ea h i s c h osen ca p ta in s a lso are d rown e d i n t h e Red Sea .

”
Th e d ep ths h a v e co v ere d t h em .

In oth er w ord s u sed i n ou r Au th oriz ed

pa ssages th e
Version d eep or d ep ths give th e c orrec t s ign ificat ion
, ,
”
.

B u t d eep w at ers or wat ers i n c omm oti on a re i n eith er

, ,

c ase n at ural obj ec ts We get t h e w ord teh ém u s ed con

.

t i n u all
y i n Sc rip t u re i n a p erfe c t ly m a tt er o f fa c t wa
y
- -

w h ere t h ere i s n o p oss ib ility of p ers on ifica ti on or myth

be in g in t en d ed Tia m at o n th e con trary t h e B abyl on i an
.
, ,

d ragon of t h e w at ers i s a my th ol ogica l p erson ifica ti on

, .

N ow t h e n at ural obj e ct mu s t com e firs t I t n e ver y et .

h as b ee n th e cas e th at a n at i on h as gai n ed i ts k n o wl ed ge
34 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I B LE

con cept ion s of God an d n at ure th an t h os e give n i n th e

Tiam at myth . I t is c ert ain t h at very man y Hebrews fell
sh ort of t h e t ea c h in g c on v ey e d i n t h e fi rst ch a pt er of

G en esis B u t th e fac t rem ai n s t h a t th e on e n at ion

.

pres erved th e Tiam at myth th e oth er t h e n arrat ive of

,

G e n esi s an d ea ch c ou n ted i t s own Creat ion st ory s acred

,
.

We can on ly righ tly judge t h e two n at ion s by wh at th ey

valu ed Th u s judged th e H ebrew n at ion s tan d s as h igh
.
,

a b ov e t h e B a byl on i an i n in t elli en c e a s w ell as i n fa i th a s

g , ,

t h e fi rs t ch ap t er of Gen es i s i s ab ov e t h e Ti am a t my th .
 CHAPTER IV
TH E FI R MA M ENT
TH E ixt h verse of th e first ch ap t er of G en es is presen ts
s

a di ffi cul ty as t o t h e pre ci s e m ea n i n of t h e p ri n cip a l

g
word v i z th a t tran sla ted fi rma men t
, . .

An d God L e t t h ere b e a ragi a i n th e mid s t o f

’
id
sa ,

th e wa t ers a n d l
, e t i t divid e t h e wa t ers from t h e w a t e rs .

An d God m ad e t h e ragi a an d divid e d t h e wa t ers w h ic h

’

,
‘
were u n d er t h e r d gi d from t h e w a t ers w h ic h w ere ab ov e
' '
t he ragi d : a n d i t wa s s o An d God ca ll ed t h e ragi d
.

Sha ma y i m An d t h e ev en in g a n d t h e m orn in g w ere th e

. .

sec on d d a
y .

I t i s, cou rs e p erfectly cl ear th at by th e w ord raged

of ,

i n t h e p rec edin g p assa ge i t i s t h e a t m os ph ere t h a t i s

allud ed t o B u t l a t er on i n th e c h a p t er t h e word i s u sed
.

i n a s ligh t ly differen t c on n ec ti on God said L et th ere.

,

b e li gh ts in t h e fi rmamen t of h eav en .

As we l ook u p ward from th e earth we l ook th rough a ,

t wofold m edium N ear t h e earth we h ave ou r a t m o

.

' i

s ph ere ; a b ov e t h a t t h ere i s i n t er st ell ar s pa c e void of-

an y th in g s o far as we k n ow e xc ep t t h e E th er
, , We are .

n ot a bl e t o d et e c t a n li n e of d em arca t i on w h ere ou r
y
a t m os ph ere en d s an d t he ou ter v oi d b e in s B ot h t h ere
, g .

fore are equ al ly Sp ok en of a s th e fi rmamen t ; an d y et

“ ”

3 35
36 TH E A STR ON OMY OF TH E BI B LE
t h ere i s differen ce b et ween t h e two Th e l ower supports
a .

th e cl oud s ; i n t h e upp er a re s et th e t wo grea t ligh t s an d

'
t h e s tars Th e upp e r t h erefore i s e mph a t ically regi d
.
, ,

ha ssha magi m t h e fi rmame n t o f h ea v e n ” of t h e

“
,
u
p
li fted I t is i n t h e fac e 0 — t h at i s
“
b efore or
”
.
, ,

un der th e ey es of b en eath —th is h igh er expan se

,
”
,

t h at t h e fowls of t h e ai r fly t o an d fro .

Th e firma men t th en i s th at wh ich Ten n yson s in gs of as

, ,

th e c en tra l blu e t h e s eemin g v au l

,
"
t of t h e sk y w h ich ,
’

we can c on s id er a s at an y h eigh t ab ov e u s th at we pl eas e .

Th e cl oud s are a b ove i t i n on e s en s e ; y e t i n an oth er s u n , ,

m oon an d s tars wh ich are cl early far h igh er t h an t he

,

cloud s are s et in i t
, .

Th ere i s n o qu est ion th erefore as t o wh at i s referre d to

by th e word fi rmamen t “
b u t th ere i s a qu es t i on a s t o
th e e tym ol ogica l m ean in g of t h e w ord a n d a ss oci a t e d ,

wi th t h at a qu es ti on as t o h ow t h e H ebrews t h em s el ves
,

con ceived of th e c el estial vaul t .

Th e w ord ragi a tra n s lat ed fi rmamen t properly sig n i

'

, ,

fi es an ex pan s e or ex t en s ion s om e th i n g s t re t ch ed or
“ ” ”
, ,

b eaten ou t Th e verb from wh ich t h i s n ou n i s d erived

.

i s oft en u s ed i n Scrip tu re b ot h as referri n g t o t h e h eav en s

,

an d i n ot h er c on n e ct i on s Th u s i n Job xxxvii 1 8 t h e
. .
,

qu esti on i s a sk ed Can st t h ou with Him sp read ou t th e

,

”
s k y,
w h ic h i s s t ro n
g as a m o l t e n mirr o r 9 E l ea za r t he ,

p ri es t a fter th e rebellion of Korah Dathan an d Abira m

, ,

t ook t h e bra z en c en sers of t h e reb el s an d t h ey w e re ,

made broa d pl a tes for a cov erin g of t h e al tar Th e .

”

gold smi th d escrib ed by Isai ah as makin g an id ol ,

s read eth i t over with old wh il s t Jere mia h says

p g ,
 '
TH E FI R MAM E NT 37

s ilver mea d in t o pla t es i s brou gh t from Tars hi sh .

Aga in in Psa lm cxx x vi i n t h e a ccou n t of crea t ion we

, .
,

h a v e t h e s ame w ord u s e d wi t h re fere n c e t o t h e e art h

‘

To Him t h at stretch ed o ut t h e e art h a b ov e t h e wa t ers

”
.

I n t h i s an d in man y oth er p as s ag es t h e id ea of e x t en si on
is cl early t h at w h ic h th e word i s in t en d e d t o c on v ey .

B u t th e Se ven ty i n m akin g t h e Greek Ve rs ion of t h e

,

Old Testam en t were n atu ra lly in fluen ced by th e vi ews

,

of as tron omic a l s ci en c e t h en h eld i n Alex an dria th e ,

c en tre of G reek a stron omy Here a n d a t th is t im e t h e .

, ,

d octri n e of t h e crys tallin e s ph eres—a misun d ers t an din g

of t h e m a t h e m a t ic a l res earc h es of E ud oxu s an d ot h e rs
i

h eld curren cy Th es e s ph eres w ere s upp os e d t o b e a s u c

.

c essi on of perfect ly tran sp aren t an d in vi sibl e s olid s h ell s ,

i n w h ic h t h e s u n m oon an d pl an et s w ere s e v erally pl a ce d

, , .

Th e Sev en t y n o d oub t c on s id e re d t h a t i n ren d erin g rd gi d

'
,

by sterebma i e.fi rmamen t t h u s con v eyin g t h e id ea of a

, .
, .

s olid s t ruc ture t h ey w ere s p ea ki n g t h e l ast w ord of

,

t o d a t e s ci en c e
u
p
- -
.

Th ere s h ould b e n o reluctan c e in as c ribin g t o th e

H ebrews an erron eou s s ci en t ific con c ep tion i f th ere i s an y
e vid en c e t h a t t h ey h eld i t We can n ot t oo cl early rea li z e
.

t h at t h e writ e rs o f t h e Sc rip t u res w ere n ot s up ern a tu rally

in spired to give correc t t e ch n ica l s cien tific d es cript ion s ;
an d supp os in g t h ey h a d b e en so i n s pi red w e mu s t b ear i n ,

min d t h at we sh ould oft en c on sid er t h es e d es crip ti on s

wron g j u st i n p rop ortion to t h eir correc tn ess for th e very ,

s u ffi ci en t reason t h a t n ot e ve n ou r own s ci en c e of t od ay

h as y e t rea ch e d fi n a li ty i n a llt h i n gs .

Th ere sh ould b e n o re luc tan c e i n a s cribin g to t h e

38 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI B LE

H ebrews an erron eou s sci en t ific con ce pti on i f th ere i s an y '

e vid en c e t h a t t h ey h eld i t I n t h i s c a se th ere i s n o s uch

.
,

e vid en c e ; i n d e ed th ere i s s t ron g e vid en c e t o t h e c on t rary

, .

Th e H eb re w word ra gi a a l rea dy s h own really

‘

as ,

si gn ifi es ju st as th e word for h eav en sh a

”
e x t en s i on
“
, ,

magi m m ean s t h e u plift ed I n t h es e t wo w ord s t h ere

.
”
,

fore s ign ific an t resp ec t iv e ly o f a s u rfa c e a n d of h e i gh t

, ,

th ere i s a re cogn i t i on of t h e t h ree dim en si on s

”
in ,
-

ot h er w ord s of Sp a c e , .

W hen we wi sh t o refer t o s up er t erres trial s p ac e we -

h a v e two expres si on s i n m od ern E n gli s h by w h ic h t o .

d es crib e i t : we can s p eak of t h e v aul t of h ea ven “ ”

or , .

t h e can opy of h eav en Th e v aul t of h ea ven

”
Of is
“
.

m ost u sed i t h as in d eed been rec en tly a d op t ed as th e t itl e

,
,

of a s ei en t i fi c w ork by a we ll k n ow n a s tron om er -
B ut .

th e w ord va u l t c ert ai n ly giv es t h e s u gge s t ion of a s olid

s t ruc t u re ; w h ils t t h e w ord ca n opy c a ll s up t he id ea of ,

a s ligh t er c ov erin g p rob ably o f s om e t e x t il e fab ric

, .

Th e reason s for t h in ki n g t h at t h e H ebrews d id n ot

c on s id er t h e fi rmamen t a solid s truct u re are fi rst th a t , ,

t he word d oes n ot n e c es sarily c on v ey t ha t m ea n i n g ; n ex t ,

th a t th e a t t it ud e of t h e H e bre w min d t owa rd s n at u re

wa s n ot s uc h a s t o re quire t h is id ea Th e qu est io m .
,

W h at h old s up th e w at ers ab ove t h e fi rma men t wou ld .

n ot h a v e t roubl ed t h e m I t w ould h a ve b een s u fi e i en t

.

for t h e m as for t h e writ er t o t h e H ebrews t o c on s id er

, ,

t h at God wa s uph oldin g a ll th i n gs by th e w ord of ,

H i s p ow er a n d t h ey w ould n ot h a v e t roubl e d a b ou t
”

th e m a ch i n ery B u t b es ides t h is t h ere are m an y pass ages

.
,

in Scri pt u re s om e occu rri n g i n t h e earli es t book s wh ich

,
!

,
 TH E FI R MAM E NT 39

xpressly clkoud s as carry mg t h e w at er ; so

of th e
e p s ea

t h at t h e ex p ress ion s pl a ci n g wa t ers a b ov e t h e fi rma

m en t or ab ove t h e h ea ven s can m ean n o m ore t h an
,
“
,
”

“
i n t h e cl oud s
’

In d eed as we s h all see quit e a cl ear

.
”
, ,

a cc oun t i s g iv en of t h e a t m os p h eric circul at i on s uc h as ,

c ould h ardly b e m en d ed by a m od ern p oet .

I t i s tru e th at D a vid s an g t h at t h e f ou n d a ti on s of
h ea ven m ov ed an d s h ook b e ca u se H e was wrot h an d Job
, ,

say s th a t l
th e p i la rs of h ea v en t rembl e an d a re a st on i s h e d
'

a t H i s rep roof B u t n ot on ly are t h e re fere n c es to

”
.

fou n d at ion s an d pillars e vid en t ly in t en d e d m erely as

p oe t ic imagery b u t t h ey are a l so u sed much m ore
,

fre qu en tly of t h e eart h an d y et a t t h e s a m e tim e Job

,

e xp res s ly p o in ts o u t t h a t God s tre t c h e th ou t t h e n ort h

o v er t h e e mp ty pl a c e a n d h an e t h
g , t h e ea rth u p on
”
n oth i n g Th e H eb re w form e d n o id e as lik e t h os e of t he
.

Hi n du s wh o thou gh t t h e eart h s u p ported by el eph an ts

, . ,

t h e e l ep h an ts by a t ortoi s e th e t ortois e by a s n ak e , .

I n Sc rip t u re i n m os t c ases th e w ord

,
“
ea rt h (er e tz
)
d oes n ot mean t h e s olid m a ss of t h i s ou r pl a n et b u t on ly ,

i ts s u rfa c e ; t h e d ry l an d a s opp os ed t o t h e s eas t he

” “

c ou n tries t h e dwellin g pl ac e of man an d b east Th e

, .

pilla rs or fou n d a ti on s of t h e earth i n th is s en s e a re t h e

“

re a t s y st e m s of t h e roc k s an d t h es e w ere c on c eiv ed of a s

‘

g ,

di rectly supp orted by th e p owe r of God wi th ou t an y n e ed ,

of i n term e d ia ry s truc tu res Th e H e b rew cl early re c ogn i z ed

.

t h at i t i s t h e will of God al on e th at k e ep s t h e w h ol e s e cure .

Th u s H a n n a h s an g

Th e p i llars o f th e earth are th e L ord s, ’

A d H h ath set th e worl d u on th em

”
n e
p .
40 TH E A STR O N O M Y on THE B I B LE

An d As aph re p res en ts th e Lord yin g

a s sa

Th e earth an d al l th e i n h ab i tan ts th ereof are d i ssol ved

”
I b ear u p th e pillars of i t .

Yet gai n j u st as we sp eak of th e c el es tial can opy

a , ,

so Psa l m civ d es c ribe s t h e Lord a s H e

“
. wh o s tre tc h es t
an d I sa iah giv es t h e image
”
ou t t h e h eav en s lik e a cu rta i n ,

i n a fu ll er form t h a t stre t ch et h ou t t h e h ea ven s as

,

a cu rt a in an d s prea d et h t h e m ou t as a t en t t o d well i n
,

Th e s a m e express i on of s tre t c h i n g ou t t h e h ea v en s

i s rep eat ed l y u se d i n I sa iah ; i t i s i n d eed on e of hi s

ty p ica l ph rases H ere b ey on d qu est i on e xt en s ion s pread
.
, , ,

i n g ou t i s t h e id ea s ough t t o b e c on v ey ed n ot t h at
, ,

of s olidi ty .

Th e proph et Am os u s es y et an oth er p aral l el I t is H e .

“

th at build eth H i s s t ori es ln t h e h ea ven

”
W h ile I saia h .

s p eak s of t h e e n t ire s te llar u n iv ers e a s t h e t en t or pa vil ion

of Je h o v ah Am os lik en s t h e h e igh t of t h e h ea ven s as t h e
,

“
s t ep s up t o H i s t h ron e ; t h e s t ori es are t h e as c e n t
”
,

as M os es sp eak s of t h e
“
a s c en t o f Ak rabbim a n d D a vid ,

”
m akes t h e as ce n t of t h e Moun t of Olives Th e
“
.

H ebrews can n ot h a ve regard ed t h e h eaven s a s li teral ly , ,

b oth s taircase an d reservoir .

Th e fi rrrmmen t ti e t h e a tm os ph ere i s s p oken of as

, .
,

dividi n g b et ween t h e wat ers that are u n d er t h e fi rmamen t ,

5 e ocean s s eas rivers et c from t h e wat ers t h at a re

'
. .
, , ,
.
,

a b ov e t h e fi rma men t 73 e t h e m ass es of wat er vap ou r

,
. .

carri e d by th e a tm osph ere s een i n t h e cl ouds an d con , ,

d en sin g from t h em as ra i n We get t h e very s am e .

e xpress i on a s t h i s of t h e wat ers wh ich were above i n

t h e Ps alm of Pra is e
42 TH E A STRO N OMY OF THE B I B L E

t a k enup afresh in to t h e cl oud s B es id es i f we com p l et e .

,

t h e quotat ion we fi n d t h a t wh at i s s ta t e d i s t h a t t h e rai n

d oes n ot re turn u n ti li t h a s a cc ompl is h ed i ts pu rp os e

Sb sh a ll My word b e t h a t goe th forth ou t of My m ou th

i t s h a ll n ot re t u rn u n t o Me v oid b u t i t sh a ll a cc ompli s h ,

t h at wh ich I pl e as e , an d i t s h a ll p ros p er i n t h e t h in g
”
wh eret o I s en t i t .

E lih u d escrib es th e process of e vap oration p re cis ely

“
l
B eh o d , God i s great, an d we k n ow H im n ot ;
Th e n u mb er of H i s y ears i s un searchab le .

F or H e d raweth u p th e d rop s f wa ter

o
,

W h i ch d i st i i n rai n f rom H i s
l v apou r

Wh i ch th e ski es p o u r d own
An d d rop u pon man ab u n dantly
Throu gh ou t th e b ook s of H oly Scrip tu re t h e con n e c ti on ,

b et ween th e cl oud s an d t h e rain i s cl early born e i n mi n d .

Deb orah says i n h er s on g th e cl oud s d ropp ed wa t e r

“ ”
.

I n th e Ps a lm s th ere a re m an y refe ren c e s In l x x vn . .

17 ,
Th e cl oud s p ou re d ou t w ater ;
“
i n c x lv u 8 Wh o ”
.
,
“

c overeth th e h ea ven wi th cl oud s Wh o prep areth ra in for ,

t h e e arth Proverbs xvi 1 5 H i s favour i s as a cl oud

. .
,

Th e Preach er say s t h at cl oud s retu rn

”
of t h e la tt er ra in .

; an d Isaia h I will also comm an d t h e

'

a ft er t h e rai n
” “
,

cl oud s th at t h ey ra in n o rain up on i t an d Jude Clouds

'

”
th ey are wi t h ou t w a t er ca rri e d ab ou t of win d s ,
.

Th e cl oud s t oo w ere n Ot c on c ei ved as b e in g h ea vy

, , .

N ah um s ays th at th e cl ouds are t h e du st of H i s feet

“
,
”

an d I s a i ah Sp eak s of a cl oud of d e w i n t h e h ea t Of
'
“

h arves t Th e Prea ch er cl early u n d erst ood t ha t th e

” “
.

waters ab ove were n ot p en t i n by solid b arri ers ; th a t

 TH E FI R MA ME NT 43

they were carri ed by th e

cl ouds ; for i f t h e cl oud s be full “
/

of ra i n t h ey e mp ty t h e m s el
, v es upon t h e eart h An d Job .
”

sa ys Of J e h ova h H e bi n d et h up t h e wa ters i n H i s t h ick

,

cl oud s a n d th e cloud i s n ot ren t u n d er th em an d l at er

, , ,

Jeh ovah Him s el f a sks

Can st th ou l v
ift u p th y oi ce t o th e cl oud s,
Th at ab u n d an ce of waters may co er t h ee ? v
Wh o ca n nu mb er th e l ud s
c o b y wi sd om,
Or wh o can p o u r ou t th e b ottl es of h ea v en ? ”

Th e H ebrews ,
were quit e a ware t h at th e
t h erefore,
wat ers of th e s ea w ere d rawn up in t o th e a t m os ph ere
by e vap ora ti on a n d w ere c arri ed by i t i n th e form of
,

cloud s N o d oub t th ei r k n owl edg e i n t h i s resp ec t a s i n

.
,

o th ers was t h e grow th o f t i me

,
B u t t h ere i s n o n e ed t o
.

s upp os e t h a t e v en i n t h e e a rli er s ta es of t h e i r d e v e l op
, g
m en t t h e H e brews t h ou gh t of t h e w at ers t h a t b e ab ov e
,
“

th e h ea ven s ” a s c on ta i n e d i n a lit era l cis t ern ov erh ea d .

Still l ess i s t h ere reas on t o a d op t P rof Sc h i ap are lli s

’
.

s tran ge d educ ti on Con sid eri n g t h e s ph erica l an d

“

c on v e x sh ap e of t h e fi rma me n t t h e upp er wa t ers c ould,

n ot re m ai n ab ov e wi th ou t a s e c on d wa ll t o h old t h e m i n

a t t h e s id es a n d t h e t o S o a s ec on d v a ul t a b ov e t h e
p .

vaul t of th e fi rmamen t cl os es i n t oget h er with t h e fi rma ,

m en t a spa c e wh ere are th e s toreh ou ses of rai n h a il a n d

, , ,

Th ere s eem s t o b e n owh ere in Sc ri p ture th e

1”
s n ow .

s ligh t es t h i n t or s u g es t i on of a n y s uc h se c on d v a ul t ;
g
c e rtain ly n ot i n th e b eau tiful passage t o wh ich Prof .

Sc h ia p arelli i s h ere re ferrin g .

1
d Testa men t, p 3 2
A stron omy i n th e Ol . .
44 THE ASTRON O M Y OF THE BI BLE
“
Wh ere i s th e way ll
to th e d we i n g of i gh t, l
An d as for d ar w kn ess, l
h ere i s th e p ace th ereof ;
Th at th ou sh oul k
d est ta e i t to th e b ou n d th ereof,
An d th at th ou sh ould st d i scern th e path s t o th e h ouse

H ast th ou
_
en tered th e trea s . uri es of th e
'
sn ow,

Or h ast th ou seen th e t reas u ri es of th e h ai l

,

v v
Wh i ch I h a e reser ed agai n s t th e ti me of trou b le
,

Agai n st th e d ay of b att e an d war ? l

By wh at way i s th e i gh t p arted , l
Or th e east wi n d scatt ered pon th e u earth ?
Wh o
“

h ath cl eft a ch an n el for th e water -

flood ,
Or a way for th e li gh tn i n g of th e th u n d er

Hath fath er ?
th e rai n a

Or wh o h ath b egott en th e d rops of d ew ?

Ou t of wh ose womb c ame t h e i ce ?
v
An d th e h oary frost of h ea en , wh o h ath gen d ered i t

Th e Son g D avid Psalm xviii cl early sh ows th at i ts

of ,
.
,

w rit er h eld n o fan ta sy of a s olidly buil t cistern of waters

i n th e sk y b u t t h ou gh t of t h e dark waters i n t h e ”
,
”
h ea ven s as id en t ica l wi th th e
,
th ick cl oud s Th e .

passage is worth quot in g at sOme l en gt h n ot m erely as ,

s upplyin g a m a gn i fic en t w ord pic t ure of a s t orm b u t as ,

s h owin g t h e fre e an d c ou ra ge ou s spiri t of t h e H ebre w

poet a s piri t m ore eman cip ated t han can b e foun d i n an y

,

oth er n at i on of an t iqui ty I t was n ot on ly th e g en tle r

.

asp e c t of n a t ure t h at a t tra c te d h i m ; e v e n for i ts m os t

t erribl e h e h a d a sym p a t h y ri s i n g u n d er t h e in flu en c e of
, , ,

h i s s t ron g fa it h i n God i n t o p os it ive e xul tati on in i t

,
.

I n my d i stress I cal
led u pon th e Lord ,

An d cri ed u n to my God :
v
H e h eard my oi ce ou t of H is te mple,
An d my cry b efore H i m ca me i n to H i s earS.
 TH E FI RM A M E NT 45

Th en th e earth sh oo k an d t remb ed , l
Th e fou n d ati on s al so mo ed
o f th e mou n ta i n s v
k
An d were sh a en , b ecau se H e was wroth .

k
Th ere wen t u p a smo e ou t of H i s n ostrils,
An d fi re ou t of H i s mou th d e oured :
‘

v
k
Coals were i n d l ed b y i t .

v
H e b owed th e h ea en s also, an d came d own ;
k k
An d th i c d ar n ess was u n d er H i s feet .

An d H e rod e u pon a ch eru b , an d d i d fly

Yea, H e flew swiftly u pon th e wi n gs of th e win d .

k
H e mad e dar n ess H i s h i d i n g —p l ace,
v
H i s pa i li on rou n d ab ou t H i m ;
k k
Dar n ess of waters, th i c cl ou d s of th e s i es k .

At t h e b ri gh tn es s b efore H i m H i s th i c cloud s passed, k

H ai l ston es an d coals of fi re .

Th e L ord al so th u n d ered i n th e h ea en s, v
An d th e M ost H igh u ttered H i s oi ce ; v
H ai l ston es an d coal s of fi re .

An d H e s en t ou t H i s arrows , an d s cattered th em;

Yea li gh tn i n gs man i fold , an d d i scomfi ted th em .

Th en th e ch an n el s of waters ap peared ,
An d th e fou n d ati on s of th e worl d were l aid b are,

At Th y reb u e, O L ord , k
At th e b l ast of th e b reath of Th y n ostri l s .

H e sen t from on h i gh , H e too me ; k

H e d rew me ou t of man y wat ers .

v
H e d el i ered me from my stron g en emy ,
An d from th em th at h at ed me, for t h ey were too
for me .
”

Two o th e r p assages p oin t to th e

ci rcul a ti on of water
vap ou r u p wa rd from t h e ea rth b efore i ts d es c en t as rain
on e i n t h e prop h e cy of Je remia h t h e ot h er a lm ost , ,

id en t ical with i t i n Psa lm cxxxv 7 : W h e n H e u ttereth

, .

H is voic e t h ere i s a t umul t of wat ers i n t h e h ea v en s

, ,

a n d H e c au s et h t h e v a p ou rs t o as c en d from th e en d s of t h e

ea rt h ; H e m ak et h ligh tn i n g s for t h e rai n a n d bri n g et h ,

forth th e win d ou t of H i s treas u ri es

”
Here we ge t a .
46 TH E A STRON O MY OF TH E B IBLE

h in t of a close observi n g of n a tu re am on g t he H ebrews .

For by t h e fore s h orten in g t h at cl oud s u n d ergo i n t h e

dis tan c e t h ey in evit ably app ear t o form chi efly on t h e
,

h ori z on ,
a t t h e e n d s o f t h e eart h w h en ce th ey m ove ,

u p ward s t owa rd s t h e z en i t h
'

A furth er referen ce t o cl ou ds re v eal s n ot Observa tion

on ly b u t a cu t e refle c t i on t h ough i t l ea v es t h e my st e ry
,

wi th ou t solu ti on D ost t h ou k n ow th e bal a n cin gs of

.
“

t h e cl oud s t h e w on drou s work s of Him Which i s p erfe c t

,

i n kn owl edge Th ere i s a d eep mys tery h ere wh ic h ,

s ci en c e i s far from h avi n g c ompl et ely sol v ed h ow i t i s ,

t h a t t h e cloud s fl oa t e a ch i n i t s own pla c e a t i t s o wn

, ,

l ev el ; each p erfect ly bal an ced i n th e t h in air

“ ”
.

Th at mi st wh ich lies ln th e m orn in g s o s oftly 1n th e

va ll ey l e vel a n d w h it e t hrough wh ich t h e t ops of t h e
,

—
,

r ri
t e es se s a i f t rou g a i u da i o
h h n n n t n wh y I s i t so h eavy ?
a n d wh
y d oes i t li e so low b ein g y e t s o t h i n an d frai l t h a t
,

i t will m el t a way u t t erly in t o s pl e n d ou r o f m orn i n

g w h e n
'

t h e su n h a s sh on e on i t b u t a fe w m om en ts m ore ? Th os e
col ossal pyramid s h uge an d fi rm wi th ou t lin es a s of rocks
, , ,

an d s tre n gt h t o b ea r t h e b eat i n g of t h e h igh su n fu l l on

t e ir fi ery flan k s
h — why a re th ey s o l gh t
i — th e i r b as es h igh
o v er ou r h ead s h i h ov er t h e h e ad s o f A lp s w h will
g , y .

t h ese m e l t a w ay n ot a s t h e s u n ri se s b u t as h e d es c en d s
, , ,

an d l e a v e t h e s t ars of t wili h t cl ear w h il e t h e val l ey

g ,

vap ou r gai n s a a in up on t h e e arth lik e a s h roud ? 1

g

Th e fa c t b alan cin g h as b een b rough t h om e to

of th e .

u s du ri n g th e p a s t h u n d re d y ears v ery vividly by t h e

progress of a erial n a viga ti on B a ll oon s are obj e ct s t oo .

fam i liar e v en t o ou r ch ildre n t o c au se t h e m an y s u rp ri se ,

1 k
Ru s in , Bf odem P a i n ters, part vii . ch a
p i s .
 C I RB U S F R OM S OU TH I
KE N S N G TON , 1 9 0 6 , M AY 29 .

CU M U LI F R OM TU B B R I D G E W E LL S , 1 90 6 , M AY 20 .

( P h oto gi l
a p h s o f c ou d s , t a k e n b y Dr . W . J S L
. . oc k y e r .
)
H 0 ”
50 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IBLE

morrow abou t th is tim e sh all a m easu re of fi n e fl our

To -

b e s old for a Sh ek e l a n d two m eas u res of barl ey for a Sh ek e l

, ,

i n t h e ga t e of Sam ari a Th en a l ord on w h os e h a n d t he

.

kin g l ean e d an sw ere d th e man of God an d s aid B e hold , , ,

i f t he Lord w ould m ak e win d ows in h ea v en migh t t h is ,

t h in g b e

gain Ma lachi exh orted

So a th e J e ws after th e Ret u rn
from B abyl on

Bri n g y e allth e t ith es i n to th e s tor”h ou se th at t h ere

may b e m eat i n Min e h ou s e a n d prove M
,

,
e n o w h ere wi t h ,

s a i t h t h e Lord of h os t s i f I will n o t op en ou t h e W ln d OWS

, y
of h eav en a n d p ou r ou ou t a b l es s in t h a t t h ere s h a ll
, y g ,

n ot b e room en ou gh t o re c e iv e i t
”
.

In ith e r case can th e wi n d ows of h ea ven h ave b een

n e

m ean t by th e s p eak er to con v ey th e id ea of t h e sluice

at e s of a n a c tu al s olidly buil t res erv oir i n t h e sk
g y
-

, .

fa —
On e oth er cl oud c t th eir diss ipa ti on a s t h e s u n ris es
h igh i n t h e h ea ven s— i s n ot ic e d i n on e o f t h e m os t t en d er
lth e prop h e t ic Script u res Th e
an d p at h e t i c p assa ges i n al .

Lord by th e m out h of Hos ea is m ou rn in g over th e

, ,

in s tability of H i s p eopl e O E ph ra im w h a t Sh all I d o

.
,

un to t h ee ? O Jud ah wh at sha ll I d o u n to th ee ? For

,

you r goodn ess i s a s a morn in g cl oud an d as th e early ,

"
d ew i t go et h a w ay .

Th e wi n ds of h ea ven w ere c on s id ere d as fou r I n n umb er ,

corres pon din g to ou r own fou r cardin al poi n ts Th u s .

”

t h e grea t h orn of D an i el s h e goa t was brok e n a n d s u c

’
- ~

ce ed ed by fou r n ota bl e h orn s t oward t h e fou r win d s o f

h e a ven ; as th e empire of Al ex a n d er t h e Grea t was

divid ed a m on gs t h i s four gen era ls I n Ez eki el s vis i on of
,
.
’

th e dry bon es t h e p rop h et prays C ome from t h e four

,
 TH E FI R MAM E NT 51

wi n d s brea th an d breath e up on t h ese s la in ; an d

,
0 ,

Jeremiah forete lls t h at th e fo u r win ds from t h e fo ur

“

quarters of h ea ven Sh all b e brou gh t u p on Elam an d ,

s ca t t er i ts ou t cas t s i n t o e v ery n a ti on .

Th e circul at ion of t h e w i n d s i s cl early s et forth by t h e

Preach er i n th e B ook of E ccl esia stes .

Th e w1n d goeth t oward t h e s ou th , an d t urn eth ab out

u n t o th e n ort h ; i t wh irl et h abou t con tin u a lly an d t h e ,

win d ret urn eth again a cc ordin g t o h i s circui ts ”

.

Of th e fou r qu arters th e
H ebrews re ckon e d t h e ea st as
firs t I t was t o t h e east th at t h ey s upp os ed th e m s elves
.

a lways l ookin g Th e c h i e f word for e a s t t h ere fore ked em

.
, , ,

m ean s t h a t wh ich i s b efore t h e fron t ,

”
an d t h e w ord

n ex t i n u s e i s n a tu ra lly mi zra ch t h e ri s i n g o f t h e su n
, , , .

Th e w es t i s as n a tu ra lly mebé h a ssh emesh t h e goin g d own

, , ,

of t h e s u n ; b u t a s t h e M e di t e rran ean Sea l a

y t o t he

w est ward of Pa lestin e t h e s ea (y a m) i s frequ en tly pu t ”

in s tead of that p oin t of th e com pa ss Wi t h t h e eas t i n .

fron t th e s ou t h b ec om e s t h e rig h t an d t h e n orth t h e

, ,

l e ft Th e s ou th al so was u egcb t h e d es ert s in c e t h e

.
, ,

d esert s h u t i n Pa l est in e t o th e sou th as t h e s ea t o t h e ,

wes t I n oppos iti on t o tsap h ou t h e d ark or h idd en n orth

.
, ,

t h e sou th i s d a rom t h e brig h t a n d s u n n y regi on

, .

Th e p h ras e fou r c orn ers of t h e earth d oes n ot imply

th a t t h e H eb re ws th ou gh t of t h e earth a s s qu are Se v era l .

e x pres si on s on t h e c on tra ry Sh ow t h a t t h ey t h o u gh t o f i t as

ci rcul ar The Lord s i tt eth up on t h e circl e of th e ea rth

.
,
”

an d i n an oth e r p a s sa ge t h e s a me form i s a ppli ed t o t h e

oc ean H e s e t a c om pas s ( margi n c ircl e ) u p on t h e fa c e

.
“
52 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I BLE

of th e d e p th Th is ci rcl e i s n o d oub t th e ci rcl e o f th e

.

visibl e h oriz on wi th i n wh ich earth a n d s ea are sp read ou t

,

a ppa ren t ly a s a pl a i n ; ab ov e i t t h e va ul t of h ea ven

“

( J ob xxii 1 4.
; R V m a r gi n ) i s arch e d
. T.h ere d oes n ot .

a pp ea r t o b e a l l u s i on a n ywh ere i n Scrip t u re t o th e

, ,

Sph eric al form of t h e eart h .

Th e H eb re w kn owl edg e of t h e e x t en t of t h e t erres tri al

plai n wa s of cou rse very limi ted b u t i t would s eem t hat , ,

lik e m an y oth er n ation s of an t iqui ty th ey s u pp ose d ,

t h at t h e oc ean o ccupi ed th e o u t er pa rt of th e circl e

s u rrou n di n g t h e l a n d w h ic h was i n th e c en tre Th is may .

’
b e i n ferred from Job s s tat em en t

“
H e h ath d escri b ed a b ou n d ary u pon th e face of th e waters
,

U n to t h e con fi n es k
of l i gh t an d d ar n ess
”
.

Th e b ou n dary of th e w orld i s repres en t ed as b ei n g

d escrib ed or m ore p rop erly circum s crib ed d rawn as
,
”

a circ l e u p on th e oc ean Th is ocean i s con sid ered as

, .

e ssen t i ally on e e x a c t ly a s by a ct u a l e xpl orat i on we n ow

,

k n ow i t to b e L et t h e w at ers un d er t h e h ea v en b e
gath ered t ogeth er u n to on e plac e ; — allth e oc ean s an d
se a s c ommu n ic at e .

Ben eath th e earth t h ere are th e wat ers Th e Lord .

h at h fou n ded th e w orld up on t h e seas an d establis h e d i t ,

up on th e fl oods an d ( Psalm cxxxvi 6) s tretc h ed ou t

,
”
.

t h e earth a b ov e th e w at ers Th i s for them ost p art m ean s

”
.

s im p ly th at th e wa t er s u rfa c e li es l ow er t h an t h e l an d

s u rfa c e B u t t h ere are wa t ers —ot h er t han t h os e of t h e

.
,

oc ean —,wh ich are i n a strict s en s e ben eath t h e earth ;

, ,

t h e s u bt erran ean wa t ers wh ich th ough i n t h e very ,

 TH E FI R M AM E NT 53

su b stan ce of th e xis tin g there i n an a ltogeth er

eart h , an d e

d iff eren t way from t h e gre at m ass es of wat er we s ee up on

t h e s u rfa c e form a wa ter s yst e m w h ich may l egit im at ely
, ,

b e t erm e d a kin d of oc ean u n d ergroun d From th es e .

s u bt erra n ean w a t ers ou r s p rin gs i s s u e fort h an d i t i s t h e s e ,

w at ers we tap i n ou r w ells Of t h e c edar i n Leb an on.

E z eki el s p ok e : Th e wat ers m ad e hi m great t h e d eep s et ,

h i m up on h igh wi th h er riv ers run n i n g rou n d ab out h i s

pl an ts an d sen t ou t h er litt l e rivers ( ma rgi n con duits)u n to
, ,

Th e d eep teh Om a ppli es t h

“ ”
al lt h e trees of th e fi eld
'

.
, ,

fore n ot m ere ly to t h e res tl ess wa ters of t h e oc ean b u t t o

, ,

th es e u n seen w at ers as w ell ; an d m ean s n ot m ere ly ,

s u rgi n g wa t ers b u t d e p th s of an y ki n d W h en i n th e
”
.
,

a t D elug e t h e fl oodg at es of h ea v e n w ere op en e d t h ese

g re ,

foun ta i n s of t h e grea t d eep w ere brok en u p a s w ell

”
.

An d l a t er b ot h fou n ta i n s a n d win d ows w ere s topp e d .

So t h e Lord a s ks Job H as t t h ou en tere d in t o th e sprin gs

,

o f t h e sea ? or h a st t h ou w a lk e d in th e search of t h e
d ep t h a n d i n P rov erb s i t i s s a id Of t h e L ord By H i s ,

kn owl edge th e d ep th s are brok en up an d th e cloud s drop ,

d own t h e d ew .

Th e t id es up on th e s e a c oa s t of Pa l es ti n e are v ery
-

sli h t b u t some h a v e s een a re feren c e t o t h em i n Jer

g , .

v 2? wh ere t h e Lord says I h a ve pl aced t h e san d for th e

.
,

bou n d of th e s ea by a p erp e tu al d ec ree t h at i t can n ot ,

p as s i t : an d th ou gh t h e w a ves t h ereof t os s t h em sel ves ,

e t c an t h ey n ot p reva il t h oug h t h ey roar et an t h ey

y y c ,

n ot p ass ov er i t M ore prob ably t h e id ea t o b e con vey ed

.

i s m erely t h at of t h e restrain t of th e sea t o i ts p rop er

b as m as i n t h e p a ss age w h e re th e Lord as ks Job
, Wh o ,
54 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
i f it
'

sh ut up with d oors w h en
t he se a ,
it bra ke forth , as

h ad I ss u ed ou t of th e womb ? writ er of
”
An d th e
Proverbs sum s allup

W h en H e prepared t he h eaven s I [ Wis dom] was

,

t h ere : w h en H e s et a c omp as s up on t h e fa c e of t h e
d ep th : w h en H e establish e d th e cl oud s ab ove : wh en H e
s t ren g t h e n e d t h e fou n t a in s of t h e d ee p : w h en H e a v e t o
g
t h e s e a H i s d e cre e t h a t t h e wa t ers s h ould n ot p as s H i s
,

c omm an dm en t : wh en H e ap p oin ted th e fou n dat ion s of

th e e arth .
”
 CHAPTER V

TH E ORDI N AN C S OF TH E
E H EAV EN S
b een already p oi n t ed ou t th e astron omical
.

AS h as ,

re fere n c es i n Scrip t u re are n ot n um erou s a n d p rob ably giv e

,

b u t an in ad e qu at e id ea of th e a ctu al d egree of progre ss

a t t ai n ed by t h e H ebre w s i n a s t ron omic a ls ci en c e Ye t i t .

i s cl ear ev en from t h e rec ord wh ic h we h a ve t h a t t h ere

, ,

was on e grea t as t ron omic al fa c t w h ic h t h ey h ad ob served ,

an d t h a t i t h a d m a d e a d e e p imp re s s i on up on t h em .

Th at fa c t was t h e s ublim e O rd e r of th e h ea v e n ly m ov e
m en t s First a m on gst t h ese was t h e ord er of th e d a ily
.

progress of t h e s u n ris i n g i n t h e e ast an d m ovin g s l owly ,

maj es t ically a n d res is t less ly u pward t o th e m eridia n

, ,

the
“
mid st or bi s ec tion of h eaven of Josh x 1 3
” “
, . .
,

an d t h en p as s i n g d own ward s a s s m oot h ly an d u n fa l teri n gly

t o h i s se t ti n g i n t h e w es t .

Th is m otion of t h e su n i n s pires t h e s imil e em p l oyed by

th e P s almi s t i n t h e a s tron omical p salm t h e n i n e teen t h
, .

H e s in gs

Th e h ea ve
n s d eclare th e gl ory of God .

I n th e m h ath H e s et a tab ern acl e for th e su n ,

W hi ch i s as a b ri d egroom c omi n g ou t of h i s chamb er,
j
An d re oi ceth as a s tro n g man to ru n h i s cou rse .

55
56 TH E ASTR ONO MY OF THE BI BL E

H i s goi n g forth i s fro m th e en d of th e h ea v en ,

An d hi s ci rcu i t n to th e en d s of i tu
An d th ere i s n ot h i n h id from th e h eat th ereof
g .

Th e n igh t re O rd er i n i ts way m ore

v e al e d a n ot h er ,

m aj estic still As th e t wiligh t fad ed awa y t h e brig ht an d

.

s il e n t wa t c h e rs o f t h e h ea v en s mu s t ere d ea ch i n hi s pl a c e .

An d ea ch lik e th e su n durin g t h e d ay was m ovin g s l owly

, , , ,

maj estic ally resis tl es sly, wi th out h a st e wi t h out res t

, ,
.
”

E a ch h ad i t s a pp oi n t e d pl a c e i t s a pp oi n t e d p at h , Som e .

m ove d i n s m all circl es i n th e n orth ; s om e ros e i n t h e

'

eas t an d s w ep t i n l on g cu rv e s ov er t oward s t h e ir s et t i n
, g
in th e w est s om e s c arc ely li ft e d t h em s elv es a b ove t h e
,

s ou t h ern h ori zon B u t each on e k ep t i t s o wn pl a c e N on e

. .
.

j os tle d a n ot h er or h u rri e d i n adva n ce or lagged beh in d

, ,
.

I t i s n o w on d er t h at a s t h e mul t i tud e of t h e st ars was

ob serv e d a n d t h e u n b rok en ord er of t h e ir oi n t h t t h
, g g a e ,

s imi l e s u es t e d i t s el f o f an army on t h e m arch t h

gg e

h os t of h ea v e n An d t h e s igh t of t h e u n brok en ord er Of

”
.

t h e s e b ri gh t c e l e s ti a l orb s s u gges t e d a c omp ari son wit h

t h e u n s ee n army o f e x a l t ed b ein gs t h e a n ge l s ; t h e a rmy ,

o r h os t o f h e a v en i n a n ot h er s en se m ars h a ll ed lik e t he , ,

s ta rs i n p e rfe c t ob e d i e n c e t o t h e Divi n e will

, So in t h e .

visi on of Micai a h t h e son of Iml a h th e h os t of h eaven

, ,

are t h e t h ou san d s of a tt en d a n t s piri ts w ai t in g aro u n d t h e

t hron e Of God t o fulfil H i s biddi n g .

I s aw th e Lord s it t in g on H is t h ron e an d allth e , h os t

of h e a v en s t a n din
g by h i m o n H i s ri h t h an d an d on
g H is
”
l eft .

m ore fre qu en tly i t is th e

Bu t s tarr y ,
n ot th e an g e lic ,

army t o wh ich referen ce i s m a d e .

58 TH E ASTR ONOMY OF TH E B I BLE

B u t t he l
i l army con t in u ally su gges ts the
on e ce es t a

oth er an d th e t wo are pl a c ed i n t h e cl os e s t parall el

, ism
wh en referen ce is m ad e t o t h e t ime wh e n t h e foun d at ion s
of t h e eart h w ere fast en ed an d th e c om er s t on e t h ereof
,
-

was laid ,

Wh en th e morn i n g stars g togeth er,

san

An d allth e son s of God sh ou ted for j oy .

8 0 wh en D eborah s in gs of th e d eliveran ce wh ich th e Lord

gave t o I srae l at t h e batt l e of t h e Kishon s h e pu ts the ,

s ta rs for t h e an e lic l egion s t h a t sh e feel s assu re d w ere

g
en gaged i n w arrin g i n t h ei r s upp ort .

Th ey fough t from h ea en v
Th e stars i n th ei r courses fough t agai n st Si serat

Th e c ou rses of th e s tars are t h e p ath s w h ich they

“

a pp ear t o fo ll ow as t h ey m ov e rou n d t he p ol e of t he

h eav en s a s th e n igh t proce ed s wh i l st th e s t ars th em selv e s

‘

s t a n d for t h e h ea v en ly h e l p ers wh o u n seen h ad mi n gl ed

, ,

i n t h e b at tl e an d di s c om forted th e s qu ad ron s of Si sera s

’

war c h ari ots

-
.

Th e cours es of th e stars may well h ave b een th e

“

m ean s of re vealin g a great fa c t t o th e H eb rews wh ich ,

th ey h ad c ert ain ly re al i z ed earli er th an an y oth er n ati on ,

n am e ly t h e p os it i on of t h e e ar t h u n s upp ort e d i n s pa c e
, , .

Nigh t by n igh t as t h ey w at ch ed t h e s tars 1n t h eir

.
,

proc ess ion across th e h eav en s t h ey could n ot fail to n ote

,

t h at st ars rose from e v ery p oin t of t h e h oriz on i n t h e

eas t ; t h a t s ta rs s et a t e v e ry p oi n t —of th e h ori z on i n t h e

west From t h e n orth righ t rou n d to th e sou th t here

. ,

was n o p l ac e w h ic h was n ot t h e n s m p oi n t or s et t in
g g
oi n t of s ome star Th erefore ju s t as there was n o part
p . ,
 TH E O R DINAN CE S OF TH E H EA V E N S 59

of t h e h e a v en s b ove wh ich was n ot th e tra ck or course

a

of s om e s t ar th rou h ou t t h e n ig h t i t was e v id en t t h at
g ,

t h ere wa s n o p art Of t h e u n s e en u n d erworld w h ich was

n ot t h e t ra ck of s om e s t a r w h en b elow th e h oriz on .

Th ere was n o pl a c e an ywh ere b el ow t h e earth w h ere a

s upp ort c ould h old i t up e v en supp os in g th e H ebre ws
,

h a d n ot h a d t h e dis cri mi n a ti on t o in qui re wh at t h e

s upp ort s t ood up on N or was t h e mys t ery of t h e earth s
’
.

s u s p en s i on on e t h a t t roubl e d t h e m To t h e H ebrew s as
.
,

to Job t h e e xpla n a t i on wa s s u ffi ci en t
, ,

“
H e ( th e L ord ) stretch eth ou t th e n orth over empty space
” “

An d h an geth t h e earth u pon n oth i n g

the n ort h b ein g t h e great ci rcump ol ar c on st ell at i on s ,

t hat n e ver dip b el ow t h e h ori z on b u t m ov e rou n d t h e,

p ol e of th e h ea ve n s i n u n en din g circl es .

Th e sol e mn p roc ess i on of th e s t arry h ost t h rou gh th e l on g

i h t — t h e ri si n g i n t h e e as t th e s ou th i n g a n d t h e s ett in
g
n
g , ,

—
in t h e es t i s n ot t h e on ly ord ered m ov e m en t of t h e s tars
w
of h e av en t h at may b e re c ogn iz ed As n igh t by n igh t
.

bri gh ten s t o i t s d awn i f we watch th e east ern h ori z on

,

an d n ot e w h at s t ars are t h e l a s t to ris e ab ov e i t b e fore

t h e growin g d ayligh t overp ow ers th e fe ebl e s t ell ar rays ,

th en we se e t h at s om e brigh t s tar i n vi s ibl e on t h e pre,

cedin g m orn in gs sh in es ou t for a few m om en ts low d own

,

i n t h e gl imm er of t h e d awn AS m orn i n g s ucc eed s

.

m orn i n g i t ri ses earli er u n ti l at la st i t m ou n t s wh en i t i s

,

e t d ark an d s om e ot h e r s t ar t ak es i t s pl ac e a s t h e h era ld
y ,

of t h e ri s in g s u n .We re c ogn iz e t o d ay t his h eli aca l -

“

ri s i n g o f t h e s t a rs Th ou gh w e d o n ot m ak e u se of i t
”
.

i n ou r sys t em of t i me me as u ri n g i t pl aye d an imp ort an t

.
,

p art in th e calen dar mak i n g of the an ci en ts Such h eralds .

60 TH E . A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
of th e ii g
r s n su n were calle d m orn in g st ars by th e
H ebre ws an d th ey u s ed t h em for s eason s an d for
,
”
years . On e s t ar or c on st ell at i on of stars w ould h erald
by its h eliacal ris in g th e b egin n in g of sprin g an oth er ,

t h e c omin g of win t er ; t h e t im e t o pl ou gh t h e t im e t o ,

s ow t h e t im e of t h e rai n s w ou l
,
d all b e in dicated by th e
,

s ucc essiv e m orn in g s tars as t h ey ap p eared An d after

“ ”
.

an i n t erva l of t hree h u n d red an d s ix ty fi ve or th re e h u n -

d re d an d sixty Si x days th e sam e star wou ld again sh ow

-

itse l f as a m orn in g star for a s ec on d tim e m arkin g ou t ,

th e y ea r wh il st t h e oth er m orn in g s tars w ould fol l ow ea ch

, ,

“
i n i t s d u e sea son So we read i n Job that God l
. ed forth ,

th e M azz aroth i n th eir seas on

”
.

Th i s w on d erfu l proc ess i on of th e mid n igh t sk y i s n ot

kn own an d admired by th ose wh o live i n wall ed cities an d
ceil ed h ou ses as i t i s by th ose wh o live i n th e open i n th e
, ,

wi ld ern ess I t i s n ot t h erefore to b e w on d ered at th at

.
,

we fi n d prai se of t h es e w ork s of th e L ord s ou gh t

“

ou t of al l t h em t h at h av e pl ea su re t h erein m ost ly ,

a m on gst t h e s h eph erd s t h e h erd sm en t h e w a n d erers in

, ,

t h e op en — i n th e w ord s an d proph ecies of Job of Ja c ob , ,

M os es David an d Am os
, .

Th e th ough t th at ea ch n ew day b egin n in g w ith a n ew ,

ou t bu rs t of ligh t wa s i n i ts d egre e a kin d of n ew c reat i on

, , , ,

an embl e m of t h e origin a l act by wh ich t h e w orld wa s

brough t in to bein g ren d ers approp riat e an d b eau ti ful

,

t h e a s c rip t ion of t h e t erm m orn in g stars to th ose s on s ”

”
of God t h e an gels
, As th e stars i n th e east ern sky are
.

poetically th ough t of as sin gin g toget h er t o h erald th e ”

creat ion of each n ew day s o in th e vers es al ready qu oted

,

from t he Book of Joh th e an gel s of God are repres en ted as

, _
 TH E O R D I NAN CE S OF TH E H E AV E NS 61

sh o u tin g for j oy wh en th e foun d at ion s of th e earth were

Th e m orn in g i stan ds as t h e typ e an d

s t ar aga n

e arn est of t h at n ew creat i on wh ich God h a s p romi s e d t o

H is s ervan ts Th e epist l e to Th yat ira con clud es wi th t h e

.

promise H e t h at overc om et h an d k e ep eth my w ork s ,

u n t o t he en d I will gi ve h i m th e morn in g st ar
,
.

Th e b righ t es t of th ese h erald s of th e su n is t h e pl an et

Ven u s an d s uch a m orn in g st ar for p ower gl ory an d
,
“
,
”
, ,

m agn ificen ce t h e kin g of B abyl on h ad on ce b een ; lik e

,

on e of t h e an e l s of God a dd re ss e d in sai ah s
’

g B u t as I .

proph ecy h e h as been brough t d own t o Sh eol :

,

H ow art from h ea v en , 0 Luci fer, son of

t h ou fa ll en
th e m orn i n g ! For t h ou h ast sai d i n t h in e h eart I ,

will as cen d i n to h ea v en , I will ex alt my t h ron e above t h e

s t ars of God I will a scen d ab ove t h e h eigh t s of th e
cl oud s ; I will b e lik e th e m ost High ”
.

B u t th e m orn in g star i s ta k en as a h igh er typ e even

“
,

of ou r L ord Him s e l f an d of H i s fu t u re c om i n g ln gl ory

, .

St P eter bid s th e dis cipl es t o w h om h e w rit es t ak e h e ed

.
, ,

u n t o t h e w ord of proph e cy as u n t o a l a mp s h i n ln g i n a
dark place u n til th e d ay d awn an d t h e Day s tar arise in ,

your h eart s I n alm os t th e l a st w ord s of t h e Bibl e t h e

”
.
,

Lord u ses th e sa me image Him s el f

“
I Jesu s h av e sen t Min e an gel t o te sti fy u n to
, , y ou

t h ese t h i n gs i n t h e C h u rch es I am th e root an d . th e

offsprin g of D avid t h e b righ t an d m orn i n g s tar
, .

I n th e ublim e an d ord e red m ov em en ts of th e vari ou s

s

h eav en l
y b od i es th e H ebrews rec ogn i z ed th e ordin an ces
,

of God The pomt of view always t ak en in Scripture is

.
 "

62 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IB L E

t h e t h en -
cen tric on e ; t h e u gh t t o b e brough t
re at i on
l so

ou t i s n o t t h e re f h n —
l ation o t i g to t h in g wh ich i s t h e
obj e c t iv e of p h ys ic al sci en c e—b u t t h e re l at i on of creat u re

t o C reat or We h a ve n o mean s of kn owi n g w h eth er th ey

m
.

m ad e attem pt t o fi n d an y ech an ical exp l an ation of th e

mov em en t s ; s uch in quiry would lie en t irely ou tsid e th e
s c op e of t h e b ook s of H oly Sc rip tu re an d oth er an ci en t ,

H ebrew lit era tu re h as n ot b een tran smitt ed to u s .

Th e l ess on wh ich th e Psa lmi s ts an d th e Prop h ets d es ired

t o t each was n ot th e d a ily rot a t i on of th e e arth up on i t s
a xis n or i t s y early re v ol u t i on rou n d t h e s un b u t t h at
, ,

I f t h ose ordin an c es d ep art from b e fore Me sai t h t h e ,

L ord , t h en t h e s eed of I sra el also Sh all cease from b e in g a

n a t i on b e fore Me for e v er
”
.

I n th e Bibl e all in termediat e step s are omitted , an d

th e res ul t i s lin k e d imm ediat ely t o t h e firs t C a u se . God
Himsel f is th e th em e an d tru s t i n Him th e l ess on
, .

Li ft up y our eyes on h igh an d see Wh o h ath creat ed ,

th e s e Th a t brin ge t h ou t t h ei r h os t by n umber : H e c a ll et h
,

t h e m al lby n am e ; by t h e great n ess of H i s migh t an d for ,

t h at H e i s st ron g i n p ow er n ot on e i s la ck i n g
, .

Wh y sayes t t h ou 0 Jac ob an d s p eak est O I srael My

“
, , , ,

way i s h i d from t h e L ord an d my jud gm en t i s p as sed

’

a way from my God Has t t h ou n ot kn own ? h a st t h ou

.

n ot h eard ? t h e e verl a s tin g God t h e L ord t h e Crea tor o f, ,

t h e en ds of t h e e art h fain t et h n ot n e ith er i s w eary ; t h e re

, ,

i s n o s earc h in g of H i s u n d ers t an di n g H e gi vet h p ower .

t o th e fa i n t ; an d t o h i m t h a t h at h n o migh t H e i n crea s e t h
s tren gt h E v en t h e y ou th s sh all fa i n t an d b e w ea ry an d
.
,

t h e you n g men sh a ll u tt erly fa ll : b u t t h ey t h at wa it up on

t h e Lord s h a ll ren ew t h eir s tren gt h ; th ey s h al l m ou n t u p ,

wit h w in gs a s e agles ; t h ey s h all ru n an d n ot be w eary ; ,

.

th ey Sh al l walk , an d n ot fain t
”
.
 CHAP TER VI
TH E SUN

AND God said L et

, t h ere b e ligh ts i n th e fi rmamen t
of t h e h eav en to di vid e t h e d ay from t h e n igh t ; an d l
et

th e m b e for si gn s , a n d for sea son s , an d fo r d ay s , a n d y ea rs

an d le t t h e m b e for li h t s i n t h e fi rma men t of t h e h ea v en ,
g
t o give ligh t upon t h e ea rt h : an d i t was s o . An d God
ma d e t wo great ligh t s ; th e grea ter ligh t t o rul e t h e d ay ,
a n d t h e l e ss er l i h t t o rul e t h e n i h t : H e m ad e t h e
g g
l
s t ars a so. An d God s e t t h em i n t h e fi rma men t of t h e
h ea ve n t o giv e l i gh t up on t h e e arth an d t o rul e ov er
,

t h e d a y an d ov er t h e n ig h t an d t o d i vid e t h e ligh t from

,

t h e d ark n ess : an d God s a w t h at i t was g ood An d t he

.

”
e v en i n an d th e m orn i n g w e re t h e fou rt h d ay
g .

A d oubl e p u rp ose for th e two great h eaven ly b odi es

is i n dic ate d h ere — fi rst t h e obvi ou s on e of g ivi n g
, ,

ligh t ; n ext t hat of time m easu rem en t Th ese from t h e

,
-
.
,

h um an an d prac tica l p oin t of vi ew are th e t wo m a in

,

servic es wh ic h t h e su n an d m oon re n d er t o u s an d ,

n a tu ra lly s u ffic ed for t h e o bj e ct t h a t th e wri ter h ad

be fore hi m There i s n o e vid en c e t h at h e h ad an y id ea

.

t h at t h e m oon s imply s h on e by re fl e c tin g t h e ligh t of

t h e s u n ; st ill l ess t h at t h e s u n was a l i gh t for w orld s

oth e r t h an ou r own ; b u t i f h e h ad k n ow n t h es e fac ts

we can h ardly su pp ose t h a t h e w ou l d h av e men t i on ed
63
64 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI BLE

th em ; th ere w oul
d h av e b een no pu rp ose to b e v d
s er e

by so d oi n g .

B u t it is m arkabl e th at n o referen ce i s mad e eith er

re

t o th e in c a lcul abl e b en e fit s c on ferre d by th e ac t ion of t h e

su n i n rip en in g t h e fruit s of th e e art h or t o t h e s ervic e s ,

of t h e m oon as a t im e m ea s u rer ln dividin g off t h e

-

m on th s B oth t h ese a ction s are cl early i n dicat ed l at er

.

on i n t h e Script u res wh ere M os es i n t h e bl essin g w h ich

, ,

h e pron ou n c ed up on t h e trib e of J osep h p ray e d t h at h i s ,

lan d migh t b e bl ess ed for th e preciou s t hi n gs of th e “

fruit s of t h e su n so t h at we may t a k e t h eir OI D I SSl

”
, OD

h ere t oget h er wit h t h e omiss i on of al

,
l m e n ti on of t h e ‘

plan ets an d th e s ligh t p aren th et ical referen c e to t h e

,

s t ars as i n dic a t in t h at t h i s c h a p t er was c om p osed at

, g
an e xc e e di n gly early d at e .

Th e ch ie f pu rp ose of th e s u n i s to gi ve ligh t ; i t rul es “

or regul at es t h e d ay an d d i vid es t h e ligh t from t h e

“

As such i t i s t h e appropri at e embl em of

”
d ark n ess .

Go d Hims el f Wh o ,
i s Ligh t an d i n Him i s n o
“
,

d arkn ess a t all Th ese ima ges are fre qu en t ly repeate d

.

i n t h e Sc ript u re s a n d i t i s on ly p os s i b l e t o giv e a few

,

i n sta n c es D a vid s i n gs Th e L ord i s my ligh t an d my

.
,
“

s a lv a t i on . Th e Lord sh all b e u n t o t h e e an e v erl ast i n g

ligh t i s t h e p rom i s e m ad e t o Z i on St J oh n exp ress ly
,
”
. .

u ses t h e t erm of th e Son of God ou r Lord : Th a t was ,

“

th e t ru e Li gh t wh ich ligh t eth e v ery man t h a t c om et h

in t o th e world W h il st t h e m ore con cret e embl em i s
.
”

u sed as often I n th e eigh ty fou rth ps alm t h e p s alm of

.
-

pilgrim age we read Th e Lord God i s a su n an d sh i eld

, ,

Malachi pred icts that th e Su n of Righ te ou sn ess s hal l “

66 Ti mASTRONOMY of THE
"

mm
an d ga i n Two of t h e re formin g kin gs of Ju dah Asa
a . ,

a n d J os i a h fou n d i t n e c essa ry to tak e away th e su n

,

images in d eed th e latter kin g fou n d that the horses

,

an d ch a ri ot s wh ich h i s p re d e c ess ors M an as seh an d Am on , ,

h ad d e dicated t o su n w orsh ip w ere k ep t at th e very

'

en tran c e t o t h e t empl e I n s pit e of h is re form at i on

.
,

h owe v er t h e e vil spread un t il t h e fi n a l c orrupt i on of

,

Jeru sa l em was sh own i n V lSlOI l to Ez eki el ; Seven ty

men of th e an cien ts —th a t i s t h e c ompl ete San h ed rim ,

ofi ered in c en se t o c ree pin g t h in gs a n d a b omi n abl e b easts ;

‘

t h e w om en w ep t for Ta mmu z p rob a bly t h e s u n god i n ,

-

his d e clin e t o win t er d eat h ; an d d ee p es t a pos tas y of al l , ,

fi ve an d t w en ty men t h e h igh pri est an d th e c h i e f priests

,
-

of t h e t w en ty fou r c ou rs es -
with th eir ba cks t oward th e ,

t e mpl e of t h e L ord an d th eir fa c es t ow ard t h e eas t ; an d

,

t h ey worsh ip p ed t h e su n t owa rd th e e as t Th e en tire .

n at i on as repre sen t e d i n
, i ts c h i ef m emb ers i n State ,

Soci ety an d C h u rc h was a posta te an d i ts ruin foll ow ed

, , , .

Five years more an d th e t empl e was bu rn ed an d Jeru salem

d estroyed an d in c aptivity an d exil e th e n at i on l earn ed to
,

abh or t h e id ol a t ry t h at h a d brou h t a bou t i t s overt h row

g .

”
Fou r words a re tra n slate d su n in ou r Au t hori zed “

Version Of th ese on e u sed Job xxxi 26 s h ou ld really

.
, .
,

b e ligh t
“
as i n t h e m a rgi n
, I f I b eh eld th e light ,

wh en it sh in e d — though t h e s u n is obviou sly m ean t

”
, .

Th e sec on d w ord i s on e u s ed i n poetry c h i efly in con ;

jun ct i on with a p oetical word for th e moon an d refers to ,

t h e s u n s w arm t h a s t h e oth er d oes t o th e w h it en ess of

’
,

t h e m oon Th u s th e B rid e i n t h e Son g of Sol om on i s

.

d es crib ed as fair as t h e m oon cl ear as th e su n

“
Th e , .
”
 TH E SUN 67

t h ird word h as given ri s e t o some ambiguity I n th e .

e i gh t h ch a p t er of Judg e s i n t h e Au t h oriz ed V ers i on i t i s

, ,

s t a t e d th a t Gid eon t h e s on of J cash ret u rn ed from t h e

, ,

bat t le b efore th e s u n was up b u t i n t h e Revis ed V ersion ,

”

re tu rn e d from t h e b at t l e from t h e a s c en t of
“
t h at h e

H eres Th ere wa s a m ou n t Heres a m ou n t of th e su n

”
.
, ,

i n t h e p orti on of t h e D an it es h e ld by t h e Am orit es b u t ,

t h a t c an n ot h a v e b e e n t h e H e res of Gid eon Still t h e .

prob ability i s th at a m ou n t s acred t o th e su n i s m ean t

h ere a s w e ll as i n t h e re fere n c e t o t h e D an i t es ; t h ough
h ares as m e an i n g t h e su n i t sel f occu rs i n t h e s t ory of
Sams on s riddl e for t h e me n of t h e ci ty ga ve h i m t h e
’
,

a n sw er t o i t w h ic h th ey h ad e x tort e d from h is wife ,

b efore th e s u n (It ems) w en t d own Sh emesh th e Sa ma s

”
.
,

of t h e B abyl on i an s i s t h e u su al w ord for t h e su n ; an d w e

,

fi n d i t in B e t h s h em esh t h e h ou s e of t h e su n a L ev i tic a l
”
-

, ,

city wi th i n t h e trib e of Jud ah t h e sc en e of t h e ret urn ,

of t h e ark a ft er i t s c a p t i v i ty a m on gs t t h e P h ilis ti n e s .

Th ere wa s an o th er B e th s h e m esh i n N aph tal i on t h e

-

b ord ers of Issa ch ar a n d J eremi ah prop h e si es th a t N ebu

,

“
eh a d n ezz ar sh all b re ak a l s o t h e im a es of B e t h s h em es h
g
-

t h at is i n th e l an d o f E gyp t p rob ably t h e ob elisk s of ”

,

t h e s u n i n On or H e li op oli s , I t wa s from t h i s ci ty t h at .

J os ep h wh en viz ie r of E gyp t t ook h i s wife t h e d au gh t er

, , ,

of t h e h igh p ri es t t h ere Th e i m ag e s of t h e su n a n d of
.
,

B aal as th e s u n god s e em t o h ave b een ob eli sk s or pill ars

-

of s ton e a n d h en ce h ad t o b e brok en d own ; w h il s t “ ”

,

th e A sh erah t h e groves of t h e Au t h ori z ed V e rs i on

“
, th e ,

im ages of A sh t oreth as t h e m oon godd ess were wood en -

pillars t o b e cu t or h e wn d own
,
“ ” “
.
68 THE A STR ON O MY OF TH E B I BLE

An oth er city of t he s u n i n th e lan d of E gypt i s al so

m en ti on ed by Isa iah in h is proph e cy of th e con vers ion
,

an d re s tora t i on o f t h e Egyp t ian s Five cit ies i n th e .

l an d of Egyp t sh all s peak th e l an gu age of Can aan an d ,

s w ear t o th e Lord of h os t s ; on e s h a ll b e c all ed Th e cit y

of d es truc t ion li t of Heres or of t h e s u n

. I t was u pon
, .

t h e s t ren g th of t h is t ext t h at O n ia s t h e s on of O n i a s t h e ,

h igh p ri es t a p p ea l ed t o P t ol e my Ph i l
, omet er t o b e

a ll ow ed t o build a t empl e t o Jeh ova h i n t h e p re fe c t u re

of H e li op oli s ( th e ci ty of t h e s u n n d ob ta in e d h i s
) a ,

p erm i ssi on t o d o so B C , . .

Th e e pi t h e t a pplie d t o t h e s u n i n Can t vi a l ready . .

qu o ted Cl ear a s th e s u n may b e ta ken a s e quiva l en t

,
“
,
“

’
to s p ot l es s . Th a t i s i t s ordin ary a pp earan c e t o t h e
n ake d e e
y , t h ou h
g from t im e t o t im e — fa r m or e fre

u e n tl y t h an m os t p ers on s h a v e an id a — t h ere are s p ot s

q y e

up on th e s u n s u ffi ci en tly l arge t o b e s een wi th out an y

op t ic a l ass i s tan c e Th u s i n t h e t wen ty y e ars from 1 8 8 2
.

t o 1 9 0 1 i n clu s ive s uch a ph en om en on occu rred on t h e

,

a v erage on c e i n ea c h w ee k N 0 re feren c e t o t h e exi st en c e

.

of s u n sp ot s occu rs i n Sc rip t u re
-
N or i s t h is s urpris in g
.
,

for i t w ould n ot h a v e fall en wi t h in t h e p u rpos e of Scrip

t u re t o re c ord s u ch a fa c t B u t i t i s su rpri sin g t h at wh ils t
.

t h e Ch i n e se d e t e c t e d t h eir occ as i on a l ap p eara n c e t h ere

'

is n o dist i n c t acc ou n t of s uc h an obs erva ti on given

e i t h er on B abyl on ian t abl ets or by cl a ss ic a l or m edi aeva l
writ ers .

Th e a ch i ev em e n t of t h e Ch in es e i n t h i s di rec t ion is
'

very n otabl e for t h e d i ffi cu lty of looki n g directly at th e

,

1 J osep h u s, A n ti qu i ti es, X I I I ii i 1. . .
 TH E SU N 69

su n , u n der ordin ary circums ta n c es i s so great an d th e , ,

ve ry l a rge s t s u n s p ot s a re s o s m a ll a s c omp ared wi th t h e

e n t ire di s c t h a t i t a rg u es grea t p ers e v e ra n c e i n w a t c h

,

i n g s uch app ea ra n c es on t h e p art o f t h e Ch in es e for t h e m ,

t o h a v e as sure d t h ems elv es t h a t t h ey w ere n ot d u e t o very

s m a ll di s t an t cl oud s i n ou r own a t m os p h ere .

I t h as oft en b e en t h e s ubj ect of c omm en t th at ligh t i s

m en ti on e d i n Gen i as h avin g b een creat ed on t h e
. .

fi rst d ay b u t t h e s u n n ot u n t il t h e fou rth Th e ord er i s

,
.

en tirely a ppro p ri a t e from an a s t ron om i c a l p oin t of vi e w ,

for we kn o w t h a t ou r s u n i s n ot t h e on ly s ou rc e o f li gh t ,

s i n c e i t i s b u t on e ou t o f milli on s of s tars m an y of wh ich ,

grea tly exc e ed i t i n sp len d ou r Fu rt h er m ost as tron om ers

.
,

c on sid er t h at ou r s ola r syst em exis t ed as a lumin ou s

n ebul a l on g a es b e fore t h e s u n wa s form e d as a c e n tra l
g
c on d en sati on .

B u t t h e tru e e x p l an ati on of t h e c re at i on of ligh t b ein g

u t fi rs t i s prob ably t h i s — t h a t t h ere mi h t b e n o im agi n
p g
i n g t h at t h ou gh gross solid b odie s lik e earth a n d s e a su n
, , ,

a n d m oon m i gh t require a Crea t or y et som eth in g so ,

e th erea l an d al -
lp erva din g as li gh t was s el f exi st en t an d -

by i ts own n at u re e tern al Th is was a truth th a t n e ed ed

, .

t o b e s tat e d fi rs t . God i s ligh t b u t ligh t i s n ot God

, .

Th e ot h er referen c e s t o t h e s u n i n Scrip t ure d o n ot

c all for much c omm en t I ts app aren t u n ch an geabl en ess
.

qualifi es i t for u s e a s an express ion for etern al duration ,

as i n th e s e v en ty s e c on d t h e Roya l Psalm They sha ll

-
“
, , ,

fear Th e e a s l on g as t h e su n an d m oon en du re ; an d

agai n ,
“
H i s n am e s h all en dure for e v er : H i s n am e sh a ll
b e c on t i n u e d as l on g as th e su n
”
An d again i n th e
.
,
70 TH E A STR ON OMY OF TH E B IBL E

e igh ty n in th P salm i t i s s aid of D avid : H i s seed sh al l

-

,
“

e n du re for ev er an d h i s t h ron e as t h e s u n b e fore Me

”
, .

Th e d a ily c ours e of th e s u n from b eyon d th e east ern

h ori z on t o b ey on d th e w e stern giv es th e wid est e xp res s i on
for th e c omp ass of th e wh ol e earth Th e migh ty God
.
“
,

e v en t h e L ord h ath s p ok en
, an d c a ll e d t h e earth from
, ,

th e ri si n g of t h e s u n u n t o t h e g oin g d own t h ere of

”
.

“
From th e ri sin g of th e su n u n t o th e goin g d own of t h e
,

s am e t h e L ord s n am e 1 8 t o b e p ra is
’ ”
ed Th e s u n s rays
’
.
,

p en etrat e e v erywh ere H i s goin g forth i s from t h e en d

.

o f t h e h ea v en ,
an d h i s circ u i t u n t o t h e e n ds of i t : an d

th ere i s n ot h i n g h i d from t h e h eat t h ere of Wh ilst i n ”

.

th e B ook of E ccl es ia s t es t h e m el an ch oly w ord s of t h e

,

Preach er rev ert over an d over a gain to th at wh ich i s d on e

u n d er th e su n . W h at profi t h a th a man of allh i s
”

l ab our wh ich h e t ak eth u n d er th e s u n ? ”

I t s h ould b e n ote d th at th i s s a m e B ook of E ccl e siast es

sh ow s a much cl e arer id ea of t h e s u n s d aily a pp aren t
’

moti on th an was h eld by m an y of t h e writ ers of a n tiqui ty .

Th ere i s of c ou rs e n owh ere in Scrip tu re an y m en t ion of th e

, ,

rot at i on of th e eart h on i t s a xis a s t h e m e c h an ic al e x pl a

n at ion of t h e s un s d a ily a ppa ren t m ot ion ; an y m ore t h a n

’

we sh ould re fer t o i t ou rs elv e s t o d ay exc ep t wh en wri ti n g

-

from a pu rely t e ch n ical p oin t of vi e w As s aid a lread y

.
,

t he H eb rews h a d prob ably n ot disc overe d t h i s e xpl an at ion ,

an d w ould c erta in ly h a v e n ot gon e ou t of t h eir way t o

m en tion i t i n an y of t h eir Script u res i f th ey h ad .

On e p as sage of great b eau ty h as s om et im e s b een qu ot e d

as i f i t c on t ai n e d a re feren c e t o t h e eart h s rot at i on b u t
’

when carefully examin ed i t is seen t o b e d ealin g s imply

 TH E SUN 71

th e a pparen t m otion of th e su n in t h e cou rse of

an d of t h e d ay .

“
H a t th ou ~
co mman d ed th e morn i n g s i n ce th y d ay s
An d cau sed the da y pri n g to k n w h i s place ;
s o

Th at i t mi gh t take h ol d of th e en ds of t h e earth ,

Th at th e wi c ed k mi gh t b e sh ak en ou t of it ?
I t i s t u rn ed as c ay l t o th e s ea l;
An d th ey stan d as a. gar men t .
”

Th e e art h a pp ears to b e
bein g t urn ed s p ok en of a s

to t h e su n th e d ay sprln g ; an d t h is we k n ow t ak e s pl a c e
'

, , , ,

m orn in g by m orn i n g i n con s e qu en c e of th e diu rn a l rota

,

ti on . B u t t h e las t t wo lin es are b et ter ren d ere d i n t h e

Revis ed Ve rs i on

“
I t is ch an
g ed as c ay l un d er th e sea l;
An d a l
l thi n gs stan d forth as a gar men t .
”

Th e cien t seals w ere cylin d ers roll ed over t he clay

an , ,

which form less b efore t ook u p on i t t h e d es ired relief as

, ,

t h e s eal p assed ov er i t So a g arm e n t l a id as id e a n d

.
,

fold ed up duri n g t h e n igh t i s s h ap el ess b u t on c e agai n , ,

t ak es form w h en t h e w ea rer pu t s i t on An d t h e eart h .

,

forml ess in th e d ark n es s gai n s sh ap e an d c ol ou r an d reli ef

,

w ith th e impress up on i t of th e morn in g light .

I t is qui t e cl ear t h at th e H ebrews did n ot s up p os e th at

i t was a n ew su n t h at c a m e u p from t h e east eac h
m orn in g a s did X en oph an es a n d t he Epic u rean s am on gst
,

th e G reek s I t was t h e sam e su n t h rou gh ou t

. N or is .

t h ere an y id ea of h i s h idin g h im se l f b eh in d a my steri ou s

m ou n tain durin g t h e n igh t Th e s u n t h e Prea c h er .
“
,
”

t el l ari s eth a n d t h e s u n oe t h d own

“
s us , g a n d h as t e th ,
 ‘

72 TH E A S TR ONOMY OF TH E B I BLE

t o h is pla ce wh ere he H ebrew was quite

aros e . Th e
a w are t h a t t h e e art h was u n s upp orte d in Sp ace for h e ,

kn e w t h at t h e Lo rd stret ch eth ou t th e n orth over th e

“

e mp ty pla ce a n d h an ge th t h e ea rt h up on n ot h in g
”
, There .

was t h erefore n oth in g t o h i n d er t h e s u n pas si n g freely

un d er th eeart h fro m west t o east a n d t hu s m akin g h is ,

path n ot a m ere m arch on ward en di n g in hi s dis solu tion

,

a t s u n set b u t a c ompl et e
,
circ u it as n ot ed by t h e wri ter ,
”

of t h e n i n e t e en th P s alm .

Th e fi ercen ess of t h e s u n s h eat i n Pal es t in e ren d ered

’

s u n st rok e a seri ou s d a n ger

-
Th e li ttl e son of t h e Sh u
.

n ammi t e was p rob ably s o s mi t t en a s h e wat c h ed h i s fa th er

at work wi th t h e rea p ers So t h e promi se is given t o

.

G od s peopl e m ore th an on ce : Th e su n sh all n ot s mi te

’ “

They s h all n ot h u n g er n or th irs t n ei th er

”
th e e by d ay .

sh a ll t h e h eat n or s u n s mi te t h em Th e m arty rs wh o
”
.

pass th rou gh th e great tribu l ati on s h all hu n ger n o m ore ,

n e it h er t h i rs t a n y m ore ; n e i th er sh a ll th e s u n ligh t on
”
t h em n or an y h eat
,
.

Th ere are fewer referen ces i n Scrip ture to th e vivi fyin g

e ffec ts of s u n ligh t up on v eget at i on t h an we migh t h a ve

exp e c t ed Th e e xpl an at ion i s p ossibly t o b e fou n d in th e

.

t erribl e p erv ersi on men h ad m a d e of t h e b en efi ts wh ich

cam e t o t h e m by m ean s of th i s act ion of s un ligh t by u sin g ,

th em a s an ex cu s e for plu n gin g in to al l kin d s of n atu re

wors h ip Yet th ere are on e or t wo allusi on s n ot withou t
.

i n terest As al rea dy m en tion ed t h e pre ciou s fruits b rou gh t

.
,

forth b y t h e s u n w ere promi sed to t h e t rib e of Jos eph i

” ‘

wh il s t th e great m od e rn dis covery th at n ea rly e very form

of t erres t ria l en ergy i s d eriv ed ul tim at ely from t h e en ergy
74
'
TH E A STRO N OM Y OF TH E B I B L E

t h a t we h av e l ea rn ed i n th e l ast years abou t t h at ch an geful

b ody t h e s u n are b ri efly t h es e
I t s c ore or i n n er n ucl eu s i s n ot a cc essibl e t o ob s ervation ,

i t s n at ure an d c on st i t u tio n b ein g a m ere m at ter of in feren ce .

Th e p h ot osp h ere i s a sh ell of i n c an d e s c en t cl oud s u r

“ ‘

rou n din g t h e n ucl eu s b u t t h e d e pt h or t h i ck n es s of t h is

, ,

s h ell i s qui t e u n k n own Th e ou t er s u rfa c e—wh ich we see

.

— of th e ph ot osph ere i s c ertain ly pret ty sh arply d efin ed ,

l
th ough v ery irregul ar ris in g at p oi n t s in to wh it er aggreg a
,
”
t ion s ca lle d fa c u l ae an d p erh a p s d ep ressed a t oth er pl a c es
, ,

in t h e d ark s p ots Imm edi at ely a bove th e ph otosph ere

”
.

”
lies th e reversin g lay er i n wh ich are foun d th e s u b
“

’
s ta n c es wh ich iv e ri se t o t h e ga p s i n t h e s un s s p e ct rum
g
— th e Fra u n h ofer lin es Above t h e rev ers i n g l ayer lies
.

t h e s carl et c h rom os ph ere wi th promin en c es of vari ou s

forms an d d i men s1on s r1s1n g h igh ab ove t h e sol ar su rfa c e ;
”
a n d ov er ,
an d e mb ra ci n
g al l i s t h,e c oron a wi th i t s ,

mysteriou s p etal like forms an d rod like rays

- -
.

Th e grea t b ody of th e su n i s gaseou s t h ou gh i t i s ,

imp ossibl e for u s to con ce i ve of th e c on dit i on of th e‘

as eou s c ore s ubj ec t ed as i t i s at on c e to t e mp era t u re a n d

g , , ,

pressu re b oth en ormou s ly great Prob ably i t is a gas so.

V i s c ou s t h a t i t w ould re s i s t m ot i on as pit c h or pu t ty d oe s .

N or d o we kn ow m u ch of t h e n at ure of e i t h e r th e su n .

s p ot s or t h e s ol ar c oron a B oth se em t o b e produc ed by

.

cau ses wh ich lie wi th in th e su n ; b oth un d ergo ch an ges

t h a t a re p eriodic a l an d c on n e c te d wi th e a ch ot h e r Th ey .

e x erci s e som e in flu e n c e up on t h e e art h s m agn e t i s m b u t

’

, ,

wh et h er t h is i n flu en c e exten d s t o terres tria l weath er to , _

rain fa l l a n d s torms i s s t ill a m at t er of c on t rov ersy

,
.
 TH E SUN 73
‘

The su n i tsel f i s
di stan t from th e eart h i n th e m ean ,

a b ou t mil es b u t t h is dis tan ce vari es b etween

,

Ja n u ary an d Ju n e by mil es Th e diam et er of

.

t h e su n i s mil es b u t p erh aps th is i s vari able t o

,

t h e e xt en t of s om e h u n d re d s of mil es I t would c on tain

.

t im es th e bulk of t h e e arth b u t i t s m ean d e n s ity

,

i s b u t on e qu art er t h at of th e e art h
-
Th e forc e of gravity
.

a t i ts s u rfa c e is 27% t im es th a t at t h e s u rfa c e of t h e eart h ,

an d i t rot at es on i t s a xi s i n a b ou t 25 d ay s B u t th e
.

s un s s u rfac e d oes n ot a pp ear t o rot at e a s a wh ol e so th is

’
,

t im e of rot at in g v ari es by a s much a s t wo d ays i f w e

’
c on sid er a regi on on th e s u n s e qu ator or a t a dis tan ce
from i t of Th e in t en si ty of s u n ligh t a t t h e su rfa c e
of t h e s u n i s a b ou t tim es t h at of a can dl e flame -

a n d th e effe c tiv e t emp era t u re of t h e s ol ar s u rfa c e i s e igh t

or t e n t h ou s a n d d e rees c en ti rad e
g g .

Such are som e of th e fact s a b ou t t h e su n th at are re

c ei v e d or as i t w ould b e t e c h n ic ally e xp res s ed ad op t e d
“ ”

, , ,

t o d ay
-
. D oubt l ess a v ery few y ears w ill fi n d t h em al te red
an d re n d e re d m ore a c cu ra t e a s ob s ervat i on s a ccumul a t e .

I n a fe w h u n d red y ears k n owl edge of th e c on s ti t u t ion of th e

su n ma h av e so i n creas ed t h a t t h e s e d a t a a n d s u gg es t i on s
y
may s ee m s o erro n eou s as t o b e ab su rd I t i s lit t le m ore .

t h a n a c en t u ry s in c e on e of t h e gre at es t of a s tron om ers ,

Si r William H ers ch e l c on te n d e d t h a t t h e c en tral g l ob e of

,

th e s u n migh t b e a h abit abl e w orld sh e l t ered from t h e

,

bl az in g p h ot os ph ere by a l ayer o f c ool n on lumin ou s -

cl oud s Such an hyp ot h es is was n ot i n comp atible with

.

wh at was th en kn own of th e con s ti tu tion of th e h eaven ly

b odi es th ough i t i s i n c omp atibl e wi th wh at we kn ow
,
76 TH E A S TR ONO MY OF TH E B I BLE

n ow . I t was s imp ly a m att er on wh ich m ore eviden ce

wa s t o b e a ccumul a t ed a n d t he h oldin g of such a vi ew
,

does n ot an d did n ot d et ra c t fro m t h e s ci en t ific s tat u s of

, ,

Si r Wi l liam H ersch el .

Th e h ypoth es es of s ci en c e require c on t in u al rest at em en t

i n th e ligh t of n ew e vid en c e an d a s t o t h e w eigh t a n d
, ,

i n t erpret at i on t o b e given t o such e vid en ce th ere i s con ,

t in u al con fli c t— i f i t may so b e ca ll e d — b e tw e en th e ol d
an d t h e n e w s ci en c e b et w een t h e s ci en cet h at i s establi sh ed
,

an d t h e s ci en c e t h at i s b e i n g es t abli s h e d I t i s by t h i s
.

con flict th at kn owl edge i s ren d ered su re .

Such a c on flic t t ook pl ac e rath er m ore t h an 3 00 y ears

a o at t h e op en i n
g g o f t h e M od ern Era of as t ron omy I t .

h as o ft en b een re p res en t e d as a c on fl i ct b et ween re li gi on

-

an d s ci en c e w h erea s i t was really a c on flic t b et ween t wo

,

s ch ool s of s cien c e —b et w een t h e di s cipl es of A ri s tot l e a n d

Cla udiu s P tolemy on th e on e h an d an d t h e d is ciples of

Cop ern icu s on t h e oth er— a n d t h e represe n tatives of the
old er s ch ool of s ci en c e w ere able t o m ak e u s e of t h e

p owers of t h e Ch u rc h a gai n s t th e n e w er s ch ool as repre

sen ted by G a lil e o . Th ei r a c ti on may or may n ot h a ve
, ,

b een an abu se of a uth ority b u t n e ith er th en n or n ow

, , ,

h ad ei th er s ci en tific t h eory P t ol em a ic or C op ern ica n a

, ,

righ t t o cl a im a t h eol o ic a l s t an di n g
g .

So l on g as e vid en c e s u ffi cie n t t o d e m on s trat e th e Co “

rn i can h yp ot h es is wa s n ot fort h c omi n g i t was p oss ibl e

p e ,

for a man t o h old t h e P t ol e m a ic wit h o ut d e tra ctin g fro m

”

hi s s cien t ific p os i ti on ju s t a s 1t i s t h o u gh t n o dis credit t o

,

Sir William Hers ch e l t h at h e h eld h i s cu ri ou s i d ea of a

cool su n u n d er t h e con dit ion s of kn owledge of a h un dred
 TH E SUN 77

y ears ago Even at th e p resen t day we h abi tu ally u s e

.
,

t h e P tol e m a ic ph ras eol ogy N o t on ly d o we s p ea k of

.

s u n rise an d s u n set b u t a s tron om e rs i n s tric tly

“ ” “ ”
.

t e c hn ic a l p ap ers u se t h e e xp res s i on a cc e l e ra ti on of t h e ,

s u n s m oti on
’
wh en a ccel e rati on of t h e eart h s m oti on ’

i s m ean t .

Th e qu es t ion a s t o wh eth er th e e arth g oes rou n d t h e

s u n or t h e su n g oe s rou n d t h e eart h h as b e en d ecid e d by

t h e a ccumula t ion of e vid e n c e I t was a qu es t i on for .

e vid e n c e t o d e cid e I t was an op en qu est i on so l on g as th e

.

e vid e n c e a v a il abl e was n ot s u ffici e n t t o d e cid e i t I t was .

p erfe c tly p ossibl e a t on e t im e for a s ci en t i fi c or a religiou s

man t o h old e it h er vi e w N ei t h er vi e w i n t erfere d with .

h is fu n d am en t a l s tan din g or wi t h hi s m en ta l att it ud e

t oward s ei t h er s u n or e arth I n t h is res p e c t—imp ort a n t
.

as t h e qu e s ti on i s i n i t s e l f— i t migh t b e said t o b e a m ere

d e tail alm os t a m att er of i n di ffere n c e
, .

B u t i t i s n ot a m ere d e tai l a m a t t e r of i n di fferen c e to ,

ei t h er s ci e n t i s t or reli g i ou s man a s t o w h at t h e s u n an d ,

ea rth a re—w h e th e r h e can t rea t t h e m as t h in s t h a t can

g
b e w eigh ed m eas u red c ompa red a n a lyz e d as a few p age s
, , , , ,

back we h a ve s h own h a s b een d on e or w h e th er as on e

, , ,

of t h e c h i e f as t rol ogers of t o d ay pu t s i t h e -

B eliev es that t h e su n i s th e b ody of th e Logos of this

S l ar sy s t e m
o i n Him we liv e a n d m ov e an d h a v e o u r
,
‘

b e in g Th e pla n et s are h i s an gel s b ei n g m odific at i on s i n

’
.
,

t h e c o n s ci ou sn es s of t h e L ogos
”
,

an d t h at th e su n

“
Stan ds as v
Po wer, h a i n g Lo ve an d Wi ll u n i ted .
”
28 TH E A STR O N O MY OF THE BI BLE
'

Th e d i fleren ce t h es e t w o
view is
’

between p oin t s of

fun d am en t al an d on e of root prin cipl e

, Th e foun d at i on .
,

th e c omm on fou n d at i on on wh ic h b ot h t h e be lie ver an d

th e s ci en t ist build i s t h reat en e d by t h i s fal s e s cien ce an d
,

fa l sere ligion Th e c a lli n g th e v ery e xi s ten c e of b oth i s

.
,

ass a il ed , a n d t h ey mu s t s t an d or fa ll t oge th er The .

b e lie ver i n on e God can n ot a ck n owl edge a Su n god a -

Sol ar L ogos th es e pl an etary an ge l s ; t h e a st ron om er

,

can n ot a dmit t he in t rus ion of plan etary in flu en ces th at

ob ey n o k n own l aw s an d t h e s u p p os e d effec ts of wh ic h are
,

i n n o way p rop ort ion a l t o t h e supp os ed c a u s es Th e L aw .

of Ca u s ali ty d oes n ot ru n w it h i n t h e b ord ers of a s trol ogy .

It is th e old an t ith esi s res t at ed of th e Heb rew an d th e

‘

h e at hen . Th e b el i e ver i n on e God an d t h e s ci en tis t a lik e

d erive th eir h eritage from th e H ebrew wh ilst th e m od ern ,

as trol o er cl aim s t h a t t h e ast rol ogy of t o d ay i s on c e m ore

g
-

a re v e l a t i on of t h e C h a ld ean a n d A s sy ria n religi on s Bu t .

p olyt h ei s m wh et h er i n i t s gross form of m an y god s of ,

pla n etary an gels or i n th e m ore subtl e form of p an th eism

, , ,

-
i s t h e v ery n egati on of s an e religion ; a n d as trol ogy i s
t h e n egat ion of s an e a s tron omy .

For th e in vis ibl e t h in gs of Him from t h e creation of

th e world a re cl early s e en be in g u n d ers tood by t h e t h i n gs
,

t h a t are m ad e e v en H i s et ern al p ow er a n d G od h ead ; s o

,

t h a t t h ey are wi t h ou t e xc u s e : b ec a u s e t h a t w h en t h ey ,

kn ew God t h ey gl orifi e d H i m n ot a s God n e i th er were

, ,

t h an k ful ; b u t be c a m e va in i n t h e ir im a gin a t i on s a n d ,

t h e ir foo li s h h e ar t w a s d a rk e n e d P ro fe ss i n
g t
. h e ms e l ves

t o b e wi s e t h e y b e ca m e fools a n d c han ge d t h e gl ory of

, ,

t h e u n corrup t i bl e God i n t o a n i mage m a d e lik e t o cor .

ru p ti b le ma n an d t o b rd s an d fou rfoot e d b eas ts an d

, i , ,

cre ep i n g t h in gs
”
.
 CHAP TE R VI I

TH E MOON

“
Th e b al my moon b l essed I srael
of

Fl ood s all t h e d eep b l u e gl oom wi th b eams d i in e

-
v
l n i gh t th e s pl in t ered c rags th at wal
Al l th e d ell
Wi th spi res of s il er sh i n e ”
v .

SO, i n Ten n ys on
’
s w ords san g J eph th ah s d augh ter
,
’

as sh e c ll ed th e
re a d ays of h er m ou rn in g b e fore s h e
a cc ompli sh ed h e r s el f sacri fi c e -
.

I t i s h ard for mod ern dw e ll e rs i n t own s t o rea li ze t h e

imm en se imp orta n c e of t h e m oon t o t h e p eopl e of old .

Th e n igh t com eth wh en n o man can w ork fi tl y d es c rib es

t h e ir c on dit i on wh en s h e wa s abs en t I n s u b t ropic a l .

-

c ou n tri es like Pa l estin e t wil igh t i s sh ort an d th e s u n

‘

, , ,

o n c e s et d eep d arkn ess soon c overs e v eryth in g Suc h

, .

a rti fi ci a l l i h t s a s men t h e n h ad w ou ld n ow b e d e em ed
g
very in effi ci en t Th ere was l ittl e opp ortu n ity w h en on ce
.
,

d ark n ess h a d fallen for ei t h er work or en j oyme n t

,
.

B u t wh en t h e m oon wa s up h ow v ery di fferen t wa s

, ,

th e ca s e . Th e n men migh t s ay

Th i s n i gh t, meth i n k s, i s b u t th e l
d ay i gh t k;
si c

It l ooks a l i ttl e p l
a er :
’
ti s a da y ,

Su ch as th e d ay i s w h e n th e su n i s h id .

79
80 THE ASTRO N OM Y OF TH E BI BLE

I n th e l on g m oon lit n igh t s t ra vellin g was easy an d

“

s a fe ; t h e l ab ou rs o f t h e fi e ld an d h ou s e c ould s t il l b e
carried on ; th e frien dly feas t n eed n ot be in terrupted .

B u t of a l lmen t h e s h ep h erd w ould most rej oic e at th i s

,

s eas on ; al lh i s t oil s a l
lh i s d an gers w ere imm e as urably
,

ligh t en ed durin g th e n igh ts n ear t h e ful l As in t h e .

beau ti ful ren d erin g w h ich Ten n ys on h as given u s of on e

of t h e fin es t pas sages i n t h e I l i ad

v
I n h ea en th e stars ab ou t th e moon
k
L oo b eau t iful , wh en al l th e wi n d s are l ai d ,

v
An d e ery h ei gh t comes ou t, an d j u tt g pea
'

k
v
An d all ey , an d th e i mmeasu rab l e h ea en s
k
B rea op en t o th ei r h i gh est, an d al l th e sta rs
Sh i n e, an d th e Sh eph erd gladd en s i n hi s h eart .
”

A large prop orti on of t h e p eople of I s rael l on g a fter ,

th eir s ettl em en t in P al est in e,m a i n ta i n ed t h e h abi ts of

th e ir fore fath ers an d l ed t h e s h e ph erd s life To th e m
’
.
, ,

t h erefore t h e full of t h e m oon mu s t h av e b e en of s p e ci al

,

importan ce y et t h ere i s n o s in gle referen ce i n Script u re

t o th i s ph as e as such ; n or i n d ee d t o an y ch an ge of th e
m oon s ap paren t fi gure I n twO c as es in ou r Revis ed
’
.

Version we d o in d eed fi n d t h e e xpression at t h e fu ll “

moon b u t i f we comp are t h ese passages w ith t h e

,
”

Auth oriz ed Vers ion we fi n d th e m th ere ren d ered in th e

,

t im e a pp oin ted or a t t h e d ay app oin t ed

”
Th is l
“ ”
, . at t er

ap p ears t o b e t h e lit era l m e a n in g t h ou gh t h ere ca n b e n o

,

qu es t ion as i s s e en by a comparison with t h e Syriac t h at

, ,

t h e p eriod of t h e full m oon i s referre d to N o d oubt i t was

.

b ecause t ravellin g was so much m ore safe an d easy th an

in th e m oon l ess n ights th at th e two great sprin g an d
,
82 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
b eek s B u t t h e great maj ority kn ow n oth in g of th e
.

h ea ven ly b odies e xc e pt of th e s u n t h ey n ee d to l ook i n

.

t h e a lm an a ck t o fi n d ou t moon sh in e B u t t o s impl er .

p eopl es th e differen c e b et wee n t he ligh t hal f of th e “ ”

m on th from th e fi rst qu arter t o th e las t qua rter throu gh

,
’

th e full of t h e m oon a n d t h e d ark h a lf from th e l as t

“
, ,

qu arter to th e firs t qu arter t hrough n ew is very great

, ,
.

In dian as tron om ers so divid e th e m on th t o th is d ay .

I n on e p assageof H oly Sc ript u re t he d es cri pt ion w h ic h ,

Isaiah gives of th e Ci ty of th e Lord t h e Zion of th e

“
,

H oly On e of I srael t h ere i s a referen c e t o th e dark part

,
”

of th e m on t h .

Th y su n sh a m ore go d o wn ; n eith er s h allt hy

ll n o

m oon ( lit erally m on th wit h dra w its el f : for t h e Lord

“

s h all b e t h i n e e v erl as ti n
g ligh t an d t h e d ay s of t h
y ,

m ou rn in g s h all b e en d ed .
”

Th e parall elism e xpres sed i n th e vers e lies b et ween th e

d arkn ess of n igh t wh ilst t h e s u n i s b el ow t h e h oriz on an d ,

t h e s pe ci al d ark n ess of t h os e n igh ts wh en t h e m oon b e in g ,

n ea r c on j u n c t i on wi th th e s u n is a bs en t from t h e s ky
,

durin g th e greater p art or w h ol e of th e n igh t h ou rs an d ,

h as b u t a sm all p ort i on o f h e r dis c illumin a t ed Ju s t as .

h al f th e d ay i s d ark b ec a u s e t h e s u n h as wi th d ra wn its el f ,

s o h al f th e n i gh t s of t h e m on th a re d ark b ec au s e th e m oon

h as wi thd raw n i ts el f .

Th e H ebre w m on th was a n atu ral on e d et ermi n ed by ,

a c t u a l observ at ion of t h e n e w m oon Th ey u se d t h re e .

words in th eir re feren ces to t h e m oon tle firs t of wh ic h ,

.
,

chod esh d erived from a root m ean i n g to b e n e w

, ,
”

in dicates th e fact th at t h e n ew m oon as actua lly ,

 TH E MOON 83

o b s erved gove rn ed th eir cal en d ar Th e w ord th erefore

,
.

s i n ifi es t h e n ew m oon — t h e d a f t h e n e w moon : an d
g y o

th u s a m on th ; t h a t i s a lu n ar m on t h b egmn mg a t t h e
,

n ew m oon Th i s i s t h e H eb re w w ord u se d in th e D eluge

.

s t ory i n t h e se v en t h c h a p t er of G en es is ; a n d i n a llrefer
e n c es t o feas t s d ep e n din
g on a da
y i n t h e m on t h A s .

“
wh en th e L ord s p ak e t o M oses sayin g Al so ln th e d ay , ,

of y ou r l d n d i n y our sol e m n d ay s an d i n t h e
g a n e ss a , ,

b eg in n i n gs of you r m on t h s y e sh all blow with you r ,

trump ets over y ou r burn t offe rin gs a n d ov er t h e sa crific es ,

of y ou r p ea c e o fferi n g s An d again i n t h e Ps alm o f

.

As aph to th e ch i ef mu sic ian upon Gi ttit h : Blow up “

t h e trump et i n t h e n e w m oon i n t h e t im e app oin t e d , ,

on ou r sol e mn fe as t d ay Th is i s t h e word al so th at
”
.

Isai ah u ses i n d escribin g th e bra very o f t h e d a ugh ters

of Zi on th e t in klin g orn a m en ts ab ou t t h eir fe et a n d
“
, ,

th eir caul s an d th eir rou n d t ire s l i k e t h e m oon t h e

, ,

ch ain s an d th e brac el ets

,
Th e rou n d t ires .
”
w ere ”

n ot di s cs like t h e full m oon

, b u t w ere roun d lik e th e ,

cres cen t .

G en erally speakin g chod esh i s empl oy ed wh ere eith er

,

re fe ren c e i s m a d e t o t h e sh a p e or n ew n ess of t h e c res c en t

m oon or wh ere m on t h i s u sed in an y precise way

, .

Th i s i s th e w ord for m on t h e mpl oye d t h rough ou t by

“ ”

th e proph et E z eki el wh o i s s o precise in th e d at i n g of

,

h i s prop h eci es .

W h en t h e m oon i s m en t i on ed as th e l ess er ligh t of

h ea ven wi th ou t p art icul a r refere n c e t o i ts form or wh en
, ,

a m on t h i s men t lon ed as a s om e wh a t i n d efi n i t e p eri od of

t im e t h en t h e H ebre w w ord y a réa ch i s us ed

,
H ere t h e , .
84 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
word h as th e root m ean i n g of palen e ss “
i t i s th e s ilver
m oon .

Ya réa ch i s t h e word a lway s u s ed wh ere th e m oon i s

class ed a m on g th e h eav en ly bodies ; as wh en Jose ph
d ream ed of th e s u n th e m oon an d th e el ev en con st ellation s ;
,
'

or i n J er viii 2 wh ere t h e L ord s ays t h at th ey sh a ll bri n g

. .
,

ou t th e b on es of t h e ki n gs p rin c es p ri es t s p roph et s an d , , , ,

in h abi t an ts of Jeru sal em an d t h ey sh all s pread t h em ,

“

b efore th e su n an d th e m oon an d allth e h ost of h eav en

, , ,

wh om th ey h a ve l oved an d wh om th ey h ave s erved an d , ,

a fter w h om t h ey h a v e w a lk e d a n d w h om t h ey h a v e so u h t
g , ,

a n d wh om t h ey h a v e w ors h ipp e d
”
.

Th e s am e w ord i s u s e d for t h e m oon i n i t s ch arac ter

m akin g ordi n an c es Th u s we h a v e i t s ev era l tim es
’
of .

i n th e P s alm s : H e ( th e L ord ) a pp oi n t ed t h e m oon for

“

s eas on s . H i s s ee d sh a ll en dure for ev er an d h i s t hron e

“
,

as t h e s u n b e fore Me I t s h all b e es tabl i sh ed for eve r a s

.

t h e m oon an d a s a fa ith ful wi tn es s i n h ea v en An d

”
.
,

aga i n : Th e m oon a n d s tars rul e by n igh t ; wh ils t

“ ”

Jeremiah says Th u s sait h t h e Lord Wh ich giveth the

,
“
,

s u n for a ligh t by d ay an d t h e ordi n an c es of t h e m oon ,

an d of t h e s t ars for a ligh t by n igh t

”
.

I n all p assa ges wh ere re feren c e s eem s t o b e m a d e t o

t h e d ark en in g or wi th dra win g of t h e m oon s ligh t ( E col
’
.

x i i 2 ; I sa xiii 1 0 ; E z ek xx x ii 7 ; J oel ii 1 0 3 1 a n d iii

. . . . . .
, , .

1 5 ; an d H ab iii 1 1 ) t h e w ord y a réa ch i s em p l oye d

. . A .

sligh t v arian t of t h e sam e word in dic a t es t h e m on th w h en

v i e wed as a p eri od of t im e n ot qui t e d e fi n e d a n d n ot ,

i n th e s trict s en s e of a lun ar m on th Th is i s t h e t erm .

u sed i n E x od ii 2 for t h e th re e m on t h s t h a t t h e m oth er

. .
,
86 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
An d y et g
a a

“
M oreover ligh t of th e m oon sh all b e as th e ligh t
th e
o f t h e s u n a n d t h e li h t of t h e s u n s h a ll b e se v en fo ld as
, g ,

t h e ligh t of s e ve n d a ys i n t h e d ay th a t t h e L ord bin d e th

,

up t h e brea c h of H i s p eopl e an d h ealeth th e stroke of ,

”
t h eir w ou n d .

I t may with out s ign i fi can ce th at ea ch of th ese

n ot be
t hr ee p ass ages w h erein th e m oon i s d en omin at ed by i ts
,

n a m e of w h i ten es s or pu ri ty l ook s forward prop h e tic ally ,

to t h e sam e great e ven t p ic tu red y et m ore cl early i n t h e

,

Rev e l at ion

An d I h eard w ere th e voice of a great mul tit ud e

as it ,

an d a s t h e v oic e of m an y w at ers an d as t h e v oic e of ,

migh ty th u n d erin gs sayi n g Alleluia : for t h e Lord God

, ,

om n ip ot en t re i n e t h
g .

L e t u s b e gla d a n d rej oi c e an d giv e h on our t o Him

“
,

for t h e m arri age of t h e Lamb i s c om e an d H is wi fe h at h ,

m ad e h ers el f rea dy .

An d t o h er was gran t ed t h at Sh e sh ould b e arraye d

“

i n fi n e li n en cl ean a n d w h i te : for th e fi n e lin en i s t h e

,

ri h t eou sn ess of sa in t s
”

g .

Ch od esh and y a réa ch are m as culin e words ; leba n ah is

femin in e . B u t n owh ere th rough ou t t h e Old Tes tam en t
is the
m oon p erson ified an d i n on ly on e i n stan ce i s i t ,

u sed fig u ra tively t o represen t a p erson: Th is i s i n th e

cas e of Jacob s re adin g of J oseph s dream already referred
’ ’

t o w h ere h e said
,

B eh old I h av e d ream e d a drea m m ore ; an d , b eh old ,

th e s u n an d t h e m oon a n d th e e l e ven stars mad e ob eisan ce

t o me
”
.
 TH E MOON 87

An d hi s fath er quickly re buk e d hi m, yin g

sa

Wh at is th is dream t h at t h ou h ast dream ed ? Sha ll I

an d t hy m ot h er an d t h y bre t h ren i n d e e d c om e t o b ow
d own ourselves t o t h ee to th e earth ?
Here Ja cob u n d ers tan ds t ha t th e m oon ( y a réa ch) s tan d s
'

for a w om an hi s wife
,
B u t i n M e sop ota mia w h en ce h i s
.
,

gran d fath er Abrah a m had c om e ou t Si n t h e m oon god , ,

-

was h e ld t o be a m a l e god h igh in d e ed a m on g t h e d ei ti e s

,

a t t h at t im e an d s u p eri or ev en to Sa m as
,
th e su n god ,
-
.

Terah th e fath er of Abrah am was h eld by J ewi s h

, ,

tradi ti on t o h av e b een a n e sp e ci al w ors h ipp er of t h e m oon

od w h ose rea t t empl e wa s i n H ara n w h ere h e dwe l t
g , g , .

Wh erever th e lan d of U z may h a ve b een at wha t ev er ,

p eriod Job ma y h a ve li ved th ere an d t hen i t was an

,

i n i qui ty t o w orsh ip th e m oon or th e m oon god I n h i s -

.

fin a l d efen ce t o h i s frien d s wh en t h e three men ceased

,

t o an s w er Job be ca u se h e was righ t eou s in h is own ey es

, ,

Job ju s t i fyin g h i s li fe sa id
, ,

I f I beh eld th e su n wh en i t sh i n ed ,
k
Or th e moon wal i n g i n b ri gh t n ess ;
An d my h eart h a th b een secretly en ti ced ,
An d my mout h h ath i ssed my h an d k
Thi s al so w ere an i n i q u i ty to b e pun i sh ed b y th e j udges
v
For I s h ould h a e li ed t o God th at is ab o e ”
v .

The Hebrews , t oo, w ere forbidd e n t o w orsh ip th e su n ,

th e m oon or th e s tars t h e h os t of h ea ven a n d dis obey ed

, , ,

t h e c omm an dm en t bot h early a n d l at e i n t h e ir h is tory .

Wh en M os es spak e u n to a llIsra el on th is s id e J ord an i n

t h e wild ern e ss i n th e pl a i n ov er aga i n s t t h e R ed Sea h e ,

sa id t o t h em
 TH E A STRONO MY OF TH E BI B LE
‘
88

Th e Lord sp a k e u n t o y ou ou t of t h e mid s t of th e fi re
e h a rd t h e voi c e of t h e w ord s b u t sa w n o s imili t ud e ;
y e ,

on ly y e h e ard a v oic e Tak e y e t h ere fore good h e ed

.

u n t o yours elves ; for y e s a w n o man n er of s imilit ud e on ,

t h e d ay t h at th e Lord sp ak e un t o y ou i n H ore b ou t of t h e
mi d st of t h e fi re
Lest y e Corrup t you rse lves a n d m ak e y ou a graven,

im age t h e s imilitud e of a n y figure th e liken ess of male

, ,

or fem a l e An d l est t h ou li ft u p th i n e eyes u n t o

h eaven a n d when t hou s e est t h e su n , an d t h e moon , an d
.

i
,

t he s tars e ven a l
, l t h e h ost o f h eav ei s h ould s t b e driven ,

t o w ors h ip t h em , a n d s erv e t h em w h ic h t h e Lord t hy God

,

h at h divid ed u n t o a l ln at io n s u n d er th e w h ol e h ea v en .

We k n ow wh at imili tud e of th e su n an d th e
t he
“
s

m oon were lik e a m on g th e s urrou n din g n at ion s We see .

t h eir h i eroglyph s on n umb erl e ss s eal s a n d im ag es from

t h e rui n s of Ni n e ve h or B abyl on Th at of t h e su n wa s.

fi rs t a rayed star or dis c l ater a fig ure raye d a n d wi n ged

, , .

That of t h e m oon wa s a cres c en t on e lyi n g on i ts b ack , ,

like a b owl or cup th e a ct u al a t t itud e of th e n ew m oon

,

a t t h e b egin n i n g of t h e n ew y e ar
,
Ju s t such m oon .

s imili t ud es d i d t h e s el
d ie rs of Gid eon t ak e from off t h e
cam el s of Z eb ah a n d Z almu n n a ; j u s t Su c h were t h e roun d “

t ire s lik e t h e m oon t h a t Is a ia h c on d e m n s am on g t h e

bra very of t h e d a ugh t ers o f Zion .

Th e s imilit ud e or t ok e n o f As h t ore th t h e p aram ou n t ,

godd ess of th e Z id on i an s was t h e a sh em t h e grove of

, ,
“ ”

t h e Au th ori z e d V ers i on p rob a bly i n m os t ca s es m e rely

,

a w ood e n pill ar Th is g odd e ss th e a b omi n at i on o f t h e

“
.
,

Zi d on i a n s was a m oon god d ess con c e rn in g w h om E n s e

,
-

b i u s p re serves a st ate m en t by t h e P hoen ici an h is t orian

.

San ch on i ath on th at h er im ages h ad th e hea d of an

,
90 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
Thi s was cit ies of Jud ah an d streets of
d on e in th e
J eru salem b u t t h e Je ws carried th e cul t with th em even
,

wh en t h ey fled in t o Egyp t an d wh i l st t h ere th ey an s were d

,

Jeremi ah
We w ill c ertain ly do wh atsoever th in g goeth fort h ou t

of ou r own bu rn in cen se u n to t h e qu een of

m o ut h,
to
h eav en a n d ,
ou t d rin k offe ri n gs u n t o h er as we
t o p ou r ,

h av e d on e we an d ou r fath ers ou r k i n gs an d ou r p rin c es

, , , , ,

i n t h e ci ti es of Jud a h an d i n t h e s t ree ts of Jeru s al e m : for

,

t h en h ad w e pl en ty of vic t u al s an d were w el l an d sa w n o
, ,

e vil . B u t s in c e we l eft off t o bu rn i n c en s e to t h e qu e en

o f h ea ven an d t o p ou r ou t d ri n k off erin gs u n t o h e r we
, ,

h av e w a n t e d a l lt h i n gs an d h a ve b een c on s um ed by th e
,
”
s w ord an d by t h e fa min e .

A shtoreth ccordin g to Pin ch es i s evid en t ly a len gthen

,
a
1
,

i n g of t h e n a m e o f t h e As sy ri o Babyl on i an godd es s Istar-

a n d t h e B abyl on i a n l e en d of t he D es c en t o f I star ma
g y
well ha ve b een a my th fou n ded on th e varyin g ph ases of
t h e m oon B u t i t mu st b e rem embered th at th ough
‘

.
,

Ash t oreth or I star migh t b e th e qu een of h eaven t h e ,

m oon was n ot n ecessarily th e on ly asp ect in w h ich her

w ors h ippers re cogn i zed h er I n oth ers t h e plan et V en us
.
,

may h a ve b e en ch osen as h er repres en tative ; i n oth ers th e

con s tella tion Tau ru s at on e t im e th e l ead er of t h e Zodiac ;
,

i n oth ers y et aga in th e ac t u al form of a m aterial bull or

, ,

c ow .

Th e H ebrews rec o gn ized th egreat s u p eri ori ty in

.

brigh tn ess of th e su n ov er t h e m oon a s t es t ifi e d i n

,

t h e ir n am es of t h e greater an d l ess er ligh ts an d

“
,

l T G Pi n ch es, The Ol
. . d Testa men t i n th e L igh t f
o the Hi stori cal
Records of Assyria an d B a bylon i a , p 278 . .
 TH E MOON 91

in such p assages as t h at alrea dy qu ote d from I sai ah

xxx T h w ord h ere u se d for m oon i s t h e p o etic on e
( . e ,

l eba n a h Of c ou rs e n o argum en t can b e fou n d e d on t h e

.

pa rall elis m empl oy ed s o as t o l ea d to t h e con clu si on th at

t h e H eb re ws c on sid ere d t h at t h e s olar l igh t e xceed e d th e
lu n ar by on ly s even t im es in st ead of t h e ,
t im e s
in dica ted by m od ern ph ot om etric m eas u rem en t .

I n on ly on e in s t an c e i n Scrip t u re t h at alre ady

u ot e d of t h e m oon wi t h d ra wi n i t l f— i s t h ere e v en an
q g s e ,

al lu si on t o th e ch an gi n g p h ases of t h e m oon oth er t h an ,

t h at impli ed i n t h e fre qu en t re feren c es t o t h e n ew m oon s .

Th e a pp oi n t m en t of c ertai n fea st s t o b e h el d on th e fi fteen th

d ay of t h e m on t h i s a c on fi rm at i on of t h e s upp os it i on t h a t
t h e ir m on t h s w ere truly lun ar for t h en t h e m oon i s fully
,

ligh t ed a n d rid es th e Sky th e wh ol e n igh t l on g from s u n

,

s e t t o s u n ri s e I t is cl ear t h erefore t h at t h e H eb re ws n ot
.
, , ,

on ly n ot ic ed t h e p h as es of t h e m oon b u t m a d e re ul ar u s e
g ,

of t h em Y et i f we ad opt e d t h e arg um en t from s i l

.
, en c e ,

we sh ould s upp ose t h at t h ey h a d n e v er ob s erve d i t s

chan ges of shap e for th ere i s n o direct a llu si on t o th e m i n
,

Sc ri p t u re We ca n n ot th erefore argu e from s il en c e as t o

.
, ,

wh eth er or n o t h ey h ad divin ed th e ca u s e of t h ose cha n ges ,

n am e ly t h a t t h e m oon s h in e s by refl e c tin g t h e li h t of t h e

g
su n .

N or a re y t h ere an m
re e ren f c es t o th e
arki n gs o n t h e

m oon I t i s quit e obvi ou s to t h e n ak ed ey e t h a t th ere

.

are gre y s ta i n s up on h er s i lv er s u rfa c e t h a t t h es e rey

g ,

s t a i n s are a l way s t h ere m ost o f t h em form i n g a ch ain

,

w h ich cu rves t h rou gh t h e upp er h emi s ph ere Of t h e .

b righ t parts of th e moon some sh in e ou t wi th grea ter ,

92 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
lu stre th an oth ers p articul arly on e s p ot in th e l ower left
,

h a n d qu adran t n ot far from t h e e dge of t h e fu ll di s c

‘

.
,

Th e e dges of th e m oon gl eam m ore brigh t ly as a rul e

t h an th e cen tra l p arts Al l th i s was a pparen t to th e
.

H ebrews of old a s i t i s to ou r u n a ssisted s igh t to d ay

,
-

Th e m oon s in flu en c e i n rais in g t h e t id es i s n at u rally

’

n o t m en t i on ed Th e H ebrews w ere n ot a s eafarin g

.

ra c e n or are t h e t id es on
,
t h e c oa st of P a l es ti n e pro
n ou n c ed en ough to d ra w much a t t en t ion On e in flu en c e .

i s a s crib ed t o t h e m oon ; an in flu en c e s til l obs cu re or ,

v
e en di s p u te d F
. or t h e p romi s e t h a t;
“
Th e su n sh all n ot smi te th ee b y d ay ,

N or th e moon by n i gh t, ”

quit e obviou s in i ts a pplicat i on to th e su n w ith th e m oon ,

s e em s t o re fer t o i t s s upp os e d i n flu en c e on c e rtain d i seas es

an d i n ca u s i n g m oon blin dn ess -

.

Th e ch ie f fu n ct i on of t h e m oon a s in dica ted i n Scrip ,

t u re i s t o reg ul at e t h e c al en d ar an d m ark ou t t h e t im es
, ,

for t h e days of s ol em n i ty I n t h e w ord s o f t h e 10 4th

.

Psalm
H e ( God ) app oi n ted th e moon for season s
Th e su n k
n oweth h i s goi n g d own
'
.

k k
Th ou ma es t dar n ess, an d i t i s n i gh t
Wh erei n all th e b easts of th e forest d o creep
Th e y ou n g li on s roar after th ei r prey ,
k
An d see th ei r meat from God .

Th e su n aris eth , th ey get th em away ,

An d l ay th e m d o wn i n th ei r d en s .

Man goeth forth u n t o h i s wor k

An d to h i s l ab ou r u n ti l th e e en i n g v .

0 L ord , h ow man i fol d are Th y wor s ! k

I n wi s d om h as t Th ou mad e th em al l
Th e earth is fu l lof Th y ri ch es.
”
.
 CHAP TER VIII
THE STARS

TH E stars an d th e h eav en ,wh ose h ost t h ey were are,

used by th e H ebrew writers to exp ress t h e sup erl atives

of n umb er of h eigh t an d of ex pa n se
, , To an ob server
.
,

w atch in g th e h eaven s at an y particul ar t im e an d pl a ce ,

n ot m ore t h an s om e t wo t h ou san d s t ars are se p arat e ly

vis ibl e t o th e u n as si ste d s igh t B u t i t was e vid en t t o th e

.

H ebrew as i t i s t o an y on e t o d ay th at t h e stars s epar

,
-

at ely vi sibl e d o n ot by an y m e an s mak e up t h e ir w h ol e

n umb er . On cl ear n igh ts t h e w h ol e va ul t of h eaven s e em s

cov ered wi th a t apes try or cu rtai n t h e pa ttern of wh ich i s
form ed of p at c h e s of vari ou s in t e n si t i es of li gh t an d
’

s pri n kl ed up on t h i s p at t ern e d cu rt a i n are t h e b ri h t er

g
sta rs t h at ma y b e s ep ara t e ly seen Th e m ost s tri ki n g
.

fe at u re i n t h e p at t ern i s t h e Milky Way an d i t may b e ,

e a sily di scern ed th a t i t s t ex tu re i s m ad e up of i n n u mer

a bl e mi n u t e p oi n t s of ligh t a gran ul a t i on
, o f w h ic h,

s om e of t h e g ra in s a re set m ore cl os ely t oge t h er form i n g ,

t h e m ore brill i an t p a tch e s a n d s om e m ore l oos e ly givi n g

, ,

th e d ark er s h ades . Th e min d e as ily c on c eiv es t h at t h e

m i n u te poin ts of ligh t w h os e aggrega ti on s m ak e up th e
var in g patt ern of t he Milky Way t h ou gh t oo sm al l to be
y ,

95
96 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
in dividu ally s e en , are al
so st ars, di fferin g p erh aps from
th e sta rs of Pl eiad es or t h e
th e B ears on ly i n th eir great er
d i stan ce or s ma ller s iz e I t was . l
of al th ese t h at th e
Lord said to Abram

Look n ow toward h ea ven ,

an d t ell th e s ta rs , i f t h en
b e abl e t o n umb er t h em : an d He sa id u n to h im ,
So s h all
th y s ee d b e
”
.

Th e fi rs t catal ogu e of th e st ars of wh ich we h ave record

wa s th a t of Hipp arch u s in 1 29 B C I t c on tai n ed . .

s ta rs a n d P t ol e my brou gh t t h i s c a t a l ogu e u p t o d at e i n
'

th e Alm ages t of 1 3 7 A D Tych o B rah é i n 1 60 2 m a d e a

. .

c at al ogu e of 777 stars a n d Kep ler republish ed th is i n

,

1 6 27 a n d in crea s e d t h e n umb er t o
,
Th e s e we re
be fore t h e i n ven t ion of th e t el es c op e an d con s e qu en tly ,

con t ai n e d on ly n ak e d ey e s t ars Si n c e as tron om ers h a v e

-
.

b e en abl e t o s ou n d t h e h ea ven s m ore d eeply ca tal ogu es ,

h a v e i n c reas e d i n s i z e an d n umb er Fla ms t eed t h e fi rs t .

,

As tron om er Roy al m a d e on e of ,
s t ars ; from t h e

obs e rva t i on s o f B radl ey th e t h ird a y et m ore fa m ou s

, ,

ca t a l ogu e h as b e en c ompiled I n ou r own d ay m ore .

t h a n t h ree h un dre d t h ou s an d st ars h a v e b een c a t a l ogu e d i n

t h e B on n Durc h mu s t erun g ; an d t h e great I n t ern a t ion al

Ph otograph ic C h art of th e Heaven s will prob ably Sh ow n ot

l ess th an fi fty milli on s of s t ars an d in th is i t has limited ,

i t s elf t o s tars e xc eedin g th e fou rte en t h m ag n it ud e i n brigh t

n e s s t h u s l ea vin o t f i t p a es m a n y m i ll i on s of s ta rs
, g u o s
g
t h a t are vis i bl e t h rou gh ou r m ore p owerful t e l es c op es .

So wh en Abrah a m M oses Job or J eremiah s p e ak s of

, ,

th e h os t of h eav en that can n ot b e n u mb ered i t d oes ,

98 TH E A STR ONOMY O F TH E BIBL E
s t ar gives on e h u n d re d tim es t h e ligh t of th e v
a era ge
s t a r of ix th m agn it u de
th e S .

I n a few i n stan c e s we h a ve b een abl e to measu re i n t h e ,

v ery rough est d egree th e distan ces of stars ; n ot a h un dred

,

st ars h a v e t h eir para ll a x es k n own an d th es e h av e al

,
l
b een m eas ured i n th e c ou rs e of th e last c en t ury An d s o .

far away are th es e stars even th e n earest of t h e m th at

we d o n ot ex press th e ir distan c e fromu s i n million s of
, ,

miles ; we e xpress it i n the ti m e th at th ei r l igh t takes i n

t rav e llin g from th e m t o u s N ow i t tak es ligh t on ly on e
.

s ec on d t o tra v erse mil es an d y et i t requires fou r

,

an d a th i rd y ears for t h e light from t h e n eares t star t o

rea c h u s Th i s i s a s tar of t h e fi rst m agn i t ud e Alp h a

. .

i n t h e c on ste llat i on of t h e Cen tau r Th e n ex t n eares t

.

s t ar i s a fa i n t on e of b e t w e en t h e s e v en t h an d eigh t h ma
g
n i t u des an d i t s ligh t t a k es s ev en ye ars t o c om e
,
From a .

s ix t h m agn i t ud e s tar i n t h e c on s t ell at i on of t h e Swan t h e ,

light requires eigh t years an d from Siriu s t h e brigh t est ,

s t ar i n th e h e a ven s ligh t requi res e igh t an d a h al

, f years .

Th es e fou r s t ars are t h e n earest t o u s ; from n o oth er

s t ar t h at we k n ow of d oes ligh t ta k e l ess t h an
, , ten
ears t o trav e l ; from t h e m aj ority of t h os e w h o s e di st an c e
y
we h av e s ucc eed e d in m ea su ri n g t h e ligh t t ak es at l east
,

t wen ty y ears .

To get s om e c on c ept i on of wh at a ligh t y ear m ean s l et-

,

u s rem e mb er t h at lig h t c ould t rav el righ t rou n d t h e earth

a t i t s e qu a to r s e v en t lmes i n th e s pa c e of a s in gl e se c on d ,

an d t h at t h ere are s e c on d s in a year Ligh t .

t h en c oul d girdl e th e earth a th ou san d milli on tim es wh ils t

it 0 0 111 6 8 from Al p h a C en ta u n
. O r w e m a
yp
. u t i t an other
 TH E STA R S 99

way . The dis tan ce Alph a Cen ta u n e xceed s th e

from
e q u a t or of t h e e art h by a s much a s t h i s e xc e e d s an i n c h

an d a h a l f ; or by a s muc h as t h e di s t a n c e from L on d on

t o M a n ch est er e xce ed s t he h un d re d th o f a n in ch .

Of al lt h e res t of t h e in n um erabl e s tars a s far a s ac tu a l

,

m ea su rem en t i s con cern ed for u s as for t h e Heb re ws

, , ,

t h ey migh t a l la c t u ally l ie on t h e t e x t ure of a c u rtain a t ,

practica lly th e s am e dis tan c e from u s .

We h a ve m easu re d t h e distan c es of b u t a very few

s ta rs : t h e res t — as e v ery on e of t h e m wa s for t h e
H eb rew— are a t a great er di s ta n c e t han an y effort of
ou rs c a n re a c h b e ou r t el e s c op es e v er s o grea t an d p ow erful
, ,

ou r m e asu rin g i n s t rum en ts e v e r so pre ci s e an d d e lic at e .

For t h em as for u s t h e h ea v en of s ta rs i s for h eig h t “ ”

, , ,

for a h eigh t w h ich i s b ey on d m e a s u re a n d th erefore th e

on ly fi t ti n g im age for t h e imm e n s i ty of God .

So Z oph ar th e Naa ma th i t e s a id

“
Can st th ou fi n d ou t th e Almi gh ty u n to perfecti on ?
v
I t i s as h i gh as h ea en ; wh a t can st th ou d o ?”

an d E lip h az t h e Te m an it e re i tera ted st ill m ore stron gly

“
I s n ot God i n th e h ei gh t of h ea en ? v
An d b eh ol d th e h ei gh t of th e s tars, h ow h i gh th ey are.

God Him s el f i s repres en ted as u s in g th e expan se of

h eav en a s a m e as u re of t h e g rea tn es s of his fid eli ty an d
m ercy Th e p ro ph e t Je re mia h writ es
.

“
Th us i
sa t h Lord ; i f H ea v en ab ove can b e
the
mea s u red a n d t h e fou n d a t ion s o f t h e e art h s earch e d
,

o u t b en ea t h I w i ll a l
,
s o c as t o ff a l
lth e s e e d o f I s ra e l for
al lt h at t h ey h a v e d on e s ai th t h e L or
,
100 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI B LE

As i f h e were us in g th efigu re of a grea t cross wh os e

,

h eigh t was t h at of t h e h ea ve n s wh os e a rm s s t re tch e d

,

from e ast to west ,

D avid testifies of th e s am e an d

forgiv en ess

For as th e h ea ve n v
i s h i gh ab o e the earth ,
So great i s H i s mercy t oward th em th at fear H i m .

As far as th e east i s from th e west,

So far h ath H e removed our tran sgressi on s from u s .
”
 CHAP TE R IX

E
COM TS

GR EAT c om ets are a lm ost a l ways u n ex pect e d vis it ors .

Th ere i s on ly on e g rea t c om e t t h at we k n ow h as b e en
s e en m ore t h an on c e an d e xp ec t wit h reas on abl e c erta i n ty
~

to s ee again Th is i s H all ey s com et w h ic h h as been

’
.
,

re t urn in g t o a n ear a pp roa c h t o t h e s u n a t som ew h a t

irregul ar in t ervals of s even ty fi v e to s even ty eigh t years

- -

durin g th e last c en t u ri es : in d e ed th i s v ery c om et was

,

Coin cid en t wi t h t h e i n vas i on o f E n gla n d by W i lli am t h e

Con qu eror an d i s figu red on th e Bay e ux ta p est ry
,
—
.

Th ere are oth er s m all c om e t s th at are a l s o regul ar

’
in h abitan ts of th e solar sy st em ; bu t as with Ha lley s ,

c om et s o with th ese t wo circums tan ces are t o b e b orn e i n

, ,

min d First th at ea ch s ucc ess ive revolu t ion roun d t h e

.
,

su n i n v olves an in c reas i n d e gra d a t i on of t h e ir b righ t n ess

g ,

si n c e t h ere i s a m a n i fest wa s t e of t h e i r m at eri al a t

ea c h n ear ap p roa c h t o t h e s u n ; u n t il a t l e n gt h t h e c om et

i s s een n o m ore n ot b ecau se i t h a s l eft t h e warm pre cin c ts

,

of t h e s u n for t h e ou t er d ark n e ss b u t b ec au s e i t h a s s p en t
,

i ts s u bs tan c e Halley s c om et was n ot a s brill i an t or a s

’
.

impress ive i n 18 3 5 a s i t was i n 1 75 9 : i n 1 9 1 0 i t may

h a ve bec om e d egrad ed t o an a pp earan ce of quit e t h e
se c on d ord er .
104 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
N ext ,
we h a v e k n owl edge n o e vid en ce th at an y
n o , ,

of t h es e c om ets h a v e a lways b een m emb ers of th e

s ol ar fa mily Som e of t h em in d eed we kn ow w ere
.
, ,

ad opt e d i n t o i t by t h e in flu en c e o f on e or ot h er of t h e

re at er pl a n e t s : Uran u s we kn ow i s re s p on s ibl e for t h e

g
i n troduction of on e Jupit er of a c on s id erabl e n umber
,
.

Th e vas t m aj ori ty of c om e ts grea t or s m all see m t o , ,

b lu n d er in to t he s ol ar s ys t e m a n yh ow a n yw h ere from , ,

a n y dire c t i on : t h ey c om e wi th in t h e attra c t iv e influ en c e

of t h e s u n ; ob ey h i s l a ws w h il st wi th in t h a t i n flu en c e ;

m ak e on e cl os e a pp roach t o h i m p ass in g ra pidly a cros s ,

ou r s k y ; a n d t h en d ep art i n an orbit w h ic h will n e ver

b r1n g t h em t o h i s n e igh b ou rh ood agai n Som e ch an ce of .

direct ion s om e c ompellin g i n flu en c e of a pl an e t th at i t may

,

h av e a pproach ed so m odifi ed th e p ath of H a ll ey s c om e t

’

w h en i t fi rst en t ered th e s ol ar syst em t h at i t h as rem ain ed ,

a m emb er e v er s in c e a n d ma s o rem a i n u n t il i t h
, y as

ceas ed t o b e a c om et a t all . .

I t foll ows t h ere fore t h at as to t h e n umb er of great

, , ,

c om ets t h at may b e seen i n an y age we can s carcely ,

e v en a pply t h e l a ws of p rob a b ilit y Duri n g th e l ast .

coupl e of th ou san d y e ars s in ce ch ron icl es h a ve been

,

abu n d a n t we k n ow t h a t m an y grea t c om e ts h av e b een

,

seen . We may suppos e th erefore t h at durin g t h e pre

, ,

c edin g age t h at i n wh ich th e Script u res were wri tten t h ere

, ,

w ere als o m a n y great com ets s een b u t we d o n ot kn ow , .

An d m ost emph at ically w e are n ot a bl e t o s ay from ou r ,

kn owl edge of com ets th e m s elv es an d of th eir m otion s t h at ,

i n t h e d ays of t h i s or t h at w ri ter a c om et was fl amin g i n

106 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
aggre gat ion f
o st on esv el op e d i n vaporou s m aterial
en .

Th ere i s s om e reas on t o s upp ose th a t c om e ts are ap t t o

s h e d som e of t h e s e s t on e s a s t h ey t ra v e l a l on t h i r p at h s
g e ,

for t h e orbi t s of t h e m et eors t h at c a u s e s om e of ou r

ar sh ow ers a re c oi n cid en t wi t h t h e p at h s o f
”
re at es t t
‘

g s

c om ets th at h ave b een ob served .

B u t i t i s n ot on ly by s h eddin g i t s l oose ston es that a

c om et dimin ish es i t s bulk ; i t l os es al s o t hrough i t s t ail .

As th e c om et ge t s cl os e t o t h e s u n i ts h ea d b ecomes
h eat ed an d th rows ofi con c en tri c e n v el op es much of wh ic h
’

, ,

con sists of m atter i n an e xtrem ely fi n e state of d ivis ion .

N ow i t h as b een s h own th at t h e radiat ion s of th e s u n

h ave t h e p ow er of rep elli n g m at ter wh il s t t h es u n i t se l f
,

a t t ra c t s by i t s gra vi t ati on a l forc e B u t t h ere i s a differen c e

.

i n th e a c t i on of th e t wo forc es .Th e l i gh t press ure

-

varies with t h e s urfa ce of t h e p a rticl e up on w h ich i t i s

e x erci sed ; t h e ra vi tat i on a l a tt ra c t i on v ari e s wit h t h e
g
mas s or volum e I f we c on sid er th e b eh a vi ou r of very
.

sm all p art icl es i t foll ow s th at th e attra c t i on d u e to

,

gravitat ion ( d ep en din g on th e volum e of th e p art icl e)

will dimin ish more rapidly th an th e repu lsion d u e t o
.

ligh t p res su re ( d ep en din g on t h e s u rfa c e of t h e p articl e)

-

as we d ecrea se c on t in u ally t h e s i z e of t h e p articl e Sin c e ,

i ts v olum e dimin ish es m ore rapidly t h an i t s su rfa c e A .

limit th erefore will b e rea ch ed b el ow wh ich th e repul si on

w ill becom e great er t h an t h e at tra ction Th u s for p articles
.

less t h an th e p art of a n in ch in diam eter t h e

!

repul s i on of th e su n i s great er t h an i ts attra c tion .

P articl es i n th e ou t er e n v el op e o f t h e c om et b el ow t h is
.s iz e w ill b e d riv en a w ay i n a c on t i n u ou s s tre am an d will ,
 COM E TS 107

form t h at thin , lumin ou s fog wh ich we th e com et s

’
see as

t a il .

We ca n n ot t ell
wh e t h er s uch obj e c ts a s th es e w ere
presen t t o th e m in d of Joel w h en h e s p ok e of b lood an d
fi re an d pill ars of s m ok e p os si bly t h es e m e ta ph ors a re
b e tt er ex pl a in e d b y a s an d or t h u n d er st orm es p ec i ally-

wh en we c on s id er t h at t h e H eb rew ex pres s i on for t h e

“
pillars o f s m ok e in dic at es a rese mblan c e t o a p a lm :

tree as i n t h e sp re a di n g ou t of t h e h ea d of a s an d or
,

t h u n d er cl oud i n -
th e s k y Th e s u gges ti on h a s b ee n
.

—
m ad e followmg t h e cl os in g lin es o f P ara d i se L ost ( for
,

Mil ton i s resp on si bl e for m an y of ou r in t erp retation s of

Scrip tu re)

Hi gh in fron t ad van ced,

Th e b ran d i sh ed s word of God b efore th em b l azed,
Fi erce as a comet, ”

—th at a c om et was in d eed th e fl amin g s word wh ich

t urn ed ev ery way t o k eep t h e way of t h e tre e of li fe
”
, .

Th ere i s s c arc ely l ess improb ab i l i ty i n t h e s u gges t ion

mad e by several writers t h at wh en t h e p es til en c e was t ed
,

J eru sal em an d D avid offere d up th e s a cri fic e of i n terces

,

s i on i n t h e t h res h i n g fl oor of Om a n t h e J e b u s i t e t h e ki n
g ,

may h a v e s een i n t h e s cim i tar l k e t ail of a c om et s uc h as

,
i -

”
Do n at i s G od s min is t er
’

,
’
a fl am e
“
of
,
fi re t he ,
”

an ge l of t h e Lord s tan d b e t w e e n th e ear th a n d t h e h e a v en ,

h a vin g a d raw n s w ord i n his h an d s t ret c h ed ou t over

Jeru s alem .
”

Th e l at e R A Proc t or d es crib es t h e wan d eri n gs of a

. .

c om e t t h us
108 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
A com et i n t h e far dis ta n t d e p th s of s p ac e as
is s ee n

a fai n t an d s ca rc e ly d i s c ern ibl e sp e ck I t draws n eare r .

an d n e a rer wit h c on t i n u a lly i n c re a s in g v el oci t y r o wi n

g g ,

c on ti n u a lly larger a n d b righ t er Fa st er a n d fa st er i t

.

ru s h es o n u n t il i t m a k es i ts n ea re s t a ppro a ch t o ou r s u n ,

an d t h en s we epi n g rou n d h im i t b e i n s i ts l on ret u rn

, g , g ,

v oyage i n t o i n fi n i te s p ace As i t re ce d es i t grows fain ter

.

an d fa i n t er u n t il at l e n gt h i t p a s s es b ey on d t h e ran e of
, g
t h e m os t p ow e rful t e l e s c op e s m a d e by man , an d i s s een n o
m ore I t h as b een s een for t h e fi rs t an d l as t t i me b y th e
.

en era t i on of men t o w h o m i t h a s di s pl ay ed i t s l ori e s

g g .

I t h a s b een s e en for t h e fi rs t an d l ast t im e by t h e rac e of

man i tsel f 1
.
”

Th es e are wan derin g st a rs , to w h om is v d

res er e

th e blackn ess d ark n es s for v ”

of e er .

1 R A Proctor, The E x p a n se
. . o f H ea ven , p 13 4
. .
 F ALL OF AN A E R OLI TE .

Th e e fe ll a ea t
gr star from h e a v e n ,
b u rn i n g as i t we re a l a mp ( s ee p .
 CHAPTER X .

METE ORS

G E AT m eteorit es
R a eroli tes as t h ey a re ca l le d — are

like great com e ts ch an c e visi t ors to ou r w orld N ew an d

, .

t h en t h ey c om e b u t we can n ot foret ell t h eir c omin g

,
.

Such a n aeroli t e expl od ed s ome fi fte en mile s a bov e

h
Mad rid at ab ou t 9 on th e m orn i n
g of F e bru a ry 1 0 ,

1 8 96

A vivid gl are of blin din g ligh t was foll ow ed i n 1 %

min u t es by a l oud report t h e con cuss i on be in g s uch as
,

n ot m e re ly t o c re at e a pa n ic b u t t o brea k m an y wi n d o w s
, ,

a n d i n s om e c as e s t o s h a k e d ow n pa rt i t i on s Th e s k y was
.

cl ear an d t h e s u n s h in in g brigh t ly wh en a wh it e cl oud

, , ,

b ord ere d wit h red was s een ru sh in g from s ou th west to

,
-

n ort h ea s t l eavi n g b eh i n d i t a t ra in of fi n e w h i t e d u s t
-

,
A .

re d tin t ed cl oud was l on g vi s ibl e i n t h e eas t

-
.

Man y fragm en ts were pick e d u p an d an alyz ed an d lik e

, , ,

ot h er a eroli t es w ere fou n d t o c on s is t of m a t eri a l s a l ready

'

kn own on t h e earth Th e ou ter cru s t sh owed th e s ign s

.

o f fi re t h e m e t eoric s ton e h ad b een fu s ed an d ign i ted by

,
-

i ts v ery rapid ru sh th rou gh th e ai r—b u t t h e i n t eri or was

e n t ire ly u n a ffe c t e d by t h e h eat Th e m a n n er i n w h ic h
.

t h e e l e men t s w ere c ombin e d i s som e wh at pe culiar to

aeroli tes ; th e n eares t t erres tri al a ffi n i t of t h e min era l
y s
1 11
112 TH E A STRO N OM Y OF THE B I B LE
'

a ggregated in th em i s t o b e foun d i n th e volcan ic pro

,

d u cts from great d e pt h s Th u s aerolites s eem to b e broken

.

f ra gm en t s from t h e in t eri or p a rts o f gl ob es lik e ou r

'

u
p
own . Th ey d o n ot c ome from ou r own v ol ca n oes for th e ,

v el oci ti es with wh ic h th ey en t ered ou r a t m osph ere prove

t he ir c os mica l origi n H ad ou r a t m os ph ere n ot en tan gl ed
.

t h e m m an y circuit in g t h e s u n i n a p arab olic or h yp er

, ,

b ol i c curve w ould h a v e es ca p ed for e ver from ou r

,

sy s t e m Th e s wi ft m ot i on s wh ic h t h ey h ad on en t erin g
.
,

ou r a t m os p h ere are c on sid e ra bly grea t er on t h e a v erag e

,
fl

t h an t h ose of c om e t s an d p rob ably t h e ir t ru e h om e i s n ot

,

i n ou r s ol ar sy s tem b u t i n in t erst e ll ar Sp ac e
, .

Th e a eroli t es t h a t rea ch t h e s urfa c e are n ot a lways

e xpl od e d i n t o v ery s m all fragmen t s b u t e v ery n o w a n d ,

th en qui t e l ar e m as s es re m a in in t a c t
g M ost of t h es e are .

s t on y ; s om e h a v e bi t s of i ron s c at t ered t h rou h t h e m ;

g
o t h ers are a lm os t pu re iron or w it h a li tt l e n ick e l al
,
ley ,

or h a v e p ock et s i n t h em l a d en wit h st on e Th ere are .

h un d red s of a cc ou nt s of t h e fa ll s of a erolit es du ri n
g t h e

p ast y ears Th e G re ek s an d Rom an s c on s id ered

.

t h em a s c e l es t ia l om en s a n d k ep t s om e of t h e m i n
, ,

t empl es On e a t M e cca i s re v ere d by t h e fa ithful M oh a m

.

meda n s an d J eh a n gi r th e grea t M ogul i s s ai d to h a ve h ad

, , ,

a s word forg ed from an iron a eroli t e wh ic h fe ll i n 1 6 20 i n

t h e Pa n j ab Di an a of Ep h es us s t ood on a sh apel ess block

.

wh ich t ra di ti on s ay s w as a met eoric st on e an d referen ce

, , , ,

may p erh a ps b e fou n d t o t h is i n t he Sp eech of th e

tow n cl erk of th e cit y t o a pp eas e t h e ri ot s t i rre d u p
-

a a in st St P a ul by D e m etriu s t h e Sil v ers mi t h an d h is

g .

compan i on s
114 TH E ASTR ONOMY OF TH E B I B LE

more cond en sed s o as t o form a clust er then t he sh ower

, ,

on ly comes wh en t h e e m h ri n g i m d
“
g o f t e as t i s, t e r e i s ,

at th e i n t ersec ti on of t h e orbi ts a n d t h e ea rth i s t h ere t oo

, .

Su ch a con j u n ct ion may prese n t th e m ost i mpres sw e

s p ec t a cl e t h at t h e h ea v en s can afford The Leon id .

m et eor Sh ower I S p erh ap s t h e m ost famou s I t h as

.

, , .

b een seen at in te rvals of a bou t th irty th ree years s in ce -

early i n t h e t en t h c e n t u ry W hen Ibrah im b en Ah m ed

.

lay dyi n
g i,n t h e y ea r 9 0 2 A D i t w as re c ord e d t hat
. .
, an
“

in fi n ite n umb er of stars w ere seen durin g th e n igh t ,

s ca tt eri ng t h em se lves lik e ra i n to t h e right an d l e ft an d ,

th at y ear was k n own a s t h e y ear of s tars W h en t h e ”

.

e art h e n c ou n t ere d t h e s am e sy s t em i n 120 2 A D th e . .

M ohammedan rec ord run s that on th e n igh t of Saturday ,

on t h e l as t d a of Mu ha rra m s tars sh ot h i th er an d t h i t h er
y ,

i n th e h eave n s eastward an d westward a n d fl e w aga in s t

, ,

on e an ot h er like a s ca t t eri n g s wa rm of l ocu s ts t o t h e

, ,

ri h t an d l e ft; Th e re are n ot re c ord s of a l l t h e re t urn s

‘

g
of t hi s m e teoric s w arm b et we en t h e t h irt e en t h c en tu ry

an d th e e igh t e en th b u t w h en th e earth en c ou n tere d i t i n

,

1 799 Humb old t re p ort e d t h a t from t h e b egin n in g of th e

“
,

ph en omen on th ere Was n ot a Spac e i n t h e fi rma men t equ al

i n e x ten t t o th ree dia m e t ers of t h e m oon t h at was n ot
filled e very in st an t wit h b olid es an d fallin gs tars ; an d Mr .

An drew E llicott an agen t of t h e Un it ed Stat es cru lsmg

, ,

Off th e coa st of Fl orid a wa t c h e d t h is s am e m et eoric disp la y

, ,

an d m a d e th e d ra wi n g reproduc ed on t h e Opp os i t e p ag e .

I n 18 33 a plan t er i n Sou t h Carolin a wrot e of a re t urn of

'

th is sa m e sys tem Never did rai n fallmuch th ick er t h an

,

th e meteors fell toward s th e ea rt h ; e ast, w es t ,

n ort h, sou th,
M E TEO R I O SH O WE R or 1 79 9 N OV E MBER 12
,
.

0 11 Cap e Florida b y Mr An drew E l

li cott
'

Seen , . .
 '

116 THE A STR O N O MY OF TH E BI BL E

i t was th e sa me . I n 1 8 66 th e
wer was again h ea vy sho

an d bril l ian t b u t a t th e en d of th e n in et e en t h cen tu ry

, ,

wh en t h e s warm sh ould have re tu rn ed th e dis play was ,

m eagre an d in effec tive .

Th e L eon id system of m et eorit es did n ot always m ove

i n a closed orbit rou n d ou r s u n Tra cin g b ack th eir .

re c ord s an d h i st ory we fi n d t h at i n A D 1 26 t h e s wa rm
, . .

p assed cl ose t o Uran u s an d probably at t ha t tim e th e

,

plan et captured th em for th e su n B u t we can n ot d ou bt .

t h a t som e s uch similar s i gh t as t h ey h av e a ff ord ed u s

g g p
s ug es t ed t h e im a ery empl oy e d by t h e A os t l e St J oh n .

wh en h e wrote Th e st ars of h ea ven fell u n t o th e e arth

.

, ,

ev en as a fi t ree c ast et h h er u n t im ely fi gs w h en sh e i s

g
-

s h a k en of a mi h ty win d A n d t h e h ea v en s d epart e d a s
g .

a s croll wh en i t i s roll e d t oget h er .

An d th e p roph et I s ai ah u s ed a v ery s imil ar fi gu re

Al l t h e h os t of h ea ven sh all b e dis solved an d t h e ,

h ea v en s s h all b e roll e d t oget h er a s a s croll : an d a l

l th e ir
h ost sh a ll fa ll d own as t h e l e a f fa ll eth off from t h e vin e,
,

a n d a s a fa lli n fi rom t h e fi
”

g g f g t re e -
.

W h ilst th e s imile Of a gre at a erolite i s t h at empl oyed .

by St Joh n i n h i s d es cri p t ion of th e star Wormwood

.

Th e th ird ange l s ou n d ed a n d th ere fe ll a gre at s tar ,

from h ea v en burn in g as i t w e re a l am p an d i t fe ll up on t h e
, ,

th ird p art Of t h e riv ers an d up on t h e fou n ta in s Of wa t ers

”
.
,

St Jud e s s imil e of t h e wan d erin g sta rs t o w h om i s

’
.
,

re serv e d t h e bl a ck n ess Of d ark n es s for e ve r may h ave ,

”

been d rawn from m et eors rat h er t h an from c om et s B u t .

,

as h as b een s een t h e two cl ass es of obj e c ts are cl os ely

,

con n e c ted .
 CHAP TER XI

E CL I P SES OF TH E SU N AN D MOON

WE do n ot kn ow wh a t great com ets or aeroli tes or , ,

s ta r s h ow ers
-
w ere s een 1n P alestin e durin g th e c en tu ri es
\

i n wh ic h th e b ook s Of t h e Bi bl e w ere c omp osed B u t we .

d o k n ow th a t e clip s es bot h of t h e s u n an d m oon mu s t

, ,

h av e b een seen for t h ese are n ot th e resul ts Of ch an c e

,

c on j u n c ti on s We kn ow m ore th at n ot on ly p arti al
.
,

e cl i p s es of t h e s u n ,b u t t otal eclip ses fell wi th i n t h e

,

p eri od s o c overed .

Th ere i s n o ph en om en on of n atu re wh ich i s so tru l y

imp ressiv e a s a t ot al e clip se of th e s u n Th e b eautiful .
'

p agean ts of th e e ven in g an d th e m orn i n g are t oo often

wi tn es se d t o produc e th e s am e effect upon u s wh il st th e ,

s torm a n d t h e e arth qu a k e a n d t h e v olc an o i n e rup ti on ,

by t h e con fus i on an d fear for p ers on a l safety th ey produce ,

ren d er men u n fi t t o w at c h t h e i r d e v e l opm en t s B u t th e .

e clipse a w e s an d s ubdu es by W h a t mi h t alm os t b e c a l l ed

g
moral m ean s a lon e : n o n ois e n o d an ger a ccompan i es i t ;
,

th e b ody i s n ot t ort u re d n or t h e mi n d c on fu s e d by th e
,

ru sh O f t h e bl as t ,
t h e cra sh Of t h e t h u n d er p ea ] t h e -

rockin o f t h rt h qu a k e t h e fi re s Of t h e v olcan o
g e e a or,
.

Th e on ly sen s e a pp e al e d t o i s t h at of s igh t ; th e m ov e
men ts of th e orbs of h eaven go on wi thout n ois e or
1 18
 E CLI P SE S OF THE SU AND MOON 119
N

con fusi on an d wi th a m aj estic s m oot hn ess i n wh ich th ere

,

is n e i th er h urry n or d el ay .

Th is impress ion i s fe l t by e v ery on e n o m a tt er h ow p er ,

fectl a cqu a in t e d n ot on ly wi t h t h e c a u s e Of t h e p h en o
y ,

m en on b u t a ls o with t h e a pp earan c es t o b e exp ected

, ,

an d s ci e n t ific men h av e fou n d t h em s elv es aw est ruck a n d

e v en ov erwh e l m ed .

B u t if s uch are th e feelin g s ca ll ed forth by an eclip se

n ow a d ay s in t h os e wh o are e xp e c t in g i t wh o are pre
- -

, ,

pa red for i t kn owin g p erfectly w h at will h app en an d

,

wh at b rin gs i t ab ou t h ow can w e gauge arigh t t h e

,

u n sp eak abl e t error such an even t mu s t h ave ca u s ed i n

a ges l on g ago wh en i t c am e u tterly u n fores een an d
, ,

i t was im p oss ibl e t o u n d ers tan d wh a t was really t akin g

p lac e
An d s o in Old en t im e an eclips e of t h e s u n cam e as
, ,

an om e n of t erribl e d i s a s ter n ay a s b ein g i t s el f on e of

,

t h e wors t of dis as t ers I t c am e so t o al

. ln at i on s b u t on e .

B u t to th at n ati on t h e word of t h e p rop h et h a d c om e

Learn n ot t h e way of th e h eath en ,

an d b e n ot d i s
m ayed at t h e s ign s of h ea ven ; for t h e h eath en a re
dism ayed at t h em .
”

God did veal th e p h ysical explan ation of th e

n ot re

eclip se to t h e H ebrew s : t h a t i n p roc ess of t im e t h ey

, ,

could l earn by t h e e x erci s e Of th ei r own m en ta l p ow ers .

Bu t H e se t th e m free from th e slavi sh fea r of th e h eath en ;

th ey c ould l ook a t a ll t h es e t error striki n g s ign s wi t h ou t-

fear ; t h ey c ou ld l ook wit h ca lmn ess wit h c on fid en ce , ,

be cau se th ey l ook e d i n fait h .

 120 TH E A STR ONO MY OF TH E BIBLE
I t is y t o ex aggerate t h e adva n t age wh ich th is
n ot ea s

mu st h ave given th e H ebre ws ov er t h e n eigh bourin g

n at i on s ,
from a s c i en t ific p oin t of vi e w Th e w ord of .

God ga v e t h e m i n t e ll e c tu al freed om an d s o far as t h ey

were fai th ful t o i t th ere wa s n o hi n d ran ce t o th eir fully
,

w orkin g ou t t h e s ci en t ific probl e m s wh ich ca m e b efore

t h em . Th ey n ei th er w orsh ipp e d t h e h eav e n ly b odies
n or w ere di s m aye d a t t h e i r sig n s We h ave n o rec ord .

as t o h ow fa r t h e H eb re ws m ad e u se of t h i s fre ed om ,

for as al ready p oin t ed ou t t h e H oly Scrip t u re s w ere n o t

, ,

written t o ch ron i cl e t h eir s ci en t ific a ch i ev em en ts B u t .

t h ere c an b e n o d oub t t h at gi ven t h e l e is u re of p ea c e

, ,

i t i s a p ri ori m ore l i k ely t h at t h ey s h ould h a ve taugh t

a stron omy t o t h eir n e igh b ou rs t h an h av e l earn t i t e v en ,

from t h e m os t advan c ed .

Th ere mu s t h a v e b een n umb erl ess e clip ses of th e m oon

s een i n th e a es du rin w h ic h t h e Can on Of H oly Scrip
g g
t ure was w rit t en Of eclips es of th e s u n to tal or very
.
,

n ea rly t ot a l ov e r t h e re ion s Of P a l es t i n e or M e s op ot ami a

g ,

i n t h e t im es Of t h e Old Tes tam en t we kn ow of fou r th at ,

w ere act u ally s een wh ose record i s p res erved in con

,

t e m p oran eou s h is t ory a n d a fi fth th at was n early t ota l

,

i n Ju d aea ab ou t m i dd ay .

Th e fi rs t of t h e fou r i s rec ord e d on a t abl et from

Babylon l at ely d eci ph ered in wh ich i t s tates th at on
, ,

t h e 26 th d ay of Si va n d ay was t u rn ed in to n igh t an d
“
, ,

fi re a p p eared i n t h e midst of h eaven Th i s h as b een

”
.

iden tifi ed with t h e e cl i p s e of July 3 1 1 0 63 B C an d , . .

,

we d o n ot fi n d a n y referen c e t o i t i n Scriptu re .

Th e se c on d i s th at of Au g 1 5 8 3 1 B C N o s p ecific
.
, . .
122 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
a b ove t h e h ori z on a t th e tim e I f h ow ever th e m oon is
.
, ,

i n c on ju n c t i on or n e w i t i s t h e s u n th at i s e clipsed
,
“
, ,

an d a s t h e s h a d ow c a s t by t h e m oon i s b u t s m all O n ly ,

p ea rt h s s u rfa c e will
’
a ort i on of t h e e xp eri en c e t h e
\

s ol ar e clip se Th e n od es o f t h e m oon s orbi t are not

.

’
s t a t i on a ry b u t h a v e a d a ily ret rog ra d e m ot i on of 3
,

I t tak e s t h e m oon th erefore 5 h

5 m 36 s

t o p erform a j ou rn ey i n i ts orbit from on e n od e b a ck to

t h a t n od e aga i n ; t h is i s c all e d a D ra c on ic p eri od Bu t .

d m
i t t ak es t h e m oon 29 1 2 44 28 7 ( 29 5 3 0 5 9 ) t o pa ss
h 1 8

from n ew t o n e w or from full t o full 11 6 t o compl et e

, , .

a lu n a t i on . N o w 24 2 D ra c on ic p e ri od s very n early e qu a l
5

223 lu n a t i on s b e in g ab ou t 1 8 y ea rs 1 0 % d ay s an d b ot h a re
, ,

v ery n early equ a l t o 1 9 ret urn s of th e s u n to th e m oon s ’

n od e ; so t h at i f t h e m oon i s n e w or full w h en at a n od e ,

i n 1 8 ye ars an d 1 0 or 1 1 d ays i t will b e at t h at n od e again ,

a n d a a i n n e w or full a n d t h e s u n will b e a l s o p resen t

g ,

i n v ery n early i ts form er p os it ion I f th ere fore an e cli pse

.
, ,

occu rre d on t h e form er occ as i on i t will p rob ably occu r on

,

t h e l a t t er .Th is re cu rren c e o f e clips e s a fter i n t erva ls

Of 1 8 0 3 y ears i s c a ll e d t h e Saros an d was k n o wn t o t h e
,

Ch a ld ean s .We d o n ot kn ow wh eth er i t was k n own t o

th e H eb rews p ri or t o th eir cap t ivi ty i n B abyl on b u t ,

p oss ibly th e s tat em en t of th e wis e kin g a lready qu oted ,

from th e Ap ocryp ha l Wis d om of Sol om on may refer t o ,

”

som e s uch kn owl e dge .

Ou r c al en d ar t o d ay i s a pu rely sol ar on e ; ou r m on t h s
are t w e lv e i n n umb er b u t Of pu rely a rbi trary l en th
,
g ,

divorced from allcon n ection wi th th e m oon ; an d t o u s th e ,

Saros cyc l e d oe s n ot rea dily l ea p t o t h e e e for eclip ses

y ,
 E C LI P SE S OF TH E SU N AN D MOON 123

of s u n or m oon seem to fall h a ph az ard on an y day of th e

m on t h or year .

B u t wit h th e Hebrews Assyri an s an d Ba byl on ian s i t

, ,

was n ot s o Th eir cal en d ar was a l u n i—

. s ol ar o n e — t h e ir
year was on t h e a verage a sola r year t h eir m on th s w ere ,

t ru e lun at i on s ; t h e fi rs t d ay of t h e ir n ew m on t h b egan on
t h e e ven in g wh en t h e first th in cre sc en t of t h e m oon

a pp ear e d a ft er i ts c on j un c t i on wit h t h e s u n Th i s Observa

.

t i on i s w h at i s m e an t i n th e B i bl e by t h e
”
n e w m oon .

As tron om ers n ow by n ew m oon m ean t h e t im e wh en i t

i s a c t u ally i n con ju n c ti on with t h e su n a n d i s t h ere fore ,

n ot vi s ibl e .N ati on s w h os e c al en d ar wa s of th is d escri p

t i on were c ert a i n t o di sc ov er t h e Saros m u ch s oon er th an
th ose wh ose m on th s we re n ot t ru e lu n at i on s lik e t h e ,

E gypt ian s Gre ek s an d R om an s

, , .

Th ere are n o dire c t referen c e s t o e clips es in Scrip t ure .

Th ey migh t h av e b een u s e d i n t h e h is t orica l p orti on s for

t h e pu rp os e of d at i n g e v e n t s as was t h e great e arth qu ak e
,

i n th e days of Ki n g Uz z iah b u t t h ey w ere n ot so u s ed

, .

B u t we fi n d n ot a fe w allu si on s t o th eir ch ara ct eris tic

a pp earan c es a n d p h en om en a i n t h e b ook s Of t h e p rop h e t s .

God i n t h e b egi n n i n g s et t h e t wo gre at ligh t s i n th e

fi rmamen t for sign s a s w e ll a s for s ea son s ; a n d t h e proph et s
th rough ou t u s e t h e rel at i on s of t h e s u n an d m oon as typ es
Of s p i ri t u al rel at i on s Th e M es s ia h was th e Su n Of Righ t
.

eou s n es s ; th e ch os en p e opl e t h e C h u rc h wa s as t h e m oon

, , ,

w h ich d erives h er ligh t from Him Th e s ign s of h ea ven

.
”

were symbols of grea t s piri tu al e ven ts n ot omen s of mun dan e

,

Th e proph e ts J oel an d Amos are clear an d vivid in th eir

8
124 THE A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IBLE

d es cript ion s ; prob ably be ca use th e e clipse of 83 1 B C . . was

w it h in t h e ir rec ol
lec t ion Joel s ays fi rst Th e su n “
d th e
‘

.
, an

m oon sh all b e d ark an d aga in m ore pla i n ly , ,

I willw won d ers in th e h eaven s an d i n th e earth

sh o ,

bl ood an d fi re an d pill ars of s m oke Th e s u n s h all b e

, , .

t u rn ed i n t o d a rk n e s s a n d t h e m oon in to blood b efore t h e

, ,
”
reat a n d t h e t erribl e d a of t h e L ord c om e
g y .

Th i s proph ecy qu oted by St Peter on th e d ay of

wa s .

Pen t ecost An d i n th e Ap oca lypse St John s ays t h at

.
,
.

w h en th e six th seal wa s open ed th e su n b e cam e black ,

a s sa ckcl ot h of h ai r an d t h e m oon b e c am e as bl ood

”
.
,

I n t h es e referen ce s t h e t wo kin d s of e clipses are

,

re ferre d t o — t h e su n b ec om e s bl a ck wh en t h e m oon is

n ew an d h id es i t ; t h e m oon b e c om es as bl ood w h en i t

full a n d th e ea rth s s h ad o w fall s upon i t ; i ts d eep

” ’
is “

c e p er c ol ou r lik e t h at of d ri ed bl ood b ei n g d u e t o t h e
p , ,

fa ct t h at t h e ligh t falli n g up on i t h as p a ssed t h rou gh a

, ,

rea t d ep t h o f t h e earth s a t m os p h ere Th ese t wo ecl i ps es

’

g .

c an n ot th erefore b e coin cid en t b u t t hey may occu r on ly a

,

—
fortn igh t apa rt a t otal e clips e of t h e su n may b e ao
c ompan ied by a p artial e clipse of t h e m oon a fortn igh t ,

earlier or a fort n i gh t la t er ; a t ot a l e clip se of th e m oon

may b e a ccomp an i ed by pa rtia l e clips es of th e su n b oth ,

at t h e p re c edi n g an d foll owi n g n e w m oon s .

Writin g at abou t th e same p eriod t he proph et Am os ,

s ays

Saith th e L ord God I will c au se t h e s u n t o go d own

,

at n oon , an d I will d ark en t h e e art h i n t h e cl ear d a ,

y
an d ms to refer to t h e fact th at
see th e e clip se of 831 B C
. .

occu rre d a b ou t mid d ay i n Ju d aea .

126 TH E A STR ONO MY OF TH E BI B LE
b oth th eB aby lon ia n s an d Egypt ia n s of old Both na ti on s .

h ad a s p eci ally s a cre d s ymb ol t o s et for t h t h e Divi n e

Pres en ce— th e E gypt i an s a dis c wi th l on g out s tretch ed
,

win gs ; th e B abyl on ian s a ring wi th win gs Th e l att er

, .

symb ol on A ssy ri an m on um en ts i s always sh own as

fl oat i n g over t h e h ead Of th e ki n g an d i s d es ig n ed to ,

in dic at e t h e p resen c e an d prot ec ti on Of t h e D eity .

We may ta k e it for gran ted t h at th e E gyp tian s an d

Chal d ean s of ol d a s m od ern as tron om ers t o d ay h ad
,
-

TH E A SSY R I AN RI NG W I TH W I N GS .
”

on e t im e presen te d to th em e very typ e of

or an o th er

coron al form B u t th ere would n o d oubt b e a di fficul ty

. , ,

i n gras pin g or rem e mb eri n g t h e i rregul a r d e tail s of th e

coron a a s s een in m os t eclips es Som et ime s h owever .
, ,

th e c oron a s h ows it s e l f in a s triki n g a n d s i mpl e form

wh en s u n sp ots are fe w i n n umb er i t spread s itsel f ou t in
-

t wo grea t e qu a toria l s t re am ers At t h e eclip se of Al gier

.

s
in 1 9 00 a lrea dy referre d t o on e Ob server wh o wa tch ed t h e
"

, ,

e clip se from th e sea said ,

“
Th e sky was blue all rou n d th e sun ,
an d th e e ffe
ct of
 CHAP TER X I I

SATU R N AN D ASTR OL OG Y
TH E plan et s as such a re n owh ere m en tion e d in th e
, ,

Bibl e I n th e on e i n s tan c e in wh ich t h e word app ears

.

i n ou r v ersi on s i t i s given as a t ran sl at i on of Mazza l

,
oth ,

b etter ren d ered i n th e m argin a s th e twelve Si gn s or

c on s t e ll at i on s Th e e viden c e i s n ot fully c on clu s iv e t h at
”
.

al lu s i on i s m ad e t o a n y pl an e t e ven i n i ts capacity of,

a god w ors h i pp ed by t h e s u rrou n di n g n at io n s .

Of pl an e t s b e s id es t h e e arth m od ern a s t ron omy k n o ws

, ,

Mercury V en u s M ars m an y pl an etoids Jupi ter Sat urn

, , , , , ,

Uran u s an d N e ptu n e
,
An d of s at el
. li tes re v olvi n g rou n d
plan ets t h ere are at presen t kn own t h e m oon wh ich own s ,

ou r earth as prim ary t wo satelli tes t o Mars eigh t

, ,

s at e llit es t o Jupit er t en t o Sat u rn ,

four to Uran u s an d , ,

on e t o N ep t un e .

Th e an ci en t s c oun ted th e pl an et s as seven n umb erin g ,

t h e m oon an d t h e s u n am on gs t t h e m Th e res t were .

Mercury Ven us Mars Jupi ter an d Sat urn Th ey re cog

, , , .

n i z e d n o sa t elli t es t o an y pl an et . We h ave n o e vid en ce

t h at t h e an cien t Se mit ic n a ti on s con sid ere d t h at th e m oon
was more in t im at ely c on n ec t e d with th e earth t han an y of
the ot h er Six .
 SATUR N AND A STR OLO GY 131

B u t th ough t h e pl an e ts w ere s om etim es regard ed as

s ev en in n umb e r t h e an ci en ts p erfe c t ly rec ogn i z ed t h at
,

t h e su n a n d m oon s t ood i n a di fferen t c at egory alt oget h er

from th e oth er fi ve An d t h ou gh t h e h eat h en re c ogn i z e d
.

t h e m as d e it i e s c on fu s i o n res ul t e d as t o t h e id en t i ty of t h e
,

d eity of wh ich each was a m an ifestat ion Sa m as was th e .

od an d B a a l wa s t h e s u n god b u t Sam as an d B aal

su n
g
- -

, ,

or B el w ere n ot id en t i c a l a n d b ot h w ere s om et h in g m ore

, ,

t h an m erely t h e su n p erson ifi e d Again M erod ach or

.
, ,

Marduk i s s om et im es expressly i d en tifi ed wi th B el as

,

o d s om et im es wi t h t h e divi n ity of t h e pl an et
su n
g
-

Jupit er Simil arly Ash toreth or I star i s s om et im es

.
, ,

id en tifi ed with th e godd ess of th e m oon som et im es with ,

th e pl an et V en u s I t would n ot b e s a fe th erefore t o
.
, ,

as s um e t h at referen c e i s i n t en d ed t o an y p art icular

h eav en ly body b eca u s e a d ei t y i s m en t i on ed t h at h as

,

b een on occas i on s id en tifi ed wi th th at h eaven ly body .

Still l ess s afe w ould i t b e t o ass um e a stron omica l a llu s ion s

i n th e d es cripti on of t h e qu ali t i es or c h arac t eri st ics
of t h at d e i ty Th ough Ash t oreth or I star may h a v e
.
, ,

b een often id en t ifi ed with th e pl an et V en u s i t i s ,

ridi cul ous t o argu e as s om e h av e d on e from t h e e xp ressi on

, ,

Ash teroth Kam ai m As h t eroth Of th e h orn s t h at t h e

-
”

, ,
”

an ci en t s h ad si gh t or i n s trum en ts s u ffici en t ly p ow erful t o

e n abl e th em t o ob s erv e t h a t V en u s lik e t h e m oon ,h ad ,

h er ph ases h er h orn s Th ou gh N eb o h as b een

” '

.
,

id en t ifi ed wi th th e pl an et M ercu ry we mu st n ot se e an y ,

as t ron omic al a llu s i on t o i t s b ein g t h e n eares t p l an et t o t h e

su n i n I s ai ah s c ouplin g th e t wo t ogeth er w h ere h e says

’

, ,

Belbe we th down N eb o st oope th

”

, ,
132 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
Isai ah speak s of th e Kin g of B abyl on

H ow art t h ou fa ll en from H e a v en , 0 Lucifer , son of

th e m orn i n g I

Th e word h ere tran sl at e d ligh t b ea rer, i s th e

Luci fer
,
-

word el from t h e
h él root h a l
al a n d m ean s s rea d i n g
, p
bri ghtn ess . I n t h e Assy ri O
B abyl on i an th e pl an et Ven us
-

i s som et im es t erm ed Mu stél el from t h e root EM an d

, ,

s h e i s t h e m ost lu st rou s Of al lth e m orn i n g s t ars of th e ”

,

s tars th at h era ld t h e d a wn B u t e xc ep t t h at h er greater

.

brillian cy m ark s h er as especially appropriate t o th e

expres si on Siriu s or an y oth er i n i t s c a pa city of m orn in g
,

s t ar w ould b e suit abl e a s an e xpl an a t i on of th e t erm .

St P et er u s es th e equival en t G reek e xp ress i on P h és

'

‘
.

oms i n
“
p h h i s s e c on d epis t l e : A lig h t t h at sh in et h i n

a d ark pl a c e u n t il t h e d a awn a n d th e d a
”
, y d y s tar li
( g h t -

”
bri n ger) arise i n y ou r h earts
“
.

I saiah agai n says

Ye areth ey th at fors ak e t h e L ord , th at forget My h oly
m ou n t ain , t h at prepare a tabl e for t h at Troop , an d th at
fu rn is h t h e d rin k Offerin g u n t o t h at Numb er
”
.

Gad
”
an d literally tran sl at ed as Troop
M en i ”
,
h ere
an d Numb er are i n th e Re vi s ed Versi on ren d ere d as
”
,

“
Fort un e an d D es tin y A referen c e t o t h is god
.

M en i h as b een suggeste d i n th e mys teri ou s in s cri ption

wh ich th e Kin g Of B abylon saw writt en by a h an d
upon th e wall wh ich D an i e l i n t erpret ed a s God h at h
,

n umb ere d th y kin gd om an d b rou gh t i t t o an en d By ”

, .

s om e c omm en t a t ors M en i i s u n d ers t ood t o b e t h e pla n et

V en u s an d G ad to he Ju pi ter for th ese are as s oci ated i n

,
r ,
134 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
was s t ar w orsh ip t o wh ich h e was referrin g for h e prefaces ,

h i s qu otat ion by sa yin g God t u rn ed an d gav e th em up t o

,

s erv e t h e h os t of h ea v en as i t i s w ri t t en i n t h e b ook of
,

”
t h e prop h e t s .

Th e d i fleren ce b et w e en t h e n am es Ch iun
’

an d

R emph an i s e xpl ai n e d by a prob abl e mis rea din g on

th e p art o f th e Sep t u agin t tran sl at ors i n t o t h e Gre ek wh o ,

seem e d t o h a v e t ran s crib e d t h e i n i t i a l of th e w ord as

re sh,
wh ere i t sh ould h ave b een ca ph R i n stea d
of K —t h u s t h e real w ord sh ould b e tran s lit erat ed
,

Ka i ca n wh ich was t h e n am e of th e pl an et Sat urn b ot h

,

am on s t t h e a n ci en t Arab s an d Syrian s an d a l s o a m on gs t
g ,

th e As syri an s wh il st Keva n ,
i s t h e n am e of t h at pl an et
in t h e sac re d b ook s Of t h e Pars ees On th e ot h er h an d .
,

th ere s eems t o b e som e di flic u l

‘
ty i n s upp os in g th a t a d e ity
’

i s i n t en d ed of w h ic h t h ere i s n o ot h er m en t i on i n Scrip t u re ,

s eei n g t h a t th e re feren c e b ot h by Am os an d St St eph en , .

,

w ould imply th at th e p articular Obj ect of id olatry

d en oun ced was on e exc eedin gly familiar t o th em .

Ges en i u s t herefore after h a vin g previ ou sly acc ept ed t h e

, ,

view th at we h ave h ere a referen c e to th e w orsh ip of

Sat urn fin ally ad opt ed t h e ren d erin g of t h e L at i n Vulgat e
, ,

“
th at t h e w ord Ch iu n sh ould b e t ran sl at e d s ta t u e
”
or
“
image Th e p ass age w ould th en b ec om e
.
”

Ye h av e b orn e th e b ooth of your Moloeh an d th e

im age of you r id ols t h s t ar Of od w h ich made
”
,
e
‘ y ou r
g y e

for yours elv es .

I f we cc ept th e view
a t h at t h e w orsh i p of th e plan et
Sa tu rn i s i n d e ed referred to, i t does n ot n ec ess arily fo l
l ow
 SA TUR N AND ASTR OLO GY 135

th at t h e prop h et Am os was stat in g th at th e I sraelit es i n

'

t h e wild ern es s a c t u a lly ob s erv ed an d w orsh ipp e d h i m a s

s uch . Th e p roph et may me an n o m ore th an th at t h e
Israelites w h il st ou twardly con formi n g t o t h e worsh i p of
,

J eh ova h w ere in t h eir se cret d esires h an k erin g aft er

,

—
Sabaeis m t h e w orsh ip of t h e h eav en ly b est An d i t may .

we ll b e t hat h e ch ooses Moloeh an d Sat urn as rep res en tin g

t h e cru ell es t an d m os t d eb as e d form s of h ea t h en is m .

Th e plan et Sat u rn gives i t s n am e t o t h e s e ven t h d ay of

ou r w e ek Sat u rn s d ay t h e sab b a th of th e w e ek of t h e
’ ”

, ,

Je ws an d th e coin cid en ce of t h e t wo h as call ed forth n ot a

,

few in gen i ous t h eori es Why d o th e d ays of ou r w eek

.

b ear th eir pres e n t n am es an d wh at i s th e e xpl an at i on of ,

t h eir ord er ?

Th e l at e w ell k n own a stron om er R A Proc tor gives

-

,
. .
,

th e e xpl an a t i on as foll ows :

Th e t wen ty fou r h ou rs of eac h d ay were d ev ot ed t o

-

t h os e pl an e ts in t h e ord er of t h e i r s upp ose d d i sta n c e from

t h e e a rt h —Sa t u rn ,
Jupit er, M ars t h e Su n Ven u s
, , , ,

M e rcu ry, an d t h e M oon Th e ou t erm ost pl an e t Sat u rn .

, ,

whi ch a ls o t ravel s i n t h e l on ges t p eri od , wa s regard e d i n

t h is arran ge m en t a s of c h i e f d ign i ty a s e n c omp a s s i n g i n ,

h i s m ov e m en t a l lt h e res t Jupi t er wa s of h i gh er d ig n i t y
,

t h an Mars a n d s o fort h ,
M ore ov er to th e ou t erm os t .

pl an et p artly b ecau s e o f Sat u rn s gl oomy a sp ect p art ly

,
’
,

b e ca u se a m on g h al f s a v a ge ra c e s t h e p ow ers of e vi l are
-

a lw ays m ore resp e ct e d t h a n t h e p o w e rs t h at w ork for

g oo d
, a m al e fi c en t i n flu e n c e was a t t rib u t ed N o w ,
i f we .

as s i n t o t h e s ucc ess iv e h ou rs of a d ay t h e pl a n et s a s
g
a b ov e n am e d b egin n i n g w i th Sat u rn en t h e d a y ass ign e d
-

t o t h at p o we rful d e i ty i t will b e fou n d t h a t th e l as t h ou r

,

of t h at d ay will b e ass i g n ed t o Mars th e l e ss er

in fortu n e , as Sat u rn was t h e gre at er in fortu n e, of th e
’ ‘ ’
136 TH E A STR ONOM Y OF TH E BIBL E
ol
d s ystem l gy— an d t h e first h our of th e n ext
of a st ro o

d ay t o th e n ex t pl a n et t h e Su n ; th e d ay foll owin g ,

Sat urd ay w ould th u s b e Su n da y Th e l ast h ou r of Su n .

d ay would fall t o M ercu ry a n d t h e fi rs t of t h e n e x t t o ,

t h e M oon ; s o M on d ay th e M oon s d ay foll ows Sun d ay

’
, .
,

Th e n ex t d ay w ould b e t h e d ay of Mars wh o i n t h e , , ,

Scan di n avi an t h eol ogy i s rep res en te d by Tu i sco ; so ,

Tu i s co s d ay or Tu es d a y ( M ard i ) foll ows M en d ay Th en

’
.
, , ,

by foll owin g t h e sam e syst em we com e t o M ercu ry s d ay ,

’

( M erc re di) W o d e n s ,
d a
y or W e d n es d ’
ay ; n e x t t o J,upi t e r s
’

d ay Jove s d ay (J eu d i) Th or s d ay or Th u rsd ay ; to
’ ’
.
, , ,

Ven u s s d ay V e n dre di ( Ven eris d i es ) Freya s d ay or

’
, ,
’

Frid ay an d s o t o Sa t u rd ay aga in Th a t t h e d ay d evot ed

,
.

t o t h e m ost e vil an d m ost p owerful of a l lt h e d e i t i es o f t h e

Sabd an s ( si c) sh ould b e s et a p art — fi rst as on e on w h ic h
i t was u n lucky t o w ork an d a ft erward s a s on e on w h ic h i t
,

was h e ld t o b e s i n ful t o w ork— was b u t th e n at u ra l ou t

c ome o f t h e s up erst i t i ou s b eli ef t hat t h e pl an ets we re
g ods rulin
g t h e fa t es o f m e n an d n a t i on s
1
.
”

Thi s th eory pp ears at first s igh t so s impl e s o plaus ibl e

a , ,

“
t h at m an y are t empt ed t o s ay I t mu s t b e t ru e an d i t
”

, ,

h as a cc ordin gly gain ed a wid e acc ep tan c e Yet a m om en t s

’
.

"

t h ou gh t s h ows th a t i t m ak es m an y as sump t i on s s om e o f ,

wh ich rest w ith ou t an y proof an d oth ers are kn own to b e ,

fals e .

Wh en w ere th e pl an ets discovere d N ot certa in ly

at t h e d a wn of as tron omy Th e fix ed s tars mu st h av e .

b ecom e famili ar an d h ave b een recogn lz e d i n th eir vari ou s

,

groupin gs b efore i t could h ave b een kn own th at th ere w ere

ot h ers th at w ere n ot fi x ed — w ere
”
pl an ets i e w an d erers , , . . .

Th u s am on gst t h e G re ek s n o pl an et i s allud ed t o by
, ,

Hesiod an d H om er m en t ion s n o pl an et oth er th an Ven u s

, ,

1 R A Proctor, The Grea t P yra mid , p 274—

2 76
. .

p . .
138 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
th e
“
v pl an ets wit h th e s e ven days of t h e week was
s e en

som e th i n g much l a t er s t ill I t impli es; as we h av e seen

.
,

t h e a d e pt i on of a p art icul a r ord er for t h e pl a n et s an d t h is ,

ord er fu rth er impli es t h a t a k n o wl edg e h a d b een ob ta i n e d

of t h ei r rel a t iv e di st an c es an d i n v olve s a p art icula r th eory

,

o f t h e s ol ar sys t em t h at wh ich we n ow k n ow a s t h e
,

P tol em aic I t i s n ot th e ord er of th e B abyl on ian s for

.
,

t h ey arran g e d t h em M oon Su n M ercu ry V e n u s s a

, , , t u rn , , ,

Jupit er M ars
, .

Th ere are furth er c on sid erat i on s wh ich sh ow th at t h e

B abyl on ian s c ould n ot h av e given th ese pl an et ary n am es
t o t h e d ays of t h e w eek Th e ord er of t h e n a m es impli es
.

t h at a t w en ty fou r h our d ay was u s ed b u t t h e B abyl on i an

-

h ou rs w ere t wic e t h e l en gt h of t h os e w h ich we u s e ; h en c e

t h ere w ere on ly t w elv e o f t h e m Fu rth er t h e B abyl on i an
.
,

w eek was n ot a t ru e w eek run n in g on c on t in u ou sly ; i t was

t i e d t o th e m on t h an d h en c e did n ot l en d i t s el f t o s uch a
,

n ot a t i on .

B u t t h e ord er a d opt ed for th e pl an et s i s th at curren t

a m on s t t h e G ree k a st ron om e rs of Al e xa n d ri a wh o did

g ,

u s e a t wen t y fou r h ou r d a H c i t w c t ain ly l at er

y e n e as er
-

t h an 3 00 B C B u t th e G reeks an d E gypt ian s alik e u se d

. .

a w eek of t en d ays n ot of s ev en ,
H ow t hen did t h e
.

plan etary n am es com e to b e assign ed t o t h e s even d ay -

w eek
I t was a c on se qu en ce of th e p ow er wh ich th e Jews
p oss es s ed of impres sin g t h eir religiou s id eas an d par ,

t i cu larl t h e i r ob s e rvan c e of t h e s abba t h d a up t h i

y y o n e r ,

c on qu erors Th ey did so wi th th e R oman s We fi n d s uch

. .

wri ters as Cic ero Horace J u ven al an d o th ers remarkin g

, ,
 SATU R N AND A STR OLO GY 139

upon th e s abbath a n d in de e d i n t h e early d ays of t h e

, , ,

E mpire t h ere wa s a con s id erabl e ob s ervan c e of i t Much .

m ore th en mu st th e Al e x an dri an Greek s h ave b een aware

, ,

o f t h e J ewi sh s abb a t h — wh ich in v olv e d t h e J e wi sh w e ek

, ,

at a t im e w h en t h e J e w s o f t h at ci ty w ere b ot h n um erou s

a n d p owe rful h avin g e qu a l righ t s wi th t h e Gre ek i n

,

h ab i tan t s an d wh en t h e P t ol emi es w e re s an c t i on i n g t h e
,

ere c ti on of a J ewi sh t empl e i n t h e i r d omin i on s a n d t h e ,

t ran sl at ion of t h e J e wis h Scri p t u re s in t o G re ek I t wa s .

a ft er t h e Al ex an d ri an G reek s h ad th u s l earn ed of th e
Je wish w e ek t h a t t h ey a ssi gn e d th e plan et s t o t h e s e v en
d ays of t h at w eek s in ce i t sui ted th ei r a s trol ogical
,

purp oses b et ter th an th e Egyptian w eek of t en d ays .

Th at a ll ot m e n t c ould n ot p oss ibly h av e b rou gh t e i t h er

w eek or s abba th i n t o e xi s t en c e B oth h a d b een re c og n iz ed
.

m an y c en tu ri es earli er I t was fois t ed up on t h at wh ich

.

h ad a l rea dy a v en era bl e a n t iqui ty As Profes s or Sch ia .

p a rel i
l w e ll r e m ark s w e a re i n d e b t e d for t h es e n a m e s
,
“

t o m ath e ma t ica l as trol ogy t h e fa l s e s c i en c e w h ich c am e

,

t o b e form e d a ft er t h e t i m e of Al ex a n d er t h e G rea t from

t h e s tran g e i n t erm arri age b et we en Ch ald e an a n d Egyp ti an
s up ers t i ti on s a n d t h e m a th em a t ica l a s t ron omy o f th e
”
G reek s 1
.

Th ere i s a wid espread n oti on t h a t ea rly as tron omy ,

wh eth er am on gst t h e H ebrews or els e w h e re t ook th e ,

form of a s trol ogy ; t h at th e fort u n e t e lli n g c ame fi rst -

an d t h e l egitimat e s ci en ce gre w ou t of i t I n d eed .

,

a cl aim i s n ot in frequ en t ly m ad e t h at n o s m all h on our

i s d u e t o t h e early a s trol ogers sin c e from t h eir e fforts , ,

G V Sch iaparelli A t on omy i n the Ol

. .
, d Testa men t p 13 7
s r ,
. .
140 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
the m os t m aj es tic of al
l th e s ci en ces is sa id to ha ve
i
ar se n .

Th es e id ea s are th e e xa ct c on trary of th e t ru th .

M a th ematic al or p erh aps as we migh t b e tt er call i t

, ,

plan etary ast rol ogy as we h ave i t t o d ay c on cern s i ts el f

,
-

with th e app aren t m ovem en ts of th e pl an ets i n th e s en se

)
th at i t u ses th em as i ts m at eri al ; j u s t as a ch ild pl ayin g

i n a libra ry migh t u se t h e b ook s as buildin g blocks pilin g , ,

i t may b e a b ook of s erm on s on a h is t ory an d a n ov el on

, ,

a m at h em at ic a l t rea ti s e Astrol ogy d oes n ot c on tribu te

.
,

ha s n ot c on tribu t ed a Si n gl e ob s ervat i on a si n gl e d em on
‘

s t ra ti on t o as t ron omy I t ow es t o a s tron omy al

. l th at i t
kn ows of m a th em atica l p roces s es a n d pl an etary p osit ion s .

I n as tron omic al l a n u a e t h e c a lcul a t i on of a h oros c op e i s

g g h

s imply t h e c alcul at i on o f t h e a z imu t h s of t h e di ffe ren t

pla n ets an d of certain im agin a ry p oin ts on th e e cliptic for

,

a giv en t im e Th i s i s an astron omic al proc ess c arri ed ou t

.
,

a cc ordin g t o c ert ain s impl e formul a e Th e calcul at i on of a.

h oros c ope i s t h ere fore a s trai gh t forward bus in ess b u t as

.
, ,

a st rol ogers al la dmi t i ts i n terpret at i on i s w h ere t h e s kill

,

i s re qui red an d n o re a l rul es can b e given for th a t

, .

H e re is t h e e x pl an ation why th e s u n an d m oon are

classed t ogeth er wi th s uch relatively i n s ign ifican t bodies
as t h e ot h er fi v e pl an et s an d a re n ot ev en ran k e d a s t h ei r
,
c

ch ie f Th e an ci en t as trol oger like t h e m od ern cared

.
, ,

n ot h i n g for th e a ct u al lumin ary i n t h e h ea ven s ; a l lhe

cared for was i ts writt en symb ol on h i s t abl ets an d t h ere ,

Su n an d Sat u rn c ould b e l ook ed upon as equ al or Sa turn ,

as th e gre at er I t i s a rare t h in g for a m od ern a s t rol og er

.

to in troduce th e pla c e of an ac tu a l s tar in to a h oros e0 pe ;

142 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
a s tro ol gers u sed as t h eir m at eri al for p redict ion t h e stars
or c on s t e ll at i on s wh ic h h app en e d t o b e ri si n or sett in at
g g
th e tim e s el e c t ed or w e re up on t h e s am e m eridia n or ha d
, ,

t h e s am e l on gi t ud e as suc h c on ste ll at i on s
, On e of t h e .

e a rl i e s t of t h ese a s t rol ogic a l writ ers was Zeu ch rOs of

B abyl on wh o live d ab ou t th e t im e of th e Christian era
, ,

s om e of wh ose w ri t in gs h av e b een pre se rv e d t o u s From .

t h es e i t i s cl ear t h at th e as trol ogers fou n d t we lve s ign s of .

t h e z odi ac did n ot give th e m en ough pl ay Th ey th erefore .

”
i n troduced th e d ecan s th at i s t o say th e idea of t h irty si x
,
-
.

divi n it ies — t hree t o each m on th b orrowed from th e

E gypti an division of t h e y ear in to t h irty six w eek s ( of t en -

d ays ) ea ch u n d er th e rule of a s eparat e god Of c ours e

,
.

t h is Egyp tia n year b ore n o fix e d re l a ti on t o t h e a c tu a l lu n ar .

mon th s or solar y ear n or t h erefore t o th e Je wi sh yea r

, ,

wh ich was rel ate d to both B u t even with t h i s in crease

.

o f m at e ri al t h e as t rol ogers fou n d t h e a s tron omic a l d at a

,

in s u ffi ci en t for t h eir fortun e tellin g pu rp oses Addition al

-
.

figures quit e u n rep resen t ed i n th e h ea ven s w ere d evi s ed , ,

a n d w ere d rawn upon as n eed ed t o s uppl em en t t h e

, ,

en uin e c on st e ll a t i on s an d a s i t wa s imp oss ibl e t o rec og

g ,

n i z e t h ese a ddi t i on s i n t h e s k y t h e pre dic t i on s were mad e

, ,

n ot from ob serv at i on of t h e h ea v en s b u t from ob s erv at ion s

,

on gl ob es o ft en v ery i n a ccu ra t e
,
.

Earli er s t il l we h a ve a strological tabl et s from Assyri a

an d B abyl on m an y of w h ich s h o w t h at t h ey h ad n ot h i ng
,

t o d o wi th an y a ct u al ob servat i on an d were simply in ven t ed

,

t o giv e c ompl et en es s t o th e t abl es of om en s Th u s an .

Assyrian t abl et h as b een foun d upon wh ich are gi ven th e

‘

si gn i fi cat ion s of e clips es fallin g upon each d ay of th e mon th

 SA TUR N A ND A STR OLO GY
'

143

Tamm u z ,
igh t up t o th e middl e of th e mon th I t i s
r .

amu s in g t o rea d t h e n a i v e c omm en t of a di s t i n g ui s h e d

As sy ri ol ogis t th at t abl ets s uch as th es e prov e h ow ca re ful

,

an d h ow l on g c on t in u e d h ad b e e n t h e ob servat i on s up on

whi ch th ey w ere based I t was n ot recogn iz ed t h at n o

.

eclips es ei th er of su n or m oon c ould p os s ibly occu r on

m ost of th e d ates gi ven an d t h a t t h ey could n ever occu r

,

“
i n t h e n ort h which i s on e of t h e qu arters i n dica ted
,
”
.

Th ey w ere n o m ore fou n d ed on a ctu al ob servat i on t h an

t h e p ort en t m en ti on ed on an oth er tabl et of a w om an givin g
,

birth t o a li on wh ich after alli s n ot m ore i mp ossibl e t han

, , ,

t h at an e cl i p s e sh ould occur i n t h e n orth on th e sec on d

d ay of Ta mmu z I n al
l ages i t h as b ee n th e sam e ; t h e
.

a st rol oger h as h ad n ot h i n g t o d o wi th s ci en c e a s s uc h ,

e v en i n i ts m ost primi t iv e form ; h e h as c are d n ot h i n

g
for t h e ac t u al a ppearan c e of th e h eaven s up on w hic h h e
preten d e d to b ase h i s predic tion s ; an im agin ary pl an e t ,

an im a gin a ry e cli p se a n im ag i n a ry c on s t e ll a ti on w ere ju s t

,

as good for h i s fort u n e t elli n g a s real on es -

Suc h fort u n e
.

t e llin g was forbidd en t o t h e H eb re ws ; n ec ess arily for

bidd en for ast rol ogy h ad n o excu s e u n l ess th e stars an d
,

pl an ets were gods or th e veh icl es an d en gin es of god s

, .

Al l a ttempt s t o ext ort from s pi ri ts or from in an im a t e

t h in gs a gl impse i n t o th e fu tu re were l ikewi se forbid d en
th em .

Wh en th ou art c om e in to th e l an d w hich t h e Lord thy

.

God giv e t h t h ee t h ou sh a l t n ot l earn t o d o a ft er t h e

,

ab om i n a t i on s of t h os e n a t i on s Th ere s h a ll n ot b e fou n d
.

wi th t h e e a n y o n e t h a t m a k e t h h i s s on or h is d au gh t er t o
pas s t hrough t h e fi re on e t hat u seth divi n ati on on e t h at
, ,
144 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IBL E

ra c ti s e t h u gury or a n en ch an t er or a s orc erer or a

p a , , ,

c h arm er or a c on s ul t er with a f amilia r s pi ri t or a wiz ard

, , ,

or a n e c rom a n c er F or w h oso e v er d oe t h t h es e t h in gs i s
.

an a b omin at i on u n t o t h e Lord : an d b e ca u s e of t h es e
ab omin a t i on s t h e L ord t h G d d t h d riv e t h em ou t from
y o o

b e fore t h ee Th ou s hal t b e p erfec t wi th th e Lord t hy

.
,

God For t h ese n a t i on s w h ich t h ou sh a l t pos sess h eark en

.
, ,

u n t o t h em t h at pra c tis e au gury an d u n t o d i vi n ers b u t as

,

for t h ee t h e L ord t hy Go d h a t h n o t s u ffered t h e e s o t o d o

, .

Th e Lord t hy God will rai s e up u n t o t h e e a Proph e t from

t h e mid s t of th ee o f thy b re thren lik e u n t o me u n t o
, , ,

Hi m y e s h all h eark en .

Th ey w ere look t o
to God ; an d to H i s re ve al ed will
l
a on e for l s uc h ligh t
al .

W h en th ey s h all s ay u n t o y ou Se e k u n to t h em . t h at
h av e fa mili ar s pi ri ts an d u n t o w i z ard s t h at pe e p an d
, , t h at
mu tt er : sh ould n ot a pe opl e s ee k u n to t h eir God
Th e Hebrews w ere few in n umber t h eir kin gd om s very ,

s m all c omp ared wi th t h e rea t empires of E ypt As syria

g g , ,

or B abyl on b u t h ere i n th i s qu es t i on of divi n at ion or

, ,

fortu n e t elli n g th ey s tan d on a pl an e far abov e an y O

-

,
f
t h e s u rrou n din g n at ion s Th ere i s just con t empt i n t h e
.

pic ture d ra wn by Ez eki el of th e ki n g of B abyl on great ,

t h ou gh h i s military pow er migh t b e

The kin g of B a byl on s tood at t h e pa rt in g of th e way ,

a t t h e h ea d o f t h e t wo w ay s ; t o u se divin a t i on : h e s h ook
‘

t h e arro ws t o an d fro, b e c on sul ted th e t eraph im, h e l ook e d

i n t h e liv er
”
.

An d Is aiah calls upon th e city of Babyl on

St a n d n ow with t h in ech an tm en ts
en ,
an d w it h th e
multi t ud e of t h y s orc eri e s w h e rei n
,
t h ou h a st l ab ou red
from t h y y ou th i f s o th ou s h al t b e abl e t o profi t, i f
'

so
146 TH E ASTRON O M Y OF THE BI BL E

Man y of th em also wh ich u sed CllllOllS arts brou gh t ‘

t h e ir b ooks t oge t h er an d burn e d t h e m b efore a l

,
l men _

a n d t h ey c ou n te d t h e p ric e of t h e m an d fou n d i t fi fty ,

t h ou s an d pie c es of s ilver So migh t ily gre w t h e word of.

God an d pre va il ed
”
.

Th e curiou s arts w ere n o d oubt part ly th e u se of

“
, ,

m agi cal in can ta t ion s bu t pri n cip ally th e u se of astrological

,

an d s imil ar om en s .

Ast rol ogy i s in evita bly lin ke d w ith h eat h en i sm an d ,

bot h sh ut up Spi ri t an d min d agaln s t t h e kn owl edge of

God Him s el f wh ich i s religi on ; an d again s t t h e k n owl edg e
,

of H i s works w h ich i s s ci en ce
,
An d t h ou gh a man may .

b e rel igi ou s with ou t b ein g s olen t i fi c or s cien t ific wi th ou t ,

b ei n g religi ou s religion an d s cien ce alike both rest on

,

on e an d t h e s a m e b a s i s— th e b e li e f i n On e God Mak er ,

of h ea v en a n d earth
”
.

Th at b e li ef was t h e rea son why Is rae l of ol d s o far ,

as i t was fai t h ful t o i t was free from t h e s up erst i t i on s

,

of a strol ogy .

I t is h on our for th is n at i on to h a ve b een

n o s m all
wis e e n ou gh to s ee t h e i n an ity of t h is a n d alloth e r form s
of di v i n a t i on Of w h at ot h er an ci en t civili z e d n at i on
.
‘

” 1
could as much h e said ?
1 G . V
. d Testa men t, p 5 2
Sch i apare i , A stron omy i n the Ol
ll . .
15 0 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IB L E
Were con st ella t ion s kn own t o t h e Hebre ws of
t h es e
ol d ? We can a n s wer t h is qu e st ion wi t h ou t h esi tat ion
in t h e c as e o f St Paul For i n hi s s erm on t o t h e
. .

At h en ian s on Mars Hill he qu ot es from t h e op en in g

’
,

v ers es of t his con s tell ation p oem of Aratu s

God t h at m ad e t h e w orld an d al l t h i n gs t h erei n ,
s ee in g t h a t H e i s Lord of h ea v e n a n d e art h, d well et h n ot
i n t e mpl es m a d e wi t h h an d s ; n e it h er i s w ors h ippe d wi t h
men s h an d s a s t h ough H e n eed e d any th in g, s eein g H e
’

iv e th t o a ll li fe a n d brea t h , an d a l l t h i n s , a n d hat h
g , g
m ad e of on e bl ood a lln a t i on s of men for t o dw ell on a ll
th e fa c e of t h e e arth , a n d h a th d e termin ed t h e t im es
b efore app oin t ed , an d th e b ou n d s of th e ir h abitat i on ;
th a t t h ey s h ould s eek t h e L ord , i f ha ply th ey migh t fee l
after Him , an d fi n d Him t h ou gh H e b e n ot fa r from
e v e i y o n e of u s : for i n H i in we liv e, a n d m o ve an d h a ve
,

ou r b e in g ; a s c e rt a i n a l s o of you r own p oe ts h a v e s a id,

For we a re a l s o Hi s offs prin g .

Th e p oem of Arat us b egin s thu s

“
v
To God ab o e we d ed i cate ou r son g ;
v
To l ea e H i m u n ad ored , w e n e er d are ; v
F or H e i s pres en t i n each b u sy th ron g,
v
I n e ery solemn gath eri n g H e i s th ere .

Th e sea i s H i s ; an d H i s each crowd ed port ;

I n e very p l ace ou r n eed of H i m we feel ;
F OR wfi H I s OF F SP R I N G A R E ”
.

Arat u s lik e St Paul h imsel f was a n a tive o f Cilic ia

, .
, ,

a n d h a d b een e duca t e d a t At h en s H i s p oem on th e con

.

s t ellat i on s ca m e i n t h e op in ion
, of t h e G reek s n e x t i n ,

h on ou r t o t h e p oem s of H om er so th a t St Pa ul s quota
’
.
.
,

t i on from i t a pp e al e d t o h i s h ea rers wi th s p e cia l forc e .

Th e con ste ll at i on s of P tol emy s c at a l ogu e are forty

’

e i h t i n n u mb er T h ose of Arat u s c orres on d to t h em i n

g .
p
THE O RI GI N OF TH E CON STE L L ATIONS 151

a lmost every particular b u t on e or two min or diff eren ces ,

may b e m ark ed Acc ordin g to P tol emy t h e con st ell a tion s

.
,

a re divid ed i n to t h ree s e ts z— t w en ty on e n ort h ern t w e lv e -

in th e z odiac an d fi fte en s ou t h ern , .

Th e n ort h ern c on s tell a tion s are — t o u s e th e n a m es by

wh ich th ey are n ow familiar t o u s— l Ursa Mi n or th e , ,

Lit tle B ear ; 2 Ursa Zl f aj or t h e G reat B ear ; 3 Dra co

, , , ,

th e D ragon ; 4 Cep heu s th e Kin g ; 5 B ootes t h e H erd s

'

, , , ,

man ; 6 Coron a B orea lis th e N orth ern Crown ; 7 H ercu les

, , , ,

t h e Kn e el er ; 8 I / gra t h e Lyre or Sw oopi n g Eagl e ; , ,

9 Cygn u s t h e Bird ; 1 0 Cassi op ei a t h e Thron e d Q u e e n

, , , , ,

o r t h e La dy i n t h e C h a i r ; 1 1 P erseu s ; 1 2 A u ri ga the , , ,

Hold er of th e Rein s ; 1 3 Op hi u cl tu s t h e Serp en t h old er ; , ,

-

1 4 Serp en s t h e Serp en t ; 1 5 Sagi tta t h e Arrow ; 1 6

, , , , ,

A qu i la t h e Soa ri n g Ea l e ;
, g 1 7 Del hi n u s t h e D olp h i n ;
p ,
.
,

eus t h e H orse s H ea d ;
’
1 8 E qu u l
,
1 9 P egasu s th e Wi n g e d
, , ,

Horse ; 20 A n dromed a th e C hain ed W oman ; 21 Tri a n

'

, , ,

g u lu m t h e
, Tri a n gl e .

Th e zod i acal c on s t el lat ion s are 1 Ari es t h e Ra m ; , ,

2 Ta ur u s th e Bull ; 3 Gemi n i t h e Twi n s ; 4 Ca n cer t h e

, , , , ,

Crab ; 5 L eo t h e Li on ; 6 Vi rgo th e Virgi n ; 7 L i bra

, , , , , ,

th e Sc al es —al so c all e d th e Cl aws t h a t i s of t h e Sc orpi on ;

, ,

8 Scorp i o t h e Sc orpi on ; 9 Sagi tta ri u s t h e Arc h er; 1 0

, , , , ,

Cap ri corn u s t h e Sea goa t i e G oat fi sh ; 1 1 A qua ri u s

,
-

,
. .
-

, ,

th e Wa t er p ou rer 1 2 P i sces t h e Fis hes

-

, , .

Th e s ou th ern c on stell a t i on s are : 1 Cetu s th e Se a , ,

Mon st er ; 2 Ori on t h e Gi an t ; 3 E rid a n u s t h e Ri ver ; 4

, , , , ,

L ep u s t h e H are 5 Can i s Maj or t h e G rea t Dog ; 6 Ca n i s

, , , ,

Mi n or th e Li ttl e Dog ; 7 A rgo t h e Sh i p an d Rock ; 8

, , , ,

Hy d ra t h e Wa ter sn ak e ; 9 Cra ter th e Cup ; 1 0 Corvu s

,
-

, , , ,
152 TH E A STRONOMY OF TH E B IB L E

t h e Ra v en ; 1 1 , Cen ta ur u s, t h e C en t a u r ; 1 2, I mp u s, t h e
B east ; 13 A ra th e Al tar ; 14 Coron a Au stra lis th e
, , , ,

Sout h ern Crown 1 5 P i sci s A u stra l i s t h e Sou th ern Fis h , .

,
Arat u s livin g four h u n dred years earli er th an P tol emy
, ,

differs on ly from h i m i n th at h e reck on s th e clu ster

of th e Pl e iad es — coun t ed by P tol emy in Tau ru s— as a
s ep arat e c on s t ell at i on b u t h e h as n o c on st ell at ion of
,

E gu u l eu s Th e total n umb er of con st ell ati on s was th u s

.

s t ill forty ei h t A rat u s fu rt h er d es crib es t he Sou th ern

g
-
.

Crown b u t gives i t n o n am e a n d in t h e c on st el lat ion of

,

t h e Lit tl e Do h e on ly m en t i on s on e s t ar P rocy on t h
g e , ,

D og s Foreru n n er H e a l so m en ti on s th at th e t wo B e ars
’
.

w ere a l so kn own as two W agon s or Ch ari ots .

Were th ese c on s tellat ion s s o fa miliar t o u s to day ,

-

kn own b efore t h e t im e of Aratu s an d i f so by wh om w ere , ,

t h ey d e vi s ed an d wh e n an d wh ere
,

Th ey w ere certain ly k n own b efore th e t im e of Ara tu s ,

for h is p oem was c on fe s sedly a v ers ifi cati on of a n a cc ou n t

of th e m wri t t en by E ud oxu s m ore t h an a hu n dre d years
previou s At a y et earli er d ate Pan y asi s u n cl e to t h e great
.
,
'

h is tori an H erod ot u s in cid en t ally di scusses t h e n a me of

,

on e of t h e c on s t e ll a t i on s w h ic h mu st t h ere fore h a ve b een

,

kn own t o h i m E arli er still H esi od in th e secon d b ook

.
, ,

of h i s Works a n d Da y s re fers t o s ev era l ,

Orio n an d th e Dog, each oth er n i gh ,

Togeth er mou n t ed t o th e mid n i gh t sk y ,
Wh en i n th e rosy morn Arctu ru s sh i n es,
k
Th en p l u c th e clu st ers from th e paren t vi n es.

Nex t i n th e rou n d do n ot to p l ou gh forget

Wh en th e Se v en Vi rgi n s an d Orion set.
”
154 TH E ASTRON O MY OF TH E B I BLE

l
an d . Th ey d at ed a ccordin g t o t h e year of th e reign
a re

i n g kin g so t h at a c lear id ea can b e form ed a s t o th e ir

,

A g rea t m an y symb ol s w h ic h a pp ea r t o b e a stro

g
a e .
,

n omi cal o ccur up on

,
t h e m ; a m on gst t h ese such v ery
disti n gui sh in g sh ap es as th e Arch er Sea goat an d
;

,
-

Scorpion ( see p .So t h at j u s t as we k n o w from

,

Hom er an d H esiod th at th e prin cip al c on stellati on s w e re

kn own of ol d by th e s am e n am es as t h os e by wh ich we
kn ow th em t o d ay we l earn from B abyl on ia n b oun d ary
-

s ton es th at t h ey w ere th en k n own as h a vin g t h e s ame

form s a s we n ow as crib e t o t h em Th e d at e o f t h e e arli est

.

b oun dary ston es of th e kin d i n our p ossession would

s h ow t h at t h e B abyl on i an s k n e w of ou r c on stel lati on s
as far b ack a s th e t w el fth c en t u ry D C t h at i s t o say . .
, ,

whil st Israel wa s u n d er th e Judges .

We h ave direct evid en ce th u s far back a s to th e ex ist;

e n c e o f t h e c on s te llat i on s B u t t h ey are ol d er t h an
.

t h is so much ol d er th a t t ra di ti on as w el l a s dire ct
,

h ist orica l e vid en c e fail s u s Th e on ly earli er e vid en c e

.

op en t o u s i s th a t of t h e c on s t e ll at i on s t h e m se lv es .

A m od ern cel es tia l gl ob e i s covere d over wi th figures

from p ol e t o p ol e b u t t h e m aj ority of t h es e a re of quit e
,

re c e n t origin a n d b el on g t o t h e M od ern p eri od of a st ron omy

m
.

Th ey h a ve b e en fra e d s in c e th e i n v en tion of t h e t el e
s c0 e a n d s in c e t h e p rog res s of g eograp h ic a l dis c ov ery
p ,

brough t men to k n ow t h e s ou th ern s kies I f th es e m od ern .

c on s tel lat i on s are cl eared off an d on ly th ose of Ara tu s an d

,

P tol emy s u ffered t o rem ai n i t b ecom es a t on ce evid en t

,

t h at th e an ci en t as t ron om ers we re n ot a cqua i n t e d wi th th e

en t i re h ea v en s For t h ere i s a la rg e sp ace i n th e sou th
.
,
TH E O R I GIN OF TH E CON STE LLA TION S 15 5

l e ft free from al
lt h e ol
d con stellat i on s an d n o ex plan a ti on
, ,

w h y i t s h ou l d ha ve been so le ft free I s s o s impl e a n d ,

s a t i s fa c tory as th e ob vi ou son e t h a t t h e a n ci en t a s t ron om ers

,

d id n ot map ou t t h e s t ars i n t ha t reg i on b eca u s e t h ey

TH E AN C I E N T C ONSTE LLAT I ON S U TH
SO OF TH E E CLI PTI O.

v
n e er sa w t h em ; t h os e s ta rs v
n e er ros e a bove t h eir
h on z on .

Th u s presen t tim e th e h ea ven s for an obs erver i n

at the

En gl an d a re n a tu rally di vid ed i n to t h re e parts as s h own

.

, ,

i n t h e a cc omp an yi n g diagra m I n th e n ort h rou n d t h e

.
,
156 TH E A STR ON OMY OF TH E BIBLE
p ol e s tar are a n umb er of con stella tion s t hat n ever s et ;
-

t h ey wh ee l u n c ea s in gly arou n d t h e p ol e On e very fi n e .

n i h t we can s e e t h e G rea t B ear t h e Lit t l e B ear t h e

g , ,

D ra gon C eph e u s an d C as s i op eia B u t th e s tars in th e

, .

larger p ort ion of th e sk y h ave th eir ri sin gs an d settin gs

.
,

TH E C E LESTI AL SPH ERE .

an d th e s e as on s in wh ich t h ey are
vis ibl e or are wi th d rawn
from s igh t Th u s we see O ri on an d t h e Pl ei a d es an d
.

Siriu s in t h e win ter n ot in th e summ er b u t t h e Scorpion

, ,

an d Sa gitt ariu s i n t h e s umm er Simila rly th ere i s a t h ird

.

port ion of t he h ea ven s w h ich n e ver com es wit h in ou r

ran ge We n ever see th e Sou th ern Cross an d hardly an y
.
,
15 8 TH E A STR ONOM Y OF TH E B IBLE

an ci en ts which w ould c om e W i th in hi s ran ge of v i sI On

,
,
.

Th i s i s d u e t o wh a t i s kn own as pre c essi on a s l ow m ov e

“
.

men t of t h e axis up on w h ich t h e earth rota tes I n .

con s equ en ce of th is t h e p ol e of t h e h ea ven s s eem s to trace

,

ou t a ci rcl e a m on gs t t h e s tars w h ic h i t ta k es years

to compl e te I t i s t h erefore a m at t er of very s impl e
.

calcu lat ion to fi n d th e p os it ion of t h e mu t h pol e of the

h ea v en s at an y giv en d a t e pa s t or fu tu re a n d we fi n d
"

, ,

t h a t t h e c en tre of th e u n m a pp e d s pac e was t h e s ou t h

p ol e of th e h eav en s som et h in g lik e years ago th at ,
l

i s t o s ay a b ou t
I t i s of c ou rs e n ot p oss ibl e t o fix ei t h er t im e or l a titud e
, ,

very cl os ely si n ce th e limit s of th e u n ma pp ed s pa ce are a

,

a li t t l e vagu e Bu t i t i s s ign ifican t t h at i f we t ak e a c el es ti al

.

l ob e a rran e d so a s t o re p resen t t h e h ea v en s for t h e

g , g
ti m e B C an d for n ort h la t i t ud e
. .
, we fi n d se v eral
[

s t riki n rel ati on s Fi rs t of a ll t h e G reat D ra on t h en

g .
, g
lin k ed t ogeth er t h e n ort h p ol e of t h e c el estial e quator an d ,

t h e n ort h p ol e of t h e e clip tic i t was as n early as p ossibl e

sy mm etric a l wi th reg ard t o t h e t wo i t occupied th e v ery

crow n of th e h eaven s Wit h th e s in gl e excepti on of th e
.

Li tt l e B ear wh ich i t n early s urroun d s th e D ragon was

, ,

t h e on ly c on st ell at i on t h a t n e v er s et N ext th e Water .

,

s n ak e (see d ia gram p 20 0) l a
y a
,
t t h
. i s t im e rig h t a l
o n g
t h e e qu at or e x ten di n g ov er 1 0 5 of Ri ht A s c en s i on ;
°
,
g
or t o pu t i t l e ss t e c h n ic al ly i t t ook s e v en h ou rs ou t of t h e
, ,

t wen ty fou r t o cros s t h e m eridian

-
I t cov ered n early on e .

t h i rd of th e equ at oria l b el t Thi rdly t h e in ters ec t i on of

.
,

t h e e qu a t or wi th on e of t h e pri n cI pal m eridian s of t h e

sk y was mark ed by th e Serp en t wh i ch is carri ed by t h e ,
TH E O RI GI N OF TH E CO N STE L L ATI O N S 15 9

Serp en t h old er i n -
v ery p e culiar m an n er Th e meridi an
a .

at mid n igh t a t t h e t im e o f t h e s p ri n e u i n ox i s c a ll e d a
g q
“
c olure — th e a u t um n a l c olure b e c au s e t h e s u n cros s es
,
” “
,
”

i t i n au t um n N ow t h e Serp en t was so arran ged as to b e

.

s h own wri t h i n g i t sel f for s om e di s tan c e a l on g t h e e qu at or ,

an d t h en s truggl i n g upward s a l on g t h e a u t umn a l c olu re

, ,

m arkin g t h e zen i th wit h i ts h ead Th e l owe r p art of th e .

a u t um n al c olure wa s m a rk e d by t h e Sc orpi on an d t h e ,

foot of th e Se rp en t h old er p resse d d own t h e c rea t u re s

’
-

h ead j u st w h ere t h e c olu re t h e equ at or an d t h e ecl i pt ic

, , ,

in t ersect ed ( see diagram p ,

.

I t i s s c arc e ly c on c eivabl e t h a t t hi s fourfold a rran ge

men t n ot s uggest e d by an y n at u ral groupin g of th e s tars
,
'
,

s h ould h a v e c om e a b o u t by a ccid en t ; i t mu s t h a v e b ee n

in t en ti on a l For s om e rea son t h e equ at or t h e c olure t h e

.
, , ,

zen i th an d th e p ol es w ere a l l m ark ed ou t by t h es e ser

p en tin e or d ra c on ic form s Th e u n mapp ed s pa ce gives u s
.

a clu e on ly t o t h e d at e a n d l a t i tud e of t h e d es i n i n g of
g
t h e m os t s ou t h erly c on s t ell a ti on s We n ow s ee t h a t a .

n umb er of t h e n orth ern h old p os i t i on s wh ic h w ere s p ecia lly

s ign ifica n t u n d er t h e s a m e c on di ti on s i n dica ti n g t h a t t h ey ,

w ere d es ign ed at ab ou t t h e sa m e d a te There i s t h erefore .

lit tl e room for d oubt t h at som e tim e i n t h e earlier h al f

o f t h e t h ird mill e n n ium b e fore ou r era a n d s om e wh ere ,

b etw een th e 3 6 th an d 4 0 th p ara ll els o f n orth l ati t ud e t he ,

con stella ti on s were d esign ed s ub s ta n ti ally as we h a ve t h em

,

n ow t h e s erp en t form s b e in g i n ten t i on a lly pl a c e d i n t h es e

,

posit ion s of grea t as tron omica l imp orta n ce .

I t will h av e b een n otic ed t h at P t ol e my m a k es t h e Ra m

t h e fi rs t c on s tella t i on of t h e z odiac I t was so i n hi s .

10
160 TH E ASTR ONO MY OF TH E B I BL E

days b u t i t wa s th e Bull th at wa s t h e orig in a l l ea d er as

, ,

we kn ow from a vari ety of tra di t ion s ; t h e su n a t t h e

s p ri n e quin ox b ei n g i n th e c en t re o f t h at c on s te ll a t ion
g
a b ou t 30 0 0 B C At t h e t im e w h en t h e c on ste llati on s
.

were d esign ed t h e s u n at t h e sp ri n g equ i n ox was n ear

,
'

Ald ebaran th e b righ tes t s tar of th e Bull ; at th e s umm e r

,

s ol s t ic e i t wa s n e ar R egulu s t h e b ri h t es t s t a r of t h e
g
,

Lion ; a t t he a u t umn a l equin ox i t wa s n ear An tares th e ,

brigh t es t star of t h e Scorpion ; a t t h e win ter s ol s tice i t

was n ea r Fom al h au t t h e brigh te st s tar i n t h e n eigh b our
,

h ood of th e Wa t e rp ou rer Th ese fou r s tars h a ve c om e

.

d own to u s wi th t h e n am e of th e Royal Stars probably ,

”

b ecau s e t h ey were so n ear to t h e fou r m ost imp ortan t

p oi n ts i n t h e a pparen t p ath of t h e su n am on gs t th e stars .

Th ere i s a l s o a c e l ebrate d p as s age i n t h e fi rs t of Virgil s

’

Georgi cs w h ich s p eaks of t h e w h i t e hu l l wi th gold en

'

h orn s th a t op en s th e y ear So w h en t h e Mi th ra ic re ligion

.

ad op t ed s e v era l of t h e c on s t e lla t i on fi gu res a m on s t i t s

g
symb ol s t h e Bull as s t an di n g for t h e Spri n g e qui n ox t h e
, ,

Li on for th e summ er s ols tice w ere th e t wo t o w h ic h m os t

,

promin en ce was given an d t h ey are foun d t h u s u sed in

,

Mit h ra ic m on um en t s a s la te a s th e secon d or t h ird c en tu ry

AD
. .
,
l on g aft er th e Ram ha d b een rec ogn iz e d as t h e
leadin g s ign .

I t i s n ot p oss ibl e t o pu s h b a ck th e ori gI n of t h e con

st el l a ti on s t o a n i n d e fin i t e an t iqui ty Th ey c an n ot a t th e
.

very ou tsid e b e m ore th an 5 0 00 years old ; th ey mu st b e

con s id erably m ore th an 4000 B u t du ri n g t h e wh ole of
.

t h is millen n ium th e s u n a t t h e s p rin g e qu i n ox wa s i n t h e

con s t e lla t ion of th e Bul l Th ere i s t h ere fo re n o p oss ible

.
 CHAPTE R II
G EN ESI S AN D TH E E
CON ST L L ATI ON S

As we h a ve j ust wn
sh o ,
th e
con stell a ti on s evid en tly
were d esign ed lon g b efore th e earli es t b ook s of th e Old
Test a m en t rec eived t h ei r p res e n t form B u t t h e firs t n i n e
.

ch ap ters o f G en esis give t h e h is tory of th e world b e fore

an d a t e t h at we ca n ass i n t o t h e c on st e lla t i on s an d a re
y g ,

cl early d erived from v ery ea rly d ocum en ts or tradi ti on s .

Wh en t h e con s tella tion s are compare d wi th t h ose n i n e

c hap t ers s e veral corresp on d en c es a pp ear b etween th e two ;
,

rem a rkabl e w h en i t i s b orn e i n

,
min d h ow few a re t h e
ev en ts t h at ca n b e pl a i n ly s et forth i n a group of forty
e i h t fi gu res on t h e on e h a n d a n d h ow c on d en s ed are
g ,

t h e n a rra t iv es o f th ose n i n e c h ap t ers on t h e ot h er .

Look a t t h e si x s ou t h ern c on s t ell at ion s (see pp 1 64 1 6 5 )

.
,

wh ich w ere s een d urin g t h e n igh ts o f spri n g I n th at dis tan t

t im e. Th e l arg es t o f t h e se s i x i s a great Sh ip res tin g on
t h e s ou th ern h oriz on . Ju st ab ove a Ra ve n is p erch ed on
,

th e s t re tch e d ou t b ody of a rep til e

-
A figu re of a Ce n ta u r
.

app ears t o h a v e j u s t l e ft t h e Sh i p an d i s re pre sen t ed a s

,

offeri n g u p a n an im a l on a n Al ta r The an ima l is n ow

.

Sh own a s a W ol f b u t Ara t u s ou r earli es t a u t h ori ty s t a te s

, , ,

th a t h e di d n ot k n ow wh at ki n d of an im a l i t was t ha t
16 2
 GE NE SIS AN D TH E C ON STE LLATION S 163

wa s b ein g th u s d up Th e cl oud o f sm ok e from t h e

o ffere .

Al tar i s rep resen te d by t h e brigh t c oilin g wrea th s of th e

Milky Way a n d h ere i n t h e mids t of that cl oud i s s e t t h e
,

B o w — t h e bow of Sagit tariu s t h e Arch er ,

I s i t p oss ibl e .

t h a t t h is can b e m ere c oin cid en c e or was i t in d ee d ,

in ten d ed as a m em oria l of th e coven an t w h ich God m ad e

wi th Noah an d wi th h is ch ildren for ever
, I d o set s

My b ow i n th e cl oud an d i t s h all b e for a token of a

,

coven an t b etw een Me an d th e earth .

”

Close by t h is group wa s an oth er m ad e u p of fi v e , ,

con s t e lla ti on s Toward s th e s ou th n ear midn igh t in

.
,

sp ri n g ,
t h e observer i n t h os e an ci en t t im es s aw t h e

Sc orpi on Th e fi g u re of a man was s tan di n g up on th at

.

ven om ous b eas t wi th hi s l eft foot pressed firmly d own

,

u p on i ts h ea d b u t t h e s c orpi on s tail was cu rl e d up t o s ti n g

’

h i m i n th e ri gh t h eel Op h iuch u s th e Serpen t h older

.
,
~

th e man t readi n g on t h e Sc orpi on d erives h i s n am e from ,

t h e Serp en t w h ic h h e h old s i n h is h an d s an d s tra n gl es ;

t h e Serp en t t hat a s we h a v e seen i n t h e pre c e din g
,

ch ap ter m arked t h e au tumn a l c olu re Th e h ead of

,
.

Oph iuch u s rea ch ed n early t o th e z en ith an d th ere cl ose ,

to i t was t h e h ead of a n oth er h ero so cl os e t h at t o com ,

l t t h e form of t h e t wo h ea ds t h e s a m e s ta rs mu st b e
p e e

us ed to som e ext en t t wice over Facin g n orth th is se con d .

,

h ero n ow kn own t o u s a s H ercul es b u t t o Arat u s s im p ly

, ,

as t h e Kn eeler was se en kn eelin g with h is foot on t he

'

h e ad of t h e great n ort h ern Drag on Th is grea t c on flic t .

b e twe en th e man an d t h e s erp en t t h erefore wa s presen t ed , ,

i n a t w o fol
!
d form Lookin g s o u th t h ere was t h e pictu re
.

of O ph iuc hus tram pl in g on t h e s corpi on an d s tran gli n g

164 TH E A STR ONOMY on TH E B I BLE

th e sn a ke y et w ou n d ed i n t he h eel by th e Scorp ion s

,
’

s ti n g ; l ookin g n orth t h e c orresp on din g pic ture of th e

,

kn eel i n g figu re of H ercul es treadi n g d own t h e dragon s ’

hea d ( see p . Here th ere seem s an evid en t referen ce to

TH E M I D NI GH T C ONSTE LL ATI ONS P

or S R I N G, 2700 .

th e word s pok en by God t o th e serp en t in th e gard en in

Ed en : I will pu t en mi ty b et w een t h e e an d t h e wom an ,
i

an d b et w een t h y seed a n d h er See d : I t sh all b ru ise t h y

h ead an d t h ou sh al t br
,
uise H i s h eel .

Th ese two grou ps of sta r figu res see m therefore t o poin t

-
166 TH E A STR ON OMY OF TH E BIBLE
th e ear of c o m th e
d w h il s t imm ediately u n d er h er
s ee ,

t h e grea t Wa t er s n a k e Hyd ra i s d rawn ou t a t en orm

, ,

,
ou s ,

len gth gomg on i ts b elly ; n ot writh in g upward s lik e

,

th e Serp en t n or twin e d rou n d t h e c rown of t h e Sk y lik e

,

t h e D ragon .

Y et aga in t h e n arr a t i ve I n G en es is t e ll s u s t h at God

,

drove ou t th e man ( 73 6 Adam) an d H e pl ace d at ”

. .
,

th e east of t h e gard e n of E d en t h e ch erubim an d th e ,

fl am e of a s word wh ich t urn ed e very way t o k eep t h e .

,

N o d es c rip ti on i s given of th e
”
way of th e tree of li fe .

form of t h e ch erubim in th at p as sage b u t th ey are fully

'

d escribed by E zeki el wh o saw th e m i n vis i on wh en h e

,

“
was by th e riv er C h eb ar as t h e lik en es s of fou r l ,
ivin g
creatures . Th e sam e b ein gs w ere a l s o s een i n vis ion by
St Joh n an d are d e scrib ed by h i m i n t h e Ap ocalyp se as
,

fou r livi n g creat u res ( Z aa

) T h e fi rs t creat u re was .
“

lik e a lion an d t h e s e con d creature lik e a cal f a n d th e

, ,

t h ird c reat u re h ad a fa c e as of a ma n an d t h e fou rth ,

cre a t u re was lik e a flyin g eagl e Ezeki e l giv es a fuller

‘ ”
.

a n d m ore c ompl e x d es crip ti on b u t agre ei n g i n i t s ess en t ia l ,

el em en ts wi th t h a t giv en by t h e A p os t l e an d a t t h e cl os e , ,

of on e of t h ese d es crip t i on s h e a dd s Th i s is t h e livin g , ,

creat ure th at I saw u n d er t h e God of Israel by t h e river

of C h eb ar ; an d I k n e w t h a t th ey w ere c h erubim — n o
”

d oubt b ecau s e as a p ri est h e h a d b een familiar with th e

ch erubic forms a s t h ey w ere emb roid ere d up on t h e cu rta in s
of t h e Te mpl e an d c arv ed up on i ts wa ll s an d d oors
, .

Th e sam e fou r formsw ere s e en am on gst th e c on s tellat i on

figures ; n ot pl a ced a t ran dom a m on gs t t h em b u t as far ,

os s ib l e i n the fou r mos t i m ort an t osi t i on s: in t he s k

as
p p ,

p y .
 GE NE SI S AND TH E C ON STE LLA TION S 167

For th e con stellat ion s w ere origin ally s o d esign ed th at th e

su n a t t h e t im e of t h e s u m m er sol stice was in th e mi ddl e
of t h e con st ell at i on L eo t h e Li on ; a t t h e t i m e of t h e
,

s pri n g e quin ox i n th e middl e of Ta u ru s t h e Bull ; an d at ,

t h e t im e of t h e wi n t er s ol st ic e I n t h e middl e of A qu a ri u s
, ,

th e Man b earin g th e wat erp ot Th e fourth p oi n t t h at

.
,

h eld by t h e su n at t h e a u t um n al equin ox would a pp ear ,

to h a v e b een a l rea dy as s ign e d t o t h e foot of t h e Serp en t

h old er a s h e c ru sh es d own th e Sc orpi on s h ead ; b u t a
’

flyin g eagl e A qu i la i s plac ed as n ear th e equin oct ial

, ,

poin t as s eems t o h ave b een c on sisten t with t h e a mpl e

s p a c e t h at i t was d es ired t o gi v e t o t h e e mbl em s of t h e

great c on flict b et ween th e D eliverer an d t h e Serp en t .

Th u s a s in t h e v 1si on of E z eki el s o i n t h e c on s t e ll a t i on
, ,

figu res th e Li on t h e Ox th e Man a n d th e E agl e stood

, , , , ,

as t h e u p h old ers o f t h e fi rmamen t t h e p illars of

“
as ,

h ea v en Th ey l ook ed d own like w a tch ers u p on al

”
. l
creation ; th ey s eem ed t o guard t h e fou r qu art ers of t he
sk
y.

I f we ccept an old J e wis h t raditi on th e c on s tell ati on s

a ,

may lik ewis e give u s some h in t of an even t record ed in

t h e t en th ch ap t er o f G e n es is For i t h as b een s upp osed
.

th a t t h e grea t s t ellar gian t Ori on i s n on e ot h er t han

Nimrod t h e migh ty h u n ter b efore t h e Lord an d th e
, ,

fou n d er of t h e Ba byl on i an kin gd om ; id en t ifi ed by s om e

As s yri ol ogists wi th M erodach th e t u telary d eity of ,

Babyl on : an d by oth ers wi th Gilgam esh th e tyran t of ,

Erech w h ose ex p l oit s h a ve b een preserv ed t o u s i n th e

,

great epic n ow kn own by his n am e Poss ibly b oth .

iden tifi cation s may prove to be correct .

168 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
More t han on e th ird of t h e con s tellat i on figures th u s
app e ar t o h a v e a cl os e c on n e c t i on wit h s om e of th e ch i e f
.

in cid en ts record ed i n t he firs t t en ch ap ters of G en esis as

ha vin g t ak en pla c e i n t h e earli es t ages of th e w orld s
’

h i s t ory . I f we in clud e t h e Hare an d t h e t wo D ogs as

a dju n ct s of O ri on an d t h e Cu p as w e ll as t h e Ra v en wi t h
, .

Hydra t h en n o fewer th an t wen ty two ou t of th e forty eight

,
- -

are dire ct ly or in di re c t ly s o c on n e c t e d B u t th e c on st el
.

l ati on figures on ly d ea l with a very few isolat ed in cid en ts ,

an d t h ese are n e c essarily s uc h a s l en d t h e m selv es t o gra p h ic

re presen tat i on . Th e p oin ts i n c omm on wi t h th e G en es is

n arra t iv e are i n d e ed s trikin g b u t t h e p oi n ts of in d ep en d en c e
,

are n o l ess s t riki n g Th e m aj ori ty of t h e con s tellat ion

.

figures d o n ot app ear to refer t o an y in cid en ts in G en esis ;

t h e m aj orit y of t h e in cid en t s i n t h e G en es i s n arrat iv e fi n d

n o re c ord i n t h e sk
y E v en i n t h e t rea t m en t of i n cid en ts
.

comm on t o b oth t h ere are d ifferen ces wh ich m ake i t ,

imp oss ible to s u pp os e th at eit h er was direct ly d erived

from th e oth er .

B u t i t i s cl ear t h at w h en th e c on s tell at i on s were d evi s ed ,

—th at i s t o say rough ly sp eakin g ab ou t 2700 B C —

, , th e .

prom i s e of th e D eliverer t h e Seed of th e woman wh o

,

’
s h ould b ruis e t h e s erp en t s h ea d was w ell kn own an d
,

h igh ly va lu ed ; so h igh ly va lu e d t h at a l arge p art of t h e

sk wa s d ev ot e d t o i ts c omm e m ora tion a n d t o t h at of
y
t h e cu rs e on t h e s erp en t Th e s tory of t h e Fl ood was a l so
.

kn own an d esp ecially t h e cov en an t ma de with t h ose wh o

,

w ere saved i n th e ark that th e w orld Sh ould n ot again b e

,

d es troyed by wat er th e t oke n of wh ich coven an t was th e

,

Bow set in th e cl oud Th e fou rfold cheru bic forms

”
.
 CHAP TER III
TH E STOR Y o r TH E D E L U GE

BE SI DE th e n arrat ive of th e Fl ood given t o u s i n

G en es is an d th e pictori al represen ta ti on of it pres erved
,

i n th e s ta r figu res we h a v e D el u ge stori es from m an y

,

p arts of t h e w orld Bu t in part icular we h a ve a very

.

st riki n g on e from B abyl on i a I n t h e Ep ic of Gi l

.
ga m esh,

a lready a llud ed t o t h e e l e v en th t abl et i s d e v ot e d t o an

,

i n t erview between th e h ero an d Pi r n apisti m t h e B aby

~
,

I on ian N oah wh o rec ou n t s t o h i m h ow h e an d h i s family

,

were s av ed at th e t im e of th e great fl ood .

Th i s B abyl on ian st ory of t h e D eluge s t an d s in qui te a

differen t rel at ion from th e B abylon i an story of C reati on in
’

i ts b earin g on t h e a cc ou n t giv en i n G en es i s As we h a ve
.

a lready seen t h e s t ori es of C reat i on h a v e pra c i ical

,
l
y n o
t h i n g i n c omm on ; t h e s t ori es of t h e D elu ge h av e m an y
m os t strikin g poin ts of rese mblan ce an d may reason ably
,

b e supposed t o h a ve had a comm on origin .

Prof Friedrich D elitzsch I n h is celebrated lectures

.
,

B a bel a n d B i bl e refers t o t h i s B abyl on ian D el uge story

"

in t h e fol l owmg t erm s

Th e B abyl on ian s d i v i d e d t h eir h is tory i n t o two

reat eri ods ; th e on e b efo re t h e ot h er a fter the Fl ood
g p , ,

170
 TH E STO R Y OF THE DE LUGE 171

B abyl on was i n qui te a peculiar s en s e th e la n d of d eluges .

Th e a lluvia l l o wlan ds a lon g t h e c ourse of a l lgrea t riv ers

d i s ch argin g in t o t h e s ea a re of c ours e exp osed to t erribl e
, ,

S i —
fl ood s of a pecia l k n d cycl on es a n d t orn ad oes accom
”
an i ed by e a rt h qu ak e s a n d tre m en d ou s d own p ou rs o f rai n
p .

After referrin g t o t h e great cycl on e an d t idal wa ve

wh ich wrecked th e Su n derb u n ds at th e m ou ths of th e
G an ges i n 1 8 76 wh en ,
p ers on s met th e ir d eath
by d rown in g Prof D elitz sch goes ou
, .

I t i s t h e meri t of th e c el eb rat ed Vi en n es e geol ogi s t ,

E du ard Su e ss , t o h ave s h own t hat t h ere i s a n a ccu ra t e

d es crip ti on of s uch a cycl on e , lin e for lin e, i n t h e B abyl on ian
D elu ge S tory . Th e w h ol e s t ory, precise ly as i t was
writt en d own tra v ell e d t o C an a an B u t owin g t o t h e
, .
,

n e w a n d e n t i re ly di ffere n t l oc a l c on dit i on s , i t was for ott en

g
t h a t t h e se a wa s t h e c h ie f fa c tor, an d so w e fi n d i n t h e
Bib le t wo a cc ou n ts o f t h e D eluge, wh ich a re n ot on ly
s c i e n t ific al l
y i mposs ibl e b u t fu rt h erm ore mu t u ally c on
, , ,

t a d i ct ory
r — t h e on e a ss ig n i n g t o i t a dura ti on of 3 6 5 d ays ,
t h e ot h er of [4 0 ( 3 x 6 1 d a y s S ci e n c e i s i n d eb t e d
.

t o J ean A s t ruc, t h a t s t ri c t ly ort h od ox Cat h olic p hys ici an

o f L oui s XI V , for re c o n i z i n g t h a t t wo fu n d a m e n t ally
.
g
d ifle ren t a cc ou n t s o f a d e lu g e h a v e b een w ork ed u p i n t o
'

a s i n l e s t ory i n t h e Bibl e
” 1

g .

Th e imp ortan ce of th e B abyl on i an D eluge story d oes

,

n o t rest i n an y t h i n g i n tri n s ic t o i ts el
f for th ere are m an y ,

d eluge stori es preserve d by oth er n ati on s qui te as in

t erest in g an d as w ell t old I t d erives i ts imp ort a n c e from
.

i ts p oin ts of rese mbl an c e t o t h e G en esi s s t ory a n d from ,

t h e d educ t ion t h a t som e h av e dra w n from t h ese t h a t i t was

th e o gri i n a l o f t h a t s t ory — or ra t h er of t h e t wo s t ori es

th at we fi n d impe rfe ct ly re c ombin ed in G en es is .

Ba bela n d B i bl
e, J oh n s
’
tran slati on , pp 42 46
.
-
.
172 TH E ASTR ONO MY OF TH E BIBLE

Th e uggestion of Jean As truc th a t t wo fun da men tally

s
“

d i fferen t a ccoun t s of a d eluge h ave been w ork ed up i n to

a s i n gl e st ory i n t h e Bibl e h a s b een g en era lly a cc ep ted by
th os e wh o h a v e foll owe d hi m i n t h e m i n u t e an alys is o f t h e
lit erary structure of H oly Scriptu re ; an d th e n am es of t h e
i

arra ti ve an d of th e eh ov i s t i c N arrat ive

'

Priestl y N J
h av e fort h e sake of di st in c tn ess b een a pplied to th e m
, , .

Th e form er i s so c all ed b ecau se t h e ch ap t ers i n E x od u s

an d t h e t wo foll owi n g b ook s w h ich t reat wi t h p art icul ar ,

min u t en ess of th e vari ou s cere mon ia l in s titut i on s of Is ra e l ,

a re c on s id ere d t o b e by th e s a m e wri ter Th e l at ter h as .

re c eive d i ts n a m e from t h e pre feren c e s h own by t h e w ri t er

for t h e u se as t h e Divi n e n am e of th e word Jeh ovah

, , ,

s o sp el t wh en giv en i n ou r E n glis h v ers ion s b u t gen eral l y ,

”
tran s l a t ed t h e LOR D .

Th ere i s a v e ry cl os e accord b et ween di ffe ren t a u th ori ti es

a s t o t h e way i n wh ic h G en esi s c h ap te rs vi ix d
sh o u l , .
-
.
,

b e all ot t ed t o th es e t wo sou rces Th e fol l owrn i s Dr

g . .

D river s arran gem en t

’

P R IESTL Y N AR R A TIVE . Ja v re c N A R R ATIV E .

Ch ap . V ers e . Ch ap . V ers e .

G en esi s vi . 9 22
-
. Gen esrs vii . 1 —5 .

v ii . 6 . 7—10 .

11 .

1 3 16 a -
.

1 7a .

18—21 .

24 . vi i i .

vi ii . 1—23 .

3 13—5 .

l3 a .
~

1 4 19 -
.

1 17 -
.
174 TH E A STR ON OMY OF TH E BI B L E ,

s mite veryth i n g livi n g for th e I mag mation of man s

e ,
’

”
h ea rt i s e vil from hi s you th .

Th e ch i e f featu res of the B abyl on i an s tory of th e Del u ge

are a s foll ow s — Th e God Ae s p ok e t o Pi r n a i st i m th e

‘
!

p
-

B abyl on ian N oah

D estroy th e h ouse b u i l d a sh i p , ,

L eave wh at th ou h ast see to t h y li fe , .

D estroy th e h osti le an d save li fe .

Take u p th e seed of li fe al lof i t i n to th e mi d st of th e Sh i p

, , .

Th e sh i p wh i ch th ou sh alt mak e even th ou , .

L et i ts si ze b e measu red
L et i t agree as to i ts h ei gh t an d i ts len gth .
”

Th e d escription of th e bu i ldin g of t h e sh ip s e e m s to
h av e bee n v ery mI n u te b u t t h e rec ord i s m , u tilated an d ,

wh at rem ain s i s di fficul t t o tran s la t e As i n t h e Pri es tly .

n arrat iv e i t i s e xp re ss ly m en t ion e d th a t i t was

, pi tch ed
”
wit h i n an d wi th ou t .

Th e n arra t ive proc eed s in t h e word s of Pi r n api sti m

’

AllI p ossessed I col l ected i t

, ,

AllI possessed I coll ected i t of si lv er ,

AllI p ossess ed I collected i t of gold ; ,

Al lI possessed I coll ected i t th e seed of l i fe th e wh ol

,e , .

I cau sed to go up i n to th e mi d st of th e sh i p ,
Allmy fami l y an d relati es, v
fi
Th e b easts of th e eld , th e an imals of th e fi ld
e , th e son s of th e
artifi cers lof th em I sen t u p
al -
.

Th e God Samas app oi n t ed th e ti me

Mu ir R u i kk
I n th e n i gh t I wil
l caus e th e h eaven s to rai n
d estru cti on ,
En ter i n to th e mi d st of th e sh i p, an d Sh u t th y d oor
’
.

Th at ti me approach ed
M u i r Ku k ki — I n th e n i gh t th e h ea en s rai n ed d estru cti on ; v
‘

I saw th e ap pearan ce of th e d ay
k
I was afrai d to l oo u pon th e d ay
I en tered i n to th e mi d st of the sh i p, an d sh u t my d oor .
 TH E STO R Y OF TH E D E LU GE 175

At th e appearan ce of d awn i n th e morn i n g,

Th ere arose fro m th e fou n d a ti on of h ea en a d ar v k l ud
c o

fi
Th e rst d ay , th e storm ?
Swi ftly i t swept, an d
k
L i e a b attle agai n s t th e p eopl e i t sough t .

Broth er sa w n ot b roth er .

Th e p eople were n ot t o b e recogn i zed I n h ea en . v

fl
Th e god s feared th e ood, an d
Th ey fled , th ey ascen d ed to th e h ea en of An n v
'

k k
Th e god s en n eled li e d ogs, crou ch ed d own i n th e l u
en c os res.

Th e god s h ad crou ch ed d own , seated in lamen tati on ,

v
Co ered were th ei r l i ps i n th e assemb li es,
Si x d ay s an d n i gh ts
fl
Th e wi n d b l ew, t h e d elu ge an d ood o erwh el med th e lan d
. v .

v
Th e se en th d ay , wh en i t ca me, th e storm ceased, t h e ragi n g ood, fl
Wh i ch h ad con ten d ed li e a wh i rlwi n d ,
k
k k v
Q u i eted , th e sea sh ran b ac , an d th e e i l wi n d an d delu ge en d ed .

k
I n oti ced th e s ea ma i n g a n oi se,
k
An d allman i n d h ad tu rn ed to corru pti on .

I n oted th e regi on s, th e sh ore of th e sea,

v
F or twel e measures th e regi on arose .

Th e sh i p h ad s topp ed at th e l an d of N i si r .

Th e mou n tai n of N i si r sei z ed th e sh i p, an d woul d n ot l

et i t pass .

fi
Th e rst d ay an d th e secon d d ay th e mou n tai n s of N isir sei zed the
sh i , an d woul d n ot l et i t pass
p .

v
Th e se en th d ay , wh en i t came
v
I sen t forth a d o e, an d i t l eft ;
v
Th e d o e w en t, i t tu rn ed ab ou t,
Bu t th ere was n o resti n g pl ace, an d i t return ed
-
.

I sen t forth a s wall ow , an d i t l eft,

Th e swallow wen t, i t tu rn ed ab ou t,
B u t th ere w as n o restin g pl ace, an d i t retu rn ed
-
.

v
I sen t forth a ra en , an d i t l eft ,
v
Th e ra en wen t, th e ru sh i n g of th e waters i t saw,
k
I t ate, i t wad ed , i t croa ed , i t di d n ot ret u rn .

I sen t forth ( th e an i mal s) t o th e fou r wi n d s, I p ou red ou t a lib ati on ,

I mad e an ol f eri n g on th e peak of th e mou n t ain ,

I I
17s TH E A STRONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
Se v en an v
d se en I set i n cen se v ases th ere ~
,

I n th ei r d epth s I p ou red can e ced ar, an d ros ew ood ( l ) .

Th e god s smell ed a sa ou r v
Th e god s smelled a sweet sa ou r v .

k fl
Th e god s gath ered li e i es o er th e sacrifi cer v .

Th en th e god d ess Si rtu , wh en sh e came , .

Rai sed th e great si gn et s th at An u h ad mad e at h er wi sh

‘ —
Th ese god s b y t h e l p s a i s t on-
e of m y n ec — l
e t m e n ot for et
g k
Th ese day s l et me rememb e r, n or forget th em for e er v
L et the g od s come to t h e sacri ce, fi
Bu t l et n e t B elcome to th e sacri ce , fi
k
F or h e d i d n ot ta e c ou n sel , an d ma
d e a ood , fl
An d con si gn ed my p eop l e t o d es tructi on .

Th e n B el ,
w h en h e Ca m e,

Saw th e sh i p An d B élst ood sti ll,

.

F i ll ed wi th an ger on acco u n t o f th e god s an d th e Spi ri ts of h ea ven .

Wh at, h as a s ou l escaped ?
v
L et n ot a man b e sa ed from th e d estru cti on ’
.

N i n i p op en ed hi s mou th an d spa e k .

H e sai d to th e warri or B el
Wh o b u t Ae h as d on e th e th i n g ?
k
An d Ae n ows e ery e en t v v’
.

As open ed h i s mou th an d spa e, k

H e sai d t o th e warri or B el
‘
Th ou sage of th e god s, warri or,
k
Veri ly th ou h ast n ot ta en cou n sel , an d h ast mad e a ood fl .

Th e si n n er h as commi tted h i s Sin ,

v
Th e e i l d oer h as commi tt ed hi s mi sd eed ,
-

Be merci fu l— l et h i m n ot b e c u t off—y i eld , let n ot

peri sh;
Wh y h ast th en mad e a ood 3 fl
L et th e li on come, an d let men di mi n i sh .

Wh y h ast th ou made a ood 2 fl

L et th e h y en a come, an d l e t men di mi n i sh .

Wh y h as t th ou mad e a o od fl
L et a fami n e h appen , an d let th e lan d b e
Wh y h ast th ou mad e a ood ? fl
L et U ra (pesti len ce) come, an d l et th l
e a d be
n 1

x
T, G Pi n ch s , Th e Ol
.
e d Testa men t i n the L ight f
o e
th e H i st
rical

Record s of Assyri a a n d B a byl

on i a ,
pp 1 0 2 1 0 7 .
-

.
178 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI BLE
th e i
s er e s of my th s up on wh ic h i t wa s bas ed were all ,

later ln con c ep t i on th an 700 E C On e c on clu s ive i n di .

cati on of i ts early d a t e is g iven by th e posi ti on i n t h e ’

pan th eon of Ae a n d B 61 Ae h a s n ot re ced ed in t o

‘
.

c omparat ive i n sign i fi can ce n or h a s B el at tain ed to t h at

,

full suprem a cy w h ich a s M eroda ch h e p os se ss es i n t h e

, ,

B abyl on ian Creat i on s tory We may t h erefore pu t on

.

on e s id e a s a n u n s upp ort e d an d u n fortu na t e gu ess t h e

s u gges t ion t h a t t h e Ep i c of Gi l g a m e sh i s th e s e ttin g

forth of a s eri es of z odia c a l my th s .

An y l egen ds an y my t h ol ogy an y p an th eon b ased up on

, ,

t h e z od ia c mu st n e c es s arily b e m ore re c en t t h an t h e
z odia c ; a n y sys t e m i n v olvi n g Ari e s a s t h e fi rs t s i n o f
g
t h e z odia c mu s t b e l a t er t h an t h e a d op t i on of Ari es as

t h e fi rst Sign t h at i s t o say l at e r t h an 70 0 B C

, , Sys t em s . .

a ri s i n b efore t h at d at e w ould i n evi t ably b e base d u p on

g
Ta u ru s as fi rs t c on st ell at i on
We c an n ot th en from a s tron omica l relation sh ips fix
, ,

t h e d at e of t h e Babyl on ian s t ory of t h e F l ood I s it .

p oss ibl e h owever t o form a n y estim at e of th e comparat ive

, ,

a e s of t h e B a byl on i a n l eg en d an d o f t h e t wo n arra t ives

g .

iv en i n Gen esrs or of e i th er of t h ese t wo ? D oes t h e

g ,

Babylon ian s tory con n e ct itsel f wit h on e of t h e Gen esi s

n a rra t i ves ra t h er
‘
t h an th e ot h er ?

The ign ifican t p oin ts I n th e B abyl on ian s tory are

s

t h e s e —t h e comm an d t o Pi r n api sti m t o build a s hi p

-

,
.

with d etail e d directi on s ; t h e great rise of th e fl ood s o

th a t e v en th e god s i n t h e h eaven of An n fea re d i t ; t he ]

d et a ile d da tin g of t h e du ra ti on of th e fl ood t h e stran din g

of t h e Sh ip on t h e m ou n ta i n of N i s i r ; t h e s en din f t h
g or
 TH E STO R Y OF TH E D E LU G E 179

of the d ov e ,
th e s wall ow ,
an d th ei rdin g ret u rn ; th e sen

fort h of t h e rav en an d i ts n on ret u rn ; t h e s a crific e ;

,
-

t h e g od s Sm e llin g i t s s w ee t s a v our ; t h e v ow of rem e m

bran ce o f th e godd ess by th e l ap is st on e n eckl a ce ; t h e -

d etermin a ti on of th e god s n ot t o s en d a fl ood aga in upon

t h e earth s in c e s in i s i n e vit abl e from th e s in n er
,
To al l .

t h es e p oin t s we fi n d p ara ll el s in t h e a cc ou n t as given

i n G en esi s .

B u t i t I s I n th e P ri est ly n arrative th at we fi n d th e
direct ion s for t h e buildin g of t h e sh ip ; t h e great prev a
l en ce of th e fl ood even t o th e h eigh t of th e m oun tai n s ;
t h e s t ra n din g of t h e sh ip on a m ou n t a in ; a n d t h e b ow
i n t h e cl oud s a s a c ov en an t of rem emb ran c e— t h i s l as t
b ein g p erh a ps parall el ed 1h t h e B abyl on ian story by
t h e m ot t l e d ( blu e an d w h it e) l apis n e ckl a c e of t h e god d ess
- -

wh ich sh e sw ore by as a rem embran cer Th ere i s there .

fore m a n i fe st c on n ec tion wi th th e n arrat ive t ol d by t h e

Pri est ly writ er .

B u t i t i s i n t h e J eh ov is ti c n arrat iv e on t h e oth er h an d , ,

th a t we fi n d t h e sen din g forth of th e ra v en an d i ts n on ,

~

re t u rn ; t h e sen di n g forth of t h e d ov e a n d i t s ret u rn ; ,

the s a crific e an d t h e s weet s av ou r t h a t wa s s m e ll e d of

,

t h e L ord ; an d t h e d e t ermin a t i on of th e Lord n ot t o cu rs e

t h e eart h a n y m ore for man s s ak e n or smi te a n y m ore
’
,

e v ery livi n g t h in g for th e ima gi n a tion o f m ari 3 h eart

“ ’

i s e vil from h i s y ou t h Th ere i s t h erefore n o l es s

.
, ,

man i fest c on n ec ti on w ith t h e n arrat iv e t old by t he

J eh ovi st i c writer .

B u t t h e n arra ti ve t old by th e wri ter of th e B abyl on ia n

story i s on e s i n gl e a cc ou n t ; ev en i f i t w ere a combin ation
 ‘

180 1
TH E ASTR O N O MY THE BI BLE

of t wo se para te been so c omple t ely

t radit io n s , t hey h a ve
fu se d t ha t th ey ca n n ot n o w b e b roken up so as to form
t wo d is t in c t n arra ti ve s e a c h c ompl et e i n i t s el f
, .

Th e w h ol e st ory pre cise ly as i t was w ri tt en d own

'

t ra ve ll e d to Can aa n —s e we a re t old An d t h ere — we

”
'

, .

a re a sk ed t o b eli e ve t wo He b re w wri te rs of v ery,

-

d i fferen t t e mp era m en ts an d s ch ool s of th ought e ac h ,

in d epen d en tly w ork e d up a c ompl e te s tory of t h e D el uge

from t h is Gilgam esh l egen d Th ey c h os e ou t di fi eren t
‘
”
l
.

i n cid en ts on e s el e c t in g wh at th e o th er rej e ct ed an d vi ce
, ,

versa s o th at th ei r t wo ac cou n t s we re
, m u tu al ly c on tra
d ic t ory Th ey a gree d h owev er i n c l e an s in g i t from i ts
”
.
, ,

p olyth e i sti c s e tti n g an d givin g i t a st rictly m on oth e is tic

,

t on e La ter an edi tor pu t th e two n arratives togeth er

.
, ,

wit h a ll the ir in con sis ten c ies an d c on tradiction s an d ,

i n terl ock e d th em i n to on e wh ich p res e n ts a l lth e ma in ,

fea t ures of t h e origin a l Gi l ga m es h story exce p t i ts poly

t h e is m I n o th er w ord s t wo Heb re w s crib es e ac h to l
.
,
d in
h is own way a p art o f th e ac cou n t of t h e D eluge w h ic h h e
h a d d erived from B abyl on a n d a t h i rd u n witt i n gly so ,

re c ombi n ed t h e m as to m ak e t h em represe n t t h e Ba by .

ton ia n o rigin a l !
Th e two a ccou n t s o f th e Del uge su pp osed to b e ,

pres en t i n G en es is t h erefo re c an n o t b e d erive d fram t h e

,

Gi lgam esh e pic n or b e lat er t ha n i t s eein g tha t wha t

, ,

i s s till pl a in ly s ep arabl e i n G en esis is i n s ep arably fu s ed

i n the e pic .

On th e oth er h an d can t h e Babyl on ian n arra tive b e ,

l a t er th an an d der iv e d from t he G en es i s accou n t ? Sin c e

'

, ,
182 THE A STR O N O MY on TH E B I B LE

wh o h as issu e d fort h from th e s h ip upon an a ltar whose

, ,

s m ok e goe s u p i n a cl oud i n wh ich a b ow i s set

, .

I n th i s grou p in g of p ict u res we h a v e two c h ara c teris tic

feat u res o f t h e Pri es tly n arra t iv e i n t h e sh ip grou n d e d
,

on a rock an d i n t h e b ow s e t i n t h e cl oud ; we h av e a l s o
,

t wo c h ara ct eri st ic feat u res of t h e Jeh ovis t ic n arra tive in ,

t h e s m okin g a l tar of sa c rific e an d i n t h e c arri on bird

, .

Th ere i s t h erefore m an i fe s t c on n ect ion b etw een t h e

con stellation grou p in g a n d both th e n arratives given
i n G en esi s .

B u t th e c on s t ella t i on al p ic tu re story i s t h e on ly on e of
al lth es e n arrat iv es that we can d a t e I t mu s t h av e b een
.

—
d esign ed as we h ve s ee a n — ab ou t 270 0 B C . .

Th e qu es tion aga in com es up for an s wer W ere th e .

Gen esis a n d B abyl on ian n arrativ es an y or a llof t h em

, ,

d erived from t h e p ictured story in th e con stellat ion s ; or on ,

t h e ot h er h an d was t h i s d eriv ed from an y or a l

, lof t h em ?
Th e c on st ellat i on s w ere m app ed ou t n ear t h e n orth
latit ud e of far t o t h e n orth of B abyl on ia so t h e ,

pict u red s tory can n ot h ave c ome from t h en ce We d o .

n ot k n ow w h ere t he G en es i s n arrat iv es w ere wri tt en ,

b u t i f th e Fl ood of t h e c on s te ll ati on s wa s p ic t u re d from

t h em th en t h ey mu st h a ve b e en a lready u n it ed in t o t h e
,

a cc ou n t t h a t i s n ow p resen t e d t o u s i n G en es1s v ery ea rly ,

in t h e t h ird mill en n ium b efore C h ri s t .

C ould th e a ccoun t i n G en esis ha ve b een d erived from th e

con st ellat ion s ? I f i t i s a d oubl e a ccou n t m os t d ecid edly
,

n ot ; s i n c e t h e p ic t ure d s tory i n t h e c on s t ell a t i on s i s on e ,

an d pres en t s imp a rti ally t h e ch ara ct eri st ic feat u res of 60 th

th e n arra t iv es .
 TH E STO R Y OF THE D E LUGE 183

An d ( as in co mp arin g th e Gen es is B an d th e
abyl on i a n

n a rra t iv es ) we se e t h at t h ough t h e m a in circums tan ces

are t h e sam e— i n so far a s t h ey l e n d th e m se lves to
pictoria l represen tat ion s—th e d et ails th e presen t m en t , ,

t h e a tt it ud e are differen t I n th e G en e8 1s n arrativ e t h e

.
,

b ow s e t i n th e cl oud i s a ra in b ow i n a cl ou d of rain ; in
at i on pic t u re t h e b ow s et i n th e cl oud i s t h e
t h e con s t e l l ,

b ow of an arc h er an d th e cl oud i s th e pillar of s m ok e

,

from off th e a l t ar of sa crifice I n th e n arrat iv es of

'

G en esis an d B abylon ia Noah an d Pir n api s ti m are

,
-

men : n o h in t i s given an ywh ere th at by th eir phys ic al

form or c on s ti tu t i on t h ey w ere m ark e d off from ot h er
men ; in t h e st ori e d pic t u re h e wh o is s u es from th e sh ip
,

i s a c en tau r : h is upp er p art i s t h e h ea d an d b ody of

a man ,
h i s l ow er p art i s t h e b ody of a h ors e .

As b efore th ere i s n o d oubt t h at we can b es t explain

,

th e a greem en t i n circum stan c e of a l l t h e n arra tiv es by

pres umin g t hat t h ey are in d ep en d en t a ccou n ts of th e
s am e h i s t orica l occu rren c e We can at th e sam e t im e
.
, ,

expla in t h e d i fi eren c es i n s tyl e an d d e t ail b et we en

‘

th e
n arrat iv es by p res umi n g t h a t t h e ori in al s w ere by men
g
o f di fferen t qu ali t i es of mi n d wh o ea c h wrote a s th e
occu rren c e m os t a pp ea l ed t o h i m Th e B abyl on ian n ar
.

rator l a id h old of t h e p romi s e t h a t t h ough b ea s t , or ,

fa min e or p est il en c e migh t di mi n is h men a fl ood s h ould

, ,

n ot aga in s w ee p a wa y e y er livi t h i g d c t d
y n
g n a n c on n e, e

t h e p omi se wit h t h e s ign et s

r — t h e l ap is n e ckl a c e o f t h e
goddess Si rtu t h at s h e t ouc h ed as a rem emb ran cer .

Th e pic tu rer of t h e c on s tellat ion s s aw th e pl ed ge i n th e

sm oke of t h e sa c rific e in t h e s i ri t of t h e w ord s of th e
, p
184 TH E A STR O N O M Y OF TH E BI B LE

Lord a s gi ven by
As aph Gat h er My s ain ts togeth er u n to
,

me ; th os e th at ha v e m a d e a c ov en an t wit h Me by
The writ er i n G en es i s sa w th e promise i n
”
sa c rific e
.

t h e ra i n cl oud for t h e rai n b ow can on l

-

,
y a ppear w it h th e
s h in in g of t h e s u n . Th e writ er i n G en es is s aw i n N oah
.

a ri h t eou s man wo rth y to es c ape t h e fl oo d of d es ol a t i on

g ,

t h at swep t a way th e wick e dn es s arou n d ; th ere i s n o

e xplan at i on a pp aren t a t l e as t on t h e s u rfa c e as t o wh

, y
,

t h e d es ign er of t he con ste ll at ion s m a d e h i m wh o i s su ed,

from t h e sh ip an d o e ed t h e sa c ific e a ce n taur on e

fl r
'

r ,
—
wh o p art ook of t wo n a t u res .

Th e compari son of t h e D elu ge n arra t ives from G en es i s ,

from t h e c on s t ella ti on s a n d from Ba byl on ia pre sen ts

, ,

a cl ear i s s u e .I f al l t h e a ccou n ts are i n d e pen d en t a n d ,

i f t h ere are t wo a cc ou n t s in termin gl ed in t o on e in

G en esis t h en th e ch i ef fa cts pres en t e d in b ot h parts of
,

th at du a l n arrat ive mu s t h a ve b een so i n t ermi n g l ed a t

a n e arli er d a t e t h an 270 0 n o Th e e dit or wh o fi rs t
.

un ite d th e t wo stori es in to on e mu st h ave d on e h i s work

b efore th a t d ate .

B u t i f t h e a ccou n t s are n ot in d ep en d en t h is t ori es an d ,

th e n arra ti v e a s we ha ve i t i n G en es is i s d eriv ed e i th er
in wh ol e or i n pa rt from B abyl on ia or from t h e con
s t ellat i on s— i f i n sh ort th e Gen es is s t ory came from a
, ,

—
Bab yl on ian or a st e llar myth t h en we can n ot es cap e
from t h is c on clu si on : t h at t h e n arra tiv e i n G en esis i s n ot ,

an d n e v er h a s b een t wo s ep arabl e p orti on s ; t h a t t h e

,

s ch ol ars wh o h a v e so divid e d i t h a v e b een en t i rely i n

e rror. B u t we c an n ot s o l i gh t ly p u t on on e side t h e
wh ole of th e resu lt s which th e le arn in g an d research of so
 CHAPTER IV
E
TH E TRI B S or I SR A L AN D TH E E Z ODI AC

TH E ear li est referen c e i n Script u re t o th e c on stell ati on s

of th e z odi a c o ccu rs i n t h e c ou rse of th e h i st ory of
Joseph . I n rel at i n g h is sec on d d ream t o hi s breth ren
h e s aid

B eh old I ,
h av e d ream ed a d ream m ore ; an d b eh old
, ,

th e su n an d th e moon ,
an d t h e el e v en s t ars m ad e
ob eisan ce to me .
”

Th e w ord Kocha b Hebrew m ean s b oth star

in th e “

an d Th e s ign ifican c e t h ere fore of th e

”
con st ellation .
, ,

re fere n c e t o th e e l e v en s t ars i s cl ear Ju st a s Joseph s

’
.

el e v en b reth ren were e l even ou t of th e t welve s on s of

Ja c ob so J oseph sa w el e ven c on st ell at ion s ou t of t h e
,

t w elve c om e an d b ow d own t o h i m An d t h e t w el ve
.

con stellat ion s can on ly m ean th e t welve of th e z odiac .

Th ere can b e n o reas on abl e d oubt th at th e z odiac i n

qu estion wa s practic ally t h e s ame as we h ave n ow t he ,

on e t ran s mi tt e d t o u s t h rough Ar at u s an d P t ol emy It .

h ad b e en d esign ed quit e a t h ou s an d yea rs earlier t h an

t h e d ays of J osep h ; i t was k n ow n i n M es op ot ami a from
wh en ce h i s an cestors h ad com e ; i t was kn own i n E gyp t ;
th at i s t o say i t was k n own on b oth s id es of C an aan .

1 86
 TR IBE S OF I SR AE L AND TH E ZODIA C 187

Th e re h a ve b een di a cs : th u s th e C h in es e h av e
ot h er z o

o n e of t h e ir o wn : b u t we h a v e n o e vid en c e o f an y z odia c ,

ex c ep t t h e on e t ran s m i t t ed t o u s by t h e G reek s a s h avin g ,

b e e n a t an y t im e a d op t e d in Can aan or t h e n eigh b ou rin g

c ou n tri es .

Th ere i s n o n eed t o s u p p os e t h at e ach of t h e bret h ren

h ad a z odiac al figure al rea dy ass i gn e d t o hi m as a kin d of
a w ori al b eari n g or d e vic e Th e drea m was a pp ropriat e
.
,

an d p erfe c t ly i n t ell i ibl e t o Ja c ob t J p h d h i

g o os e an ,
s ,

bre th ren wit h ou t s uppos in g th a t an y s uch arran gem en t

,

h a d t h en b een m ad e I t i s qui t e t ru e t h at t h ere are

.

Jewi sh t ra dit i on s ass rgn in g a c on s tell ati on t o each of th e

t rib e s of I s ra el b u t i t d oes n ot app ear t h a t a n y s uch
,

traditi on s c an b e dis tin c t ly t ra c e d t o a grea t a n t iquity ,

a n d t h ey are m os t ly som ewh at i n d efi n i t e Jos eph us for .

,

in stan ce m ak es a vagu e ass erti on ab ou t th e t w elve

,

p recious s t on es of th e High Pri est s breas t p lat e eac h of ’

-

wh ich b ore th e n am e Of on e of th e trib es con n ect in g

‘

t h e m wi th th e s ign s of t h e z odi a c

N ow t h e n am es of al l t h ose s on s of Jac ob w ere

en
g ra v e n i n t h ese s t on es w h om w e es te em t h e h ead s of
,

ou r t ri b e s e a c h s t on e h avi n g t h e h on ou r of a n am e i n
, .
,

t h e ord er a cc ordin g t o w h i c h t h ey w e re b orn An d .

fo r t h e t w elv e s t on es wh et h er we u n d ers t a n d by t h e m t h e
m on th s , or wh et h er we u n d ers tan d t h e lik e n um b e r of
t h e sig n s of t h a t ci rcl e wh i c h t h e G re ek s c a ll t h e Z odia c ,
we sh a ll n ot b e mis tak en i n t h ei r m ean in g
” 1
.

Bu t wh il st t h ere i s n o s u ffici en t e vid en ce t hat each of

th e son s of Jacob h ad a z odi a c al fi u re for h i s c oat of
g
-

ar ms ,
n or e ven t h at t h e t rib e s d erivin g t h eir n a m es fro m
1 J os e h u s ,
p An ti q u i ties f
o the Jews, I I I . V11. 5 7
-
.
188 TH E A STR ON OMY OF TH E BIBLE
t he m were so furn ish ed t h ere i s st ron g an d h arm on iou s
,

t ra dit i on a s t o t h e ch a ra ct er of t h e d e vic es b orn e o n t h e

‘

s t an d ard s c a rri ed by t h e fou r divi si on s of t h e h ost i n t h e

marc h th rough t h e w ild ern ess Th e fou r divisi on s or

.
,

camps each con t ain ed t h re e trib es a n d were kn own by t h e

, ,

n am e of t h e p rin cip a l t rib e i n ea c h

»
Th e c amp of Jud a h
.

w as on t h e east a n d t h e divis i on of Jud ah l

, ed on t h e

m arch Th e c amp of Re ub en was on th e sou th Th e

. .

cam p of E p hra im was on th e wes t The ca mp of Dan was .

on t h e n orth an d t h e d i v rs mn of Dan b roug h t u p t h e re a r

, .

An d t he t radit i on al d evic es sh own on t h e four s tan d ard s

—
w ere th ese For Judah a l ion ; for Re uben a man an d a
, ,

riv er ; for E ph ra im a bull ,

for Dan an e agl e an d a s erp en t
, .

I n th es e fou r s ta n d ard s we can n ot fail t o se e aga in t h e

.

fou r c h erubic form s of li on ma n ox an d eagl e ; b u t ln

, ,

t wo c as es an a ddi ti on was m a d e t o t h e c h eru b ic form a n ,

a d d i t ion re ca ll i n g th e c on s te l la t i on figu re For j u s t a s .

t h e cres t of Re u b e n wa s n ot a man on ly b u t a man a n d a »

river s o Aqu ariu s i s n ot a ma n on ly b u t a man p ou ri n

, , g
ou t a s tream of w a t er An d as t h e crest of Dan was n ot
.

an e agl e on ly b u t an e agl e a n d a s erp en t s o t h e g rea t

'

, ,

roup of c on s t el l at i on s clu st e rin g rou n d t h e a u tum n a l

g ,

e qui n ox i n clud e d n ot on l
,
y th e Eagl e b u t als o th e Scorp ion
,

a n d t h e Serpen t ( see diag ra m p , .

Th ere a pp ears t o b e a n obvi ou s con n e ction b etw een

t h es e d e vic es an d th e bl essin gs pron ou n c e d by J ac ob up on

his s on s an d by M os es upon t h e tribes ; in d eed it would

, ,

s ee m p robabl e t h a t i t wa s t h e former t h at l a rg e ly d et er

min ed t h e ch oic e of th e d evic es ad op ted by t h e four

rea t d i vi s i on a ofi t h e h os t i n th e w il d e rn es s
g .
190 TH E A STR ONOMY .
OF TH E BIBLE

ger th ey s ew a man ,
l
“
I n th ei r an

An d i n l w ll
th ei r se f i-
th ey h ou gh ed an ox .

Th e first lin e ap pears t o refer t o t h e m a ss acre of th e

Sh ech emit es ; th e sec on d i s in t e rp ret ed by t h e Jeru sa l em
Targum I n th eir wi l fuln es s t h ey s old Joseph th eir
“ '

b roth er wh o i s liken ed to an ox An d i n th e bl es sin g

”
.
,

of J os ep h i t i s said t h at h i s bran ch es ( ma rgi n d augh ters ) , ,

”
ru n ov er t h e wall Som e tran sl at ors h av e ren d ered th i s
.
,

Th e d au ght ers w alk u p on t h e bull

”
wall an d bull ,
”

b ein g on ly distin gui sh abl e i n th e origin al by a s ligh t

differen ce in t h e p oin tin g .

Of Re ub en h i s fath er s aid
, Un st abl e as wa ter th ou , ,

sh al t n ot e xc el an d of Da n Dan sh a ll b e a s erp en t by
,

th e way an a dd er i n t h e p ath t h a t bit eth t he h ors e

, ,

h e els s o t h at h i s rid er s h all fall back ward

, .

Th es e t wo l ast p rop h eci es s upply t h e wat er an d th e

serp en t wh ich add ed t o t h e man an d eagl e of th e
,
”
,
“

ch erubic forms are n ee d e d to c ompl et e th e tradition a l

,

s t an d ard s an d are n e e d e d al so t o m ak e t h em c on form

,

m ore cl osely t o t h e c on st ellati on figu res .

N o s uch corresp on d en c e can b e t ra c e d b etw een th e

e igh t rem ain in g t rib es an d t h e e ig h t rema mm
g c on

s t ellat i on s Differen t writ ers c ombin e th em i n differen t

.

ways an d t h e a llu s i on s t o con s t e ll a t i on figu res in t he

,

bl es sin gs of th ose trib es are in most cases very d oubtful

an d ob s cu re e ven if i t ca n b e s upp os e d t h at a n y s uc h
,

a llus ion s are p res en t at al l Th e c on n e ct ion can n ot b e

.

pu sh ed s afely b eyon d th e four ch i ef trib es an d t h e four ,

ch erubi c forms as repres en ted in th e con stellati on s of

t h e fou r qu art ers of th e sky »
 TR IB E S or I SRAEL AN D THE .
Z O DI A C 19f

Th ese fou r sta n d ards , or rat h er, t h ree of t h e m, meet ‘

us

a gai n in a very conn ect ion When I sra el .

sr

reach ed t h e bord ers

of M oab B a l ak t h e kin g of Moab
, , ,

s en t for a s e er of re at rep u tat i on B al a a m th e son of

g , ,

"
B eor t o Com e c urs e me Jacob an d com e d e fy Isra el
, , , ,
.

B alaam cam e b u t in s tead of cu rsin g Jac ob blesse d th e

, ,

p eop l e in four proph eci es wh erein h e m a d e wh at woul d

, ,

a pp e ar to b e di st in c t re feren c es t o th e s t a n d ard s of Jud ah

, ,

J os eph an d Re ub en .

Beh ol d th e people ri seth u p as a li on ess,

An d as a li on d oth h e l ift h i mse l f u p ”
.

Th en a ga in
H e cou ch ed , h e l
ay d own as a li on ,
An d as a li on ess wh o sh all rou se h i m up ?

An d i n t wo p as sages
God b ri n geth h i m forth ou t of E gy pt ;
H e h ath as i t were th e stren gth of th e wil d ox .

Th e wild ox an d lion are obvi ous simil es to u se con

c ern in g a p owerful an d warlik e p eopl e Th ese t wo s imiles .

a re th ere fore n o t s u ffici en t by t h em s e lve s t o p ro ve th at

, ,

t h e t rib al s ta n d ard s are b ei n g referr ed t o B u t th e .

oth erw i s e en igma t ic al v ers e

“
Water sh all flow from hi s b uckets, ”

a p pears m ore xpre ssly as an allu sion to th e st an d ard

e

of Reub en th e ,
man wi th t h e riv er Aqu arius p ou ri n g
“
,
”

wat er from h is pi tch er ; a n d i f on e b e a referen ce to a ?

s ta n d a rd t h e oth ers may a l s o well b e

,
.

12
192 TH E ASTRO N O MY OF TH E B I B LE

I t i s s u re ly s ometh in g m ore t h an co n i cid en c e t h at Jos eph ,

wh o by h is fath er s favour d h is own m eri t was m ad e

’
an

9
o
I
o
o
o

A Q U AR I U S A N D TH E N E I G H B OURBN G C ONSTE LLAT I ONS

.

th e l ead er of t h e t welve bret h ren ,

sh ould be as s o ci ated
wi th th e bull or wild ox se ein g , t h at Ta uru s was t he
194 TH E ASTR ONO MY TH E BI B LE
‘ ‘

t h em s e l ves as wors h i ppin g th e on e t ru e God

“

. Th ey were
m on ot he i sts st ill n ot p oly th eists B ut t h ey h ad tak en
:

,
.
‘

t h e firs t fa l se s t ep t h at i n evit ably l e ad s t o p olyt h e is m ;

th ey h ad forgott en t h a t th ey h ad seen n o m a n n er o f
' “
.
.

s imi l i tu d e o n t h d t h t t h i L rd p k t " "

t h m
y a e o a u
e a : s e n o e

i n H oreb ou t of t he midea of t h e fi re an d t h ey h ad
”
“ /
' '

w orsh ipp ed th is g old en c alf as the si milit flde of God '

‘

t h ey h a d
“
ch an ged th ei r gl ory i n to t he s i mi litu d e of a n : z

An d th a t was treason again st

”
ox t hat e at et h grass .
: :

Him ; th erefore St Step h en said God t u rn ed an d

’

. .
, ,

av e th em u p t o w ors h ip t h e h ost of h ea v en ;
”

g t h e on e

s i n i n evita bly l ed t o t h e o t h e r in d e e d in vol ved i t ,In a , .

l at er d ay wh en Jerob oam wh o had been a ppoi n t ed by

, ,

S ol om o n rul e r o v er a llzt he ch arge of t he h ou se o f Jose ph ,

l e d t h e re b elli on of th et en t rib es aga in s t Re h ob ba m ki n g ,

of Jud a h h e set up g old en ca lv es a t Dan an d B e t he] a n d

, ,

sa id u n to hi s p e opl e I t i s t oo much for y ou t o go u p t o

,

Jeru sa l em : b eh old t hy g ods 0 I srae l w h ich brough t t h ee , ,

up ou t of t h e lan d of Egypt There can b e li ttl e d oub t

.

t h a t i n t h is c ase J erob oa m was n ot so m u c h reca l

, ,
lin g t he :
tran sgress i on n t e wil e n s
i h d r es — i t wa s n ot a n en c ou ragin g
preced en t—as h e was a d op t i n g th e w e l lk n own c ogn iz an ce -

o f t h e t rib e of J os e p h th a t i s t o say of t h e t vvo t ribes of

‘
'
‘

, ,

E p h ra im an d M an asseh w h i c h toge th er m a d e u p the more

,

imp orta n t p art of h is kin gdom a s the symb ol of t he

’

'
,

presen ce of Jeh ova h .

Th e s ou th ern ki n gd om would n at u rally ad opt t h e d e vic e

of i t s pred omin a n t t ri b e Jud a h an d i t was as t h e n u , ,

d oubted c ogn iz an c e of t h e ki n gd om o f Ju da h t ha t ou r
Richa rd t he Cru satter; pl
L aced t he Li on on h is s h i e ld;
 TR IB E S OF I SR A E L AND TH E ZODIA C 195

More d efin it ely s till we fin d th is on e of th e ch erubi c

,

form s a ppli ed t o s e t forth C h ri s t Hims el f as Th e Root

,

of D a vid, Prin ce of th e h ou se of Judah

B eh old t h e Lion
, of th e trib e o f Ju d a, t h e R oot of
D avid hath p revail ed
, to l
op en t h e b ook , an d t o oos e th e

s e ven s eal s th ereof

”
.
 CHAP TE R V

L E V I ATHAN
TH E RE a re mon gst th e bon stellation s fou r grea t
a

d racon ic or s erp en t lik e forms Ch i ef of t h ese i s t h e

-
.

great d ragon coil ed roun d th e p ol e of th e eclipt ic an d th e

p ol e of t h e equ at or as th e latt er was obs erv ed s o me 4 60 0
y ears ago Th is i s th e dragon with wh i ch th e Kn eel er
.
,

H ercu l es
, i s fi gh ti n g an d w h ose h e ad h e pres ses d ow n
,

with h i s foot . Th e s econ d i s t h e great wa ters n ak e ,

H y d ra w h ich 460 0 years ago s tret ch ed for 1 0 5 al on g t h e

°

cel estial e qu ator of th at d ay I t s h ea d was dire ct e d

.

t oward s t h e as cen din g n od e th at i s t o s ay t h e p oi n t

,

wh ere th e e cliptic th e s un s app aren t p a th cross es t h e

,
’

e qu at or at t h e s pri n g e quin ox ; an d i ts t ail s tret ch ed

n early t o t h e d es c en din g n od e th e p oin t wh ere t h e ,

e clip t ic again m e et s t h e e qu at or at t h e a u t um n e qu in ox .

Th e t h ird was t h e Serpe n t th e on e h eld i n t h e grip of

,

t h e Serp en t h old er
-
I t s h ead erec t ed itself j u s t ab ov e
.

th e aut um n e qui n ox a n d reach e d up as far as t h e z en i th ;

,

i ts tail l ay a l on g t h e equ at or Th e fou rt h of t h es e

.

dracon ic forms was th e great Sea mon ster stretch ed ou t -

al on g t h e —
h oriz on wi t h a d oubl e ri ver E ri d a n us
,

roceedin from i t ju s t b e l ow t h e s prin g e qui n ox

p g , .

196
198 TH E A STR O N OMY OF TH E BIB LE
N on e of th ese fou r figures was s uggested by th e
n at ura l grou pmg of th e s t ars .
Very few of th e con st ella
.

t ion fi gu res w ere s o s u gge st e d an d th e se fou r i n p a rt ic ul ar

-
, ,

a s s o h igh an a u t h orit y as P rof Sc h iap are lli e x pres s ly

‘

poin ts ou t were n ot am on gst t hat few Th eir posi tion s

, .

Sh ow th at t h ey w ere d es i gn ed s om e 4 60 0 ye ars ago an d ,

.

tha t th ey h ave n ot b een m at erially a l tered d own t o t h e

presen t t im e Though n o forms or semblan ces of form s
.

are th ere i n th e h eav en s y et we s till s eem t o s e e as we

, ,

look u pward s n ot m erely th e stars th em s el v

, es b u t t h e ,

sam e sn ak es an d d ragon s fi rs t i magin e d so man y ages ago

,

as c oilin g am on gs t t h e m .

Th e tradit ion of t h ese s erp en t in e form s an d of th eir

p ec u liar pl acin g ln the h eaven s was curren t am on g the
B abylon ian s qui te 1 5 00 years aft er t h e con stellati on s were
d evis ed For th e lit tl e boun dary ston es often display
.
“
,

a m on gs t m an y oth er as tron omic a l symb ol s t h e c oil e d d rag on ,

rou n d t h e t op of t h e s t on e th e e x t en d e d s n ak e at i t s bas e
,

see p a n d a t on e or ot h er c orn er t h e s e p en t b e n t i n t o
( .
r
a righ t an gl e lik e th at h ome by t h e Serp en t h old er—t h at -

i s t o s ay th e th re e ou t of th e four serp en ti n e forms th at

,

h old as tron omica lly im portan t p os it i on s i n th e sky

,
.

Th e p osi t i on s h eld by th ese t hree serp en ts or dragon s

h av e giv en ris e to a s ign ific an t set of a stron omic al t erms .

Th e D ragon m ark ed t h e p ol es of b oth e clipt ic an d

e qu a t or ; t h e Wat ersn ak e m a rk e d th e e qu a t or al m ost from
n od e t o n od e ; t h e Serp en t m ark ed t h e equat or a t on e of

th e n odes Th e Dragon s H ea d an d th e Dragon s

’ ’
.

Tail t h erefore h ave b een t aken as astron omical symbol s

”

0 f th e asc en din g an d des c en din g m al es 0 : the a s , ,

 LE VIATHAN 199

apparen t p ath—th e p oin ts wh ere he ms to ascen d

s ee

b v
a o e t he
quator in t h e s prin g an d t o
e ,
d esc en d below i t
a a in
g i n t h e a utumn .

Th e m oon s orbit lik ewise i n tersects th e apparen t p ath

’

of t h e su n i n t wo p oin ts i ts t wo n od es ; a n d th e in t erval
,

of t im e b et w e en i t s pas sa e t h rou h o e of th ese n od es

g g n
an d i ts ret u rn to th at sam e n od e a gain i s c all ed a
D racon ic m on th a m on th of : th e D ragon
,
Th e sa m e .

s ymb ols are a p p li ed b

’
an al ogy t o t h e m oon s n od es
y . .

In deed th e D ragon s Head 52 is the gen eral sign for

“ ’
,
”
,

t h e as c e n di n g n od e of an y orbit w h eth er of moon pl an et , ,

”
or c om e t an d t h e
,
Dragon s Tail 23 for t h e d escen din g ’

, ,

n od e .We n ot on ly u se th ese sign s i n astron omical work s

t o d ay b u t t h e l att er s ign fre qu en t ly occu rs fig u red
-

, ,

e xac t ly as we fi u re i t n ow on B byl on i an b ou n d ary

.

g a ,

s t on es 3 0 0 0 y ears ol d .

B u t an e clipse e i t h er of t h e su n or of t h e m oon can

on ly t ak e pl ac e w h en t h e l at t er is n e ar on e of i t s t wo

n do es — i s in t he D ragon s H ead or in th e D ragon s

“ ’ ” ’

Th is relat ion migh t b e b ri e fly e x pressed by sayin g

”
Tail .

t h at t h e D gora n — th at i s of th e n odeH au s e s t h e e clipse .

Hen ce th e n umerou s myth s fou n d i n so m an y n at ion s , ,

wh ich relat e h ow a dragon d evou rs th e su n ( or m oon ) ”

a t t h e t im e of a n e clips e .

Th e d ragon of e cli p se fi n ds i ts way in to Hin du

myt h ol ogy i n a form which sh ows clearly th at th e my th
a rose from a mi s u n d ers tan din g of t h e c on s tell at i on s The .

e quat ori a l Wat er sn a k e st ret ch in g from on e n od e n ea rly

-

t o t h e oth er h as re st in g upon i t Cra ter th e Cu p

, Com , , .

bin in g th is with the express ion for the two n odes , the
 tens THE A STRONOMY TH E BIBLE

Ba byl on ian t hat : h as b een b orrowe d fro m t h e Hebrew

'

s tory .
,

be en de gra d ed i n t h e b orro win g

d it h as
‘
an
'
= '
.
.

So in t h is cas e t h e n n y th of th e? D ragon whos e h ead an d

‘
‘

, ,

t ai lcau s e ecl i pses mu s t h av e wbeen de ri v ed frem a c orru p ,

'
z

t ion a n d mis un d ers ta n din g of a ve ry e arly as tron omi ca l

'
.

ac hi ev em en t Th e m y th i s evid en ce of kn c wl
. ed ge l ost -
.
s
,

ofas cien ce on t he down grad e r .

Some may obj ect : t hat t h e myth may 1 h ave b rou gh t i

‘

a b ou t t h e c on c ep t ion of t h e d ra con i c con stellat i on s

; »A . ,

very lit tl e fl ection will sh ow t ha t s u ch a t h in g w as

re '
,

s i mpossi b l e I f th e s u p erst i tion th at an ecl

. ip s e i s ca used.

a by an in visibl e dragon s wallowin g th e su n or moon f had

.
"
w '

rea l ly be en t h e origin of t h e c on st e ll at i on al d ragon s st h e

y
would certain ly h ave allb een pu t i n th e zodiac; t h e on ly ,

regi on of t h e s k
y w h e re su n or m oon c an b e fou n d ; v
n ot
ou t si de i t w h ere n e it h er can
.

,
e v er c ome a n d i n c on ; , .

se qu en c e w h ere n o e clipse can t ak e p l ac e N or coul d !

.
'

s u ch a s up ers t i t i on h a v e l
.
ed on t o t h e d is c overi es a bove .

men t ion e d : that t h e moon c au sed e clip ses of t h e s u n , the

!

t ha t t h e m oon s orb i t we s
’
eart h t h os e
-

. e

in cli n ed to t he e clipt ic an d th at e clips es took place o n ly ,

n ear t h e n ode s
s
aTh e id ea o f an u n s een sp i ri t ua l a gan t
. l

be in g at work w ould p reven t an y s earch for a physical

.
] »
.

ex p l a n at i on s i n c e polyt h e i s m i s n ec ess arily appos ed to

,
!

a s ci en c e .

Th ere is a word u sed i n Scripture to d en ote a

.
.

rep t ili a n mon s t ery wh i ch ap p ears in on e i n s t an c e a t l eas t

I t o refer t o t h is d ragon o f ec l i pse an d so t o he us ed i n an ,

‘

a
a

a st ron omica l s e n s e 3 Job i n h i s fi rst o u tbu rs t of grief

‘

.
,
 L E V I ATH AN ”
203

“
Let them cu rse i t th at cu rse t h e d ay ,
'
!

Wh o are ready (margin , s i l ful) t o rouse u p L e i ath an

.
k ,
'

v .

L et t he sta rs of th e t wi li gh t the reof b e dar ; k

k
Let i t loo for li gh t, b u t h ave n on e ;
’

Nei th er let i t b eh ol d th e ey el i d s of

L evi a th a n d en ot es im al wreath ed gath erin g itsel f

an an ,

i n c oils : h en c e a s erp e n t o r som e great rep t il e

,
Th e .

d es crip tion i n Job xli i s e vid en tly t h at of a m igh ty

.

crocodil e t h oug h in Ps alm civ l e viath an i s said t o p l ay

,
.
-

i n th e g reat an d wid e s ea wh i c h h as rai sed a diffi culty

“
,

a s t o i t s i den t ificat i on i n t h e min ds of s om e c omm en t a t ors .

I n t h e pres en t passage i t i s s upp os e d t o m ean on e of th e

s t e ll ar d ra gon s an d h en c t h e myt h ic al d ragon of e clip se
, e .

Job d esired th at t h e d ay of h i s b irth sh ould h a ve b ee n ‘

curs ed by t h e ma gici an s so th at i t h a d b een a d ay of

,

c ompl ete an d e n t ire e clip se n ot e ven th e stars th at,

pre ced ed i ts d awn b ein g all owed t o sh in e .

Th e as tron omical u s e of t h e word l ev ia th an h ere

re n d ers i t p oss ibl e t h at t h ere ma b e i n I sa x x vu
y a n . .

a llu s i on — quit e sec on d ary an d in direct h owever to th e m

c h i ef st ellar d ragon s .

I n t h at d ay t h e Lord w it h H is s ore an d great an d

s tron s w ord s h a ll pu n is h l e vi at h a n t h e pi e rcin g s erp e n t ,
g
e ve n l evi at h an t h a t c rook ed s erp en t ; an d H e s h al ls l ay

t h e dragon t hat i s i n t h e s ea
”
.

Th e m argin al readin g gives u s in s tead of pi ercin g “

,

cross in g like a ba r a m os t d es cript ive epith et for th e

lon g drawn ou t con st ellat ion of H y d ra th e Wat er sn ak e
- -

,
-

w h ich stretch ed its el f for on e h un d re d an d fi ve d egrees

a l on h p rimi t iv e e qua tor a n d c d m idi “
g t e ross e t h,e er an
204 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
“
lik e a b ar for se ven h ours
v y tw ou t of e er en ty four
-
.

Th e crooke d s erp en t would den ot e t h e dragon coil ed

arou n d th e p ol es wh il s t
,
t h e d ragon wh ic h i s i n t h e sea
would n a turally refer t o Cetu s th e Sea m on s te r Th e ,
-
.

p roph ecy would m ean th en th at in th a t d ay th e Lord ,

”

will d es troy allt h e powers of e vil wh ich h a ve as i t w ere , ,

l aid h old of th e ch ief pl ac es e v en in th e h eaven s ,

.

I n on e pass ag e th e c rook e d serp en t h ere u sed as a

“
,

s yn on ym of l evi a th an dis t in ctly p oin ts t o th e d ragon of

,

I n Job s last an sw er t o Bild a d t h e

’
th e c on st ella t ion s .

Sh uh it e, h e says

v
H e d i i d eth th e sea wi th H i s p ower,
An d b y H i s un d erstan di n g H e s mi te th th rou gh th e prou d .

(R V Ra ha b )
. .

B y H i s spiri t H e h ath garn i sh ed th e h ea en s ; v

H i s h an d h ath formed t h e croo ed serpen t ”
k .

Th e p assage gives a good exampl e of th e p arall elism o f

H ebrew p oetry ; t h e rep eti ti on of th e s evera l t erm s of a
‘

st a t e m en t t erm by t erm in a s li h t ly m odifi ed s en se ; a

, g ,

rh ym e i f t h e e xpressi on ma b e u sed n ot of s ou n d b u t of
, y , ,

s ign ific a t i on .

Th u s i n t h e fou r v ers es j u st qu ot e d w e h av e t h re e ,

t erm s i n ea ch — a en t a ct i on obj e c t — ea c h a pp ea rs i n
g , ,

t h e fi rs t s t a t e m en t ea ch a pp ears lik e wis e i n th e s e c on d

, .

Th e t h i rd s t a te men t in lik e m an n er h as i ts t h ree term s

, ,

re p ea t e d i n a vari e d form i n t h e fo u rth

’

.
.

Th u s

H i s u n d ers t a n d i n g
Sm i t e t h t h rou g h
R ah a l) ( t h e proud
) .
ans TH E A STR ONO MY on TH E B IBLE
‘
“

So t he proph et E z eki e l i s d ire c te d

Son of man , t ak e up a l am en tat i on for P h ara oh kin g ’

,

of Egyp t, a n d s ay u n to h i m, Th o u wa st liken e d u n t o a
,

you n g lion of the n ation s : y et art t h ou as a d ragon i n

”
t he s eas .

In l l th e se parisages i t i s on ly i n an in d i re c t a n d
a

s ec on da ry Sen se t h a t we can s ee an c n s t e ll a t ion a l refer

y o

en ces d es cripti on s o f th e d ragon th at i s i n

i n t h e various “

th e sea I t i s th e crocodile of E gypt th at i s i n t en d ed ;

”
.

Egyp t th e great op pre ss or of I srael an d on e of t h e great ,

powers of evil stan din g as a represen ta tive of t h e m all

, .

Th e s erp en t or d ragon form s i n t h e c on st el lat i on s a l so

”

rep resen t ed t h e p owers of e vil ; es p e ci a l ly t h e great

en e my of God an d man t h e d ragon t hat ol , d s erp en t , ,

So t h ere i s som e a m oun t

”
wh ich i s t he D evil a n d Sa tan ,
.

of ap prop ria t en ess t o t h e wa t ery d rag on s of th e s k

y
H y d a an d Ce
r tu s—i n t h es e d es crip ti on s of Raha l ) th e ,

d ragon of Egyp t with out th ere b ei n g an y direct referen ce

, .

Th us i t i s s aid of th e E gyp tian d ragon i n t he s eas ”

‘

I ,

h a v e given t h ee for m eat to t h e beas ts of t h e eart h an d ,

t ot h e fowl s of t h e h ea v en I wil l ca u se allth e

’
an d aga i n
“ “
,

fo wl s of t h e h ea v en t o s ett l e up on t h ee ju s t as Co
”
rv us ,
,

th e Ra ven i s sh own as h av in g s e tt l e d u p on H yd ra; t he

‘
‘

Wa t er sn ake an d i s d ev ou ri n g i ts fl esh Again ; Ph ara oh

-

,
.
‘
,

th e Egyp ti an d ra gon says My river I S min e n wn an d I “ ‘

‘
, , ,

h a Ve mad e i t for mys el f ; j u st as Cetu s; t h eSea m on s ter

”
-

i s re pres en ted as p ou rin g forth E ri d a n u s t h e river from , ,

i ts m ou t h .

B u t a cl ear an d d ire c t al lus ion to t h is las t grou pin o f g

t h e con s te l la t i on s oc cu rs in t h e Apo cal yp se : I n t h e

 LE VIATHAN 207

t wel ft h ch ap terproud oppressor dragon from th e sea

,
th e
i s sh own u s a ga in wi t h m u ch ful n ess of d et a il Th ere t h e
.

Apos t le d escrib es hi s visi on of a woman wh o evid en tly ,

AN D ROME D A C ETUS.

represen ts th e
p eopl e of God ,
b ein g p ersecu ted by a
d ragon Th ere i s s till
. a remi n i s c en c e of t h e d e liv era n c e

o f I sra e l i n t h e E x odus from E gyp t for t h e wom an fled

,

I 3
208 TH E A STR ONOMY O F TH E BIBLE
i n te th e wi l
d ern ess wh ere sh e h ath a pl ac e prep ared of
,

God t h at t h ere th ey may n ou ri sh h er a t h ou san d t wo

,

h u n dred a n d th re es c ore d ays An d t h e vis ion goes on

”
.

An d th e s erp en t c ast o u t of hi s m ou t h , a ft er th e wom an

wat er a s a ri ve r th at h e migh t cau s e h er t o b e carried
,

a wa y by th e s trea m An d t h e earth h elp e d t h e woman

.
,

an d t h e eart h op en e d h er m o u t h an d sw a ll owe d u p t h e ,

riv e r w h ic h t h e d ra on c a s t ou t of h i s m ou t h
”
g .

Th is a ppears to b e
pre cisely th e a cti on wh ich is pre
s en t e d t o u s i n t h e t h ree con s te ll at i on s of A n d romed a ,

Cetu s an d E ri d a n u s
,
An drom eda i s always sh own as a
.

wom an i n di stress an d t h e Sea m on s t er t h ou gh pla c ed far

,
-

from h er in t h e sk y h as a lway s b ee n u n d erst ood t o b e h er

,

p ers ecu t or T h u s Ara tu s wri tes

.

An d romed a, th ou gh far away sh e i es, fl

D read s th e Sea mon ster, low i n south ern-
s ki es .

Th e latter baffl ed ,
in h is pu rsui t of h is
victim has cas t ,

the r iver ,
E i i d an u s, ou t of his mon t h wh ich fl owin g d own
, ,

b el o w th e so u th ern h ori z on , i s a pp aren t ly swa ll ow e d up by

the earth .

It d occas ion n o su rp rise that we sh ould fi n d im agery

n ee

u sed by St John i n h i s p roph ecy already set forth in t he

.

c on stellat i on s n early years b efore h e wrote Just a s .

,

i n t h is sa m e b ook St Joh n rep ea t ed D an i el s vis i on of

’
.
,

t h e fou rt h b eas t an d E z eki e l s vi s ion of t h e livin g c rea

’
,

t ures a s h e u s ed t h e w e ll kn own d e tail s of t h e J ewi sh

,
-

Tem p l e th e can dl es t icks t h e la ver t h e a ltar of i n cen se

, , , ,

s o h e u sed a group of s t ellar figu res p erfe ct ly w ell kn own

at th e t ime wh en he wrot e I n s o d oin g t he b el oved .

210 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
I n th i s
lik en in g o f t h e eyes of t h e croc odil e t o th e ey e
lids of t h e m orn in g we h ave t h e c omparis on of on e n a tu ral
,

obj ect wi t h an ot h er Su ch c omp ari s on w h en u s e d i n on e

'

.
,

way an d for on e pu rp os e i s t h e e ssen c e of p oetry ; wh en

,

u s ed in an oth er we y an d for an oth er purpos e i s t h e ess en ce

’
,

of s ci en c e B ot h poe try an d s ci en c e are oppos e d to myth

.
,

wh ich i s th e c on fu s ion of n a tu ral wit h im agin ary obj ects ,

t h e mis ta ki n g t h e on e for t h e ot h er .

Th u s i t i s poet ry wh en t h e P sa lmi st s peaks o f th e s u n

as a b rid egroom c o mi n g ou t of h i s c h am b er ; for t h ere
“ ”

i s n o con fu s mn i n h i s t h ou gh t b e twe en t h e two n a tu ra l

obj ec t s Th e s u n i s lik e t h e b rid egroom i n t h e gl ory of
.

h i s ap p eara n c e Th e Ps a lmist d oes n ot a s crib e t o h i m a

.

brid e an d ch ild ren .

I t i s s cien c e w h en t h e ast ron om er c ompare s th e s p ec

t rum of t h e s u n wit h t h e s p e c t ra of vari ou s m e t al s i n t h e
lab oratory H e i s comparin g n a t u ral obj ect with n at u ra l
.

obj ec t a n d i s e n abl e d t o d ra w c on cl u s i on s a s t o t h e
,

e l em en ts c omp os i n g t h e s u n an d t h e c on d i t i on in w h ic h
,

th ey t h ere e xi st .

B u t i t i s my t h w h en th e B abyl on i an represen t s B el
or M erod a ch a s t h e s ol a r d e i ty d es troyin g Tiamat t h e
, ,

d ragon of d arkn ess for t h ere i s c on fu sion i n t h e t h ough t

, .

Th e im agi n a ry god i s s om et im es given s olar s om et im es ,

h uman s om et i m es s up erh uma n ch ara c teri st ics

,
Th ere i s .

n o a c t u a li ty i n muc h o f wh a t i s ass ert ed as t o t h e s u n or

a s t o t h e w h olly im a gin ary b ein g ass ociat ed wi th i t ‘

Th e m ockin g word s of E lij ah t o t h e pri ests of Ba al were

ju stifi e d by th e in tell ectu al con fus ion of t h ei r id eas as ,

well as by t h e spiritu al degradation of th eir idolatry .

.
 Cry l ud :
a o for h e i s a g od e it h er h e i s t al
ki n g or h e ,

is pu rs ui n g or h e i s i n a j ou rn ey , or p eradv en t u re h e
,
”
s l e ep et h , a n d mu s t b e a w ak en e d .

Such n at u re my th s are n ot i n dic ati on s of t h e h eal th y

-

m en ta l d e vel opm en t of a p rimitive peop l e ; t h ey are th e

cl ear s ign s of a path ol ogical c on dition th e sy mptom s of ,

i n tell e c tu a l diseas e .

I t i s w ell t o b ear in min d th i s di stin cti on t h is op p osit ion ,

b etween p oetry an d m y th for ign orin g i t has led t o n ot

,
’

a litt l e mi s c on c ep t i on a s t o t h e occu rren c e of myt h i n

Scrip t u re es p e cia lly i n c on n ect ion wit h t h e n am es ass oci

,

a t e d wi t h t h e c roc odil e Th u s i t h as b een broa dly ass erted

.

th at t h e origin a l my th ica l s ig n i fic at ion of t h e m on st ers

“

teh dm l i vy athan ta n n i m ra h d b i s u n mis ta ka bly e vid en t

' '
”
.
, , , ,

Of t h ese n a m es t h e fi rs t s ign ifi es t h e w orld of wat ers ;

th e s ec on d an d t h ird rea l aqu at ic a n im al s ; a n d t h e l as t j
,

t h e p roud on e i s simply a n e pit h e t of Egyp t a p pli e d t o

, ,

th e c rocodil e a s th e repres en ta t i on of t h e kin gd om Th ere .

i s n o m ore my th i n s et t in g forth Egyp t by t h e crocodil e

or l e vi a th an t h an i n s et t i n g fort h G rea t B ri ta in by th e

li on or Ru ss ia by t h e h ear
, .

Th e H ebrews i n s et t in g fort h th ei r en emi es by croc odil e

a n d oth er fe roci ou s rep t il es w ere n ot d es c ribi n g an im agi
y
n a ry m on s t ers of t h e p rim aeva l ch a os b u t rea l opp ress ors , .

Th e Egypti an wi th h i s h ou se of b on d ag e t h e As syri an
”

, , ,

wh ich s m ote wit h a rod th e Chald ean wh o m ad e hav oc

,

of I s ra el a l t oge th er w e re n ot d re am s
,
An d i n b es eec h i n g.

God t o d eliver t h e m from t h e ir la t es t oppressor th e

Hebrews n at u ra lly re calle d n ot som e idle tal e of t he fa bu
,

l ou s ach i e ve men t s o f B abyl on ian d e i t i es b u t th e ac t u al

'

,
212: TH E ASTRO NOMY OF TH E BI BLE

del ive ra n c e God h ad wrough t for the m at th e Red Sea

“

The re t h e Egyp ti an c rocodile had b ee n m ade m eat to

t he p e opl e in h abi ting t h e wild ern es s wh en th e c orp ses of
P h ara oh s b odyguard , cast u p on the sh ore su pplied th e
’

d ren of Israel w i t h the we ap on s a n d arm our of wh ic h

ch i l

th ey s tood i n n eed
-
: So in th e d ay of th eir u tt er distress
.
! .

th ey c ould s t ill cry i n fai th an d hop e

“
Yet God i s my Ki n g of ol d,
k v
W or i n g sal at i on i n th e mi dst of th e earth .

v
Th o u d i dst di i d e th e sea b y Thy stren gt h
“

Th ou b rakest th e h eads of th e d ragon s i n th e waters

, .

k v
Th ou b ra es t th e h ead s of le i ath an i n p i eces,
v
An d ga est h im to be meat to th e peopl e i n h ab i ti n g th e :

wi ld ern ess .

v
Th o u d i d st cl ea e th e fou n tai n an d th e ood fl
Th ou d ri eds t u p mi gh ty ri ers v .

The d ay i s Th i n e, th e n i gh t al so i s Th i n e
Th ou h as t p repared th e l i gh t an d th e su n .

Thou h ast set al l th e b ord ers of th e earth

Th ou h ast made su mmer an d wi n ter ”
.
214 THE AS TRO N O MY on TH E B I BLE

Hebrew n am es Ki ma h Kesi l A y i sh an d Mazza roth y et

, ,
‘’

,
'

i n e a ch c ase th ere are s om e s lig h t in d i c at ion s w h ic h h a ve

g iv en a clu e t o t h e c om p il e rs of ou r Re vis e d V ers i on ,

an d h a v e i n al
,
lp roba bility gu id ed th e m c orre c t ly , .

Th e c on s t ell at i on s a re n ot al le qu ally a t trac t iv e A few

, .

h av e d rawn th e att e n t i on of al l men h ow e ver oth erwi s e ,

in atten t ive N orth Am erican In dian s an d Au stralian

.
-

s a v ages h a v e e qu ally n ot e d t h e fl a sh i n g brillia n cy of

Orion an d th e c omp a ct li ttl e s warm of th e Pl eiad es

,
.

All n orth ern n at ion s recogn iz e t h e seven brigh t stars

o f t h e G reat B ea r an d t h ey a re kn ow n by a s c ore of
,

Th ey are th e
’
familiar n a m es Pl ough or Charl es s ” “
.
,

Wain of N orth ern Eu rop e ; t h e Seven Pl ough Oxen

”

a n ci en t Rom e ; t h e Bi er an d Mou rn ers of th e“

of

Arab s; th e Ch ari ot or Waggon of t h e old Chal ,

” ”
,

”
d ea n s th e Big Dipper of th e prosaic N ew E n gl an d
“

farm er . Th ese t h re e group s are ju st th e t h ree which

we fi n d m en t i on ed i n th e earlie s t p oet ry of G re ec e .

So Hom er writ es i n th e Fifth B ook of th e Ody ssey th at

, ,

Ulysses

Th ere v i ew d th e Plei ad s, an d th e N orth ern Team,

’

An d G reat Ori on s more refulgen t b eam,

’

To wh i ch , aroun d th e ax l e of th e sk y ,
v v
Th e Bear, re ol i n g, p oi n ts hi s gold en ey e .

It s ee ms u ral t o c on clud e t hat th es e c on stellati on s

n at ,

t h e m ost strikin g or a t a l le ven ts t h e m os t u n iversal

,
ly
rec o n i z ed w ould b e t h os e m en t i on ed i n t h e Bibl e
g , .

Th e p assages i n wh ic h t h e Hebrew word Kt ma h i s u sed ,

are t h e foll owin g

 TH E P LE IAD E S 215

( Go d ) m a k et h A rc t u ru s O ri on an d , , Pl eiade s ( Ki ma h) ,

an d t h e c h a mbers of t h e s ou t h b ix
( Jo .

Can st th ou bin d
weet in flu en c es of Pl ei ad es
th e s

( Ki ma h ) or l oos e t h e b an ds of Orion ? ( Job xxxviii

, .

Seek Him t h at m ak eth th e s ev en s tars an d

”
Orion ( Am os v .

In ou r Vers ion Ki mah i s ren d ered Pl eiades

Revised ,
l

in al lth ree in st an c es an d of c ou rs e t h e t ran s l ators of t h e

,

Auth oriz ed Version m ean t t h e sam e group by t h e s even

”
s t ars i n t h eir free ren d erin g of t h e p as s age from Am os .

Th e w ord ki mah s ign ifi es a h eap an d

”
a clu s t er
” “
or , ,

w ould se em t o b e rel at e d to t h e Assyri an w ord ki mi a ,

“
family
” “
from a root m ean in g t o ti e b in d ”
, or a ,

fa mily b ein g a n umb er of p erson s b oun d t oget h er by t h e

very cl osest t i e of rel ati on sh ip I f th is b e so we can h av e .

n o d oub t t h at ou r t ran sl at ors h a v e ri h t ly ren d ered t h e

g
w ord Th ere i s on e clu ster i n t h e sk y an d on e a l on e
.
, ,

wh ich appeal s t o t h e u n aid ed s igh t as b ein g dist in ctly

a dn u n mi st a k a bly a fa mily o f s t ar s— t h e Pl eiad es .

Th e n am es A sh or Ay i sh K63172 an d Kt ma h are
' ' ”

, , ,

peculiar to th e H ebrews an d are n ot s o far as we h ave , ,

an
y e vid en c e a t p resen t a lli e d t o n am es i n
,
u s e for an y

con stellat ion am on gst th e B abyl on ian s an d Assyrian s ;

t h ey h a v e as y et n ot b een fou n d on a n y cumeiform in scri p
, ,

t ion. Am os th e h erd sm an of Tek oa livin g i n th e eigh th

, ,

cen tury B C t wo cen tu ri es before th e Je ws w ere carri ed

.

i n t o exil e t o B ab yl on e vid en t ly k n e w w e ll wh at t h e t erm s

,

s ign i fi ed an d t h e w ri t er of t h e B ook of Job was n o l es s

,

a w are o f t h e i r s ig n ifica t i on B u t t h e S e v e
.n t y wh o ,
”

tran sl a ted t h e H ebre w Scrip tu res in to G reek w ere n ot at ,

216 THE ASTRO NO MY OF THE BI B L E

al
l clear as t o th e
id en t ificati on of th ese n am es of con st el
'

l at i on s ; t h ough t h ey m a d e t h e ir t ran s l a t i on on ly t wo or

t h ree cen t u ri e s a ft e r t h e Je ws ret u rn ed t o J eru s al em

u n d er Ezra an d N eh e mi ah wh en oral t ra diti on sh ould

,

h av e s t ill s uppli e d th e m ean in g of s uch a stron omic al

'

t erm s . H a d th ese n am es b een t h en kn own i n B a byl on ,

t h ey c ould n ot h av e b e en u n k n own t o t h e l earn ed men of

Al ex an d ria i n th e s econ d c en t ury before ou r era s in ce at ,

t h at t im e t h ere wa s a v ery dire ct s ci en t i fic in flu en c e of th e

on e city up on th e ot h er Th is H eb re w a stron omy was so
.

far from b ein g d u e t o B abyl on i an i n flu en c e an d t ea ch i n ,

g
t h at t h ough k n ow n c en t u ri es b e fore t h e e xil e a ft er t h e
, ,

exil e we fi n d t h e k n owl edg e o f i ts t ech n ic a l t erm s was l ost .

On t h e oth er h an d kt ma was th e t erm u s ed i n al

,
lSyri a c
literat ure t o d en omin ate t h e Pl eiad es an d we ac c ordin gly ,

fi n d i n t h e Pesch itta t h e a n ci e n t Sy riac v ers i on of th e

,

Bibl e m ad e ab ou t t h e s e c on d c en t ury A D th e t erm ki ma

,
. .
,

'
reta in e d t h rou gh ou t b u t kasi lan d a y i sh w ere reduc e d to
,

t h e ir s up p ose d Syriac e quiva l en ts .

W h ate ver un c ert ain ty was fel t as t o th e m ean in g of

ki mak by t h e early t ran sl at ors i t i s n ot n ow s eri ou s ly
,

di sp u t ed th at t h e Plei ad es i s t h e group of s tars i n

questi on .

Th e w ord ki ma k m ean s a s we h av e s een ,

clu st er or ,

h eap s o al so th e w ord P l ei a des wh ich we u s e to d a

”
y
-

, , ,

i s p rob ably d e riv e d from t h e G reek m an y ”

.

S ee v ra l G r e e k p oe t s — At h en aeu s H es iod Pin d ar an d

, ,

Sim on id es— wrot e t h e word P el ei a d es i e rock pi eon s

g,
. .
,

con sid ere d a s flyin g from th e Hun ter O ri on ; oth ers m ad e

th e m th e s ev en d ov es wh o c arri e d ambrosia to th e i n fan t
218 TH E A S TR ONO MY OF TH E B IB LE

Possibly , ce i s m ad e t o th e w orsh ip of th e Pl eiad es

referen

wh en t h e kin g of As sy ria i n t h e s even th c en tu ry B C , . .

,

brough t men from B abylon an d oth er regi on s t o in h abit

t h e d e p opul a t e d ci t i es of Sa m ari a an d th e men of B ab y l on ,

m ad e Succoth b en ot h -
Th e Rabbi s are s aid t o h av e
.
”

ren d ere d t h i s by t h e b ooth s of th e Maid en s or th e

“
,

te ts o
n f t h e D u g te s
a h r — th e Pl eiad es b ein g th e
,
”

m aiden s i n qu estion .

G en era lly th ey are th e Seven Sister s H esiod calls .

th em t h e Sev en Vi rgin s a n d th e Virgi n St ars , The , .

n am es
giv en t o t h e i n dividu a l s t a rs a r e t h os e of th e

s ev en d au h t ers of At l a s a n d Pl ei on e ; th u s Mil t on t erm s

g
t h em th e Se v en At l an t ic Sis t ers .

As we h a v e s een t h e d evic e a ssociat e d e x pressly

w ith Jos eph i s t h e Bull an d Jac ob s blessi n g t o his son ,
’

h as b e en s om et im es ren d ere d

Jos eph i s a fruit ful b ough e ve n , a frui t ful b ough by

a well ; the da u gh ters wa lk up on the bu ll
”
.

Th at i s , th e Se v en Si s t ers , th e Pl eiades ,
are on th e
sh o uld er of Ta uru s .

Ar at u s wrot e of t h e n umb er of the Pleiad es

Se v en p ath s a oft l men say th ey t a k e,

Yet si x l
a on e are vi w d e e by mortal ey es.

From Z eu s ’
ab od e n o s tar u n k n own is lost ,

Si n ce fi rst from b i rth we h eard , b u t th us th e le

ta i s tol d .

E u ripid e s peaks of th ese se ven p at h s a n d Erat osth en es

s

calls th em th e s even s tarred Pl eiad al th ough b e de

“ -

s crib es on e a s AllI n visibl e Th ere i s a s u rp ris in gly

-
.

u n iv ersa l t ra dit i on t h a t t h ey were seven wh o n ow are

 TH E P LE IAD E S 219

six .
”
We fin d i t ci en t G reec e a n d I t aly
n o t on y in
l an ,

b u t a l s o a mon g t h e bla ck fe ll ows of Au s t ra l i a t h e Ma l ays

'

of B orn eo an d t h e n e roes of t h e G o ld Coa s t T h ere

, g .

mus t be som e reas on t o a ccou n t for th is wid espre ad

t radit ion Som e of th e s t ars are kn ow n to b e s li gh t ly
.

variabl e an d on e of t h e fa in ter s tars in th e clust er may

,

h av e s h on e m ore brigh t ly i n old en t im e — th e ga s eous

E le c tr a
.

At las

Me r op e

STA R S OF TH E P L EI AD E S .

s p ectrum Pl ei on e ren d ers i t credibl e th at t hi s st ar may

of

on c e h av e h ad g re at b rilli an cy Alcyon e n ow t h e .
,

brigh test s tar i n t h e clu ster was n ot m en ti on ed by ,

P tol emy am on g t h e fou r brigh test Pl eiad s of h i s d ay .

Th e si x n ow vis ibl e to ordin ary s igh t are Alcy on e E l ec tra , ,

Atl as Ma ia Me rope an d Taygeta Celoen o i s t h e n ext i n

, ,
.

brigh tn ess an d th e pres en t can did ate for th e seven th

,

pla ce By good s igh t s evera l m ore may b e mad e ou t :

.
,

t h u s Ma es tl i n t h e t u tor of Kepl er m app ed el e v en b e fore

, ,

th e i n v en t ion of t h e t el escop e an d i n ou r own da , y

220 TH E A STR ON OMY O F TH E B I B LE

C arrin gton a n d Den n in g h a ve cou n ted fou rteen wit h th e

n a k ed e e
y .

I n cl ear m ou n t a in at m os p h e re m ere tha n se ven wou l d

b e s een by an y k een s igh t ed ob server

-
Us u ally s i x s tars.

may b e m ad e ou t wi th th e n aked ey e i n bot h t he

Pl eiad es an d th e Hya d es or i f m ore t han s ix t h en , , ,

s ev era l m ore ; t h oug h wi t h b oth grou ps t he n u mb er of

“

h a s a l ways b een associated

”
s e v en
“
.

I n t he N ew Te st amen t we fi n d t h e
“
s even Stars
‘
.

al s o men ti on e d . I n t h e fi rst chap ter of t he Revel a t ion ,

th e A p os tl e St J oh n s ays th a t h e
“
. s aw s e ve n g old en

can dl est icks ; an d i n th e mids t of t h e s even can d l es ticks

’

on e lik e u n t o t h e Son of Man an d H e h a d i n H is:

, .

”
ri h t h a n d se ven s tars L at er i n th e s a me cha p t er i t
g .

i s e xpla in e d t h at t h e s e ven s t ars a re t he an gel s of th e

s ev en ch urc h es ; an d t h e s ev en can dl es t i cks wh ich t h ou

s a w es t are t h e se v e n c h u rch es Th e s ev en st ars i n a

”
.

s in gl e c omp a ct clu s t er t h u s s ta n d for t h e Chu rc h i n i ts

m an y divers iti es an d i t s e ssen tial u n ity .

Thi s b ea u t i ful li t tl e c on s tella ti on h as b ecom e associat ed

wi th a foolish fabl e Wh en i t was firs t foun d th a t n o t
.

on ly did t h e p l an et s m ov e rou n d t h e su n i n orbi ts b u t t h at ,

t h e su n its el f a ls o was tra v ellin g ra pidly th ro u gh spa c e a ,

G erm an astron om er Madl er h az ard ed t h e su ggest ion t hat

, ,

t h e c en tre of th e s un s m oti on l i h d
’
a
y n t e Pl e i a es I t .

was soon evid en t t ha t th ere was n o s u ffi ci en t grou n d for

t h is s uggest ion an d t h at m an y cl early es ta blish e d fact s
,

w ere in con sisten t with i t Neverth el ess t h e id ea cau ght

.

h old of th e popular min d an d i t h as a cquired an emmin g

,

vogu e . N on astron omical writ ers h a ve ass erted tha t

-
222 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
i gn ore d i n t h is sugges ti on t h e fa ct t h at t h e Jewish cal en dar
wa s a lun ar s ol ar on e an d h en c e t h a t t h e t en t h d ay o f t h e
-

s e v en th m on t h c ould n ot b ear a n fix e d re l a t i on e i t h er t o
y
t h e a u t um n a l e quin ox or t o t h e mid n igh t culmin at ion of
,

t h e Ple iad es ; any m ore th an ou r E aster Su n d ay i s fix ed

to t h e s prin g e quin ox on M arch 22 .

Th e Pl ei ad es w ere oft en as soci at ed with th e lat e

au t umn a s Ara t u s w ri t es
,

Men mark th em ri si n g wi th Sol s setti n g l igh t ’

,

F oreru n n ers of th e wi n ter s gloomy n i gh t ’

.
”

Th i s i s wh at i s t e c hn ica lly k n own as th e a c ron ic a l

ri s i n of t h e Pl ei a d es t h e i r ri s in g a t s un set ; i n c on t ras t
g ,

t o t h ei r h elia ca l ri s in g t h e i r ri s in g ju st b efore d aybreak

, ,

wh ich u sh ered i n t h e s prin g tim e Th is acron ica l ri smg .

h as l ed t o th e a ssoci a t i on o f t h e g rou p wi t h t h e ra i n y

s eas on an d wi t h fl ood s
,
Th u s Sta t iu s call ed t h e cl
. u s t er
i ad u m n i v osu m s idu s an d Va l eriu s Fl
”
Pl ac cu s di st in c t ly
,

u s ed t h e word Pliad a for th e sh owers Jos eph u s says th at

”
.

duri n g th e siege of Jerusa l e m by An ti och u s Epiphan es in

1 70 B C t h e b es i ege d w an t ed for wat er u n t il reli ev ed by
“
.
,
.

a l arge s h ow er of ra in wh ich fell at th e settin g of th e

Pl eiad es R H All en in h i s Sta r N ames a n d thei r
”
-
.
. .
,

Mea n i n gs st a t es t h a t t h e Pleia d es are in t im ate ly con

,

n ec ted wi th t ra di t i on s of t h e fl ood foun d a m on g so m an y

a n d wid ely s ep ara t e d n at ion s a n d e sp e cia lly i n t h e D eluge

,

myth of C h ald aea b u t h e d oes n ot cite aut hori ti es or

,
”

in stan ces .

Th e Ta lmud gives a cu ri ou s l egen d c on n ect in g t h e

Pleiad es with th e Flood

Wh en th e H oly On e, blessed be He ! w i sh e d to brin g
 TH E P L EI ADE s as

t he D eluge up on th e w orld H e took t wo st ars ou t of

,

Pl eiad es an d t h u s let th e D eluge loos e An d whe n He

, .

wish e d t o arrest i t H e t ook t wo s tars ou t of Arcturus

,

an d s t opp e d i t
1 ”
.

It wou ld s eem from th is th at t h e Rabbis con n e c ted th e

n umbe r of vis ibl e s t ars wi t h t h e n u mbe r of t h e fa mihy i n

t h e Ar k — with th e few tha t i s eight souls

,
s av ed h y
, .

water of wh om St Pe ter s pea ks Si x Ple iad es on ly are

,
”
. .

u su ally s een by t h e n ak ed ey e ; tra di tion a lly se ven were

s ee n ; b u t t h e Rabbis ass um e d t h a t t wo n ot on e w ere , ,

l os t .

Perh aps we may trac e a referen c e to thi s s upposed

ass ocia ti on of Ki me h w it h th e Fl ood i n t h e passage from
Am os already qu oted
Seek Him t hat ma k eth the s even s ta rs an d Orion ,

t h at c all e th for t h e wa ters of t h e s e a , an d po u re th

t h e m ou t u p on t h e face of t h e eart h : t he Lord is His
.

”
n am e .

Man y an cien t n ati on s h ave set ap art days in th e lat e

a u t umn i n h on ou r o f t h e d ead n o d oub t b ec a u s e t h e y ear
,

was t h en c on s id ered as d e ad Th is s eas on b ei n g m ark ed

.

by th e acron ica l ris in g of th e Pl eiad es t hat group has ,

b ecom e ass ociat ed wi th s uch Ob servan ces Th ere is .

,

h owe ver n o referen c e t o an y cu s tom of t h i s kin d in

,

Scrip tu re .

W h at is t h e m ean i n g of t h e i n quiry add ressed to Job

by t h e Almigh ty ?
Can st th ou b i n d th e s weet i n flu en ces of Pl eiad es l ”

B ercw co th , fol 5 9 ,
l
1 l
'

. 00 . .
224 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
Wh at was t h e m ean i n g wh ich i t p osse s sed i n t h e t h o u gh t
of t h e writ er O f th e b ook W h at wa s t h e m ean i n g
which we sh ould n ow p u t on suc h an i n qui ry lookin g a t ,

t h e c on st ellati on s from th e s t an dp oin t w h ich t h e res earc h es

of mod ern ast ron omy h a v e giv en u s ?

Th e firs t m ean in g of the t ex t w ou ld ap p ear t o b e con

'

n ected w i t h t h e app aren t m ov e m en t of t h e su n a m on s t

g
th e stars i n th e c ou rse of t h e year We can n ot s ee t h e .

s tars by d ayligh t or s ee dire c t ly w h ere t h e su n i s s i t u at e d

, ,

with resp ect t o t h em b u t in v ery early t im es men learn t, ,

t o a ss ociat e t h e s eason s of t h e year w it h th e s ta rs w h ic h

Were last s een i n t h e m orn in g ab ove t h e p la c e wh ere th e
‘

su n was ab ou t t o ri s e ; i n t h e t ec hn ic a l t erm on c e i n u se ,

w ith th e h eliacal I I SI I lgS of st ars W h en th e con stellation s

‘

were first desig n ed t h e Pleia des rose h e lia cally a t t h e

,

b egin n in g of Ap ril an d were th e sign of t h e retu rn of

,

s pri n g
. Th u s Ara tu s i n h i s c on s tell a t i on p oem writ es
,

Men mark th em ( i . e . th e P leiad es) ri sin g wi th th e l

so ar ray ,

Th e h arbi n ger of s ummer s ’

b ri gh ter d ay .
”

Th ey h erald ed, t h erefore t h e ,

re vival of n at ure from h er
win t er sleep ,
t h e t im e of w h ich th e kin gly poet san g so

“ For 10 , th e wi n ter i s past,

;
Th e rai n i s o er an d gon e ; v
fl
Th e owers app ear on th e earth
Th e ti me of t h e si n gi n g o f b ird s i s c ome,
v
An d th e oi ce of th e tu rtle i s h eard i n ou r
Th e fi g tre e ri pen eth h er green fi gs,
-

v
An d th e i n es are i n b l ossom,
.

v
Th ey gi e forth th ei r fragran ce .
226 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IBLE

din g H e bre w w ord Ms a n azd d oth in ste ad of

t he
'
'

rea ,

Ma a d a n n oth foll owin g i n t h is a ll t h e m ost an c i en t

’
,

v ers ion s On th i s vie w Job i s i n e ffec t a sk ed C an s t

.
, , , ,

t h ou gath er t oget h er th e s t ars i n t h e f a mily of t he

Pleiad es an d k eep th e m i n t h eir p la c es ? ”

Th e exp ress ion of a ch a in or b an d i s o n e s ugges ted by

t he app eara n c e of t h e g roup t o t h e ey e b u t i t is n o l ess ,

appropriate i n t h e k n o wl e dg e w h ich p h ot ogra ph y an d

g re a t t el es c op es h a ve
g iv en us T o qu ot e from Mi ss .

’
Gl erk e s d es c rip t ion of t h e n e bul a di s c ov ered rou n d t h e

brigh t er stars of th e Pl ei ad es Alcy on e As terope , ,

Cel oen o E l e c tra M a ia M erop e a n d Tayg e ta

, , ,

B esid es th e Maia v ortex th e Pa ri s ph otograph s d e ,

pi ot e d a s eri es o f n ebul ou s b a rs on ei t h er s id e of M emp e ,

a n d a cu ri ou s s tre a k e x t e n d i n l i k e a fi n e r p os t from
g g
-

E l ec tra t ow ard s Alcy on e Stream ers an d fle ecy

mas ses o f c os mica l fog se em a lm os t t o fill t h e sp ac es
b e t w een t h e s tars as clou d s ch ok e a m ou n t ain vall ey
, .

Th e ch i e f p oin t s o f i t s c on c e n t ra t i on are t h e fou r s ta rs

Alcy on e M e rope Ma ia an d E lectra ; b u t i t in clud es as
, , ,

w ell Celoen o an d T ayget a a n d i s t rac eabl e south ward ,

from As t erop e o v er an arc o f 1 1 0

’
Th e gre a t er °

p art of t h e c on st el lat i on i s s h own as v ei led i n n ebul ou s v

m atter Of m ost u n e qu a l d en s it i es I n s om e pl a c es i t li es .

i n h e a vy {Ol d s a n d w re at h s i n ot h ers i t b arely qu a lifi es

,

t h e d ark n e s s Of t h e s k y grou n d Th e d e t a ils o f i t s d i s

-
. ,

t ri b u t i o n c om e ou t wit h re m a rk abl e cl earn ess an d are , .

e vid en t ly t o a l a rge e x t en t p re s c ri b e d by t h e rel a ti v e

s i t u at i on s of t h e s t a rs
~
Th e ir lin e s o f j u n c t i on a re fro
.

qu en tly m ark e d by n e b ulou s rays e s tab li s h in g b e tw ee n ,

t h e m n o d ou b t rel
,
a t i on s o f
, g re a t p h y s ic a l imp ort a n c e s

a n d m as s e s of n ebul a i n n um erou s in s t an c es s ee m as it
, ,

ha e an d d ra w n i o fes t o on s by
p ul led ou t f
o s p n t t h e

attract ion s of n eighb ou ri n g s tars B ut t h e st ra n g est .

230 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
are so far off th at we ca n c c ly d o more th an mak e a
s ar e

g u e ss a t i t ; b u t i t i s p rob abl e t h a t t h ey a re s o f a r di s t a n t
t ha t ou r Su n a t lik e di s t an c e would prove much :t oo fai n t
t o b e seen at al lby t h e n ak e d ey e . Th e Ple iad es t h en
would seem to b e a m ost gl ori ou s st ar system n ot y et -

com e t o i t s full grow th . From t h e st an dpoin t of m od ern

s ci en c e we may i n t erpret t h e ch ain or th e s weet i n
”

flu en ces of t h e Pl ei ad es a s con s ist i n g i n t h e en foldin g

wi3 ps of n ebul os i ty wh ich s t ill as i t w ere k n i t t oget h er
, ,

t h os e vas t you n g su n s ; or a n d i n al
, l p roba bili ty m ore
truly as t h at my s teriou s forc e of gra vit at i on w h ich h old s
,

t h e migh ty sys t e m t og e t h er an d i n obedien ce t o wh ich

,

t h e group h as t a k en i ts p resen t s h a p e Th e qu est i on i f

.
,

as k e d u s t o d ay w ould b e ln e ffe c t
, , Can s t th ou bin d
,

t oget h er by n ebul ou s ch ain s s c ores of su n s fa r m ore ,

l ori ou s t h an th in e o wn an d s c at tered ov er m an y million s

g ,

of million s of mil es o f s pa c e ; or c an s t t h ou l oos en t h e

a ttrac t i on wh ich t h ose s u n s e x ercis e u p on ea c h oth er ,

an d mov e th em h i th er an d t h it h er at t h w il l
y
 CHAPTER VI I
ORI ON

KESI L th e , word ren dered by Orion ou r tran sl at ors

oc curs in an as tron om i c al s en s e fou r t i mes i n t h e Scri p
,

t u res ; t wice i n t h e B ook of Job on c e i n t h e p roph ecy of ,

Am os an d on ce i n th e plural in t h e prop h ecy of Isai ah

, , , .

I n th e t h ree first cas es th e word i s u sed i n con j un c t i on .

with Kt mah th e Pl eia d es as sh own i n th e precedin g

, ,
”

ch apt er Th e fou rth in stan c e is ren dered i n th e Auth ori zed

.

Version
For th e stars of h eav en an d th e con st e llation s
”
th ereof sh a ll n ot give t h eir ligh t .

Th e Heb rew word Kest ls ign ifi es a fool an d that in

‘

t h e gen era l sen se of t h e t erm as us ed i n Scrip tu re ; n ot

m erely a silly u n taugh t feckl ess pers on b u t a godless an d
, , ,

an impi ous on e Th u s in th e B ook of Prov erbs Divin e

.
, ,

Wis d om i s represen t ed as app ealin g

H ow l on g , y e s imple on es, will y e love Si mpl ici ty ?
th e c s orn ers d elight in t h ei r s c orn in g an d f ool
,s h at e
kn owl edge
W h at con st ellati on was kn own to th e an ci en t Hebrews
th e fool ? Th e Sev en ty wh o ren d ered t h e Ol
“ ”
d
“
as
231
 32 TH E A S TR ON OMY OF TH E BI BLE
3
.

Tes tam en t in to Greek con fess t h emsel ves at fault On ce .

,

i n Amos b oth Ki ma h an d K és i l are l eft u n tran sl at ed

,
’
.

In s t ead of H i m t h at mak eth t h e s even st ars an d Orion ,

”

TH E ST A RS OF ORI ON .

we h ave th e p araph rase That ma k eth a n d tran sformeth

,
“

On c e i n Job i t i s ren d ered Hesperu s the

, , ,
”

e v en in g s tar ; an d i n t h e ot h er t wo in s t ances it is
g iv en as

Orion Th e tra dit i on of t h e real m ean i n g of th e w ord

”
“
.

as astron om ical term had been l ost or at le ast m

, u ch
234 TH E A STR O NOMY OF THE BI B L E

gro upi n
g o f t h e s tars t h e S ria n s h a v e ca ll e d t h e c on st el
y ,

la ti on Ga bbard ; an d th e Arabs A lJa bbar ; an d t h e Jews

'

, ,

W ar Th e brightes t star of th e con st ellation th em e i n

.
,

t h e l e ft kn ee n ow g en era lly k n own as R igel i s s t ill occa

, ,

s i on a ll c all ed A l geba r a c orr up t i on o f A lJ a bb a r t h ough

y , ,

on e of t h e fa i n t er s t ars n ea r i t n ow b ea rs t h at n a m e Th e .

m ean in g i n ea ch case i s t h e gian t t h e migh ty on e

“
,
”
,
”

t h e grea t warri or an d n o d oubt from t h e first form a t i on

”
,

of t h e c on s t ell at i on s t h i s t h e m os t b rillian t of al
,
l was, ,

un d erst ood to s et forth a warri or arme d for th e battl e .

Th ere w ere gi bbbri m b efore th e Fl ood ; we a re t old th a t

’

a ft er t h e s on s of God came in u n t o t h e d a ugh t ers of men

“
s

a n d t h ey bare c h ild ren t o t h em t h e sa m e b e ca m e migh ty ,

men (gi bberi m) wh ich w ere of old men of ren own

”
.
,

B u t a ccordin g to Je wi sh t ra dit i on th i s c on s tellat i on was ,

a ppropri at e d t o h im s e l f by a p articul ar migh t y man We .

a re t old i n Gen x t h at . .

Cu sh b egat Nimrod : h e began to b e a mighty on e

h
”

(g i bbé r) i n t h e e art .

a n d i t is a ll eg e d t ha t h e or hi s c ourti ers in ord er to fl att er

, ,

h i m gav e h i s n am e t o t h is c on stellat ion j u st as t hou san ds

, ,

of y ears l at er t h e Un ivers i ty of L ei pz i c prop os ed t o call

t h e b el t s tars of Ori on Stel l N ap ol em ms t h e Con stel

’

a , ,

lat ion of Nap ol eon 1

.
”

1 B u t th e fact th at Na ol eon s n ame was th u s cou l ed wi th this ’

p p
con stel lati on d oes n ot warran t u s i n asserti n g th at Napoleon h ad n o
h i stori cal e i st en ce an d th at h is l
x , on g con test wi th th e great sea

power E
( gn l an d , wi th i ts ca i tal on th e
) p ri v er Th ames ( l
'

was on ly a st l
el ar m t
y , h ari si n g fro m th n earn ess of Ori on to th e
e

Sea mon st er i n th e sk y — a ari an t, i n fact , of th e gre at Baby lon i an

-
v
myth of Mardu an d Ti amat, th e d ragon of th e d eep
k .
 O R ION 235

Th ere was urp rise fel t th at d eeply as th e

at on e t im e s , ,

n a m e of Nimrod h ad impress e d i ts el f u pon E as t ern

t ra dit i on h i s n am e as s uch was
,
n owh ere fou n d i n t h e
, ,

e x ten s ive lit era t u re wh ic h h as c om e d own t o u s from

B ab ylon I t i s n ow c on sid ered th at t h e w ord Nimrod is
.
, ,

s im p ly a H eb re w varian t of M erod a ch t h e w ell kn own ,

-

”
h ea d of th e Ba byl on ian p an t h eon H e was p robably .

t h e firs t ki n g of B a byl on i a or t h e first rea lly grea t

rul er of t h e co u n try I t i s s ign ific an t as Mr T G
”
. . . .
,

Pin ch es p oin t s ou t in his Old Testa men t i n the L igh t of th e

,

Records f rom A ssy r la a n d B a by l on i a t h at ju s t a s i n

'
’
,

G en esis i t is s ta te d th at t h e b egin n in g of h is ( Ni mrod s ) ’

ki n gd om was B ab el an d E rech an d Accad an d C a ln eh s o

, , , ,
”

M erod ac h i s s tat ed in th e cu n ei form re c ords t o h a ve buil t

, ,

B ab el an d Erech an d Ni g er w h ich l as t i s prob ably C al n eh , .

It see ms n eces sary to mak e

mark si n ce th e process of th is re ,

astrolo iz in
g g h i s tory wh eth e r d eri v e
,d fro m t h e B ib l e or from s ecu l ar

wri ters h as b een carri ed v ery far

, Th u s Dr H Wi n ck l er wri tes . . .

d own th e a ccou n t of th e fi rs t th ree Persi an

by ki n g ,
s
gi v en us

H ero dotu s, as my t h s of Ari es, Tau ru s , an d G emi n i ; D a i d an d v

Goli ath , t oo , are b u t Mard uk an d Ti amat, or Ori on an d Cetu s, b u t
v
D a i d h as b ecome th e Gi an t, an d G ol i ath th e Dragon , for G oliath “ ”

i s cl ai med as a word l ay on th e B ab y l on i an
'

p
-

ga let ta, ocean .

E x ami n i n g an Ar ab i c gl ob e of d ate 1279 A D — th at i s t o say s ome . .

y e ar s after t h e con s te ll at i on s w er e d e i sed ,

— Dr Wi n c l er v . k
foun d th at Ori on was represen ted as l eft h an d ed H e th erefore u sed -
.

k
this l eft h an d ed Ori on as th e l i n of i d en ti cati on b etween Eh u d , th e fi
-
j
left h an d ed u dge of I srael, an d Ty r th e left h an d ed Mars of th e ,
-

v
Scan d i n a i an pan th eon Dr Wi n c l er seems to h a e b een u n aware
. . k v
of th e el emen tar f t t h t el es ti a l l ob e n ecessari l h w i ts
y ac a a c g y s o s

fi gu res “
i n sid e ou t ”
We l oo u p to th e sk y , to see th e actu al con
. k
stel lati on s from wi th i n th e s h ere ; we l oo
p d o w n u on a cel esti al
p k
l ob e f ro m wi th ou t d h s e th e desi n s u on i t as i n th e
g ,
an e n c e e
g p
l ooki n g gl ass
-

.
236 TH E A STR ONO MY DE '

TH E BIBLE
The Heb rew s crib es would seem to h ave al t ered th e n a m e
of M erod a c h i n t wo p articula rs : t h ey d ropp ed t h e l as t
s ylla bl e t h u s s u
, gg e s ti n
g t h a t t h e n a me w as d e riv ed from

Ma md , t h e re be lli ou s on e
“
an d t h ey pre fix ed t he
syll abl e N i ju s t a s Ni sroch wa s writ t en for As s u r
“ ” ”
.
,

From a lin g u is tic poin t of view th erefore t h e id en ti fi , ,

OR I ON A N D TH E N E I GH BOU RI N G C ON STE LLA T I ON S

.

cati on of Nim rod as a ch an ged form of M erod ach i s fully

us t ifi ed
”

j .

Th e at t it ud e of Ori on i n t h e sky i s a striking on e Th e .

warri or i s represen ted as h oldi n g a club i n th e righ t h an d ,

an d a s kin or s h i e ld i n t h e l e ft H i s l eft foot i s rai sed

.

high as i f h e were climbin g a s t eep asc en t h e s e em s t o b e ,

en d ea vo urin g t o forc e h is way up i n t o t h e z

'

odi a c a n d — as ,

L g f l l w x i t—t be b e t i n t h e forehead 0 f the

on e o e
press es o a
g
238 TH E A STR ONO MY OF TH E B I B L E

A s imilar iron y is s een i n t h e H ebre w n am e for th e

Th e migh ty Hun ter t h e great h ero ”
con st ellat ion .
,

wh om th e Babylon ia n s h ad d eifi ed an d m ad e t h eir

s up re m e god t h e H ebre ws regard e d a s t h e fool th e
“
, ,

“
Sin c e Ori on i s Nimrod t h at I S
”
impiou s reb el
M erodach t h ere i s sm
.
,

all ,
won d er t h at KesZl was n ot '

re co g n i z ed a s hi s n a m e i n B a byl on i a
1
.

Th e a tt i t ud e of O ri on — a tt em p t in g t o forc e hi s way
—
upward in t o th e z odia c an d t h e id en t ifica ti on of
L

M erodach wi th hi m gi ves e mph as is t o I sai ah s re ,

’

proach m an y c en tu ri es l at er again st th e kin g of Babyl on

, , ,

t h e s ucc es s or of M erod a ch

Th ou h ast id i n th in e h eart I will as cen d in t o

sa ,

h eav en I will ex a l t my t h ron e abov e t h e s t ars of God : I

,

will s i t al so up on t h e m ou n t of t h e con gregat i on i n th e ,

s i d es o f t h e n ort h I will a s c en d a b ove t h e h eigh ts of t h e

cl oud s ; I will b e like t h e M ost High .
”

I n th eigh t of t h e Hebrew prop h ets an d p oets Mero

s ,

d ach i n takin g t o h im se l f t h i s group of s tars publish e d h i s

, ,

sh a m e an d folly H e h ad a s c en d ed i n t o h ea ven b u t hi s
.
,

Dr Ch ey n e omon ,
1
. s ay s , in a n ote on Job a/n d Sol
p . 52 of
“
H eb . E ’
si l
,
th e n a me of th e fool hard y gi an t wh o stro e wi th v
J eh v o ah . d eo
Th e Ch al -
As sy ri an astrol ogy ga e th e n ame Ki silm) v
to th e n in th mon th , c on n ecti n g it w i th th e z odi aca l si gn

Sagi ttari u s . Bu t th ere are vl a id reason s for at tachi n g th e

H eb rew p opu lar my th Con d er, i n p 1 79
to Ori on .
”
So 0 0 1 . .

o f Th e H i tti tes a n d th ei r L a/ nga a ge, t ran s l ates th e n ame of th e

A ssy ri an n i n th mon th , Ci sl eu, as

“ ”
gi an t N o w Sa i
g ta ri u s i s i n
t .

v j
th e h ea en s u st opp os i t e t o Ori on , so wh en i n t h e n i n th mon th
j
th e s u n wa s i n con u n cti on wi th Sagi t tari u s, Ori on was i n opposi ti on .

I n Ci sl eu , th erefore , t h e gi a n t , Ori on , was ri d i n g th e h e a en s al l v

n i gh t , o c cu py i n g t h e ch amb er o f th e s o u th at mi d n i gh t, so t h at

th e n i n th mon th mi gh t wel lb e called th e mon th of th e gi an t .

 O RION 239

g li tt e ri n
g b e l t w as on ly his fe tt er ; h e was b ou n d a n d

ibb e te d i n th e sk y lik e a ca p t ive a reb e l an d wh o c ould

g , ,

l oos e h is b a n d s ?
I n th e t h ir teen t h c h apter of Isai a h we h av e th e plu ra l of
ktsi l I t i s u s u a lly un d ers tood t h a t we h a ve
’

h ere Ori on as th e m os t spl en did c on st ella t ion i n t h e sk y

, ,

t f r t h e c on st ell at i on s i n gen era l B t if w rem e mb er

p u o u e .

t h at hest l s t an ds for
’

Nimrod or M erod a ch th e fi rst

” “
,
”

proud tyran t m en t ion ed by n am e i n Scrip t ure th e ,

p art icular s ign ifican ce of th e a llu s ion b ecom es evid en t

B eh old , t h e L ord c om et h , cru el b oth wi th
t h e d ay of

wra th a n d fi erc e an ger, t o lay th e lan d d esol a t e : an d h e

s ha ll d es troy t h e s i n n ers t h ere of ou t o f i t F or th e s t ars .

o f h e a v en s a n d t h e c on s t ell a t i on s — ( t h a t i s t h e kesel t m,
'

t h e Nim rod s or M erod a c h s of t h e sk y ) t h ere of s h e 11 n ot .

give li gh t : t h e su n sh a ll b e d ark en ed i n h i s goi n g

t h e ir
fort h a n d t h e m oon s h all n ot c au s e h er ligh t t o s h i n e
, .

An d I wil lpu n is h t h e w orld for t h e ir e vil a n d t h e wick ed ,

for t h e ir i n iqui ty ; an d I will c au s e t h e a rrogan cy o f t h e

proud t o ceas e an d will lay low th e h augh tin ess of t h e
,

terribl e
”
.

Th e s tr ictly as tron omica l l i

re a t on s of Orion an d the
Pl ei ad es s ee m t o b e h i n t e d at in Am os an d i n Job

Seek Him ma k eth t h e s even

t h at s t ars a n O ri on
d ,
an d
tu rn e t h t h e sh a d ow o f d ea t h i n to th e m orn in g ,
an d

t h e d ay d ark w i t h n igh t
”
m ak et h .

I n th is p a s sa g e th e parall elism
ms t o b e b etw een th e
s ee

s ev e n s t a rs , t h e Pl ei ad e s wi th s un ris e an d Ori on wi t h
, ,

s u n s et . N o w a t t h e t i m e a n d pl a c e wh en t h e c on s t ella
t i on s w ere ma pp e d ou t t h e Pl ei a d e s w ere t h e imm e dia te
,

h era ld s of s u n ri s e s hort ly a fter t h e s p ri n g e qui n ox a t t h e

, ,
240 TH E ASTR O N O MY OF TH E B I B LE

s eas on wh ich woul d corresp on d to t h e early part of Apri l

i n ou r pres en t c al en d ar Th e ri s i n g of O ri on a t s u n s et
.

h is a cron ica l ri si n g wa s early in D ec emb er ab ou t th e

m
,

t im e wh en th e c old est s eas on o f t h e y ear b egi n s Th e .

as t ron omica l m ea n in g of t h e ban ds of O rion would

t h ere fore b e t h e rig o ur i n wh ich th e earth i s h eld durin g
th e c old of wi n ter .

I t i s p oss ibl e t hat t h e two great s tars wh ich follow

Ori on Si ri u s an d P rocy on kn own to th e an ci en ts gen e
, ,

”
rally an d to u s t od a y a s t h e D ogs w ere by th e B aby
“
,

”
l on i a n s k n own as t h e B ow s tar a n d th e La n c e s tar
- -

th e weap on s th a t i s t o s ay of Ori on or M eroda ch

, ,
J en .

s en id en t ifi es Sm u s wi th t h e B ow s t ar b u t c on s id ers t h at -

t h e L an c e s tar was An tares ; H omm e l h ow e v er id en t ifies

'

, ,

t h e La n c e s tar wi th Procyon
-
I n th e fi fth t abl et of t h e
.

Babyl on i an Creati on epic a s tran sl ated by Dr L W Kin g . . .

,

t h ere i s an i n t e res t in g a ccou n t o f th e pl a cin g o f t h e B ow

s tar i n t h e h ea v en s Aft er Meroda ch h ad killed Tiamat i
.
-

Th e god s (h i s fa th ers) b eh eld th e n et wh i ch h e h ad mad e,

Th ey b eh eld th e b ow an d h ow ( i ts wor ) was accomplish ed k .

Th ey praised th e wor wh i ch h e h ad d on e k
n t h e assemb l y of t h e
Th en An u rai s ed [th e ] i god s
, .

k
H e i ssed th e b ow , ( say i n g), ‘
I t is
An d th u s h e n amed th e n ame s of th e b ow, ( say i n g ),
L on g wood sh all b e on e n ame, an d th e secon d n ame [sh al
-
l
be
An d i ts th i rd n ame sh al l b e th e B ow star, i n h ea en [sh all -
v
it
fi
Th en h e x ed a stati on for i t ”
.

Dr . Ch eyn e ev en con s id ers t ha t h e h as foun d a referen ce

to t h ese two s tars i n Job Xx x vlll. 36

E42 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI B LE

al lth e gods O ri on .
— o a .
—
Mer ch mu s t h ave b een lik e wise
d !

a
god t h e g reat g reat g ran d s on of Tia mat w h om h e
- -

, ,

d es troy s .

Th e H eb re w c on c ep t i on was al toge t h er di ff eren t .

N either Merod ach n or Ti amat n o r th e c on st ellat ion s of , , ,

O ri on an d C etus n or t h e a ct u al stars of wh ich t h ey a re

.
, .

c om o s ed are an yt h in g b u t creat u res Jeh o vah h a s made

p , .

O rion as wel l as the Seven Stars a s H is h an d hath

, ,
”

form e d th e crook ed s erpe n t

”
By th e m ou th of I saiah . .

H e s ay s I form t h e ligh t an d c rea t e d ark n ess : I m eke

, , ‘

p ea ce an d creat e evil : I th e Lord d o allthese things

, , .
”

Th e B abylon ian vi e w was of t wo d ivin i ti es pi t te d agai n st

.

ea ch oth er a n d t h e e vil divin i ty was th e origi n alan d t h e

,
'

ori gi n at or of t h e g ood I n the Heb rew vi e w e ve n th e .

,

p owers of e vi l are create d t h in gs ; t h ey are n ot s elf

existen t .

.An d th e H ebrews took a differen t V iew from th e Baby . .

i on ian s of th e s tory t ol d by t h ese coris tel la ti on s The

'

Hebre ws al way s cou p led Ori on with th e Pl eiad es ; th e

B aby l on i an s c ou pl e d O ri on wi t h C e t u s— t h a t i s Merod ach ,
t

wi th Tiam at
. .

Th e v i ew t h at h as com e d own t o u s th rough t h e G ree k s

. .

a grees much b ett er wi th t h e a ss ocia ti on of t h e c on s te ll a

t ion s as he ld am on gst th e H ebre ws rather t h an a m on gst ,

t he B abyl on i an s Th e Hu n t er O ri on a ccordin g t o t h e
.
,

G re ek s ch ased t he Pl ei a d es—th e littl e com pan y of

,
.

! —
Se v en V irgin s or Sev en D oves an d h e was c on fron ted
,

by the Bul l I n th ei r vi ew too t h e Sea mon s t er was n ot

'

a
-
r
. , , , ,
.

warri n g a g ain s t O ri on b u t agai n s t the chain ed woma n , ,

 C HAPTER VI I I

MAZZAR OTH

WE ha v e i c e from a n y cun ei form in s cri p tion s

n o as s s tan

as t o t h e as tron omic a l s ig n ific a n c e of A y ish Kt ma h an d

‘
’
, ,

Kasi lb u t th e cas e i s di fferen t w h en we c om e t o xl

,
lazza roth .

I n th e fi fth tab l et of t h e B abyl on i an C reati on ep ic we

read

1H e ( Mard u ) mad e th e stati on s for th e great god s

. k
2 Th e stars, th ei r i mages, as th e s ta rs of th e z od i ac, h e x ed
. fi .

3 H e ordai n ed th e yea r, an d i n t o secti on s ( mi z rd ta ) b e d i i ded 1t

.
’

v
v fi
4 F or th e twel e mon th s b e x ed th ree s tars
. .

5 After h e h ad
. th e d ay s o f t h e y ear i mages
6 H e fou n d ed th e s tati on of N i hi r to d etermi n e th ei r b o u n ds
.

7 Th at n on e mi gh t err or go astray
. .

8 H e set th e stati on of B el an d E a al on g wi th h i m
. .

I n t h e t h ird lin e mesrd ta c ogn at e wi th t h e H eb rew

,

Mazzaroth m ean s t h e s e c ti on s or divis ion s of t h e y e ar

, ,

c orresp on di n g t o th e s ig n s of t h e z od iac m en ti on ed i n
.

t h e s ec on d lin e Th ere can t h erefore b e li tt le d ou b

.
’

t h at t h e t ra n s l a t ors wh o ga ve u s ou r E n gli s h v ers i on s

'

a re p ra c tic ally c orre c t i n th e ren d eri n g of Jo b xxxviii 3 2 .

.

wh ich t h ey giv e i n th e m arg in Can s t t h ou b ri n g forth

,

Mazz aroth ( or t h e t w elve Sign s) i n hi s s eas on ? ”

T h e fo re g oi n g e x t ra ct from t h e fi ft h t a b l
e t o f Crea t i on
243
244 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
h as no s mall mical i n t erest Merod ach i s repre
as tron o .

sen te d as s e tti n g i n ord er t h e h ea v e n ly b odi es Firs t of .

al lh e all ot s t h eir s ta ti on s t o t h e g reat g od s dividi n g to ,

t h e m t h e c on s t ella t i on s of t h e z odia c an d t h e m on th s
,

of th e y ear ; s o t h a t t h e a rran gem en t by w h ich e v ery

m on th h ad i ts tu t elary d eity or d e ities i s h ere said t o

‘
,

b e h is w ork N ext h e divid es up th e con st ellat i on s o f

.
,

t h e z odi a c ; n ot m erely a rran gi n g th e a ct u a l s tars b u t ,

ap prop ria tin g t o ea ch c on st ella t i on i t s s p e cial d es ign or

Th i rd h e divid es up th e ye ar to c orres p on d
’I
“
im age .
,

with th e zodiac m akin g t welve m on th s with th ree

,

or c on s t ell at i on s t o ea ch I n oth er w ord s h e

“
stars .
,

carri e s t h e divis i on of t h e z odia c a s t ep fu rth er an d ,

d ivid es ea c h s ign in to th ree e qu al p arts th e d ecan s ,

of t h e a strol ogers each c on tain in g 1 0 ( cl

eka
) f h
°
, o t e

e cl ip tic
.

Th e statem en t m ad e in li n e 4! refers to an importan t

d evelopm en t of astron omy Th e con stella ti on s of t h e z odiac
.
,

th at i s t h e group s m a d e up of t h e a c t u a l s ta rs are very

, ,

u n e qu a l i n s iz e an d irregul ar in sha p e Th e n um erou s .

t h eori es a n ci en t or m od ern i n w h ich t h e c on s t e ll a t ion s

, ,

are s upp o sed t o owe th e ir origin t o t h e d is tin c tiv e

w eath er of th e s ucc es s ive m on th s ea ch con s tella tion,

figure b ein g a sort of h ieroglyph for i ts p art icular m on th ,

are t h ere fore al l m an i fes tly erron eou s for t h ere n ev er

,
"

could h a v e b een an y real fi x ed or s t ea dy c orrelation

betw een t h e c on s tellat ion s an d t h e m on t h s Similarly .
,

th e th eorie s w h i ch cla im t h at t h e an ci e n t n a m es for t he

m on th s were d erived from t h e con st ella tion s are equally
un ten able Some writ ers h a ve ev en h eld both classes of
.
24si
TH E ASTR O N O MY on THE BI BLE

W e ca n n ot ch an ge was m ade Wi thin a

fix wh en th is ‘ "
‘

few y ears b u t i t c an n ot h av e b e en bef ore t h e time

,

wh en t h e su n at th e s p rin g e quin ox was si t uat ed j us t

below H a ma l the brigh test star of th e Ram; Thi s was
,
“

a bou t 700 B; C Th e equ a l d ivisi on of the z odiac mu st

.
‘

flQ wa t o
‘
V

rosrrron or s p a ms n eu rn ox ,

t ak en pl a c e n ot ear li er t h an t h i s, an d ?
wi th 1 i t; the
Bull mu st b d epos ed from th e p os ition i t h ad
h av e z een .

a l wa ys h e ld up t o t h at t im e of l ead er of t h e zod iac;

,

I t i s prob abl e th at s om e dire ct m eth od of d et ermin in g

th e equi n o x i t se l f was i n t roduc ed much a bou t t h e s am e

t ime . Th is n e w sys t em in volved n ot h i n g s h ort of a revo

l u ti on i n as tron omy b u t th e B aby l on i an C re at i on s tory;
,
 MA ZZAROTH
imp l
ies that th is‘

re l dy tak en pl
vol u ti on h ad a rea a c e w h en

i t was c omposed an d th at t h e e qu al di vis i on of th e z od i a c

,

was al ready i n forc e I t i s p oss ibl e th at t h e s ixt h a n d

.

s ev en th l i n es o f t h e p oe m in dic at e t h at t h e B abyl on i an s

h ad a lready n otic ed a p ecul iar fa c t viz t h at j u st as t he

, .

m oon pas ses th rou gh all th e s ign s i n a m on th ; wh ilst

t he s u n pa sses t h rough on ly on e Slgn i n th at t im e ; so

th e su n p ass es th rough al l th e s ign s in a year wh i lst ,

ros rrron n
or sp r u g n q u rn ox ,
A D . . 1 900 .

Jup iter p ass es th rough b u t on e s ign

'

N i bi r was t h e
'

s p eci a l B abyl on i an n a m e o f t h e p lan e t Ju pi t er wh err en

‘
‘

t h e m eridi an an d M erod a ch a s t h e d ei ty of t h at pl an et ,
,

i s th u s repres en t ed as pa cin g ou t t h e bou n d s of t h e

‘

z odi ac a l Si gn s b y hi s m ov em en t i n t h e cou rs e of t he
'
l ' ‘

year Th e pl an e t al s o m arks ou t t h e t h ird part of a

.
‘

s i gn
,
i e t en d egre es ; for duri n g on e t h ird of ea ch year
. .
-

i t app ears t o ret rograd e m ovi n g from ea st t o w e st

,

a m on gst t h e s ta rs i n s te a d of from w es t t o ea st : Du rin g

-
248 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE

t h is retro ress on
g i it covers th e b read th of on e decan
t en d egrees .

Th e B abyl on i an C reati on e pic i s th erefore qui t e l at e ,

for i t in troduc es a st ron omica l id eas n ot cu rren t earli er

t h an 70 0 E C i n B abyl on ia or an ywh ere e l s e
. Th is n ew
.

d evel opm en t of astron omy en abl es u s also to rough ly d at e

th e origin of t h e differen t ord e rs of system at ic ast rol ogy .

Astrol ogy like astron omy h as p assed through s ucc ess ive
, ,

s tages . I t b egan at z ero . An u n exp ect ed e ven t i n t h e

h eav en s was a cc ou n ted p ort en t ou s b ec au s e i t was u n ex
,

t d d i t w i t rpret e d i n g d b d
p ec e , an a s n e a oo or a sen s e

a cc ordin
g t o t h e s t a t e o f mi n d o f t h e b eh old er Th er. e

c a n h a v e b een at fi rs t n o sy st e m n o ord er n o lin kin g

, ,

up of on e sp ecific kin d of prediction with on e kin d of

as tron omica l e v en t . I t can ha v e b een origin ally n oth in g
b u t a crud e jumbl e of om en s ju s t on a l evel wit h t h e
,

s u p erst it ion s of s om e of ou r p ea san t ry as t o se e in g h a re s ,

or c at s or m agp i es ; an d t h e earliest as trol ogic a l t ab l et s

,

from M esop otami a are pre ci sely of t h is ch ara ct er .

B u t th e offi cial fortu n e tell ers at t h e c ourt s of th e

-

kin gs of Nin eveh or B abyl on mu st sp eedily hav e l earn ed

th e n e c es sity of arran gi n g s om e s ys t e m s of p redic t ion for
i
t h e own
r p rot e c t i on — sys tem s d efin i t e en ou gh t o giv e t h e

as trol oger a grou n dwork for a predic ti on wh ich h e c oul d

cl aim was d ep en den t s imply up on th e h eaven ly b odies ,

an d h en c e for wh ich th e ast rol og er cou l d n ot b e h eld p er

s on al l res p on s ibl e an d at t h e s a m e t im e e l as tic en cu gh

y ,

t o en abl e hi m t o sh a p e h i s predict i on t o fi t i n w it h
h i s p atron s wi sh es Th e as trol ogy of t o day sh ows th e
’
-

s am e essen t i al feat u res .

25 0 TH E ASTRO N OMY OF THE BI BL E

a strologica l s y st e m was th at th e ct presen t ed b y

as
pe
“

th e h ea ven s on on e e v en in g was precis ely th e s a m e as th at

.

p resen t ed on th e n ex t even i n g four min u tes earlier Th e .

fi el d for predic t i on t h ere fore was v e ry limite d an d repeated

'

itsel f t oo mu ch for th e pu rp ose of fortu n e t ell ers

’
" -
.

Th e i n troducti on of t h e p l an e ts in t o as trol ogy ga ve a

rea ter div ers ity t o t h e m at eri a l u s e d by t h e fort u n e
g .

t ell ers An early p h ase of plan etary as trol ogy c on s ist ed

.

i n t h e allotm en t of a pl an e t t o e a ch h our of t h e d ay an d
al so t o ea c h d a f t h w ek I t h as b e en a lre a d y sh own
'

y o e e .

i n th e ch apt er on Satu rn an d Astrol ogy th at t h i s syst em

”
,

arose from t h e P t ol em a ic id ea of th e sol ar sy ste m grafted

on th e Egyp t ian divisi on of t h e d ay i n t o t wen ty fou r -

h ou rs an d a pplied to th e week of s ev en d ays I t probably

,
‘

origi n at e d i n Al e x an d ri a an d aros e n ot e arli er t h a n t h e

—
,

t h i rd c e n t u ry b e fore o u r er a M a. t h e m at ic a l a st rology t h e a

compl ex syst em n ow i n v ogu e— in volves a con sid erable

kn owl edge of t he apparen t m ovem en t s of th e plan ets
‘

an d a d ev el op men t of m at h em at ic s s uch as did n ot ex i st

‘

un t il th e d ays of Hipparch u s I t also e mploys th e p urely

'

imagin ary s ign s of t h e z odi ac n ot th e con stella ti on s ; an d

,

re ck on s t h e fi rs t p oi n t of A ries as a t t h e s p ri n g e qu i n ox ;

So far as we can as c ertain ; th e spri n g equ i n ox mark ed th e

'

first poin t of th e c on st ella tion Aries ab out R C .

Al lt h ese vari ed form s of as trol ogy are th erefore c om

’

arat i vel re c en t B fore t h at i t w as of c ou rse re c kon ed

p y e
'

omin ou s i f an e clip s e t ook p l a c e or a comet was s een

‘

, or a ,

brigh t pl an et came n ear th e m oon ; ju st as spillin g sal t or

- '

cross in g kn ives may be reckon ed omi n ous t o day Th e -

.

omen s h ad as lit tl e t o d o w i th obs ervat i on , or wi th

‘
 M A ZZ AR OTH '
‘

25 1 ‘

an yth in g t h at c ould be ca ll ed s oi en t ifi c, in th e on e c ase as

in th e ot h er .

I t is imp ortan t t o realiz e t h at astrol ogy as an yt h i n g ,

more th an t h e crud e obs erv an c e of om en s i s youn ge r th an ,

as tron omy by at l eas t y ears .

Mazzardth occu rs on ly on c e i n t h e Bi bl e vi z i n Job , . .

xx x viii 32 al ready s o oft en qu ot ed b u t a s imilar word

.
, ,
‘

Ma zzci loth oc cu rs in 2 Ki n gs xxiii 5 wh ere i t i s sai d th at

'
‘
‘
.
,

Josiah pu t d own t h e id olatrou s p riests th e m al so th at

' ‘

,
“

bi n n ed i n cen se u n to B aa l t o th e s u n an d t o t h e moon
'

, ,
‘

an d t o t h e pl an et s ( Ma zzd l oth) an d t o al l t h e h ost of

‘
.

h ea ven Th e c on text i ts e l f as w el l a s t h e p arall el

.
,

passage in D eu teron omy W h en t h ou se es t th e su n ; an d '

t h e mo on an d t h e s tars e v en al
,
l t h e h os t of h eaven
, ,

s h ould st b e d riv en to w orsh i p th em sh ow s cl early t h at ,

-

ce l esti al lumi n ari es of som e ki n d are in ten d ed probably ,

c ert ain grou p s of stars , distin g u is h ed from th e gen eral ‘

h eaven
”
“
h ost of .

C ompari n g Job ix . 9 ,
wi th Job xxxviii . 3 1, 3 2, we fi n d Ash,
'

A y i sh, Kt ma h d Ka i ;
comm on t o th e two p assages ;
'
or an

i f we t ake A sh an d Ay i sh a s id en t ic al t h i s l eav es th e
' '

chamb ers of th e sou th as th e equival en t of Mazza roth .

Th e sam e e x p ressi on occu rs i n t h e s in gular i n Joh xxxvii

'

9 Ou t of t h e sou th ( marg c h a mb er) c om eth t h e w h i rl .

win d Th ere n eed b e b u t l ittl e qu estion a s t o th e

.
‘

sign ific an c e of t h es e v a ri ou s passages Th e c orresp on d en c e .

of t h e w ord Ma zzaroth w i t h t h e B abyl on i an mi zr ata th e

'

“
divis i on s of th e year an s werin g t o t h e t w elve s ign s e f
,
‘

th e z odia c poi n t s i n e x a c tly t h e s am e direc ti on as t he

,

correspon d en c e i n id ea w h ich i s evid en t b etween th e

252 TH E As rn on oMY o n TH E BI BLE

ch a mbers of th e so u th an d the Arabic A l ma n azi l ,

the man smn s or

“
res t n i g
-
pl ac es of th e m oon in th e
lun ar z odiac .

Mazzaroth are t h ere fore th e d i vi s i on s of th e zodia th e c

,

c hambers th roug h wh ich th e su n su cces s iv ely p as ses i n

t h e c ou rse of t h e y ea r h i s re s t i n g p l a c e for a mon t h
”
-
.
,

"
Th ey are th e c ha mb ers of t h e sou t h s in c e t h at i s t h ei r
“
,

distin ctive p osit ion I n Palestin e th e su n even at ri sin g

.
, ,

or s ett in g a t mid s umm er pass es b u t lit tl e to th e n orth of

,

eas t or w es t Rough ly sp eakin g th e sou th i s th e su n s

’
.
,

quarter an d th erefo re it is n e cessarily t h e q u arter of t h e

,

con stel lation i n wh ich th e su n is placed .

I t h as b een mad e an obj ec tion t o th is id en t ific ati on th at

th e Israeli tes are sa id t o h a v e w ors h ip p e d Ma zzd l dth an d ,

we h a ve n o di re c t e vid en c e th at th e s ign s or con s t e ll ati on s

of t h e z odi ac were w ors h ip p e d as s uch B u t t h is i s t o .

m ake a dist in ct ion th at i s h ardly warran ted Th e Creati on .

t abl et s as we h ave se en dist in c t ly re c ord t h e a ll oc at ion of

, ,

t h e great god s to t h e vari ou s s ign s M erodach h im s el f b e

, in g
on e of th e t h re e d e it ies as socia t e d wit h t h e m on t h Ad ar ,

j u st as in Egyp t a god pres id ed over each on e of th e th irty

s ix d e ca d es of t h e y e ar

Again i t i s probabl e t h at th e golden calf worsh ipped

, ,

by th e Israelites in th e wild ern ess an d aft er the dis ruption , , ,

at B eth e l an d at Dan was n on e oth er t h an an atte m p t t o

,

worsh ip Jeh ovah u n d er th e symbol of Tauru s th e l ead er of ,

th e z odi a c an d c ogn i za n c e of t h e t ribe of Josep h ; regard ed

as a typ e o f Him Wh o h ad b een t h e L ead e r of t h e pe opl e

ou t of E gypt an d t h e Giv er of t h e b l
, es si n gs ass ocia ted wi th

th e ret u rn of th e su n to Tau rus th e re vival of n a tu re in ,

254 TH E A STR ONO MY OF TH E B I B LE
ou th sh n n i i i h c on s t ell a t ion s t h a t s et fort h t h e
'

s , g n t e

D eluge s t ory ,— t h e Sh ip , an d t h e C en ta u r, muc h t h e

most brillian t region of th e wh ol e s ky .

An oth er in t erpre t at ion of Mazza roth i s given by :Dr . .

C h eyn e on groun d s t h at refute Professor Sch i apare lli s

,
’

s ugge st i on b u t i t is its elf op en t o obj ec tion f rom an

,

as tron omi c al p oin t of V i ew H e writ es .

Ma zzaroth i s probably n ot t o b e id en tifi ed wi th

Mazza loth ( 2 Ki n gs xxiii 5 ) i n s pi te of t h e au t h ori ty of t h e .
,

Sep t .d t h e Targum
an .

Mazza loth ( i e t h e z odiac al sign s ) s eem s t o b e t he p lural

. . of
Mazzd la As s Ma n za l
” 1
tn , st at i on . .

Dr C heyn e t h erefore
. ren d ers th e pas sage th u s

“
D ost th ou b rin g forth th e moon ’
s watch es at th ei r season ,

An d th e B ear d h er offsp ri n g—d os t th ou gu i d e th em?

an

Kn owest th ou th e la ws of h ea en ? v “

D ost th ou d etermi n e i ts i n uen ce u pon th e earth ? fl

Ma zza loth are t h erefore “
th e diac al Si gn s b u t Mazza roth
zo ,

th e w at c h e s or s t at on s i of th e moon w h ic h m ark ed t h e

mh
,

th e or i n oth er w ords
2
progress of on t , the l
un ar ,

z odi ac .

B u t t he lun ar an d
l th e
diac are on ly di ffe re n t s o ar z o

ways of d ivi d in g t h e
s am e b el t of s t ars Con sequ en tly .
'

wh en as i n t h e p assage before u s referen ce i s mad e t o th e

, .
,

a c t u a l b el t of st ars as a w h ol e t h ere is n o d ifieren ce

'

bet we en th e t wo So th at we are obliged as b e fore t o.

, , ,

con sid er Mascarath an d Mazza l oth s s i d en tica l am i bot h as ,

. .

s ett in g fort h th e s tars of t h e z odia c

. .

K Chey n e, M A , Job ommt, p 290

'

1 v
Rev T . . . . . an d Sol . .

skid ? p 5 2 . .
 MAZZA R O TH .
255

So far as t h e t wo di a cs di ffer i t i s t h e sol ar an d n ot

zo ,

t h e lu n ar zodi a c t h at i s in t en d e d Th 1s i s evid en t w h en
.

w e con sid er t h e di fferen t n a t u res of t h e a p p aren t mot i on s

of t h e s u n an d t h e m oon Th e s u n p ass es t h rou gh a
.

t w el ft h p a rt of t h e z odi a c ea ch m on t h an d m on t h by ,

m on th th e s uccessive c on st e ll ation s of th e z od i ac are

brou gh t ou t each i n i ts own season ; each h avin g a
,

p eri od du ri n g wh ich i t ri s es at s u n set is vi sibl e th e wh ol e ,

n i h t an d s e t s at s u n ri s e T h e s ol ar Ma zzaroth are t h ere

g ,

fore e mph atically brough t ou t ea ch i n i ts s eas on “ ”

, N ot .

s o th e lu n ar Ma zza roth .

Th e expres sion t h e w at ch es or s ta t i on s of t h e moon

“
,

wh ich m arked th e progress of th e m on t h is un s uitable ”

,

w h en as tron omica lly con sid ered Wat ch es re fer s tric tly
.

to d i vi s i on s of t h e d ay a n d n igh t ; t h e s ta ti on s

of th e m oon refer t o t h e t w en ty se ven or t wen ty -

e igh t divis i on s of t h e lu n ar z odi a c ; t h e p rogress of “

”
th e m on t h refers t o t he c ompl e t e s e qu en c e of t h e

lu n ar ph as es Th ese are th ree en t irely differen t m at t ers

.
,

an d Dr C h eyn e h as c on fu s e d t h em
. Th e progres s of t h e
.

m oon th rough i ts c ompl et e s eri es of s tation s i s aecom

li sh e d i n a s id e re a l m o n th — t h at i s t w en ty s ev e n d ay s ei h t
p g
-

h ou rs b u t from t h e n at u re of t h e cas e i t c an n ot b e s a i d
,

t h a t t h ese st at i on s are b rou h t ou t e a c h i n h i s seas on

g ,

ln t h at t im e a s a mon t h m ak es b u t a s m a ll c h an e i n t h e
, , g
as p e c t of t h e s k y Th e m oon p asses t h rough t h e com
.

let e s ucc essi on of i t s p h as es i n t h e c ou rs e of a syn odica l

p
m on th wh ich i s i n t h e m ea n t wen ty n i n e d ays t h irt een
,
-

h ou rs — th at i s t o s ay from n ew t o n ew or full t o full— b u t ,

n o parti c u l ar s t ar or c on st el lation or stat i on has an y ”

, ,
25 6 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
fixed rel at i on to an y on e given ph as e of t h e m oon I n .

t h e c ou rse of som e fou r or fi v e ye ars t h e m oon will h a v e

been both n ew an d fu ll ln every on e of t h e lun ar

,
“

”
s t at ion s .

Kn owest th ou th e ordi n an ces of h eaven ?

Can st th ou set th e d omi n i on th ereof i n th e earth ?

H e, wh o h as lived ou t u n d er th e stars i n con tact wi th ,

t h e a ct u al w orki n gs of n at u re k n ow s wh at i t i s t o wa t ch
Maz z aroth brou gh t ou t i n h is season ; t h e s il en t
ret u rn t o t h e s ki es of th e c on s t ell at i on s mon th by m on th , ,

s imul tan eou s wi th t h e c h an ges on t h e fa c e of t h e earth .

Overh ead t h e gl oriou s proces sion s o regular an d u n

, ,

fal terin g of t h e s il en t u n app roa ch abl e s tars : b el ow i n

, , ,

un failin g an sw er t h e s ucc essi on of spri n g an d s umm er

, ,

a u t u mn an d win t er s e e d t im e a n d h a rv e st c old an d h ea t
, , ,

ra in an d drough t I f t h ere b e b u t eyes t o s ee th is

.
,

m aj estic Ord er s o sm ooth i n w orkin g so m agn i ficen t i n

, ,

s c al e will impres s t h e m ost st olid as th e imm ed iat e

,

a ct in g of God ; an d t h e b eh old er wil l fee l a t t h e sa m e

a re v eren t awe an d an u p lift i n g of t h e s pirit as h e sees

,

th e ordin an c es of h ea v en
”
th e a c t ion
,
of an d th e ,

e vid en c e of th e d omin ion t h ereof i n t h e eart h

”
.

Dr Chgy n e h owe v er on ly s ees i n th es e beau t iful

.
, ,

a n d a ppropri at e lin e s t h e in flu en c e u p on t h e sa cre d

w rit er of t h e ph ys ic al t h eol ogy of B abyl on ia ; i n ot h er
1

word s i ts idol atrou s astrol ogy th e in flu en c e of th e s ky

,
“
,

u pon t h e earth .

B u t wh at w ould Job u n d erst an d by th e qu esti on ,

Can st th ou brin g forth Mazzaroth ln h i s s eason ? Ju st ”

Rev T . . K Ch ey n e, M A ,
. . . omon , p 5 2
Job a n d Sol . .
 CHAPTE R I X

AR CTUR US

I N two
'
passages of th e B ook of Job a word Ash or ,

Ay i sl
‘
i i s u s ed by c on t ex t e vid en t ly on e of t h e c on s t e ll a
, ,

t ion s of t h e sk y b u t th e id en t ifica t ion o f wh ich i s d oub t fu l

, .

I n ou r Au th oriz e d V ers i on th e fi rs t p ass age i s ren d ered

th u s

( God )
“
Wh i ch m ak eth Arctu ru s ( Ash) Orion , an d
Pl eiad es , an d t h e ch amb ers of t h e sou t h

an d t he c
s e on d

fl
Can st th ou bin d th e sweet i n uen ces of Pl eiad es,
Or l oose th e b an d s of Ori on ?

Can s t th ou b ri n g forth Maz zaroth i n h i s season ?

Or can st th ou gu i d e Arctu ru s ( Ay i sh) wi th h i s son s ?
Kn owest th ou th e ordin an ces of h ea en ? v
Can st th ou set th e do mi n i on th ereof i n th e earth

Th e w ords ( or word for p ossibly Ay i sh is n o m ore th an

,
‘

'
a varian t of A sk ) h e re tran s l at e d Arct u ru s w ere ren
d ered by t h e Seven ty as Ark t ou ros i n th e first
” “

p assage as Hesp eros i n t h e se c on d pa ssage an d t h eir

ren d eri n g wa s foll ow e d by t h e Vul gat e Th e ren d erin g .

Hesp er or Vesp er is absurd as th e son s of Hesp er h as

,
“

25 8
 A B OTUR US 259

no me a n i n g Ark t ouros i s n ot improb ably a mis ren

.

d erin g of Ark t os th e n orth wh ich would give a free

” ”
, ,

b u t n ot a li t era l tran sla tion of t h e m ean in g of t h e pas sage .

I n a n oth e r p as s age from Job ( xxxvii 9) wh ere t h e s o ut h .

win d i s con tras te d wi th th e cold from an oth er quart er of

t h e s k y t h e Se ven ty —agai n foll ow e d by t h e Vulgat e
,

sen dered i t as c old from Arctu ru s ”

N ow c old ca m e t o .

t h e Je ws as i t d oes t o u s from th e n ort h an d t h e s tar

, , ,

wh ich we kn ow as Arcturu s could n ot b e d escribe d as

typ i fyin g th at direct i on e i t h er n ow or wh en t h e Sep t u a
gin t or Vulgat e vers i on s w ere m ad e Th e Pes ch i t ta th e .
,

Syri ac v ers i on of th e Bibl e m ad e ab ou t t h e s ec on d c en t u ry

,

a ft er Ch ri s t as t h e Syria c e quiva l en t for Ash or

'

g iv e,s ,

'
Ayi sh th e word i y ii tha b u t i t al so ren d ers K53 73! by t h e
' '

, ,

sa m e w ord i n Am os v 8 so t h at t h e tran sla tors w ere

.
,

e vid en t ly quit e at s ea as to t h e id en t ity o f t h e s e c on s t ella

t i on s . We are also i n d oubt a s t o wh at star or con s tel

lation th e Syri a n s m ean t by an d a pparen tly t h ey

w ere i n som e d oubt th em s elves for i n t h e Talmud we are ,

t old th at t h ere was a disp u t a t i on h e ld i n t h e p resen c e of ,

t h e great t ea ch er R abbi J eh u da ab ou t 1 5 0 ye ars a ft er ,

‘
C h ri st wh eth er I y i t tha was s i tu at ed in th e h ead of th e
‘ ‘

Bul l or in th e tail of th e Ram Ori en ta l s ch ola rs n ow

,
.

as si gn i t e i th er t o Ald e b aran i n t h e h e a d of t h e Bull t h e ,

son s be in g i n th i s ca se th e oth er m emb ers of t h e Hyad es

roup of w h i c h Ald e b aran i s t h e bri h te s t s tar ; or else
g g
‘
id en ti fyin g i t with t h e Ara bic cl a i y ii q th e n am e of t h e -

s ta r wh ich t h e G re ek s c al l A i m an d we c a ll C a p ell a t h e, ,

s on s o n t h i s i n fe re n c e b e i n g t h e t h re e sma ll s ta rs n ea r
,

called by th e Gre ek s a n d by ours elves t h e Ki d s The

“
.
”
260 THE A STR O N O MY OF TH E B I B L E

w ord ‘
u se d se veral t imes in Scripture bu t wi thou t
A sh i s ,

an y astron omica l s ign ific at ion an d i s t h ere ren dered ,

“
m oth as in Is ai ah wh ere i t says
,
”
,

L o th ey al ,
l sh a ll wax ol d as a garm en t ; th e m oth
( A
'
s h ) s h a ll e a t t h e m u p .
”

Th i s li tera l sign i fican c e of th e w ord d oes n ot h el p as we ,

kn ow of n o con stella tion figu red as a m oth or heari n g

resembl an c e t o on e
an
y .

B u t th e w ord a sh or a y i sh d oes n ot d iffer im portan tly

‘ '

from th e w ord n a sh i n Arabic bier wh ic h h as b ee n t h e

' ”
, ,

word u sed by th e Arabs from rem ote an t iqu i ty t o den ote th e

fou r brigh t s t ars i n t h e h i n d qu art ers o f t he G reat B ear ; -

t h ose wh ich form t h e b ody of t h e Pl ou gh More over th e .

,

”
t h ree stars wh ich form t h e
”
ta il o f t h e G rea t B ear
“
or ,

t h e h an dl e of t h e Pl ou gh h av e b een ca lle d by t h e Ara bs

”
,

' '
th e da ugh ters of n a s h an d t h e l ast of t h e
”
ben ett n a sh
'

, ,

t h re e still k eep s th a t n a m e Th e B ear i s th e great n orth er

. n

c on st ell ati on w h ich swin gs con stan t ly rou n d th e pol e

, ,

a lways vi s ibl e t h rough ou t t h e c h an in g s ea son s of t h e

g
year Th ere sh ould b e n o h es i ta tion t h en in a ccep tin g th e
.

'
o in lon of t h e Ra bbi
p Ab en Ezra w h o ,sa w i n A sh or , ,

A y i sh t h e qu ad ril ateral of th e great B ear wh ose fou r

'

, ,

p oin ts are m ark ed by th e brigh t stars Alp h a B eta , , ,

G amm a an d D elta an d i n t h e s on s of Ag/i sh th e t h ree

,
“ '

s t ars Eps il on Z eta an d E ta

, ,
Ou r Revis ed V ers ion
, .
‘

t h ere fore ren d e rs t h e word a s

”
B ear '

I n b oth p as sa g es of Job th e n we get t h e four qu art ers , ,

o f th e s k
y m ark ed ou t as b e i n
g u n d e r t h e d omi n ion of

t h e Lord I n t h e n in t h ch ap ter th ey are gi v en i n th e

.
.
 TH E A S TR ONO M Y on TH E B IBLE
‘
26s

c d pass age of Job an d on t he con ten t ion of Otfri ed

s e on ,

Muller th at th ere are on ly fou r ou t of th e remark abl e

groups of s tars p laced i n th e middle an d sou th ern region s
of t h e s k w h ic h h av e given ri se t o im p ort an t l egen d s i n t h e
y . .

p rimitive myth ology of th e Gree ks These grou ps follow .

on e aft er th e oth er i n a b el t i n t h e sk y i n t h e ord er j us t

'

n d th ei r ris in gs an d s ett i n gs w e re 1m ort an t fa ctors

’

g iv en a , p
i n th e ol d G reek m ete orol ogica l an d agricult u ral c al en d ars .

Prof Stern a ssume s th at can m ean s Orion an d from t h is

.
,

id en tification d educes t h e oth ers n egl ec tin g all ety ,

mologi cal or t radit ion al e vid en ces to th e c on trary H e .

‘

t ak es n o n ot ic e of t h e e mpl oym en t of t h e s am e n a m es i n
passages of Scripture oth er th an tha t i n t h e thirty eigh th -

ch apter of Job Here h e would in terp ret t h e c h ai n

.
,

s w ee t in flu en ces of Ki mah Siriu s th e d og by

“ ”
or ,

a ss umin g t h at t h e J ews c on sid ered th at th e d og was

mad an d h en c e was k ep t ch ain ed up M ore imp ortan t
,
.

st il l h e fai ls t o recogn i ze t h at t h e J e ws h ad a c on t i n en tal

,

c limate i n a di fferen t l at it ude from t h e in s ul ar cli mat e

of Gree ce an d t h at both t h ei r agricul t u ral an d t h e ir
,

weath er con dition s were differen t an d would b e associ ated

,

w ith differen t as tron omical in dica tion s .

I n t h e 9 th v erse of th e 3 7th c h ap ter of Job we get

an t ith es is wh i ch h as al ready b ee n referred t o

On t of t h e so u th co m eth the wh irl win d : an d cold ou t .

of t h e n ort h
”
.

H ebrew word h ere tran sl at ed n orth is m aamm,

Th e -
‘

a pl
u ra l word ? wh ich i s t ak en litera l ly t o mean th e
”

m
. .
.

g th
a eri n
gs
»
F or i ts in,te r
p
re ta t io n P rof Sc h e .

w ,
 A R CTUR US 263

makes a very plau sibl e su ggesti on H e says We may r ,

fi rs t ob serve t h at th e fi v e H ebrew l etters with wh ich

th is n a m e wa s w ri tt en i n t h e origin al un poin t e d t e xt
could e qu ally w ell be read with a som ewh at differen t ,

poi n t in g as mt z mm or a lso as mzzmy i m of wh ich t h e

,
' '

, ,

on e i s t h e p lu ra l t h e oth er th e du a l of mi zrek
,
N ow ,
.

mi sreh m ean s a win n owi n g fan th e in strum en t with -

,
;

S TA RS OF TH E P L OU GH , AS THE W I NN OW I NG F AN .

wh ich gra n i i s s cattere d i n th e ai r to s i ft

it ; an d i t h as
i ts root , like meza ri m i n ’
,
word th e za ra h , wh ich ,

b esid es the sen se d i sp erm b ears al s o

-

, th e s en se ax p a n di t,
” 1
ven ti l
a vi t .

If Prof Sch iaparel li i s correct i n hi s suppositi on th en

.
,

t h e w ord tran sl at e d i n ou r v ers i on s i s li t era lly

“ ”
n ort h

th e t wo win n owin g fan s n am es w h ich from t h e form ,

sugges t e d by t h e s t ars we may s u p p ose t h at t h e J ews

a v e t o t h e t wo B ears i n t h e sk y ju st a s th e C h i n ese
g ,

c all ed th em th e La dl es an d th e Am erican s call th em,

”

Th e s en se
”
th e Big Dippe r an d th e Littl e Dipp er “
.
”

is s till t h a t of th e n orth b u t we may recogn ize in the ,

1
Astron omy i n the Ol
d Tes ta men t p , . 6 9.
264 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I BLE

w ord empl oyed an oth er Jewi sh n am e of th e con stell ation ,

'
a l t ern ativ e wit h A sh or A y csh or p erh a p s u s e d i n ord e r
' '

t o i n clu de i n t h e region t h e L ess er as w e ll as t h e G reat er

B ear We sh ould n ot b e s urpris ed at fin din g an al tern a
.

t iv e n am e for t h is g reat n ort h ern c on s tella tion for we ,

ou rs e lve s ca ll i t by se v e ral d i fferen t a p p el lat i on s u s in g ,

th e m i n dis crimin at ely p erh aps ev en i n t h e course of a

,

sin gl e p ara gra p h .

W h at t o Job did th e qu esti on m ean wh ich th e Lord .

add ress e d t o hi m : Can s t t h ou guid e th e B ear an d h is

s on s To Job i t m ean t C an st th ou guid e t his great
,

con s tellati on of stars in th e n orth i n th eir u n ceas ing, ‘

rou n d as a c h ari ot eer guid es hi s h orses i n a wid e c ircl e

, ,

e a c h k e e pi n g t o h i s prop er ri n g n on e en t an gli n g h imse l f

,

with an oth er n or fallin g ou t of his p la ce ?

,
”

What would th e sam e qu estion m ean t o u s i f addr ess ed ,

t o u s t o d ay ? I n t h e fi rst pl ace we mi gh t pu t i t s h ortly

-

as Can s t t h ou t u rn th e earth on i ts a xis regularly an d

con tin u ou sly s o as t o produc e th is m ot i on of t h e s tars
,

rou n d t h e p ol e an d t o m ak e d ay an d n igh t
,
Bu t
modern ast ron omy can ask th e qu est ion i n a d eep er an d
a wid er s en se .

I t was a n an cien t id ea t h at t h e stars were fix e d i n a

c ry st als p h ere an d t h a t t h ey c ould n ot a l ter t h eir relat ive
,

p osit ion s ; an d i n d eed u n t i l t h e l ast c en tury or two ,

in s trum en ts were n ot d elicat e e n ough t o m easu re th e

s m all rel at iv e s h i ft t h at s t ars m ak e I t is wi th in t h e
.

last seven ty years th a t we h ave been abl e t o m easure

th e an n u al p aral la x of c ertain stars t hat i s th e -

, ,

dflri
‘

e en c e i n t he
po si ti on 0 f a .
star w hen v iew ed b y
266 TH E A STR ONO MY OF TH E B IBLE

s pectra are imilar A G erm an as tron omer Dr: Hfifli er

s .
, ,

has foun d for th is system a di s tan ce from u s s o g reat

th at i t would tak e l igh t 1 92 years to trave l from t h em !

to u s . Yet so vast i s th is com pan y of fi v e s tars t h at

i t would t ak e ligh t sev en ty years tra vel lin g at t he rate
,

of mi l es i n e very se con d of ti m e t o go from

th e l eadin g s tar Mcmk—B et a of t he B ear—t o Mdmr—Z et a
,

of t h e B ean —t h e fi n a l b rillian t of t h e fi v e So brigh t a n d

.
'

e at are th ese s un s t h at t h e y s h in e t o u s as ge m s of
g r

th e se c on d m agn i t ud e an d y et i f ou r s u n were pl ace d

,
.

a m on gs t t h em a t t h eir d i s tan c e from 118 h e would b e

’

in vis ible t o t h e k een est sigh t .

Dr B otfler s e stim at e may b e an exaggerate d on e b u t

’
.
,

i t s till rem ain s t ru e t hat wh ils t th e cl u s ter of t he .

Pl eiad es forms a great an d won derfu l family grou p i t is ,

dwarfe d in t o i n sign i fi can ce by th e vast d istan ces b etween

th es e fi v e s t ars of t h e G reat B ear . Yet th es e als o form .

on e family t h ough t h ey are un i ted by n o n ebul ou s han ds

, ,

a n d are at dis t an c es so great from each oth er t hat t he .

b on d s of gravitation mu st ceas e t o show th eir in fluen c e ;

t all are al ik e al l are m ars h a ll e d t oget h er i n t he ir
y e ,

m arc h un der some myst eri ou s law We can n ot an swer

.
»

‘
t h e qu est ion By what m ean s are A y zsh a n d hi s son s
'

guid ed ? mu ch m ore are we sp ee ch l ess wh en we are

”

asked, Can st tho u guide them2

270 TH E A STR ONO MY OF TH E B I B LE
t h ey mu st live i f th is vi ew be corre ct an d th e rotation ,

period Of Ven u s an d h er revolut ion p eriod h e the sam e

, .

V en u s would t h en a lways t u rn t h e same face to th e

su n j u s t a s ou r m oon a l way s t urn s th e s am e fa c e t o u s
, ,

an d so n e v er a p e ars t o t u rn rou n d V n u s w ou l d t h ere

p e .

fore h ave n o d ays for on h er on e h e mi sph ere t h ere w ould

”
,

b e et ern al ligh t an d on th e oth er e tern a l d ark n ess Sin ce

, .

s h e h as n o m oon s h e h as n o
, mon th i Sin c e sh e m oves“ ”

rou n d th e s u n i n a circ l e an d t h e a xi s th rou h h er n orth

, g
a n d s ou th p ol e s l i es a t righ t a n l es t o h er e clip tic s h e
g ,
”
h as n o s eas on s sh e ca n h av e n o y ear
“
, On h er d ay “
.

ligh t sid e th e su n remain s fi x ed i n on e s p ot in t h e sky so

,
'

lon g as th e ob serv er d oes n ot l e av e hi s l oca lit y ; i t h a n s

g
o v erh ead or n ear s om e h ori z on n orth s ou t h ea st or wes t
, , , , , ,

c on t i n u ally Th ere are n o h ours th erefore n o divi si on s

.
,

of t im e i t mi h t b e a lm ost s aid n o t im e i t s e lf Th
, g e re .

a re n o p oin t s of t h e c ompass e ven n o n ort h s ou t h eas t , , ,

or wes t n o dire c t i on s e xc ep t t oward s t h e p l a c e w h ere t h e

,

s u n i s ov erh ead or a way from i t Th ere c oul d be n o .

h is tory i n th e sen s e we k n ow i t for t h ere would b e n o , .

Tim e must t h ere b e arti ficial

“ ”
n at u ral m e an s of d a t i n g .
,

u n c ert ain an d arbitrary .

On t h e n igh t s id e of V en u s i f h e r men can s ee th e ,

!

s tars a t al l for cl oud t h ey w ould perce iv e th e s lo wpro

,
~

c ess ion of s tars comin g ou t for Ve n us t u rn s c on t in u al

, ly t o
t h e h ea e v n s — t h ough n ot t o t h e su n Ma zza roth wou l d .

s t ill b e b rou gh t ou t i n h is s ea son b u t t h ere w ou l d b e n o

'

a n sweri n g ch a n ge on V en u s H er men migh t still kn ow

.

t h e ordin an ces of h ea v en b u t th ey c ould n o t kn ow th e

,

d omin ion th ereof set u p on t h ei r earth .

 TH E D AY AN D I TS DIVI SIONS 271

Th is
ima gi n ary pic tu re of th e sta t e of ou r i
s ste r

p lan e t may il lus t rat e t h e fourt een t h verse of th e fi rst

c hapter of G e n es i s

“
An d God id L et t h ere b e ligh ts
sa ,
i n t h e fi rmamen t of
t h e h ea v en t o divid e t h e d ay from t h e n igh t ; an d l
et

t h e m be for sign s an d fo r seas on s an d for da ys , an d

'

, ,
”
years .

Th e makin g cal en d ar i s i n alln ati on s an astro

of th e
'

n omi cal p robl em : it i s t h e m ov e m en t s of t h e v ar i o u s

h ea v en ly b odi e s t h at giv e t o u s ou r m os t n at ura l divi si on s

of t im e We are t old in D eu t eron omy
.

Th e su n , an d t h e m oon , an d t h e s tars ,
ev en allth e
h os t of h e av en , t h e L ord t hy God h ath divid ed u n to
alln a t i on s u n d er t h e wh ol e h eav en .

Th is is th e l egi tim at e u se of th e h eaven ly b odi es ju st ,

as th e w ors h ip o f t h e m is t h ei r a bu se for t h e di vis i on of ,

t im e — ih ot h er w ord s t h e form a t i on of a ca l en d a r— i s a
,

n e ces sity B u t as th ere are m an y h ea v en ly b odi es an d

.

s e v eral n at u ral divi si on s of t im e t h e c a l en d ars i n u s e by

,

differen t p eopl es differ c on sid erably On e di vis i on h ow .

,

e v er i s c om mon t o al
,
lc a l en d ars— th e d ay .

”
Th e d ay i s th e fi rst an d sh ort est n a tu ral divisi on of
“

tim e .At presen t we re c ogn iz e t h ree kin d s of d ays

the si d erea l d a y w h ic h i s t h e i n t erva l of t im e b et w een
,

s ucc e ss iv e pa s sa ges of a fix e d s t ar ov er a giv en m eridi an

;
the ap p a ren t sol a r d a y wh ich i s t h e i n t erv a l b et w e en t wo
,

a es of t h e s u n s c en t re ov er a iv m idi
’

p as s g g e n er an or t h e ,

i n terval b e tween t wo succ es sive n oon s on a s un dial an d

the mea n sol ar day w h ich i s th e i n terval be tween th e
,
272 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IB LE

s uccess ive passages of a fictitious su n movin g un iformly

eas tw ard i n t h e ce l e st i al e qu at or an d c ompl et in g i ts
,

a n n u a l cours e i n e x a c t ly t h e s a m e t i me as t h at i n w h ich

t h e a ct u a l su n m ak es t h e circuit of th e eclipt ic Th e.

m ean sol ar days are allex actly t h e sam e l en gth ; th ey are

e qu a l t o t h e l en gth of t h e a v erage app aren t sol ar d ay ;

a n d t h ey are ea ch fo u r min u t es l on r t han a s id ereald ay

g e .

We divid e ou r days i n to 24 h ou rs ; each hour in t o 6 0

min utes ; each min u te in to 6 0 sec on ds Th is subdivision
.

of t h e d ay re qui res som e m e ch an ic a l m ean s of c on t in u a lly

re is t erin g t im e an d for t h i s p u rpos e w e n se c l o cks an d

'

g ,

w a t ch e s .

Th e s id ereal d ay an d th e m ean sol ar d ay n ec ess itate

so me m ean s of regist erin g tim e such as clocks ; th erefore
,

th e ori gin al d ay i n u s e mu s t h av e b een t h e a pparen t s ol ar

d ay I t mu st t h en h ave b een re ck on e d e i t h er from s u n s et
.

t o s u n s et or from s u n ri s e t o sun rise

, .Lat er i t migh t h ave
b een p ossibl e to reckon i t from n oon to n oon wh en s om e ,

m eth od of fixin g th e m om en t of n oon had been in ven ted

s om e m e th od t h a t i s t o s ay of fixin g t h e tru e n ort h an d
, ,

sou th an d of n ot in t h a t t h e su n was d u e sou th or t h e

, g ,

sh ad ow d u e n ort h Ou r own re ck on in g from mid n igh t to

.

midn igh t i s a l at e m eth od Mid n igh t i s n ot mark ed by

.

t h e p e culiar p os it ion of a n y vi s ibl e h ea v en ly b ody ; i t

h as in g en eral t o b e regis tere d by s om e m e ch an icalt im e
, ,

m eas urer .

I n th e Old Tes tam en t Sc rip t u res t h e e ccl es as t ica l

i
re ck on in w as always from on e s ett i n g of t h e su n t o t h e
g
n e xt I n th e first ch a pt er of G en esi s th e e xpress ion s for
.

th e d ay s ru n Th e e ven in g an d t h e m orn i n , as i f the

”
,
g
274 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
th e nigh t for th e a s tron om ers Th e B ab y lon ran s at l eas t
.
,

a t a l a t e d a t e ln t h eir h i s t ory h ad a ls o a t w ofold wa of

, y
d et ermin i n g wh en t h e d ay b egan Epp in g an d St ra ss.

m aier h ave tran sl at ed an d elucid at ed a seri es of Baby

I on ian lu n ar ca l en dars of d at es b et w e en t h e fi rs t an d
s e c on d c e n tu ri es b efore ou r e ra I n on e c olum n o f t h es e
.

wa s given t h e i n t erva l of t im e wh ich el ap s ed bet w een t h e

t ru e n e w m oon an d t h e firs t vis ible c res cen t .

Cu ri ou s to fi rst allFath er Epprn g s c alcul a

l
re a t e , a t
’

ti on s t o es t ablis h t h i s res ul t were ou t by a m ean in t erva l

of si x h ou rs Th e s olu t ion was fou n d i n t h e fa ct t h a t t h e
.

B abyl on ian astron omers were n ot con t en t wit h s uch a

variable i n stan t of t im e as s un set for th ei r calculati on s as ,

in d e ed th ey ou gh t n ot t o h ave b een b u t u s ed a s th e ,

ori i n of t h e as t ron omica l d a t B byl on t h e mid n i h t

g y a a
g .

wh i ch foll ow ed t h e set tin g of t he su n markin g th e b egin ,

”
n in g of t h e civil d a
y .

I t may b e m en ti on ed that th e d ays a s reck on ed from

sun s et t o su n set s u n ri s e t o s u n ri se a n d n oon t o n oon
, , ,

would give in t erval s of sligh t ly differen t l en g th s Th is .

would h owever b e im p ercep tibl e s o l on g as t h eir l en gths

, ,

were n ot m easu red by s om e accu rat e m echan ical tim e

m eas urer such as a cl epsydra san dgl ass p en dulum o r , , ,

Spri n g cl ock .

Th e first obvi ou s an d n at ural divis i on of th e wh ol e

d ay in t erva l i s in to t h e ligh t part an d th e dark p art
-
As .

we h a v e s een i n G en es is t h e e ven in g an d t h e m orn i n g

,

a re t h e d ay Sin c e Pa l est in e i s a s u b tropica l c ou n t ry

.
-

t h es e would n e ver di ffer v ery grea tly i n l en g th e ven at ,

mids umm er or midwin ter .

The n ex t su b divis ion , of th e ligh t part of the day i s ,

 TH E DAY AN D I TS DI vI SI ON S 275
'

in to m orn in g n oon ,
an d e ven in g . As D avid sa ys i n th e
fifty fi fth Ps alm
-

Ev en in g ,
an d m orn in g , an d at n oon ,
wi ll I pray .

Non e of th ese three ubdivis ion s w ere m arked ou t d efi

s

n i t el i n th eir b e rn mn or t h ei r e n di n g b u t e ac h c on
y g g ,

tain ed a d efin i te ep och Morn in g c on tain e d t h e m om en t

.
,

a t w h ic h th e su n rose ; n oon t h e m om en t at w h ich h e was

a t hi s g rea t es t h ei h t an d was at t h e sa m e t im e d u e
g ,

sou t h ; e v en in g c on t ain ed t h e m om en t at w h ic h h e s et .

I n th e early Scri p tu res of t h e Old Tes tam en t t h e ,

fu rth er divis ion s of t h e m orn i n g an d t h e e ven i n g a re

s t ill n at u ra l on es .

For t h e progres s of t h e m orn i n g we h ave firs t th e , ,

t w ili gh t ; a s i n JOb

“
L et th e s ta rs of th e twi li gh t th ereo f b e dar ; k
k
L et i t l o o for l i gh t bu t h a e n on e ; v
N ei th er l et i t see th e ey el id s of th e morn in
g .

Th en , d aybreak , as in th e Son g of Sol om on

Un til t h e day break ( li terally bre ath e)an d the sh ad ows

,

flee a way ,

wh ere t h e c e i s t o t h e c ool breez es of t wiligh t

re fere n .

SO t oo i n G en es is J osh u a Ju dges an d Sa mu el we fi n d
, , ,

refe ren c es to t h e break of day ( li tera lly th e ris in g of

“
,

t h e m orn i n g or wh en i t b e c am e lig h t to t h em ) an d
, th e
d awn in g of th e d ay or a b out t h e s pri n g of th e d ay .

Th e progress of t h e morn in g i s mark e d by t h e in creas in g

h eat ; t h u s a s t h e s u n wax ed h ot t h e m an n a m e l t e d ;
”
,

wh ilst Saul p romis ed to let th e men of Ja besh Gilead -

276 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI B L E

have h elp by th at t i me th e su n b e h ot or as we sh ould , ,

u t i t a b o u t t h e middl e o f t h e m orn i n g
p ,
.

N oon i s Often m en t ion e d I sh b os h eth was murd ere d as

.
-

o n a b ed at n oon a n d J ez eb e l s p rop h e ts
’
he l“
a
y , c a ll e d “

on t h e n a m e of B aal from m orn in g e v en u n to n oon .

We fi n d t he aft ern oon ( lit t ill t h e day d eclin e d

“ ”
.

m en tion ed i n th e n in eteen th ch ap ter of th e Judges ,

an d i n t h e s a m e c h a p t er t h is p eri od i s fu rt h e r d es crib ed

in The d ay d ra w e th t oward e ven i n g ( l it i s

’
“
an d .

“
Th e d ay growe th to an en d ( l it I t i s th e p i tc h in g tim e
.

t h a t i s t o s ay t h e t im e for p i t ch in g t en ts i n
”
of t h e d ay , , ,

p reparati on for th e n i gh tly h al t ) .

As th ere was n o dividi n g lin e b etw een th e m orn in g an d

n oon tid e n e i t h er wa s t h ere an y b e tw e en t h e aft ern oon
,

a n d ev e n i n g The s h a d ow s of th e n ig h t were s p ok en o f
.

as c h ase d a wa y by t h e c ool b ree z e s of t h e m orn i n g so ,

th e l en gth en in g sh ad ows c as t by t h e d e clin in g su n m a rk ed

th e p rogres s of t h e e v en in g Job s p eaks of t h e servan t
.

wh o earn est ly d es iret h t h e s h a d ow ; t h a t i s t o s ay th e ,

in t imation from th e l e n gth of h is own s had ow t h at h i s

, ,

d ay s work was d on e a n d Jeremia h say s Th e s h ad ows

’
,

”
of t h e e v en in g are s t re t ch e d ou t Th en c am e s u n d own
.
,

an d t h e re m a i n i n g p art of t h e e ven in g i s d es c rib e d i n

Proverb s : I n t h e twiligh t i n th e e v en in g i n t he bl ack

, ,

an d d ark n i gh t So t h e w h ol e d ay i s b ri efly d escrib e d by

. .

N ehe miah in h i s a cc ou n t of t h e rebuildin g of th e wall of

Jeru salem : From t h e risi n g of th e m orn in g till t h e ,
”
s t ars app eare d .

I n a cou n try lik e Pa l estin e n ear t h e t ropics wit h the

, ,

d ay s n ot differin g e x trav agan tly i n l en g th from on e p art of

278 TH E A STR O N O M Y OF TH E B IB L E
sa rc ifice wh en th e Lord sen t qua ils t o the ch ild ren of
,

“
I sra el sayi n g At e ve n (b et ween t h e t wo e ven in gs ) y e
,

s h a ll ea t fl es h I n D e u t eron omy wh e re a comm an d is

.
,

a a i n giv en c on c ern in g t h e P as sov er i t i s e xp l a i n e d t h a t i t

g ,

i s a t e ven at t he goin g d own of t h e su n Th e Sa m ari

”
.
,

t an s th e Kara i t e Je ws a n d Ab en Ez ra h el d
, , th e t wo
t o b e t h e i n terva l b e t we en t h e s u n s sett in g
’
e v en in gs

a n d t h e e n tran c e of t ot a l d arkn es s ; 73 a b et w een ab ou t . .

o cl o ck an d se ven or h al f p as t s e v en A grap hi c
’
s ix -
.

d escrip tion of th e comm en cem en t of t h e s abb ath i s .

given i n Disra eli s n ove l of A lroy an d may serve to

’

illu st ra te t h is th e origin al id ea of b etween th e two

,
“
,

e v en i n gs .

Th e d ea d w ere plu n d ered an d th rown in to th e river , ,

t h e en cam p m en t o f t h e He b re ws c omple t ed Alroy wi th .

,

h i s p ri n cip a l offi cers vis i t e d t h e w ou n d ed an d pra i sed t h e

, ,

v alian t Th e bu s tl e w h ich a lways s ucceed s a vic tory was

.

i n creas ed i n t h e p resen t in st an ce by t h e a n xi ety of t h e

army t o ob se rv e wi t h g ra t e ful s t ric t n ess t h e imp en din g

s a bb a t h .

“
W h en th e su n s et th e s abbath was to comm en c e .

Th e u n d u l at i n g h oriz on ren d ere d i t di ffi cul t t o a s c e rta in

t h e pre ci s e m om e n t of h i s fa ll Th e c rims on orb s u n k .

b el ow th e pu rpl e m oun tain s th e sk y was flus h e d wi th a ,

rich a n d rosy gl ow Th en mig h t b e p erc e ive d th e z eal o ts

.
,

proud i n t h eir Ta lmudical lore h oldin g th e sk ein of wh ite ,

s ilk i n t h e i r h a n d s an d an n ou n cin g t h e app roach o f t h e

,

s a bb at h by t h e ir obs erva t i on of i t s s h i ft i n g t i n t s W h ile .

t h e s k e in wa s y e t gold en t h e forge of t h e a rm ou rers s till

,

sou n d e d t h e fi re o f t h e c ook s t ill bla z ed s t ill t h e c a va l ry

, ,

l e d t h e ir s t e e d s t o t h e riv e r an d s t ill t h e bu sy foot m e n,

bra ced up t h e ir t en ts an d h amm ere d at t h eir palisa des

, .

Th e ske in of s ilk be cam e rosy t h e arm ourer worke d wi t h ,

ren ewed en ergy th e cook pu fled with in creased z eal t h e

'

, ,
 THE DAY AN D I TS DI V I SION S 279

h orse m en c mpere d from t h e river th e footm en cast an

s a ,

a n xi ou s l an ce a t t h e fa din l i h t
g g g .

Th e s kein of silk b e ca m e bl u e ; a dim dull s epulch ral , , ,

l eaden tin ge fell over i t s puri ty Th e h u m of gn at s a ros e . ,

t h e b at flew 1n circlin g w h irl s over t h e t e n t s h orn s s ou n d e d ,

from al lqu arters th e s u n h a d s et t h e sa bba th h ad c om

, ,

men ced Th e forge was mu t e t h e fi re ext in guis h ed t h e

.
, {3 ,

pran ce of h ors es an d t h e bu s tl e of men i n a m omen t

ceas ed A d eep a s udd en an a llp erva din g s tilln ess
.
, ,
-

d rop p ed o v er t h a t migh ty h os t I t was n igh t t h e sac re d .

,

lam p s of t h e s abb a th s p arkle d i n e v ery t en t of t h e ca mp ,

w h ich vi ed 1n s il en ce an d m b rillian cy with t h e mu te an d

gl owi n g h eaven s .
’

In later tim es on a cc ou n t of ri tu ali s tic n ec essi ties a

, ,

d i fleren t in terpret at i on wa s h eld So J os eph u s s ays : So

’

t h es e h igh p ri ests u p on t h e c omi n g of t h ei r fe as t wh ic h

-

i s ca ll ed t h e Pass ov er s l ay t h ei r s a crific es from t h e

, ,

An d t h e Ta lmud m ad e
”
n in t h h ou r t ill t h e e l e v en t h
1
.

t h e first e v en i n g t o b egin wi th t h e vi s ibl e d e clin e of t h e

s u n an d t h e s e c on d wi t h s u n se t or
,
t h e t wo e v en i n gs to ,

l ast from t hree t ill ab ou t si x Sch iaparelli gives t h e fi rs t .

e v en in f rom s u n s et u n til t h e t im e t h at t h e n e wly vi s ibl e

g
lu n ar cres c en t c ould b e seen in t h e t wiligh t sky or ab ou t ,

h a l f an h ou r a fte r s u n se t a n d th e s e c on d ev en in g from
,

t h a t u n t il d ark n ess s et i n b as i n g hi s arg um en t on t h e

,

dire ct ion s t o Aaron t o ligh t th e l amp s b et ween th e t wo

e v en in gs s i n c e h e argu es t h ese w ould n ot b e m a d e t o
”
, , ,

burn i n t h e d ayligh t Probably i n t h e d ays of M os es an d

.

Aaron t h e p eri od c ould n ot b e d efin ed as a ccurat ely a s

t h i s would imply a s th e opp ortu n ity o f s e ein g t h e n ew
,

m oon c ould on ly com e on c e a m on th an d we h ave n o ,

1
J os e p h u s, Wars , V I ix . . 3 .
280 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
evid en ce of an y m e ch an ica l t ime m ea sure r b ein g
-
t h en i n
u s e wi t h th em .

For sh ort er s p aces of tim e we h a ve t h e word m omen t

or
“
in stan t man y tim es m en tion ed Th e words may .

mean t h e op en in g or win kin g of t h e ey e t h e t win k lin g

, ,
,

of a n e e
y s p ok en o f by St P a ul i n h i s E pi s t l e t o t h e
,
”
.
,

C orin th ian s an d d o n ot d es crib e an y a ctu al du rat1on of

t im e or d i V 1si on of t h e d ay
, .

Th e on ly t im e m eas u rer m en t i on ed i n th e Bibl e i s th e

-

d ia l of Ah az wh ich will form t h e s ubj ec t of a l a ter

,

ch apter I t n eed on ly b e n oted h ere th a t a s i t d ep en d ed

.
,

u p on t h e fa ll of t h e sh a d ow i t was o f u s e on ly wh il st th e
,

s u n was sh in in g ; n ot du ri n g cl ou dy w ea t h er or a t n i h t
g ,
.
.

As t h e day h a d t hre e m a in d i vi si on s s o h ad a l s o t h e n ight , .

Th ere w ere t h ree

”
wat ch es ea ch like t h e wat ch es on , ,

sh ip b oard ab ou t fou r h ou rs i n l en g th
, So i n th e Psa lm s .
,

t h e wa t c h e s are t w ic e u t as an e quiva l en t for t h e n ight

p .

Th e an ci en t H ebre ws w ould h av e n o diffi cul ty i n

rough ly dividin g t h e n i h t i n t o t h re e e qu a l parts wh en e v er
g ,

t h e s t ars could b e s een W h et h er th ey wa tch ed Arctu

.

ru s a n d h i s son s — t h e circump ol ar c on s tella t ion s m ovin g

,
”

rou n d lik e a v ast dia l i n t h e n orth —or t h e brin gin g forth

of Maz za rot h t h e z odia ca l c on s t ella t i on s i n t h e s ou t h

, , ,

t h ey would s oon l earn t o i n t erp ret t h e s ign s of n igh t with

s u ffi ci en t a ccu ra cy for th e ir pu rp os e .

Th e first wat ch of n igh t i s m en tion ed i n th e b ook of

Lam en tat ion s .

Aris e cry ou t i n t h e n igh t : i n t h e b egln mn g

, of t he
wa tch es p our ou t th in e h eart like wat er be fore the
”
fa c e of

t h e Lord .
282 TH E A STRO N O M Y OF TH E B I B LE

t he east p oin t ,
or h al f a p oin t so u th of ES E . Similarly
in mid s umm er it rose 28
°
n orth of ea s t, or h al f a p oin t
n ort h of EN E
. . .
1

Th e B abylon ian s d ivid ed the whol e d ay in terval in to

t w elve ka sba or d oubl e h ours Th es e agai n w ere divid e d
“
.
,

in to sixty parts ea ch equ al to two of ou r min u tes ; t h is

,

b ein g ab ou t th e tim e t hat i s require d for th e dis c of th e

s u n t o ri s e or set wh olly Th e B abyl on ia n kasbu was n ot .

on ly a divi s i on of t im e b u t a d iv 1S1on of s p a c e s ign i fyi n g

, ,

t h e s p a c e t h a t migh t b e m arch ed in a J cas bu of t im e .

Simil arly we fi n d i n t h e Old Te s ta m en t t h e e xpress i on

,

’
a d ay s j ou rn ey t h ree d ays j ou rn ey t o express di s
’
or , ,

t an c e a n d in th e N ew Te s t am en t we fi n d th e s am e id ea
,

t o a s h orter distan c e i n t h e
’
a ppli ed s abb a th d ay s -

j ou rn ey w h ich was a bou t t wo mil es B u t t h e J ews in

,
.

N ew Test a m en t t im es ad op ted n ot t h e B abyl on ian d ay of ,

t w e lv e h ou rs b u t t h e Egypt ian of t wen ty fou r

, So we -
.

fi n d i n t h e p arabl e of t h e Lab ou rers i n th e Vin eyard

, ,

m en t ion mad e of h irin g early i n th e morn in g an d at t h e ,

t h ird s ixt h n in th an d el ev en th h ou rs ; an d s in c e t h os e
, , ,

h ire d l at est work ed for b u t on e h ou r i t i s evid en t t h at ,

t h ere w ere t w e lv e h ours i n t h e dayligh t Ou r Lord .

a llud es t o t h is ex pressly ln t h e G osp el a cc ordin g t o St

’

J oh n wh ere h e says
,

Ar e t h ere n ot t w elv e h ou rs in th e d ay ? I f an y man

wa lk in t h e d ay , h e st umbl et h n ot b eca u se h e s eeth t h e ,

li gh t of th is w orld B u t i f a ma n wa lk i n th e n igh t, h e
.

st umbl eth , b ec au s e t h ere i s n o ligh t i n h i m .

1
See th e d i agram on p 36 3 . .
 CHAPTER II
TH E SAB B AT H AN D TH E WEE K

TH E presen t chapt er ha s littl e ,

if an yt h in g , t o d o W i th
as tron o my , for th e
week as such i s n ot an astron omica l
, ,

p eri od B u t t h e sabbath an d t he w eek of seven days

.

a re so i n t im a t ely c on n e c t e d wi t h t h e la w s an d cu s t om s

of Israe l t h a t i t is im p ossibl e t o l ea ve t h em ou t of
con sid erat ion in d ealin g wi th t h e t im es an d s eason s “

re ferre d t o i n t h e Bibl e .

Th e d ay t h e m on th an d th e year are each d efin ed by

,

s om e s p e cific re volu t i on of on e of t h e grea t c os mica l

b odies ; t h ere i s i n ea ch cas e a retu rn of th e earth or ,

of t h e e art h a n d m oon t o et h er t o t h e sa m e p os i t i on
g , ,

re l a t iv e t o t h e su n as t h at h eld a t t h e b egi n n i n g
, of

t h e p eri od .

Th e w eek s tan d s i n a d i fferen t ca t egory I t i s n ot .

d efin ed by an y as tron omica l revolu t ion ; i t i s d efin ed by

th e retu rn of t h e sabb ath t h e c on s e c rat e d d ay
, .

A n eed for th e divis ion of t im e in t o s h ort p eri ods l ess ,

t h an a m on th h a s b een g en era lly fel t a m on gs t civili z e d

,

men . Bu sin ess of stat e c om mercial arran gem en ts social

, ,

i n t ercou rs e are all more ea sily carri ed ou t wh en s om e

, ,

s uc h p eri od i s u n iv ersa lly re c og n iz ed An d s o w h at we .

, ,

28 3
284 TH E : ASTR ONO MY OF THE B I B LE

may l oosely week has b een empl oyed i n

t erm a ,

m an y an ci en t n ation s Th e Azt ecs u sin g a s h ort m on th .

,

o f 20 d ays divid e d i t in to fou r qu arters of 5 d ay s e a c h

, .

Th e Egyp t i an s u sin g a con v en tion a l m on t h o f 30 days

, ,

divid e d i t in to 3 d ecad es ; an d d ecades were al so u sed by

t h e At h en ian s w h ose m on ths w ere a l t ern at ely of 29 a n d
,

of 3 0 d ays .

H esiod t ells u s th at th e days regarded as sacred i n his

d ay w ere t h e fou rth fou rteen th an d t wen ty fourth of e a ch
,
-

m on th .

Th e fou rt h an d twen ty fourth , n o gri ef sh ou l d prey -

Wi th i n th y b reas t, for h oly ei th er d ay .

P i erce on th e fo urth th y k;
th e fou rteen th pri ze
cas

As h ol y ; an d , wh en morn i n g pai n ts th e s i es, k

”
Th e t wen ty fou rth i s -
b est .

Th e B abyl on ian s divid ed th e m on th som e what d i ffer 5 -

en t ly ; t h e s e ven t h fou rte en th n in e teen t h twen ty fi rs t

, , ,
-

a n d t w en ty e igh t h d ays b e in g regard e d as sa bb at h s

1 ”
-
.

Th e sabbat h en j oin e d u p on th e H ebrews was ev ery

Th e w eek as d efin e d by i t was a free
”
s e v en t h d ay .

w eek ; i t wa s t i ed n eith er t o m on th n or year b u t ran ,

i ts c ou rs e u n in terrup tedly qui t e irresp ec t ive of t h e l on ger ,

division s of tim e I t was th erefore a d ifferen t c on cept ion

.
, ,

fro m th at un derlyin g t h e u sages of th e G reeks or B aby

l on ian s an d i t may b e a dded a m ore reason able a n d
, , ,

pra ctical on e .

Four origi n s h ave b een a ssign e d for th e week Th ere .

1 v
Tab l ets gi i n g th ese d ay s as sab b ath s h a e al read y been foun d v
v
for se eral mon th s of th e Ass y roBab y lon i an y ear, an d su ch tab l ets -

certain l ex i sted for all u d i n g th e i n tercalary mon th s

of th em, i n cl
y .
286 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E !
BIB LE

e xa min at ion n early all of th em comm ercial an d civil

,

d eed s an d c ov erin g practica lly th e w h ole p eri od from th e

,

a cc es si on of N ebuc h a d n ez za r t o t h e t w en ty th ird y ear of -

D arius H y stas pes Th is n umber would give an average

.

of 9 4 d e e d s for ea c h d ay of t h e m on t h ; t h e n umb er

a c t u ally fou n d for t h e fou r sa bbat hs

”
ti e for t h e 7th , .
,

1 4th 21s t an d 28 th d a ys w ere 1 0 0 9 8 1 21 a nd 9 1

, , , ,

res p ec t iv ely . Th e B ab y l oma n s e vid en t ly did n ot k e ep

t h ese d ays a s d ays of rest or of ab st i n en c e from bu s in e

, ss ,

as th e Je ws k eep t h eir s abb a t h or C h ri st ia n cou n t ri es ,

t h e ir Sun d ay Th ey ca n n ot e ven h av e regard e d i t as an

.

u n lucky d ay s in ce we fi n d t h e a verage of con tra cts i s

,

ra t h er h i gh er for a sa bb at h t h an for a c omm on d ay .

Th e c ase i s a li ttl e di ffe ren t wit h t h e 1 9t h day of t h e

’

m on th Th is as t h e e9th day from th e b egin n in g of t he

.
,

previou s m on th was a sabbat h of sabbaths at t h e en d

, ,

of a
“
week of week s I n th is case on ly 8 9 con tra cts are
.
”

fou n d wh ich i s s ligh t ly b el ow t h e a v era ge t h ough t we lve

, ,

c omm on days sh ow a l ower record s till B u t i n m os t .

cases th e d at e I S wri tt en n ot a s 1 9 b u t as 20—1 ; as if

, ,

t h ere w ere a s up ers t it i on ab ou t t h e n umb er 1 9 On t h e .

ot h er h an d t h i s m et h od of in dic at in g t h e n umb er may b e

,

n ot h in g m ore th an a m od e of wri t i n g ; ju s t as i n ou r

Rom an n um erals XI X on e l ess than XX is wri tten

, .
,

for 1 9 .

The Babylon ian s th erefore did n ot obs erve th ese days

, ,

a s d ays of res t t h ough t h ey s eem t o h av e m ark ed t h em i n

,

t h e ri t u a l of t empl e an d c ourt N or did t h ey m ak e e very .

s ev en t h or e v ery fi fth a res t d a f r Prof Sch ia parelli h as

y o -

, .

s p eci ally ex amin ed t hese docum en ts t o see i f t h ey v

g e
a
 TH E SA B BA TH AND TH E WE E K 287

an vid c f a b s t en t i on from bu s i n e ss ei th er on on e
y e e n e o

day i n se ven or on on e d ay i n fi v e an d in b oth cases wit h

,

a pu re ly n ega t iv e res ul t .

Wh en we in quire w h ich n ati on has b een succ ess ful i n

im p res si n g t h eir particular form of sabba th on th e n at i on s
arou n d t h e c as e i s cl ear . We h ave n o evid en ce of th e
B abyl on ian s s ecu rin g th e a d opt ion of t h eir sabbat ic
'

arran ge m en ts by t h e P e rs ian s Greeks an d P arth i an s wh o

,

s ucc es siv ely ov erc a m e t h em . I t was en t irely differen t

wi th t h e Jews Th e J ewis h kin gd om b efore t h e Ca p tivity
.

wa s a v ery sm a ll on e c omp are d wi t h i ts en emies on ei th er

s id e—A ssyria B abyl on a n d E gyp t ; i t was b u t a s h ad ow
,

e v en of i ts form er s el f a ft er t h e R et u rn . An d im p eria l
R ome was a migh ti er p ower t h an Assyri a or B abyl on a t
t h eir great es t I f ev er on e s ta t e wa s s e cu re from i n fl u en c e
.

by an oth er on th e sc ore of i ts greater m agn i tud e an d

p ower Rom e was safe from a n y Jewish im press Yet i t i s
, .

p erfe c tly well k n own tha t th e impression m ad e up on th e

Roman s by th e J ews i n th i s v ery m a t t er of sabb at h
k ee pin g was wid espread a n d d e ep Je wis h in flu en c e was
.

fel t a n d a ck n owl ed ge d a lm ost from t h e t im e t h a t Syri a ,

o f w h ich Jud aea was b u t a p e t ty divi s i on ,

b eca m e a
R oman provi n c e an d a g en erat i on h ad n ot p as s e d away
,

b e fore we fi n d Hora ce m akin g j ocular allu si on t o t h e

s p rea d of t h e re c ogn i t i on of t h e J e wi s h s a bb a t h . I n his
n i n t h sa t i re h e d es c rib es h im s el f a s b e in g bu t t on h ol e d by

a b ore an d s ee i n g a fri en d p a s s by a s b e gi n g t h e l a t t er
, , , g
to pret en d bu s in ess wi t h h i m a n d s o reli ev e h i m of hi s
troubl e . H i s fri en d mi s ch i ev ou s ly excus es h ims el f from
ta lkin g ab ou t bu sin es s
288 TH E A S TR ONO MY on TH E B I BLE

To d ay s th e thi rti e th
-
’
sab b ath . Can y ou mean
Th u s to i n su l t th e ci rcu mci sed ews l
”
J
Pers iu s ,
in his fi fth sa t re, s i p eaks of t h ose wh o

Mo v e th ei r li ps wi th l
si en ce, an d wi th fear
Th e s abb ath of th e ci rcu mci sed v
re ere .
”

Ju v en al i n his fou rteen t h sati re d es crib es h ow m an y

, ,

Rom a n s re v eren c e t h e sabb at h ; an d t h eir s on s b e tt erin g ,

t h e ex a mp l e t u rn Je ws t h e m selv es
,

Oth ers th ere are, wh ose si re th e sab b ath h eeds ,

An d so th ey worshi p n au gh t b u t cl oud s an d sk y .

Th ey d eem swi n e s esh , from wh i ch th ei r fath er

’
fl k ept,

N o differen t from a man s An d soon i n d eed

’
.

Are ci rcu mci sed ; affecti n g to d espise

Th e l aws of R ome, th ey stu d y , eep an d fear k
Th e ewi sh l J
aw, wh a te er i n my s ti c b oo
’
k
M oses h as h an d ed d own , — t o sh ow t h e way
To n on e b u t h e wh o th e same ri tes ob ser es, v
An d th ose ath i rst to l ead u n to th e spri n g
On ly if ci rcu mcised Wh ereof th e cau se .

Was h e, th ei r si re, to wh om each se en th day v

Was on e of sl oth , wh ereon h e t oo i n han d k
N o part i n l i fe ” 1
.

Ovid Tibullu s an d oth ers al so sp eak of th e Jewish

, ,

s abbath n ot m erely as u n iv ers ally k n own b u t as l arg e ly

, ,

ob s erv e d a m on gst t h e R om an s s o t h at i t ob t a i n e d a lm os t ,

a p ubl ic recogn i ti on wh ilst t h e s uccess of Judais m in

,

makin g prosely t es u n t il C h ristian ity cam e in to rivalry

,

with i t i s kn own to e v ery on e

,
.

As t o t h e gen era l in flu en c e of Jud a i sm i n secu ri n g th e

re c ogn it i on of t h e w eek wi t h i t s s e v en t h d ay of rest t h e ,

t est im on y of Jos ep h u s i s e mp h at ic .

1 Tran s lat ed
by Hen ry E rn est Mau n d er .
290 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
of s even days — th at i t wa s d erive d from t he in flu en ce of
,

t h e p l anets — m ak es t h e m att er cl earer s t ill Th is s u gges .

t ion has a lready b een n ot ic ed i n t h e c ha pt er on Sat u rn

an d A s trol ogy I t i s s u ffici en t t o say h ere t h at i t pre
”
.

s u p p os es a s t at e of a s tron omic a l a dvan c e m en t n ot a tt a in ed

u n t il l on g a fter th e sa bb at h was fully kn own Th e B aby .

l on ian s did ob serve th e s even p lanets bu t t h ere is n o ,

t ra c e of th eir c on n e c t i on w ith t h e Ba byl on i an w eek Bu t .

wh en th e Greek a stron om ers h ad work ed ou t th at sys te m

of t h e p l an e t ary m ot i on s w h ic h we ca l l a ft er P t ol emy a n d ,

t h e pla n ets h ad b een fi t t e d by t h e Al e xan d ri an observers

t o t h e d ays of t h e Jewi s h we ek a n d t h e h ou rs of t h e
E gyp tia n d ay t h en th e B abyl on i an astrol ogers al s o
‘

a d op t ed t h e m on gre l c ombin a t ion Th u s in direc tly

.

Baby lon rec eive d the free w eek from t h e Jews a n d did ,

n ot give i t .

Th e old est free an d u n i form w eek i s

u se of th e
foun d a m on g t h e J ews , wh o h a d on ly a m os t imp erfe c t
kn owl edge of t he pl an e t s Th e id en t ity of th e n u mb er of
.

t h e d ay s i n t h e w e e k w i t h t h a t o f t h e p lan ets is p ure ly

a ccid en t al , an d i t i s n ot p ermi ss ibl e t o a s s ert t h at t h e

form er n umb er i s d erive d from t h e l at t er

”
1
.

Carri e d by t h e Jews i n to t h eir disp ers ion , a d opt ed by

th e Chal d aea n as trologers for u s e i n th eir di vin at ion s ;
re c e ive d by Chri s t ian i ty a n d I sl am , t h i s cycl e h f
( t e re e
week of s ev en d ays), “
so c on v en i en t an d so u se ful for

ch ron ol ogy h as n ow b een ad op t ed t hrou gh ou t t h e world

, .

I t s u s e can b e tra c e d ba ck for ab ou t years, an d th ere

i s ev e ry rea son t o b e li ev e t h at i t will la s t t h rou gh t h e
c en turies t o com e, resist in g t h e m a dn es s of u sel ess n ovel ty
an d t h e as s aul t s of presen t a n d fu t u re ic on ocl as t s
”
2
.

1 Sch i apare i , A s tron omy i n the Ol

ll d Testa men t, p 13 5 . .

1
I bi d , p 13 3
. . .
 TH E SAB BA TH AND TH E W E EK 29 1

Th e fou rth c un t of t h e
a co orig in of the week i s that
given us in t h e Bibl e i t sel f.

In si x d ays th e Lord m a de h eav en d eart h t h e s ea ,

an ,

an d all t h a t in t h e m i s, a n d res t e d t h e s e v en t h d a
y :
wh erefore t h e Lord bl essed t h e sabba t h d ay , an d h all owe d
it
”
.

Th e in st itu tion of th e sabbath day i s th e crown of th e

work of creat ion t h e k ey t o i t s pu rp os e O th er t im es
,
.

a n d s eas on s a re m ark e d ou t by t h e re volu t i on s an d con

ju n ction s o f th e h eav en ly b odi es Th is d ay i s set ap art

’

direct ly by God H i m s elf ; i t i s H i s exp ress h an diwork ,

t h e d ay wh ich t h e Lord h a t h m a d e
”
.

Th e grea t tru th tau gh t i n t h e fi rs t ch a p t er o f G en esi s

i s t h a t God i s t h e On e R ea li ty All t h a t w e can s ee
.

a b ov e or arou n d wa s m a d e by Him H e a lon e i s .

God .

An d H i s crea tive w ork h as a d efi n ite goa l to w h ich i ts

v l d t il l
l l d — t h e c r e t i n o f m m d i
s e e r a e a s a e a u
p a o a n a e n ,

t h e im age of God .

As such man h a s a h igh er c allin g t han t h at of th e

,

b ea sts th at p erish Th e ch i ef obj e ct of t h ei r lives i s to

.

s e cu re t h eir food ; t h ei r a spi ra t i on s e x t en d n o fu rth er .

B u t h e i s di ffe ren t ; h e h a s h igh er wan ts n obl er a sp ira

,

t i on s .H ow can t h ey b e met ?
Th e eart h wa s c re a ted t o form an ab od e sui tabl e for
man ; t h e v ari e d form s of orga n ic li fe w ere brough t i n t o
e x i s t e n c e t o p rep a re t h e way for an d min i st er t o h i m .

For wh a t wa s ma n h i ms el f m ad e an d m ad e i n t h e ima ge
,

of God b u t t h a t h e m ig h t kn ow God an d h a v e c ommu n i on

,
292 A STR ONO MY OF TH E B IBLE

w i th H i m ? To th is t h e sabba t h d ay g a ve t he ca ll
for th is i t offere d the Opp ortu n i ty
.

For wh at are men b etter th an sh eep or goats,

Th at n ou ri sh a b li n d li fe wi th i n th e b rai n ,
I f, k n owmg God, th ey l i ft n ot h an d s of pray er 2”
294 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
I can n ot a way with ; you r n ew m oon s an d your
a pp oi n t e d fea st s My s oul h a t eth an d a a i n F rom on e
g ,

n e w m oon t o an ot h er a n d from on e s abba t h t o an oth er

, ,

lfl esh c om e t o worsh ip
s h a ll a l
”
.

Am os sp eaks of d egen erat e I srael ,

t h at th ey sa
y

W h en will th e n ew m oonb e gen e t h at we , may ll

se
corn ? d t he s abb at h , t h a t we may se t fort h w h ea t ? ”
an

As l at eAp ostolic tim es St Paul refers to th e feasts

as , .

of t h e n e w m oon s sa yi n g ,
L e t n o man t h ere fore j udge
,

of t h e n ew m oon
”
i n res pe c t
y ou .

Th e ordin an c es res p e ct in g t h e ob s ervan ce of th e n ew

m oon s— th e b egin n in gs of m on t h s — w ere explicit .

Trump ets w ere bl own ov er t h e bu rn t off erin gs an d ov er

t h e sacrific es of t h e p eac e off erin gs an d t h e n a t u re of th ese
,

offeri n gs i s given i n d et a il in t h e t w en t y eigh t h c h a p t er of -

t h e B ook of Numb ers Th e ordi n an c es were rei terat ed an d

.

e mph asi z e d i n t h e d ays of D a vid Sol om on Hez ekia h , , ,

’

Ez e ki el E zra an d N eh emia h
,
Am on gst th e Jews of t h e
.

presen t d ay th e trump ets are n ot bl own at n ew m oon s ;

ex tra p ray ers are read b u t t h e b urn t an d p ea c e offerin gs
,

are of n e cessity omi tted .

B es id e th e n ew m oon s an d th e sabb ath s th e an cien t ,

H ebre ws h ad three great fe st iva ls all d efin e d as to th e ,

t im e of t h e ir c el e b ra t i on by t h e n at ura l m on t h s .

Th e first was t h e Fe a st of th e Pas s ov er wh ich la s t ed a ,

week an d b egan with t h e killin g of a lamb b et ween th e

,

t wo e v en in gs on t h e 14t h d a y of t h e m on th Abib t h e ,

firs t m on t h of th e year— th at i s t o say on th e e venin g ,

that the first moon of t he y ear b e c ame ful l This feas t .

 TH E MONTH 295

c orrespon d ed i n tim e approxim ately to ou r E a ster The .

s ec on d was t h at o f P e n t e c os t an d wa s b ou n d t o t h e F eas t
,

of th e P as s ov er by b e in g a pp oin t e d t o o ccu r s e v en w e ek s

a ft er t h e c on s e c ra t i on of t h e h arv es t s eason by t h e offeri n g

of t h e sh eaf on t h e s ec on d d ay of t h e Pa ssov er . We st ill

c el ebrat e t h e Feast of Pen t ecost or W h its un d ay keep in g
, ,

i t i n re m e mbran c e of th e birt h d ay of t h e C h ris tian Ch u rc h .

Th i s feas t l as t e d b u t a s i n gl e d ay an d did n ot occu r at

,

e i t h er t h e n ew or t h e full of t h e m oo n b u t n early a t firs t

,

q u art er.

Th e th ird fest iva l was th reefold in i ts ch ara c ter It.

b egan wi th sp eci a l sacrific es b es id es th ose u s u ally offered

a t t h e n ew m oon

I n th e s ev en t h m on th on t h e fi rs t d ay of t h e m on th
, ,

e sh a ll h a v e an h oly c on v ocat i on ; y e s h a ll d o n o s ervi l e

y
work : i t i s a day of blowi n g of t rump ets u n t o y ou ”
.

Th is th en was p eci ally d ep en d en t on th e n ew m oon

es ,

b ein g on t h e fi rs t d ay of t h e m on th .

On th e l0 th d ay of th e m on th was t h e Day of At on e
m en t w h en th e p eopl e sh ould afflict t h ei r soul s On t h e
, .

1 5 th d ay of t h e m on t h b egan t h e F e a s t of Tab ern a cl es ,

w h ich comm en ced on t h e n ight th at th e m oon was full ,

an d l as te d for a w eek .

We h av e n o sp e cia l religiou s s eason s i n t h e Chris tian

Ch u rc h t o c orres p on d wi th t h es e .

We t h u s s ee th at with t h e Hebrews a llth e days of the

n ew m oon s a n d t wo d ays of full m oon ( i n t h e fi rs t an d i n t h e
,

s ev en th m on t h s ) w ere d ays for w h ic h s p e cia l or di n an c es

,

were im pos ed . An d th ere i s n o doub t th at th e b egin n in gs

 296 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
of the n ew m on th s were ob taln ed by dire ct observation of
t h e m oon w h en w ea t h er or oth er c
,
on di t i on s p ermi t t e d ,

n ot by an y rul e o f t h umb c ompu ta t i on Th e n ew m oon

.

ob s er v ed was n e cessarily n ot t h e n ew m oon as u n d e r

, ,

s t oo d i n t h e te c hn ica l l an g u age of as tron omy ; 73 e t h e . .

m omen t wh e n t h e m oon i s i n c on ju n ction wit h t h e

“

s u n h a vin g i t s d ark sid e w h olly t u rn e d toward s th e earth

, ,

a n d b e in g i n c on sequ en ce c om pl et ely in vi s ible

“

Th e .

n ew m oon a s m e n t i on ed i n t h e Scri p t u res an d as we,

ordin arily u se t h e t erm i s n ot t h i s c on j u n c t i on

, bu t the ,

fi rs t vis ibl e crescen t of t h e m oon wh en i t has dra wn a way

from t h e s u n s u ffi cien tly t o b e s een a ft er s un set for a
s h ort t im e i n t h e t wiligh t b e fore i t s ets ; for t h e m oon
, ,

wh en very s l en d er c an n ot b e s een in d ayligh t I t may .

,

t h erefore b e fi rs t s een an y t im e b et w een a bou t 1 8 h ou rs

,

an d 4 0 h ou rs a ft er i t s c on ju n c t i on wit h t h e s u n ; i n ot h er

w ords i t may b e firs t s een on on e of t wo e ven in gs

, .

B u t for th e eccl es iastical ri t es i t was n e c essary t h at t h ere

s h ould b e an a u t h ori t at iv e d e cl arat i o n a s t o t h e t im e of

t h e c omm en c em en t of t h e m on th an d m ore ov er t h e gre at

, , ,

fe asts w ere fix ed for c ertain d ays i n t h e m on th an d so ,

were d ep en d en t on i ts b egin n in g .

Durin g th e p eriod of th e J ewi sh restoration up t o t h e ,

d est ruc tion of Jeru sal em by Tit us t h e San h edrim used ,

t o sit i n t h e H all of P olis h e d St on e s t o re c eive th e

“

t est im on y of c re di bl e wi tn es ses t h at t h ey h ad s een t h e

n e w m oon . I f t h e n ew m oon h ad a pp eared at th e

c omm en cem en t of th e 3 0 th d ay — corres pon din g t o ou r
v e n i n f t h e 2 9 th — t h e Sa n h ed ri m d ecl are d t h e pre
e
g o

im perfect or c on sis tin g on ly of 29 days

”
vion s m on th
“
.
, .
298 TH E A STR ONO M Y OF TH E BIBLE
Titu s ,
an d p erh a ps from ear er li tim es . Th e dispers1 on of
th e J ews presen t ed th e m
h a d t h erefore with an a dditi on al
ty i n fixin g t h e begin n ing of th eir m on th s
d i ffi cu l Th e .

robl e m i s much m ore i n tric a t e t o d a see in t h t t h

p y g a e -

, .

J ews are dis p ers ed over t h e wh ole w orld an d th e n ew ,

m oon fi rst vi sibl e on on e e ven i n g at Jeru sal em migh t b e

, ,

s een t h e e v en i n g b efore a cc ordi n g t o t h e re ck on i n g o f

,

pl a ces w est of Jeru sal em or migh t b e in vis ibl e u n ti l t h e

,

foll owi n g e ve n i n g acc ordin g t o t h e re ckon in g of pl a c es

,

eas t of i t We have th e sam e probl em to s olve i n fin din g

.

"

t h e d ate of E a st er Sun da y Th e Pray er B ook rul e for

.

fin din g i t ru n s th u s
East er d ay i s al ways t h e fi rs t Su n d ay after th e full
m oon wh ich h a pp en s up on , or n ext a fter, t h e 21st d ay of
M arch ; an d i f t h e full m oon h app en s on a Su n day, E as t er
”
d ay i s t h e Sun d ay a ft er .

B u t th e m oon we ch oose for th e e ccl esiastica l cal en d ar

“ ”

i s an imagi n ary b ody wh ich i s so c on troll ed by s p ecially

,

con structed tabl es as t o b e full on a day n ot differin g “ ”

by m ore th an two or th ree days at m ost from th e date on

wh ich th e act u al m oon i s full Th is may seem at fi rst .
,

s i h t a v ery clum sy arran ge m en t b u t i t h as t h e ad va n

g , ,

tage of d efin in g t h e d at e of East er p reci s e ly wi t h ou t ,

in troducin g an y qu est i on as to t h e sp ecial m eridian wh ere ~

th e m oon migh t b e s upp os ed t o b e ob served Th u s in .

,

1 9 0 5 th e m
" m
,
oon wa s full at 4 5 6 Green wich m ean t im e
on t h e m orn in g of M arch 21 B u t E as ter Day was n ot .

fix ed for March 26 th e n ext Sun day foll owi n g th at full

,

m oon b u t a m on th l ater for April 23 For t h e ca len d ar

, ,
.

moon t he imagin ary moon was ful l on March 20 3 an d i t

, ,
 TH E MONTH 299

may b e add e d th a t th e a ctu al m oon M arc h

, t h ough fu ll on

21 for E u ropean t im e was full on M arch 20 for Am erica n

,

t im e. Th ere w ould h a ve b een a n a mbigu ity t h erefore i f , ,

t h e a c t u a l m oon h ad b een t ak en ac c ordin g t o t h e c ou n try

,

in wh ich i t was obs erved an ambigu i ty w h ich is g ot ri d

,

of b a d op t in t c h n i c l or im a in ary m oon
y g a e a
g .

Th e n am es giv en t o t h e differen t m on th s i n Scrip tu re

h av e an in t erest of th eir own For th e m os t p art th e
.

m on th s are simply n umb ered th e m on t h of th e Pas sover

i s t h e fi rst m on t h an d t h e ot h ers fol
,
l ow as t h e s ec on d , ,

t h ird fou rt h e t c t h rou gh ou t t h e y ear ; e x ampl es of eac h

, , .
,

occu rrin g ri gh t up t o t h e t w e l ft h m on t h Th ere i s n o .

m en t ion of a th irt een th m on t h .

B u t occ asi o n ally we fi n d n a m es as w ell a s n umb ers

given to th e m on th s Th e fi rs t of t h ese is Abib m ean in g
.
,

t h e m on th of
“
green ears Th is was th e fi rst m on t h
.
,

t h e m on th of t h e Passover an d i t re c eiv ed i ts n a m e n o
,

d oubt from th e fi rs t green ears of b arl ey offered b efore

t h e L ord du rin g t h e feast t h at foll ow e d t h e P as s ov er .

Th e s ec on d m on th was ca ll e d Zi f s pl en d ou r a pp ar
“
,

en tly re ferrin g t o t h e s pl en d ou r of t h e fl ow ers i n full

s prin g t im e . I t i s m en t i on ed t oge th er wit h two ot h er

n am es ,
Ethan im t h e s ev en th m on th an d Bul t h e
, , ,

e i h th m on t h i n t h e a cc ou n t of t h e buildi n
g a n d
g ,

d e dic ati on of Sol om on s Templ e Th e l ast t wo are cer

’
.

t ai n l P h oen ici an n am es h avin g b e en fou n d on P h oen ici an

y ,

in s cription s ; th e first is p oss ibly P hoen ician al so Th e ir .

o ccurren c e i n th is s p e ci al c on n ec t i on was n o d oub t a

res ul t of t h e v ery l a rg e p art t ak en in t h e buildin g of

the Te m p l e an d th e c on st ruc tion of i t s furn it u re by
300 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I B LE

th e workm en Hiram kin g of Tyre Th e P h oen ician

of , .

n a m es of t h e m on th s would n at urally a p pea r i n th e

c on tra c t s an d a cc ou n t s for t h e w ork s id e by s id e wi t h ,

th e H ebre w e quiva l en ts ; ju st as an En gli s h c on trac tor

t o d a y i n n egot ia ti n g for a pie c e of w ork t o b e carri ed
-

o u t i n Ru s s i a w ould prob ably t ak e c are t o u s e t he d at in g

,

both of t h e Ru s sian old styl e calen dar an d of th e ,

En gli sh n ew s tyle Th e w ord u se d for m on th i n t h ese

.
,

cas es i s gen erally n ot ch od esh t h e mon th as begin n in g

, ,

Wi th th e n ew m oon b u t gera ch as i f th e ch ron icl

, er did n ot
,

wish th em to b e u n d erstood as h avi n g b een d e termin ed

by Jewish au th ori ties or m eth od s I n on e case h owever .
, ,

sh ad esh is u s e d i n c on n e c t i on wi th t h e m on th Zi f .

Th e oth er in s tan c es of n am es for t h e m on th s are Ni san ,

Sivan E lul C h i sl eu Teb eth Seba t an d Ad ar d e rived

, , , , , ,

from m on t h n a m es i n u s e i n B abyl on ia an d empl oyed ,

on ly i n t h e b ooks of Esth er Ezra N eh emiah an d , , ,

Z ech ariah alla vowedly p ost exilic writers Th e m on th

,
-
.

word u sed i n c on n ect ion with th em i s chodesh —sin c e

th e B a byl on i an m on t h s w er e al so lu n ar — e xc ept i n th e
s i n gl e c a se w h ere E zra u s e d a m on th n a m e t ermm i t
g ,

g era ch . T h e o t h er p o s t e xili c w ri te rs o r e
-
di t ors of t h e

b ooks of Holy Scrip ture would s eem to have b een at

som e p ai n s t o omit al lB abyl on ian m on th n am es Th es e .

B abyl on ian m on th n ames con t in ue t o b e u sed in t h e

J ewi sh cal en d ar of t o day
L
-
.

I n four p l a ces i n Scri pt u re m en t ion is mad e of a

‘

m on th of d ays t h e word for m on th b ein g i n t wo cases

,

eh od esh an d i n
,
t wo gerach Ja cob wh en h e cam e t o
,
.
,

Padan aram abode wi th Lab an for the s pace of a

“
-

,
3 02 TH E A STR ONOM Y OF TH E BIBLE
Such l on g sp ellvin g w eath er did cer
of b ad b
'

'

a o ser

t ai n l occu r on on e occas mn t h v ry early d ays of

y 1n e e

a s tron omy a n d we a cc ordin gly fi n d th a t s uc h was t h e

,

n umb er of d ay s a l l ott e d t o se v eral c on se cu t ive m on t hs ,

t h ou gh t h e h ist orian wa s e vid en t ly i n th e habit of

,
.

ob s ervi n t h e n ew m oon f r shad esh is t h e w ord u se d t o

g o ,

e xp re ss t h ese m on t h s of t h irt y d ays .

We are t old t h at
In h u n d ret h year of N oah s li fe, in th e
the si x
’

s ec on d m on th , t h e se v en t een t h d a of t h e m on t h , t h e
y
sam e d a w l
l t h f u n t a i n s of t h e t d p b ok
y e re a e o
g e
r a e e r e n

up , an d t h e win d ows of h ea ven were op en ed ”

.

An d l at er th at
A ft er th e end of th e h u n dred an d fi fty d ays th e
“

wat ers w ere a b at ed An d th e a rk res ted i n t h e s e ven th

.

m on t h on th e s even teen th d ay of th e m on th up on t h e
, .
,
”
m ou n tain s of Ararat .

Th e fi ve m on th s du ri n g wh ich th e waters p revailed

up on th e e arth w ere t h ere fore re ckon ed as of th irty , ,

d ays each I f all t h e n ew m oon s or even t hat of the

. .
,

s e v en t h mon t h h ad b een a ct u ally ob s erve d th is e v en t

, ,

w ould h av e b een as crib e d t o t h e n in et een th d ay of

t h e m on th s i n c e 1 5 0 d ays i s fi ve m on th s a n d t wo d ays ;
,

“
b u t i n th e a b sen ce of s uch ob s erva ti on s a sort of d ea d
re ck on i n g was a p pli e d w h ich w ould of c ou rse b e cor ,

re ct ed direc tly t h e ret u rn of cl ear w ea th er ga ve an

opp ort u n i t y for ob s ervmg t h e n ew m oon on c e a gai n .

A s imilar practice wa s foll ow ed at a much l ater date

i n B abyl on wh e re as t ron omy i s s uppos e d t o h a ve b e en
,

h igh ly d ev el op ed from rem ot e a n t iqui ty Th u s an .

 TH E MONTH 303

in scrip tion c
re en t ly publish ed by Dr L W Kin g . . . c d
re or s

t h at

On t h e 26 th d ay of th e m on th Siv an , i n t h e s e v en t h
y e ar, t h e d a
y was t u rn e d i n t o n i gh t an d fi re i n t h e mid
,
s t
of h ea v e n
”
.

Th i s h as b een id en t ifi ed by Mr P H Cowell F R S . . .
, . .

Ch i ef As s is t an t a t t h e Roy al Ob s ervat ory Green wich , ,

a s t h e e clip se of t h e s un t h at was t ot al a t B abyl on on

July 3 1 B C 1 0 63 Th e Babyl on i an s w h en b ad w eat h er

,
. . .
,

oblig e d t h e m t o re sort t o d e a d re ck on i n w ere t h ere fore

g , , ,

s t ill re ck on i n g t h e m on t h a s p re ci s ely t h i rty d ays s o l at e

a s t h e t im es o f Samu e l an d Sa ul a n d i n t h i s p art icul ar

,

i n s tan ce w ere t wo if n ot th ree d ays ou t i n th ei r c ou n t

, , .

H ad th e n ew m oon of Siv an b e en obs e rv ed or c orre c tly ,

calcula t ed t h e e clip se mu st h ave b een re ck on ed as fallin g

,

on t h e 28 t h or 29 t h d ay o f t h e m on t h .

Th e At h en ian s i n th e d ay s of Sol on fi v e h u n d red y ears ,

lat er t h an t his a d opt ed m on th s al tern at ely t wen ty n in e

,
-

an d thirt y d ays i n l en g t h wh ich give s a res ul t v ery

,

n early c orre c t .

Th e J ews a ft er th e Di sp ers ion a d opt ed th e sys t em of

th u s al t ern at in g t h e l en gt h s of t h eir m on th s a n d wi th ,

s om e s li h t m odific a t i on s i t h old s good t o t h e p re sen t

g
d ay . As will b e sh own i n th e foll owi n g c h ap t er t h e ,

ordi n ary y ears are of t w e lv e m on t h s b u t se ven y e ars i n ,

”
e v e ry n i n e t een are e mb oli s mic h avin g a n e x tra m on t h
, .

Th e n am es empl oye d are t h ose l earn e d du ri n g t h e

B abyl on ian c apt ivity a n d th e y ear b egi n s wi th t h e m on th
,

Ti sh ri c orresp on di n g t o Sep t emb er Oc tob er of ou r cal en

,
-

d ar Th e l en gth s of m ost of th e m on th s are fix e d as giv en

.
304 TH E A STR ONOMY OF -
TH E BIBLE

1n th e foll owin g t abl e, bu ty dju s t m en t n an

e c essary
a ca n

b e effe c ted e ith er by addin g on e d ay t o H esh van wh ich ,

h as u s ually t wen ty n in e d ays or takin g away on e d ay

-

from Kisl ev wh ich h as u su ally th irt y

,

OR DI NARY Y E AR E MB OLI SMI C Y E AR

D AYS D A YS
Ti sh ri 3O 30
H esh van 29 29
Ki sl e v 30 30
Teb eth 29 29
Sh eb at 3O 30
A d ar 29 30
V e a d ar
-

29
N isan 30
Y i er 29
Si v an 30
Tamu z 29
Ab 30
Elul 29

Jewish m on th th erefore con t in u es to b e essen tially

Th e , ,

a t ru e lu n ar on e t h o ugh t h e e x a c t d e fi n it ion
,
of e a ch

m on th i s t o som e ex t en t con ven t i on al an d t h e word s of

, , ,

th e Son of Si ra ch st ill ap ply t o th e He bre w ca l en d ar

Th e moon l l th i n gs for h er season ,

i s i n al
a so

For a d ecl arati on of ti mes, an d a si gn of th e worl d .

From th e moon i s th e si gn of th e feast d ay ;

A li gh t th at wan eth wh en sh e i s c ome to th e full ”
.

For so God
Appoi n ted th e moon for season s.
306 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
m on th i s call ed an in t ercalary m on th an d i n the presen t ,

Je wish cal en d a r i t i s th e m on th Adar wh ich i s red u pli

os t e d u n d er t h e n a m e o f V e Ad arl B u t t h ou h fro m t h e
g
-

n ec essi ty of t h e ca se t h i s in t erca l
,
a t i on from t im e t o t im e , ,

o f a t h i rt een t h m on th mu s t h a v e b een m ad e re gul arly

from t h e fi rst in s t i tu t i on of t h e feas t of u n l eav en ed brea d ,

we fi n d n o a llus ion direc t or in dire c t i n t h e H ebrew

, ,

Scrip t u re s t o a n y s uch cu s tom .

Am on gs t th e Babyl on i an s a year an d a m on th w ere

t erm e d full
“
wh en t h ey con ta in ed 1 3 m on th s an d 3 0
”
_

“ ”
day s resp ectively an d n orm a l or i n compl et e wh en
,
”

th ey c on t a in e d b u t 1 2 m on t h s or 29 d ays Th e s ucc ess ion .

of full an d n orma l ye ars re cu rred i n t h e sam e ord er a t ,

in t ervals of n in et een years For 1 9 y ears con tain 69 3 9

.

d ays 1 4 % h ou rs ; a n d 23 5 m on th s 6 9 3 9 days 1 6 % h ou rs ; th e
,

tw o t h e refore di fferin g on ly by ab ou t a c oupl e of h ou rs .

Th e dis co very of t h is cycl e i s a t tribu t ed t o M e ton ab ou t ,

4 3 3 B C an d i t i s th ere fore kn own a s t h e M e t on ic cycl e

. .
,
.

”
I t s uppl ies t h e G olden Numb ers of t h e in troducti on
“

t o t h e B ook of C omm on Prayer .

Th ere are t wo kin d s of s ol ar y ears w i th wh ich we may ,

h av e t o d o i n a lu i n so l c le d
a r a n
-
a r — t h e t ropical or equi

n oc ti al y ear an d t h e s id erea l yea r

,
Th e tropica l y ear i s
.

t h e in t erva l from on e sea son t ill t h e retu rn of t h at s ea s on

a a n i — s prin g t o s p rin g s umm er t o s umm er a u t um n t o
g , ,

a u t umn or wi n t er t o w in t er
,
I t i s d efin e d a s t h e t im e
.

in clud ed b et ween t wo succ ess ive pass ages of t h e s u n

t h rough t h e v ern al equin ox h en c e i t i s also c all e d t h e
,

e quin oct i a l y ear I t s l en gth i s fou n d t o b e 3 6 5 days

.
,

5 h ours 49 min u tes an d some a n cien t as tron om ers d erived

, ,
 TH E YE A R 307

i ts l en gth as cl os ely as 3 6 5 d ays 6 h ou rs by observin g th e

, ,

d at es wh en th e su n s e t a t e xa ct ly th e opp osi te part of

t h e h ori z on t o t h at wh ere i t rose .

Th e s id ereal year i s t h e t im e o ccupied by th e s u n i n

a p paren t ly com pl e t in g t h e circui t of t h e h ea v en s from a

g iv en st ar t o t h e s am e s tar again T h e l en g th of th e s id erea l

.

y ear is 3 6 5 d ays 6 h ou rs 9 min u tes I n s om e cases the

, , .

a n ci en ts t ook th e s id erea l y ear from t h e h eli aea ris i n gs

o r se tt in gs of s t ars t h a t i s from t h e in t erv al b et w e en t h e

,

tim e wh en a brigh t s tar was firs t seen in th e m orn in g

j ust b efore th e su n ros e u n t il i t was first so s een again ;
,

or l a st s een ju st a ft er t h e s u n s et in th e e ve n in g u n t il i t ,

was l a st s o s ee n a gain .

B u t to c on n ect th e s pri n g n ew m oon wi th th e d ay w h en

t h e s u n h a s re tu rn ed t o th e e quin ox is a m ore difficul t
an d c om p lic a t ed m a t t er .Th e early Hebrews w ould s ee m
t o h av e solv e d t h e probl em pra c tically by simply wat c h i n g ,

t h e progress of th e growin g gra in I f at on e n e w m oon i n

.

s p ri n g t im e i t a pp eare d cl ear t h a t s om e o f t h e barl ey

would b e ready i n a fort n igh t for t h e offerin g of t h e green

e ars a t t h e fea s t o f u n l ea v en ed b read t h e n t h a t was t ak en ,

as b egi n n in g t h e n e w y ear I f i t app eared d oub t ful i f i t

.

w ould b e ready or c ertain that i t would n ot b e th en t h e

, ,

n e x t n ew m oon was wa i t ed for Th is m eth od was s u ffici en t

.

in primi t ive t im es an d s o l on g as t h e n a tion of I srael

,

rema i n ed i n i ts o wn l an d I n th e l on g ru n i t ga v e an
.
,

accu ra t e v alu e for t h e m ean tropica l y ear an d a v oid ed al l ,

t h e astron omica l d ifficul ti es of t h e qu es t ion I t s h ows th e .

ea rly H ebrews as p ra c t ica l men for t h e s olu t i on a d opt e d

m
,

was easy s i pl e an d effici en t

,
This pra ctica l m eth od of
.
308 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIB LE
d et ermi n i n g th e b egin n i n g of th e year a m on gs t th e early
H eb rews d oe s n ot a pp ear t o h a ve b e en t h e on e i n u s e
,

a m on gs t t h e B a byl on ia n s e i t h er e a rly or l at e i n t he ir

h is tory . Th e e arly B a by l on i an s u s e d a s id ere al y ea r as ,

will b e sh ow n sh ortly Th e lat er B abyl on ia n s u sed a

.

tropic al y ear d ep en d en t on t h e a c t u a l obs ervat i on of the

Sprin g e qui n ox .

To th ose wh o h ave n o cl ock s n o t ele s c op es n o s un dial s , , ,

n o in s trum en ts of a n y ki n d t h ere aret w o n at u ra l e p o c h s

,

a t wh ic h th e d ay mig h t b egin ; a t s u n ri s e t h e b egi n n in g ,

of d ayligh t ; a n d a t s u n s et t h e b egin n i n g of d arkn e ss

, .

Similarly t o al ln a ti on s wh ich u se t h e tropic al y ear w h e th er

, ,

t h e ir c a l en d a r is d epen d en t on t h e s u n a l on e or on b ot h ,

s u n an d m oon t h ere a re t wo n a t u ra l ep oc h s a t w h ic h t h e
,

y ear may b egin ; a t th e s prin g equin ox th e b egi n n i n g of ,

t h e b ri gh t h a l f of t h e y ear wh en t h e s u n i s h i gh i n t he
l
,

h e av en s an d al
,
ln a t ure i s re vivin g u n d er i t s h eat an d l igh t ;
a n d a t t h e a u t um n e qui n ox t h e b egin n i n g of th e d ark
,

h al f o f t h e y ear wh en t h e su n i s l
,
ow 1n t h e h ea v en s a nd ,

al l n at u re se em s dyin g As a n at i on b ec om es m ore
.

h gi h ly e quipp e d b o t h
,
i n t h e m e a n s o f ob s ervi n
g a n d i n ,

k n owl edge i t may n ot reta in ei th er of th ese e p och s a s

,

th e a c t u a l b eg i n n i n g o f i t s y e ar b u t t h e d e t
,
ermi n a t i on

o f t h e y ear s till re s ts dire c t ly or in dire c t ly u p on th e

o b se rv a t i on o f t h e e qui n ox e s .

At th e ex odu s from E gyp t i n th e m on th Abib t h e , ,

ch ild ren of Israel w ere comm an d ed i n th ese word s

Th i s m on th sh a ll b e u n t o y ou t h e b egin n in g of
m on t h s : ll be t h e fi rs t m on t h of t h e y ea r
‘

it sh a
”
to y o u .
310 THE ASTRO N O MY OF TH E BI BL E

Jewish m on th n umb er I n each case th e Jewish year

.

i s re ck on ed as b egin n in g w i th Nisa n t h e m on t h of t h e ,

s p ri n e quin ox
g .

I n on e case h ow e ver two Ba byl on i an m on th n am es d o

, ,

pres en t a diffi culty ,

I n th e B ook of N e h e miah i n th e firs t chap ter the wri ter

, ,

sa
y s

It cam e t o pas s in t h e mon th C h isleu i n ,

the
t wen t i et h year a s I wa s i n Sh u s h an t h e p ala c e
, , th a t
Han a n i on e of my bret h ren ca m e
, ,
”

an d t old h i m c on cern in g th e s ad state of Jeru sa l em I n .

c on s equ en ce of t h i s h e s ubs equ en t ly a pproa ch ed t h e kin g

on t h e s ubj e c t i n t h e m on t h Nisan i n t h e t wen ti et h ,

”
y ear o f Art ax e rxes th e kin g .

I f th e t w en t i e th y ear of ki n g Art ax erx es b egan i n th e

sp ri n g Ni sa n
,
wh ich is a s prin g m on th could n ot follow
, ,

Ch is l e u w h ich i s a m on t h of l a te a u t um n
,
B u t Art a x erxes .

may h a v e d at ed h i s a cc ess ion an d th ere fore hi s regn a l ,

years from s om e m on th b et ween Nisan an d C hisl eu ; or

,

t h e civil y ear may h a v e b een re ck on e d a t t h e c ou rt of

Sh u sh an a s b egin n i n g wi th Ti sh ri I t may b e n oted t hat

.

Neh emiah d oes n ot d efin e eith er of th es e m on ths in t erm s

of th e J e wi s h El s e wh ere wh en re ferrin g t o th e Je wi sh
.
,

Feas t of Tab ern a cl es h e a ttribut es i t to th e s e v en th m on th

, ,

i n a ccord wi t h i ts pl a ce i n t h e M osa ic c a l en d ar A11 .

a l t era t i on of t h e b egin n i n g of t h e y ear from t h e s pri n g t o

t h e a u tumn wa s brou gh t a b ou t a m on gs t t h e J e ws a t a
lat er d at e an d wa s sys tema tiz e d i n t h e Religious Calen dar
,

by th e Rabbis of ab ou t th e fourth c en tu ry A. D Tis hri .

 TH E YE A R 811
b egin s th e Jewish y ear a t t h e p res en t d ay ; th e first d ay
of Ti s hrib e in g th e ta k en as t h e an n ivers ary of creat ion
of t h e w orld .

Th e Mish n a Th e L aw of th e Lip wa s first c ommitted

, ,

t o wri t in g i n 1 9 1 A D an d t h e c ompil a t i on of t h e . .
,

B abylon i an Ta lmud b as ed on t h e Mis h n a was compl e t ed , ,

a bou t 5 0 0 A D I n i t s c omm en t ary on t h e fi rs t c h ap t er of

. .

G en es is t h ere i s an a llu sion t o t h e y ear as b egi n n in g i n

,

s pu n g for i t s ay s t h a t
,

A ki g c w d n ro n in th of Ad a r i s
n e on t he t w en t y -

con sid ere d as h a v in g compl e t e d t h e fi rst year of hi s reign

on t h e fi rst of Ni s an ( i h d y) H c ll w
”
e t e n e x t a en e fo o s . . .

ob serv es s om e on e h a t t h e fi rs t of Ni san i s t h e n e w
( ) t
year s d ay of kin gs a n d t h a t i f on e h a d re ign e d on ly on e
’

d ay i n a year i t i s c on sid ere d as a wh ol e y ear 1 ”

.
,

I t is in dic a ted wh e th er t h i s rul e h eld good for th e

n ot

kin gs of Pers ia as w ell a s for t h os e of Isra el I f so a n d

,
.
,

t h is t ra dit i on b e c orre ct t h en we can n ot e xpla i n ,

Neh emiah s re ck on in g by s upp osin g t h a t h e wa s c ou n tin g

’

from t h e m on th of t h e a cc ess i on of Art a x erx es a n d mu s t ,

ass um e t h a t a civil or c ou rt year b egi n n i n g wi t h Tish ri 73 e , . .

i n t h e a u t um n wa s t h e on e i n qu es ti on ,
.

A furth er b u t as i t would s eem quite an imagin ary

, , ,

difficulty h a s b e en ra i sed b ecau s e th e fea s t of i n gat h eri n g

, ,

or Ta b ern a cl e s t h ou gh h eld in t h e s e v en t h m on t h i s t wic e

, ,

i n t h e en d of t h e y e ar or as i t i s
”
s p ok en of a s b ei n g
“
, ,

re n d ere d i n t h e m argin i n on e c a se i n th e rev olu t i on “

,

of t h e y ea r Th i s l a t t er e xpress i on occu rs a ga in i n
.

2 Ch ron x x i v 23 w h en i t i s s a id t h a t
. . a t t h e en d of t h e
, ,

1 P I H ersh on , Gen esi s wi th

. . a mu di ca lCommen ta ry ,
Ta l 30 .
3 12 TH E A STR ONO MY OF TH E BIBLE
year th e h os t of Syria c am e up
, b u t i n th i s ca s a i t ‘

prob ably m ean s early sprin g for i t i s on ly of la te c en t u ries

,

t h a t war h as b een waged i n t h e wi n t er m on t h s Down to .

t h e Middl e Age s t h e armi es always w en t in t o win t er

,

qu arters an d i n t h e s prin g th e k in gs led t h e m ou t again

,

t o b a ttl e On e H ebre w e x pres s i on u s ed i n Script ure

.

m ean s th e retu rn of t h e y ear as a ppli e d t o t h e cl ose of ,

on e an d t h e op en i n g o f a n ot h e r y ear Th i s i s t h e e xpress ion .

e mpl oye d in t h e Se c on d B ook of Sa mu e l an d of t h e Fi rs t ,

B ook of C hron icl es wh ere i t i s said a ft er t h e y ear was

,
“

e xpi red a t t h e t im e w h en
,
kin gs go forth t o ba ttl e ,
”

implyin g t h at i n t h e t im e of D avi d t h e year b egan m th e

s pri n g . Th e s am e e xp ressi on n o d oub t i n referen ce t o,

t h e s am e t im e of t h e y ear i s al s o u se d i n c on n e c ti on wi t h
,

t h e warlik e ex p edi ti on s of B en h a dad ki n g of Syri a an d of , ,

N ebuchad n ez zar kin g of B abyl on

, .

I t i s a dmi tt ed t h at t h e Fe ast of Ta b ern a cl es was

h eld i n t h e a u t um n an d i n t h e s ev en t h m on th
,
Th e .

diffi cul ty lies i n t h e qu esti on of h ow i t c ould b e said

”
to be i n t h e en d of th e y ea r at t h e y e ar s en d
“ “ ’

, ,

a l t h ough i t i s cl ear from t h e c a ses ju s t ci t ed t h a t t h es e

an d s imilar e x p ress ion s are m erely o f a g en eral c h ara c t er ,

a s we ou rselve s migh t s ay wh en t he year cam e rou n d

,
“
,
”

a n d d o n ot i n dica t e an rigid c on n e c t i on w i th a s p e cific

y
date of th e cal en dar .

We ou rs elves u se several years an d cal en dars wit h ou t ,

an
y c on fu si on T .h e civil y e ar b e i n s a t mid n i h t
g g on , ,

Jan u ary 1 ; t h e fi n an cia l y ear on Apri l 1 ; th e e ccl e sia s

t i ca l ye ar with Adv en t a b ou t D e c em b er 1 t h e s c h olast i c
,

year abou t th e mi ddl e of Sep temb er an d so on As , .

3 14 TH E A STR O N OMY OF THE B IBLE
to compl ete th e t wen ty four h ours b efore paym en t an d
-

di smissal I t i s th e en d o f hi s d ay ; t h ou gh lik e t h e
.
,

men i n th e p arabl e of th e Lab ourers i n t h e Vin eyard ,

h e h as on ly w ork e d t welve h ou rs ou t of t h e twen ty fou r -

.

I n t h e s am e way t h e F ea st of Tab ern a cl es th ough i n t h e,

s ev en t h m on t h was i n t h e en d of t h e yea r b oth from

”
, ,

t h e p oin t of vi e w of t h e farm er an d of t h e ordin a n c es

of t h e sa c re d fes t iva l s .

Th e m e th od empl oy ed i n v ery early t im es i n Assyria

a n d B a byl on i a for d e t e rmi n i n t h fi rs t m on th of t h e
g e

y ear was a s impl e an d e ffe ct ive on e t h e p ri n cipl e of

,

wh ich may b e expla in ed th u s : I f we wat ch for t h e

a pp eara n c e of t h e n ew m oon i n s prin g t im e an d as , ,

we s ee i t s et t in g i n t h e w es t n ot ic e som e brigh t s t ar
,

n ea r i t t h en
,
1 2 m on t h s l at er we s h ould s ee t h e t wo
t og eth er aga in ; b u t wit h t h i s d i fferen c e t h a t t h e moon
,

a n d s t ar w ould b e s een t o e t h er n ot on t h e fi rs t b u t on
g , ,

t h e s ec on d e v en in g of t h e m on th For s i n c e 1 2 lu n ar
.

m on t h s fal l sh ort of a s olar year by 1 1 days t h e moo n ,

.

on t h e fi rs t e v en i n g w ould b e a b ou t 1 1 d e rees s h ort of

g
h er form er p os i tion B u t a s s h e m ov es ab ou t 1 3 d egre es
.

in h ou rs t h e n ex t e ven in g sh e would pra ct ica lly b e

,

back i n h er old place I n t h e se con d year t h erefore

.
, ,

m oon an d star would set t ogeth er on th e s econ d even in g

of th e fi rst m on t h ; an d i n lik e m an n er t h ey would s e t

t oge th er on t h e t h ird e ven i n g i n t h e t h ird year ; an d ,

ro u h ly s p ea kin g on t h e fou rt h e ven in g o f t h e fou rth

g ,

y ear B u t t h is la st c on j u n ct ion would m ean th at t h ey

.

w ould al s o s e t t oge th er on t h e fi rst ev en in g of t h e n ex t

mon th wh ich would t h us b e in dica t ed as t h e true firs t
,
 '

TH E YE A R 315

mon th of th e y ear Th u s w h en m oon an d star set togeth er

.

on t h e t h ird e v en i n g of a m on t h t h i rt e en m on t h s l at er
,

t h ey w ould s et t og et h er on t h e fi rs t e v en in g of a mon th .

Th u s th e s e tt in g t og et h er of m oon an d s t ar would n ot
on ly m ark w h ich was t o b e fi rs t m on t h of t h e y ear b u t ,

i f t h ey s et t oge th er on t h e fi rs t e v en in g i t w ould sh ow
t h at t h e y e ar t h en b egi n n in g wa s t o b e a n ordin a ry on e
o f 1 2 m on t h s ; i f on t h e th ird e v en i n g t ha t th e year ,

ou gh t t o b e a full on e of 1 3 m on t h s .

Th is Wa s pre cis ely th e m et h od foll ow ed by t h e Akkadi an s

s om e 4 0 0 0 y ears a go F or Prof Sayc e an d Mr B osan qu et
. . .

d tabl e t i n Akka di an a s foll ow s

tra n s l a t e a n ol

Wh en fi rst d ay of th e m on t h N i sa n t h e s ta r
on th e
o f s tars ( or Di l g )
a n a n d t h e m o on a re p ara ll e l t h a t y ea r ,

i s n ormal W h en on th e t h i rd d ay of t h e m on t h N i s a n th e
.

star o f s t a rs a n d t h e m oon are p ara ll e l t h a t y ea r is full “

, .

Th e “
s t ar o f s tars in s cri pti on i s n o doubt t h e
”
of th i s
b righ t star Cap ella a n d t h e y ear th u s d etermin ed by
,

t h e se tt i n g t oge t h er of t h e m oon a n d C a p ella w ould

b egi n on th e a v erage wi th th e s prin g equin ox ab ou t
20 0 0 B C . .

W hen C ap ella t h us mark ed th e fi rs t m on th of t h e

y ear th e t win s tars C a s tor an d P ollux m ark ed t he
,
“
,
”

s e c on d m on t h of t he y ea r i n j u st t h e sa m e wa A
y .

remi n i s c en c e of t h i s ci rcum s ta n c e i s fou n d i n t h e s i n s

g
for t h e fi rs t t wo m on t h s ; t h at for th e fi rs t m on t h b e in g
a c res c e n t m oon lyi n g on i ts ba ck ; t h at for th e s ec on d
“

m on th a p air of stars .

1
'

M on th l
y N o ti ce s o
f th e R oy a lA s tron omi ca lSoci e ty , v ol x x x
. ix .

p.4 5 5 .
316 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
Th e s ign ifican ce of th e crescen t b eing sh own as lyin g
on i ts ba ck i s s een a t on c e wh en i t i s rem emb ered
t h a t t h e n ew m oon i s differen t ly in clin ed t o t h e h ori zon
a cc ordin
g t o t h e t im e of t h e y e a r w h e n i t i s s ee n I t is .

m ost n early uprigh t at t h e tim e of th e a u t umn equin ox ;

P OSI TI ON OF TH E N E W M OON A T TH E E Q U I N OX ES .

i t is m ost n early h orizon tal lyin g on i ts back at the

,
“
,

s prin g e qui n ox .I t i s cl ear from th is s ymb ol t h erefore , ,

t h a t t h e Ba byl on i an s be gan t h eir y ea r i n t h e sprin g .

Th i s m et h od by wh ich t h e n e w m oon was u s ed as a

,

kin d of p oin ter for d etermin in g th e retu rn of t h e su n

to t h e n eigh b ou rh ood of a p artic u lar s ta r a t t h e en d of
a solar y ear i s qui te u n like an y th i n g t h a t c omm en ta tors
,
B OU N DAR Y -
STON E IN TH E L OU VR E I
AP P R OX M ATE D ATE , B C
. . 1 200 .

( F rom a p h o t og ra p h b y M e ss rs W A
. . . M an s e l l

3 18
 TH E YE A R 319

on th e as t ron o mical m e th od s of th e an ci en ts h ave su p

p ose d t h em to h ave u sed B u t we k n ow from th e a n cien t
.

i n s cri p t i on a lrea dy qu ot e d t h a t i t was a c t u a lly u s e d ; i t

was e min en t ly s im p l e ; i t wa s b ou n d to h av e s ugges t ed

its el f wh ere ver a lu n i solar year s tartin g from t h e
.
-

ob s erv e d n ew m oon ,
was u sed Furth er i t require d n o
.
,

i n strum en ts or star map s ; i t did n ot e ven require a

-

kn owl edge of t h e con s tellat i on s ; on ly of on e or t wo c on

s i cu ou s s t ars T h ou h rou gh i t wa s p erfe c t ly efi ci en t
p .
g , ,

a n d w ould giv e t h e m ean l en g t h of t h e y ear wi th al lt h e

accu ra cy t h a t was t h en re quire d .

B u t i t h ad on e d rawb ack wh ic h th e an ci en ts could n ot

,

h a v e b een ex p ecte d to fores ee Th e effe ct of prec essi on “ ”

.
,

a llud e d t o i n t h e ch ap t er on Th e Orig in of t h e Con

s tel la ti on s
, . p 1 5 8 would b e t o throw the begin n in g of
,

t h e y ear as t h u s d etermin e d gradu ally l at er an d l a t e r

, ,

i n t h e s ea s on,
s — rough ly s p ea kin g by a d ay in e very
,

se ev n t y y ear
,
s — an d t h e t im e ca m e n o d oub t w h en i t
, ,

was n ot ice d t h a t t h e t erres tria l seas on s n o l on g er b ore

t h e ir tra di ti on a l rel a t ion t o th e y ear Th is p robably .

h app en ed a t som e t im e i n th e s even th or eigh th cen

t u ri es b e fore ou r era a n d was c on n ec t ed w i th t h e
,

a s t ron omic a l re v olu ti on t h a t h as b een a llud ed t o b efore ;

wh en t h e e clipt ic was divid e d in to t welve equ al divis i on s ,

n ot a ss oci a te d wi t h t h e a c t u a l s ta rs t h e Si gn s were s u b
,

s t i t u t e d for t h e Con st ella t i on s of t h e Z odi a c an d t he .

,

Ram was ta k en a s t h e l ea d er in st ea d of t h e Bull Th e .

e qui n ox wa s t h en d e termin e d by dire c t m eas u re m en t of

t h e l en gth o f t h e d ay an d n igh t ; for a tabl et of ab ou t t h i s

p eriod records
320 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE .

On t h e i th
s x d ay of t h e m on t h Nis an t h e d ay an d
n igh t were e qu a l . Th e d ay w a s s i x d oub l e h ou rs ( kasbn ),
-

s i x d oubl e h ou rs
”
an d th e n igh t wa s -
.

So l on g as Cap ella was u sed a s th e in dicator s tar so ,

l on g t h e year mu s t h av e b egu n wi th th e su n in Tau ru s ,

t h e Bull ; b u t wh en th e re a dju st m en t was m ad e an d -

t h e s ol ar tropica l year c on n e c t e d wit h th e equin ox wa s

s u b s t i t u t ed for t h e s id ereal y ear con n ec ted with t h e

ret urn of t h e s u n t o a p art icul a r s ta r i t w ould b e s e en ,

t h a t t h e a ss ocia t i on of t h e b egin n i n g of th e y ear wi th th e

s u n s p res en c e i n an y giv en c on s t e lla t i on c ould n o l on er

’

g
b e k ept up . Th e n e c e ss i ty for an artificia l divi si on of t h e
z odia c w ould b e fe l t a n d t h a t artificia l d ivi s i on cl early
,

wa s n ot m a d e u n t il t h e s u n a t t h e s p rin g e quin ox wa s
u n mi stakably i n Ari es t h e Ra m ; or ab ou t 70 0 B C
, . .

Th e e clip s e of 1 0 6 3 B C in cid en ta lly p roves t ha t t h e

. .

ol d m eth od o f fixin g Ni san by t h e c on ju n c t ion of t h e

m oon an d Ca p ella was t h en st ill in u s e ; for t h e eclipse
t ook pl ac e on July 3 1 w h ich i s ca ll e d i n th e re c ord th e
“
,

26 th of Sivan Siva n b e in g t h e t h ird m on th i ts 26 t h

”
.
,

d ay c ould n ot h a v e fall en s o la t e i f t h e ye ar h a d b egun,

wi th th e e quin ox ; b u t i t w ould h a ve s o fall en i f t h e

Ca p ell a m eth od were s t ill i n vogu e .

Th ere i s a s et of symb ol s re p ea t ed o ver an d o ver

a a in on B abyl on ia n m on um en t s an d a lways gi ven a
g ,

p os it ion o emi en c
f n e — i t i s t h e s o c a ll e d Tri a d o f Stars
-
”
,

a c res c en t lyin g on i t s ba ck an d t wo s t a rs n ear i t Th ey .

a re s ee n v ery dis t i n c t ly a t th e t o of th e p h ot o ra ph of
p g
t h e bou n da ry s t on e from t h e L ouvre given on p 3 1 8 an d
-

, .
,

al s o i mm edi at ely ab ov e t he h e ad of t h e Su n god i n th e -

WOR SH I P OF TH E SU N G OD AT SI P P AR A
-
.
 TH E YE AR 323

h ot ogra ph of th e t abl et from Si ppar on p 3 22 Th ei r

p , . .

s ign ifican ce i s n ow cl ear Fou r t hou san d years be fore.

t h e Ch ri s t ian era th e t wo Twin s tars Ca s t or an d

, ,

Pollux serve d as in dicat ors of th e fi rst n ew m oon of t h e

l
,

yea r j u st a s Cap ella did two t h ousan d years lat er Th e

,
.

tria d of s tars t h en i s s imply a p ict ure of w h at men

”

, ,

sa w y ear a ft er yea r i n t h e s u n s et s k a t t h e b e gin n i n

, , y g
of t h e fi rs t m on th si x t h ou s an d y ears a go
,
I t i s th e .

e arli es t re c ord of an as tron omic al ob s ervat i on t hat has

com e d own t o u s .

H ow s im p l e an d easy t h e ob s erv ati on was an d h ow ,

distin ctly th e y ear was m ark ed off by i t ! Th e m on th

wa s m ark ed off by th e fi rs t s ig h t of t h e n ew th i n cres c en t
i n t h e e ve n mg sk y Th e d ay was mark ed off by t h e
.

re tu rn of d a rk n es s t h e e v e n i n g h ou r i n w h ich m on t h
, ,

by m on t h th e n ew m oon was fi rs t ob s erved ; s o t h at

,

th e e ven i n g an d t h e m orn in g w ere t h e fi rs t d ay

”
Th e .

year was m ark ed off by t h e n e w m oon b ein g s een in

t h e e v en i n g wi th a b righ t p ai r of s tars th e s tars we ,

s t ill kn ow as t h e Twi n s ; a n d th e l en gt h of t h e y ea r
“

was s h own by t h e e v en i n g of t h e m on t h wh en m oon ,

a n d s t ars c a m e t og et h er I f on t h e fi rs t ev en in g i t was
.
,

a y e ar of t w elve m on t h s ; i f on t h e t h i rd on e of t h irte en , .

Th ere wa s a t im e w h en th es e t h ree ob s ervati on s c on sti tu ted

t h e wh ol e of primi t iv e as tron omy .

I n l at er d ays t h e origin al m ean in g of th e Tria d of

1Th e two Twi n stars , Cas tor an d Poll u x , are i n d i rectly all u d ed to
on ce i n th e Acts of th e Ap os tl es ; for St P au l sai l ed from Mal ta t o
.

Sy racu se i n a sh i p wh ose s ign was Castor an d P oll u x

“ — lit “
th e .

Di oscuri The n ames of n o oth er stars occu r i n Scri p ture

”
. .
324 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
Stars w ould s ee m t o h ave b een forgott en ,
an d th ey
were t aken as repres en tin g Si n Sam as a n d Is tar — t he , ,

Moon t h e Su n an d t h e p l an et Ven u s Yet n ow an d

,
.

a ga in a h in t of t h e p a rt t h ey on c e pl ay e d i n d et ermi n i n
g
t h e l en gt h of t h e ye ar i s p res erv e d Th u s on th e tabl et .
,

n o w i n t h e B ri ti s h Mu seum an d sh own on p 3 22 s culp t u re d

,
.
,

wi th a s c en e repres en t in g th e wors h ip of t h e Su n g od -

i n t h e templ e o f Sipp ar t h es e t h ree s ymb ol s are sh own

,

with t h e explan atory in s cript i on

Th e M oon god , th e Su n god , an d I star, dwell ers i n th e
- -
ab y ss,

An n ou n ce t o th e y ears wh at th ey are t o ex pe ct 3”

p ossibly an a s t ro o l gica l formul a b u t i t

, may w el lm ean
an n o u n ce wh eth er th e y ears sh ould exp ect t welv e or
”
t h irt een m on th s .

As a l re ady p oin t ed ou t t h i s m et h od h ad on e d ra wba ck ;

,

i t ga ve a s id erea l y ear n ot a tropica l y ear a n d t h i s

, ,

in c on v en i en c e mu st h a ve b een dis cov ered a n d Cap ella ,

s ub st i t u t e d for t h e Twi n s t ars l on g b efore th e gi vin g

,

of t h e L aw t o I sra el Th e m eth od empl oy ed by t h e

.

pri ests of w at ch in g t h e progress of th e rip en i n g of .

t h e ba rl ey ov erc a m e th is di fficul t y an d ga v e a y ear t o ,

I sra el wh ich on t h e a verage wa s a correct trop ical on e

, ,
.

Th ere i s a d eta il i n t h e h i st ory of t h e fl ood i n

Gen vii an d viii wh ich h as b een tak en by s om e as
. . .

m ean t t o in dicate t h e l en gth of th e tropical year .

In th e h u n dredt h year of N oa h s li fe i n t he
’
SI X ,

se c on d m on t h , t h e s ev en t e en t h d ay of t h e m on t h , t h e

s am e d a w l
l t h f u n t i n s of t h e rea t d e ep brok en
y ere a e o a
g ”
u , a n d t h e wi n d ow s of h e a v e n w ere op en e d
p .

“
An d i t cam e t o p ass in t he s i x h un dred t h an d first
 CHAP TE R V

TH E SABB ATI C Y EAR AN D TH E J U BI L EE

TH E p ri n cipl e week wi th i ts sabba th of rest was

of th e
carri ed p art ially in to th e m on th an d c ompl e tely in to th e
,

y ear Th e se ven th m on th of t h e y ear was m arke d out

.

re emin en t ly by t h e t h re efold c h ara c t er of i t s ser vic es

p
-

t hough e v ery s e v e n t h m on th wa s n ot dist in guish e d Bu t .

t h e w e ekly s abb at h wa s e xp ress ed n ot on ly i n d ays b u t i n

y ears an d was on e b oth of res t an d of re l ea s e
, .

Th e sabb a th of years wa s fi rs t en j oin ed from M oun t

Sin ai i n t h e t h ird m on t h a ft er t h e d ep art ure from Egyp t
, ,

c ertain ly wit h in a d ay or s o i f n ot on t h e a c tu a l d ay of
, ,

t h e s ec on d grea t feas t of t h e yea r vari ou s ly k n own t o t h e

,

H ebrews a s t h e Fea st of First fruit s or t h e Feas t of Weeks

, ,

an d t o u s as P e n t ec os t t h a t i s W h i t s un t id e
, I t i s m os t .

s h ort ly giv en i n E x od xxi 2 a n d xxiii 1 0 1 1

. .
, .
,

I f t h ou buy an H eb rew servan t si x y ears h e s h a ll s erv e

,

an d i n t h e se v e n t h h e s h a ll go ou t free for n ot h i n
g .

Si x y ears t h ou sh a lt s ow t h y l an d an d s h a lt ga th er i n
,

t h e fruit s t h ereof : b u t t h e s e v e n t h y ear t h ou s h a l t l

et i t

res t d l i e s t i ll ; t h a t t h e p oor o f t hy p e opl e may

an ea t

a n d wh at t h ey l e a v e t h e b ea s t s of t h e fi eld s h a ll ea t . In
l i ke man n er t h ou sh a lt d ea l w it h t hy vin eyard , an d wi th
t hy oliv eyard .
 SABBATI C Y E A R AND TH E JUB I L E E 327
‘

Th es e l a ws iv en a t re a t er le n gt h an d wit h full e r
g g a re

e xpl a n a t ion i n t h e t w en ty fi ft h c h a pte r of t h e B ook o f

-

Levi ticu s I n a ddit i on t h ere i s given a prom i s e of

.

bl ess in g for t h e fulfilm en t of th e la ws an d i n th e t w en ty , ,

s ix t h c h a p t er a s ign t o f oll ow on t h eir bre a ch

, .

I f ye ll say W h at sh a ll we eat th e s even t h year ?

sh a ,

b eh old we sh all n ot s ow n or gat h er i n ou r in cre as e : t h en

, ,

I will comm an d My bl es s in g up on y ou i n t h e s ix t h y ear ,

a n d i t s h a ll b ri n fort h frui t for t hree y ears A n d ye

g .

s h a ll s ow t h e e ig h t h y ea r a n d ea t y e t o f ol
d fruit u n t il t h e
,

n in t h y ear u n t il h er frui ts c om e i n y e s ha ll ea t of t h e
.

ol
d
”
s t ore .

Ye sha ll k eep My
bbat h s an d if y e w a lk
sa

c on trary u n t o Me I will s ca tt e r y ou a m on g t h e
h e a th en a n d will d raw ou t a s word a ft er y ou : a n d y ou r
,

l an d s h all b e d esol a t e an d you r ci t i es wa s t e Th en s h a ll

,
.

t h e l a n d en j oy h er s a bb a t h s a s l on g a s i t li et h d es ol ate , ,

a n d y e b e i n y ou r e n e mi e s l an d ; e v e n t h e n s h a ll t h e l a n d
’

res t an d e n j oy h er sa b b a t h s
,
As l on g as i t li e th d e s ol a t e
.

i t s h a ll res t ; b e c a u se i t did n ot res t i n y ou r s abb a t h s ,

wh en y e dwel t up on i t .
”

I n th e fi fteen th ch ap t er o f t h e B ook o f D eu t eron omy

t h is s a bba t ic y ear i s c a ll ed a y e ar of re l ea s e Th e s p e ci fi c .

i n jun cti on s h ere rel at e to l oan s m ad e t o a H ebre w an d to

a forei n er an d t o t h e t akin g o f a H eb re w i n t o b on d age
g , .

Th e l a ws as t o l oan s h a d di re c t referen c e t o t h e s abb a th

o f th e l an d for s in c e on ly H eb re ws mi gh t p os sess t h e H oly
,

La n d i n t eres t on a d eb t migh t n ot b e e x act ed from a

,

H eb rew i n t h e s abb atic yea r as t h e l an d did n ot t h en ,

yield h i m w h erewi th h e mi gh t pay B u t l oan s t o

'

foreign ers w ould b e n e c ess arily for c omm erci al n ot ,

a gricul t u ra l pu rp oses a n d s in c e c omm e rc e w as n ot in t er

, ,

dic te d in th e sa bba t ic y ear i n t erest on l oan s to foreign ers ,

328 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I B LE

might b e e xa cted Warn in g was given tha t th e loan s to a

.

p oor Hebrew sh ou ld n ot b e with h eld b eca u s e th e s abbatic

y ear was cl ose a t h an d Th e rules wi th respect to t h e
.

Hebrew s old for deb t in to b on dage are t he sam e as those

iv en i n t h e B ook of th e E x odu s
g .

I n D eu t e ron omy i t was a l so en j omed t hat

at th e en d of e er ven years 1n t h e solemn ity of

v y se ,

t h e year of re l eas e in t h e Fe as t of Ta bern acles h

”
at i s
, ( t ,

i n t h e fea s t of t h e s e v en t h m on t h ) wh en al lIsrae l i s c om e
,
“

t o app ea r b efore t h e Lord t hy God i n th e pl a c e wh ich H e

s h all ch oos e t h ou sh a lt rea d t h is l
,
l I sra el i n
a w b efore a l

t h ei r h earin g .

We fin d no more m en t i on th e
bbatic year u n t il
of sa

t h e reig n o f Z ed eki a h t h e last ki n g of Jud ah

, H e h ad .

m ad e a c oven an t wi th all t h e p eopl e wh ich were at

J eru sa l em to procla im lib erty u n to t hem t ha t every
, ,

H ebre w b on ds erva n t s h ould go fre e b u t t he p rin ces an d ,

al lt h e p eopl e c a u s e d t h e ir H eb rew b on d s ervan t s t o ret urn

a n d b e i n s ubj ec t i on t o t h em Th en J ere mi ah t h e proph et
.

was s en t t o re mi n d t h e m of t h e c ov en a n t m a d e wi t h t h eir
fa t h ers w h e n t h ey w ere b rough t o u t fro m t h e l a n d of

Egyp t from th e h ou se o f b on d m en ; an d i n t h e Se c on d
,

B ook of C hron icl es i t i s said th at t h e sign of t h e breakin g

of t hi s c ov en an t a l rea dy qu ot ed from t h e B ook of I m
, vi t i cus ,

was b e i n g a cc ompli sh e d Th e Ca p t ivi ty w

. as

to fulfil t h e w ord of t h e Lord by th e m ou th of Jeremia h ,

u n t il t h e l an d h a d e n j oy e d h er sa bb a t h s : for as lon
g as

sh e l d e sol a t e s h e k e p t s a bb at h , t o fulfil t h ree s c ore

a
y
-

a n d t e n y ears
”
.

A ft er th e e xi l e , we fi n d on e re feren ce to t h e sa bbat ic .
330 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
hi s fa mily mu s t
g o ou t free y ear o f Jubil ee
at th e I n the .

la s t cha pt er of th e B ook of Numb ers we ge t a referen ce

a a i n t o t h e y ear of Jubil e e a n d in di re c t a llu s i on s t o i t
g ,

a re m a d e by I sa ia h i n th e a ccep ta bl e y ear of the L ord

,

wh en liberty sh ould b e proclaimed an d i n th e year of t h e ,

“

red eem e d I n h i s proph e cy of t he rest orat i on of Israel

”
.
,

E z e kiel d efi n i t e ly refers t o t he year of lib erty

“
w h en ,

t h e in h erit an ce th at h as b een gran t e d t o a s ervan t s ha ll

re t u rn a ga i n t o th e pri n c e .

Th e i n t erp retat ion of t h e s abb at ic year an d th e y ear of

Jubil ee h as greatly e x ercis ed c omm en tators At wh at .

s ea s on did t h e s a bb a t ic y ear b egin ? was i t c ot ermin ou s

with th e e ccl esi as tical year ; or did i t differ from i t by si x

m on th s ? Was t h e y ear of Jubil ee h eld on ce in e very
forty n i n e y ears or on c e i n ev ery fi fty ? did i t b egi n at th e
-

s am e s eas on as t h e sabb at ic y ear ? did i t in t erru p t t h e

re ck on i n g of t h e s abb a t ic y ear so t h at a n ew cycl e

,

c omm en c ed imm ediat ely a ft er th e year of Jubil ee ; or was

t h e sa bba t ic y ear e v ery s e ven t h irresp e c tive of t h e y ear
,

of Jubil e e ? did t h e y ear of Jubil ee always foll ow i m

m ediat ely on a s abb atic year or did th is on ly h app en ,

occ as i on a lly

Th e probl e m will b e much s impl er i f i t is b orn e i n min d

t h a t t h e L aw as origin a lly procla im ed was e min en t ly
, ,

pract ical an d for pra ct ical men Th e p eriod of p edan try .

,

of h a i r spli t t i n g of s l a v ery t o m ere t e chn ica li ti es

-

, c am e ,

very late i n J ewi sh h istory .

I t i s cl ear from wh at h as b een a l ready sa id i n t he

chapter on th e year th at th e on ly cal en dar y ear i n the Old
,

Tes tamen t was t h e sacred on e b egin n in g wi t h the mon th

,
 SABBA TI C YE A R AND TH E JU B ILE E 331

Abib or Ni san i n th e sprin g At th e sa me t im e th e Jews

,
.
,

like ou rs elv es would occas i on a lly refer va gu ely t o th e

,

b egin n in g or th e en d or th e c ours e of t h e year wi th ou t

, , ,

m ean in g t o s et u p an y hard an d fast con n ection wit h th e

a u t h ori z e d ca l en d a r .

N ow i t i s p erfe ct ly cl ear t h at t h e sabbat ic year can n ot

h av e b egu n wi t h t h e first d ay of th e m on th Abib b ecau se ,

t h e fi rs t fru i ts w ere offere d on t h e fi ft een th of t ha t m on th .

Th a t b ein g s o t h e pl ou gh i n g a n d t h e sewi n g mu st h a v e
,

t ak en p l ac e v ery c on s id erably earli er I t i s n ot p oss ibl e to

.

s upp ose t h a t t h e H ebre w fa rm er w ould p l ou gh an d s ow

h i s l an d i n t h e l as t m on th s of t h e p re vi ou s y ear k n owin g ,

t h a t h e c ould n ot reap duri n g t h e sabb at ic year .

Similarly i t s eem s h ardly lik ely t h a t i t was c on s id ered

,

a s b e gi n n i n wi t h t h e fi rs t of Ti s h ri i n a s muc h as t h e
g ,

h arv est fes t iva l t h e F eas t of t h e I n ga th erin g or Tab er

, ,

n acl es t ook pl a c e i n t h e middl e of t h at m on t h

,
Th e p la in
.

a n d p ra c t ic a l e xpl an a t i on i s t h a t a ft er t h e F eas t of Ta b er
,

n a cl es of t h e s ix t h y e ar t h e farm er w ould n ot aga in pl oug h

, ,

sow or reap h i s l an d u n t il a ft er t h e F ea s t of Ta b ern a cl es

,

i n th e sa bb at ic y ear Th e s abb at ic year i n oth er w ord s

.
, ,

was a s impl e a gricul tura l y ear an d i t did n ot c orres p on d

,

e x a ct ly wi t h t h e e ccl es i as t ica l or wi th an y ca l en dar year .

For pra ctical pu rp os es t h e s abb at ic year t h erefore en d e d

with th e cl os e of th e Fea st of Tab ern acl es wh en th e L aw ,

was rea d b efore t h e w h ol e p e opl e acc ordi n g t o t h e c omm an d

of M os es an d i t p ra c t ic a lly b egan a y ea r e arli er .

Th e y ear of Jubil ee a pp ea rs i n th e dire ct ion s of L ev .

xxv t o h a ve b een most distin ctly lin k ed t o t he s abbatic

.

y ear .
332 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
“

Th e
pac e of th e se ve n sabbath s of y earss h all b e u n to
s

th ee fort y an d n in e years an d
y e s h a ll,h a ll o w th e
.
1

fi fti et h year an d procl aim lib erty t hrou gh ou t allth e land

,

u n t o a llt h e in habitan ts t h ereof i t sh all b e a Ju b ile u n to

”
ou
y .

would seem th erefore th a t ju st as th e week of days

It , ,

ra n on c on t in u ou s ly ; u n i n t errup t ed by an feas ts or fa s ts s o
y ,

t h e week of y ears ran on c on t in u ou sly An d as t h e F eas t of .

P en tecos t was th e 49 th day from t h e offerin g of the fi rst

fruit s on t h e m orrow of t h e P assover so t h e Jubil ee was
“

t h e 4 9th y ear from th e m orrow of a sabb at ic year ; i t

“ ”

foll owe d imm ediat ely a ft er a s abb atic year Th e Jubil ee .

was t h u s t h e 4 9 th y ear from t h e pre vi ou s Jubil ee i t was

t h e 5 0t h from t h e p art icul ar sabbat ic year from wh ic h t h e
ori in a l re ck on i n g wa s m a d e
g .

Act u ally t h e year of Jubilee b egan b e fore th e sabbati c

year was complet ed beca us e t h e trump et of th e Jubilee
,

was t o b e bl own up on t h e Day of At on e m en t t h e lot h ,

d ay of t e h s e v en t h m on t h — t h at i s t o s ay wh ils t t h e ,

s abba t ic ye ar wa s y et i n p rogress In d eed l it erally sp eak .

,

i n g t h is trump et
,
lou d of s ou n d bl own on th e loth day
,
“
,

of t h e se ven th m on t h was t h e Jubil e e t h a t i s t o say t h e

, , ,

s ou n d of rej oicin g t h e j oy ful s ou n d

, A diffi cul ty c om es .

i n h ere Th e Isra el
. it es were comman ded
Y e s h all n ot it h er reap t h at wh ich growet h o f
s ow, n e
'

itself in i t, n or ga t h er t h e gra p es i n i t of t hy vin e

u n dress ed . For i t i s t h e Ju b i l
e ; i t s h a ll b e h oly u n t o
y ou

e s h a ll t h e in creas e t h ereof ou t of t h e fi e ld
”
ea t
y .

Th is wou ld a pp ear t o m ean t h at th e Jubil ee exten d ed

v
o er a wh ole y ear foll owin
g a sa bbat ic y ear ,
so t h at the
334 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
lan d must h a ve t ak en pl ace at t h e sam e time Th e sl ave .

w ould re t urn t o th e p oss es sion of hi s an cestors i n t i me t o

k ee p a s a freeman th e Feas t of Ta bern acles on h i s own
, ,

l an d Th e fou r d ays b etween th e great d ay of Aton em en t

.

an d t h e F ea s t of Tab ern a cl es w ere s u ffici en t for t h is ch an e

g
t o b e carri e d ou t .

Th e t erm Ye ar of Jubil ee i s t h erefore n ot t o be t ak en

as s ign i fy i n g t h at th e e v en t s of t h e Jubilee w ere sprea d ov er

t welve m on th s b u t s imply th at i t wa s t h e year i n wh ich

, ,

t h e rest orat i on of th e Jubil ee was a cc ompli sh e d We sp eak .

of t h e kin g s coron ation year t h ough hi s coron ati on t ook

’ ”
,

pl ace on b u t a sin gl e d ay an d th e m ean in g t h at we sh ould

,

atta c h t o t h e p h ra se w ould d e p e n d up on th e parti cul ar

s en se i n w h ich we w ere u sin g t h e w ord y ea r Wh ilst

.
,

t h e re fore t h e Jubil ee it sel f wa s s trict ly d efi n e d by t h e

,

bl owin g of t rump ets on th e 1 0th day of th e s e ven th m on th ,

i t w ould b e p erfe c t ly c orrect t o giv e th e t it l e y ear of

,

Jubil ee t o an y ye ar n o m att er i n wh at s eason i t com

, ,

men ced t hat c on t ain ed t h e d ay of t h at procla mat ion of

,

lib erty I t i s al so correct to say th at i t was t h e fi ft i eth

.

year b ecau se i t was p laced at th e very en d of th e forty

n i n t h y ear .

Th e di fficulty st ill re m ain s a s to t h e m ean in g of th e

proh ibition t o s ow or reap i n th e year of Jubil ee Th e .

comm an d cert ain ly reads a s i f t h e lan d was t o lie fallow

‘

for two c on s ecu t ive y ears b ut i t w ould s ee m an i mpra c

t i cab l e arran gem en t t h a t t h e p oor man ret u rn in g t o h i s

in h eritan c e sh ould b e forbidd en to pl ou gh or s ow u n t il

m ore th an a t w elvem on th h ad el aps ed an d h en ce th a t h e
,

sh oul d b e forbidd en t o reap u n t il n early t wo full y ea rs

 SAB BA TI C Y E A R AND TH E JU B I L E E 335

h ad ru n course I t also as already s ta ted s eem s

t h ei r .
, ,

dire ctly con t rary to t h e comm an d to sow i n th e eigh t h y ear ,

wh ich would al so b e t h e fi ftieth I t may t h erefore h e .

m ean t sim ply t o emp h as iz e th e proh ibi tion to sow an d rea p

i n th e s abb atic year imm e di at ely prec e di n g th e Jubil ee .

Th e tem pt ati on w ould b e great t o a gras pi n g man t o get

t h e m os t h e could ou t of t h e l an d b efore p art in g wi th i t

for ever .

I n s pi te of th e st ron g array o f c omm en tat ors wh o cl aim

ee s w ere t o b e h eld e v ery fi fty y ears as we
t h at t h e Ju b i l
m od ems sh ould compu t e i t th ere can b e n o d oubt b u t
'

t h at th ey foll owe d ea c h oth er a t th e s am e in t erva l as e v ery

se v en t h sabb at ic y ear ; in ot h er w ord s t ha t t h ey w ere,

h eld ev ery 4 9 y ears Th is i s c on firm ed by an a st ron omical

.

con sid era tion Forty n i n e years make a con ven i en t lu n i

.
-

sol ar cy cl e re c on cili n g t h e lu n ar m on th an d t h e t rop ica l

,

sol ar y ear Though n ot s o good as t h e M et on ic cycl e of

.

1 9 y ears i t is qui t e a p ra c t ic al on e as t h e foll owin g t abl e

, ,

wi ll sh ow
3 y ears 10 9 5 7 3 d ays 3 7 mon th s 10 9 26 3 d ays
8 29 21 9 4 99 29 23 5 3
- -

11 4 0 17 6 6 13 6 4 0 16 16
- -

19 6 9 39 6 0 23 5 69 3 9 6 9
- -

49 1 78 9 6 6 7 606 1 78 9 5 5 4
- -

60 21 9 14 5 3
-
742 219 1 1 70
-

Th e cycl e of 49 y ears would th erefore b e amply good

en ough t o guid e t h e pri es t ly a u t h ori t i es in d ra w in g u p

th eir ca l en d ar i n c a s es wh ere t h ere was s om e a mbigui ty

d u e t o t h e in t errup ti on of ob servati on s of t h e m oon an d ,

th is wa s a l lt h a t c ould b e n ee d ed s o l on g as the n ati on of

I srael remain ed in i ts own lan d .
336 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
Th e cycle of 8 years i s ad d ed ab ove sin ce i t ha s b een
,

s t a t e d t h at t h e J e ws of Al e x an d ri a ad opt e d t h is a t on e t im e

from t h e Greek s . Th is was n ot s o good as th e cycle of

1 1 years w ould h a ve b een an d n ot t o b e c om pare d wit h
,

t h e c ombin a t ion of th e t wo cycl es in th at of 1 9 y ears

a sc rib e d t o M e ton .Th e l at ter cycl e was ad op te d by t h e
Babylon ian Jews an d forms th e b asis of th e Jewish
,

cal en dar in u se t o d ay -
.
338 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
express ly con n ected with th e m em ory of t h at i
n a t on al

d eliveran ce .

For t h ey are My s ervan t s , wh ich I brough t forth ou t

”
of t h e lan d o f Egyp t : t h ey s h a ll n ot b e s old a s b on dm en .

Th e d ay Jubilee fell i n t h e middl e of t he e ccl es iastica l

of

y ear From the cl ose of t h e year of Ju b ilee— th at i s to

.

sa of t h e e ccl esi as t ic al y ear in wh ich t h e free in g b ot h of

y, ,

b
t h e on dm en an d o f t h e l a n d t ook pl a,c e — t o t h e n e x t d ay

o f Jubil e e was 48 % s ol r y e a ar s o r— as se en a b ov e— 6 00
,

lu n a ti on s or 5 0 lu n ar years s o th at t h ere can b e n o doub t

, ,

t ha t t h e p eri od wa s e xp ress ly d es ign ed t o ex h ibi t t h is

cycl e a cycl e wh ich sh ows i n cid en tal ly a ve ry c orre c t
,

kn owl edge of th e tru e l en gt h s of th e lu n a ti on a n d sola r

y ea r .

Th i s cycl e wa s p ossessed by n o oth er n a t i on of an tiqui ty ;

t h erefore t h e H e bre ws b orrowe d i t from n on e ; an d s in c e

t h e y did n ot b orrow t h e cycl e n ei t h er c ould th ey h av e

,

b orrowed t h e ri t u al wi th wh ich th at cycl e was i n t erwoven .

Tha t t h e H eb rews p os s e ss e d t h is k n owl ed g e t h rows

'

igh t u p on an i n ciden t i n t h e early li fe of th e p roph et

’

s om e l

D a n i el .

I n t h e t h ird year of t h e reign of J eh oi aki m kin g of

Judah ca m e N ebuch a d n ez zar kin g of B abyl on u n to
Jeru sale m an d b es i ege d i t
,
An d th e kin g s pa ke u n to
.

Ash p en az t h e ma st er of his eu n uch s th at h e s h ould brin g

,

certain of t h e ch ild ren of I sra e l an d of t h e kin g s seed

,
’

a n d of t h e p ri n c es ch ildren i n wh om was n o b le mish b u t ,

we ll favou red a n d s kil ful i n a ll wis d om a n d cu n n in g i n

, ,

k n owl edge, a n d u n d ers t an din g s ci en ce an d such as ha d ,

i ty i n t h e m t o s tan d i n t h e kin g s pa la c e a n d wh om
’
ab i l l

t h ey migh t t ea c h t h e l earn in g a n d t h e ton g u e of t h e

 TH E CY CLE S OF DANI E L 339

Cha ld ean s . m on g t h es e were of t he ch ildren of

N ow a

Juda h D an i el Ha n an i ah Mish a e l an d Azari ah : u n to

, , , ,

wh om t h e prin ce of t h e e un uch s ga v e n a m es for h e gav e

u n to D an i e l t h e n a m e of B el t es h a z z ar an d t o Han an i a h ,

o f Sh a d ra c h ; a n d t o Mi s h a e l o f M es h a c h ; a n d t o Az a ri a h
, ,

o f Ab e d n e o A s for t h e s e fou r c h ild ren G od ave

g g
-
.
,

t h e m k n owl e dge a n d skill i n a l ll earn in g a n d wisd om a n d

D a n ie l h ad u n d erst a n din g i n a llvi si on s a n d d ream s N ow .

a t t h e en d of t h e d ay s t h a t t h e ki n h a d s a id h e s h o uld
g
brin g t h em i n t h en t h e p rin ce of t h e eu n uch s brou gh t
,

t h em i n b e fore N e b u c h a d n ez z ar An d t h e ki n g c ommu n e d
.

wi th th em ; an d a m on g t h em all wa s fou n d n on e like

D a n i el Han an iah M i s h ae l an d Az ari a h : t h ere fore s tood
, , ,

t h ey b e fore t h e k in g An d in a l .lm a t t ers of wi s d om a n d

u n d ers tan di n g t h a t t h e ki n g in quired of t h em he fou n d
.
,

t h e m t en t i m es b ett e r t h an al l t h e m agici an s an d
as t rol og ers t h a t w ere i n a l lh i s re alm
”
.

Th e Hebrew ch ild ren th at kin g N ebuch a dn ezzar d esired

to b e brou gh t w ere t o b e a lre a dy p os s e sse d of k n owl e dge ;
,

t h ey w ere t o b e fu rt h er in s truct e d ln t h e l e arn i n g a n d

t on gu e of t h e Ch a ld ea n s B u t w h en t h e fou r H eb re w
.

ch ildren w ere brough t b efore t h e kin g a n d h e c ommu n ed ,

wi th t h em h e fou n d t h em wis er th an h i s own wis e men

,
.

N o acc ou n t i s given of t h e qu es ti on s a sk e d by t h e kin g ,

or of t h e a n sw e rs m a d e by t h e fou r y ou n g H e bre ws ; s o i t

i s m ere ly a c on j e c t u re t h a t p oss ibly s om e qu est i on b ea ri n g

on t h e c al en d ar ma h a v e c om e up B u t i f i t did t h en
y .
,

c ertai n ly t h e i n form ati on with in t h e gras p of t h e H eb rews

c ould n ot h ave failed to imp res s t h e kin g .

We k n ow h ow h igh ly t h e G re eks es teem e d th e dis cov ery

by M e ton i n th e 8 6 th Olympi a d o f t h at re l a tion b et we en
, ,

t h e m ov em en t s o f t h e s u n an d m oon w h ic h giv es t h e cycl e

'

of n in e t e en y ears a n d s imil ar k n owl e dg e w ould c e rta i n l

,
y
340 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
h a ve g1ven kin g Nebuchadn ezzar a h igh o pi n ion of th e
you n g ca pt i ves .

B u t t h ere vid en ce from c ertain n u mb ers in th e b ook

‘

IS e ,

wh ich b ears h is n a m e t h at D an iel was acqu ain ted with

,

lu n i solar cycl es wh ich qui te t ran s c en d ed t hat of th e

-

Ju b i lees i n precisen es s a n d in dicat e a kn owl edge s uch as

,

wa s c ert a i n ly n ot t o b e fou n d i n a n y ot h er an ci en t n ation .

Th e n umb ers th e m s e lv es a re u s e d i n a p rop h e tic c on t e xt ,

s o t h at t h e m ean in g of t h e w h ol e i s v eil e d b u t a s t ron o ,

mica l kn owl edge u n d erlyin g th e u s e of t h ese n umb ers i s

u n mis takably t h ere .

On e of t h es e n umb ers i s fou n d i n th e eigh th ch ap t er .

H ow l on g vis ion c on c ern i n g th e dai ly

sh a ll b e the
s a crific e a n d t h e t ra n s ress i on of d es ol a t i on t o giv e b ot h
, g ,

t h e s a n ct u a ry an d t h e h os t t o b e t rodd en u n d er foot ?
An d h e sa id u n t o me Un t o t wo t h ou san d a n d th re e
,

h u n dre d d ays ; t h en s h a ll t h e s an ct u a ry b e cle an s ed

”
.

Th e t wel fth ch ap ter giv es th e ot h er n umb er , b u t in a

m ore veiled form

An d h eard th e man cl oth ed i n lin en wh ic h was up on
I ,

t h e wa t ers o f t h e river w h en h e h eld u p hi s righ t h an d

,

an d h i s l e ft h an d u n to h ea v en , an d s ware by Him t h a t

live th for ever th at i t sh a ll b e for a t im e, t im es, an d a n

h a l f ; a n d w h en h e s h a ll h a v e a cc ompli s h ed t o s ca tt er t h e
p ower of t he h oly p eopl e, allth ese th in gs s hall b e fin ish ed ”
.

Th e um erical s ign ifican ce of t h e t im e t imes a n d an

n
“
,

h al f or a s i t i s e xpres se d i n t h e se ven t h c h ap ter of

”
-

, ,

D an iel u n t il a t i m e a n d t im es an d t h e dividin g of t ime

, , , ,

i s pla in ly sh own by t h e c orre sp on din g express i on s i n t h e

Ap oca lyps e w h ere a t i m e a n d t i m es an d h a l f a t im e
,
”
342 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I B LE
I f th e on e numb er s t ood a l on e t h e fa c t t h at i t
,

was s o cl os e a lu n ar cycl e migh t easily b e a scrib ed t o a

m ere c oin cid en c e Seven i s a sa cred n umb er an d th e days
.
,

i n t h e y ear may b e c on v en t i on a lly re pre sen t ed as 36 0 .

H al f th e product of th e two migh t p erh aps s eem t ob e a , ,

.

n at u ral n umb er t o a d op t for symb ol i c p u rp oses B u t th e .

n um b er s tan d s in quit e a diffe ren t c at egory I t is .

n o t s u gg es t ed by an y c ombi n a t i on of sa c re d n umb ers an d ,

i s n ot v eil e d u n d er an y my st ic e x pres s ion ; th e n umb er

i s given a s i t s t an d s But sol ar y ears i s

an ex ac t n umb er n ot on ly of lun a t i on s b u t al so
, , of

an om a lis t ic m on th s Th e an om alistic m on th i s th e
.

t im e occu p i ed by t h e m oon i n tra v e lli n g from i t s p erige e ,

t h a t i s i ts p oin t of n earest a pproa ch t o t h e earth rou n d t o

'

For th e m oon s orbit roun d th e earth

’
i t s p eri gee again .

i s n ot circul ar b u t d e cid edly e llip tic al ; th e m oon b e in g

,

miles n earer t o u s at p erig ee t h an i t i s at apogee ,

i ts p oin t of great e st dis tan ce B u t i t m ov es m ore rapidly

.

wh en n ear p erigee th an wh en n ear ap ogee so t h at i ts ,

m oti on diff ers con s id erably from p erfe ct u n iformity .

Bu t th e p eri od i n w h ich t h e m oon trav el s from h er

p erigee roun d to p erigee again i s 27 days 1 3 h ours 1 8 , ,

min utes 3 7 sec on d s, an d th ere are i n

,
s ol ar years

a lm ost e xa c tly s uc h p eri od s or a n om alis tic m on th s ,

wh ich am oun t t o days 2 h ours , .

I f we t ak e t h e m ean of th ese th ree p eri od s th at i s t o ,

s ay d ays as bein g th e cycle i t brin gs in to h arm on y

, ,

t h e d ay t h e a n om ali s ti c m on th t h e ordi n ary m on t h an d

, , ,

t h e s ol ar y ear .I t is from t h is p oin t of vi ew th e m ost

erfe ct c cl e k n own
p y .
 TH E CYCL E S OF DANI E L 343

Dr H G rattan Guin n ess h as sh own wh at

. . beau ti fully
1 a

s im pl e a n d a ccu ra t e c a l en d ar c ould h a v e b e en c on st ruc t e d

on t h e bas is of t h i s p eri od o f years ; t hu s

l
years c on t ain
so ar sy n odic m on t h s of ,

wh ich 8 47 are in tercalary or e pact m on ths ye ars, .

a re 8 4 0 0 5 7 d ay s
,

D i y a.

1 3 , 8 00 in t erc alary m th s of 29 d ch 4 00 20 0
{
n on -
ea :

27 6 00
. .
,

1 3 800 30 4 1 4 0 00
,

4 23 in terca la ry mon ths of 3 0 days each

847
4 4’
’
31
23 days a ddition al for th e 23 cen tu ries 23

Th e Jewi sh cal en dar on th is sys tem would h av e con

si s ted of ordin ary m on th s a l te rn at e ly 29 an d 3 0 d ay s ln
,

len gth Th e in t erc al ary m on ths would h ave c on tain ed

.

a lt e rn at ely 3 0 or 3 1 d ays an d on c e i n e v ery c en t u ry on e

,

of t h e ordin ary m on th s w ould h a v e h ad a n a ddi ti on al d a

y .

Or wh at would c om e t o very much t h e s am e th i n g t h is

, ,

e x t ra d ay migh t h a ve b e en a dd e d a t e v ery a l t ern at e

Jubil ee .

By combin in g th ese two n umb ers of Dan i el s om e cycl es .

of e x trem e as t ron omic al i n t eres t h a v e b e en d eriv ed by

De C h e se aux a Swiss as tron om er of th e eigh te en t h c en t u ry

, ,

a n d by Dr H G ra tt an Gui n n ess a n d Dr W B ell D aw s on

. .
, . .

i n ou r own t im es Th u s th e di fferen c e b et w een

.
,

an d is an d years give an ex tremely exa ct

c orrespon d en ce betw een t he sol ar year an d th e m on t h ,

wh ils t t h e m ean of th e t wo n umb ers gives u s an d

1
Crea ti on cen tred i n Chri st, p 34 4. .
344 TH E A STR ONOMY O F TH E BI BL E
l un ar years is y ears with e x trem e pre l
so ar

c i s i on : B u t s i n c e t h es e a re n ot g iv en di re c tl
, yi n th e B ook

of D an ie l an d a re on ly i n feren t ialfrom h i s n umb ers t h ere

, ,

s ee m s n o n ee d t o c omm en t up on th e m h ere .

I t i s fair h ow ever t o c on clud e th at D an i e l was aware

, ,

of t h e M et on ic cy cl e Th e 23 0 0 ye ar cycl e give s e vid en c e

.
-

of a m ore a ccu ra te k n owl e dg e of t h e re sp ec t ive l en gth s of

m on th an d year t h an i s in vol v ed i n th e cycl e of 1 9 years .

An d t h e l att er i s a cycl e wh ich a Jew woul d b e n at u rally

led t o d e t e c t as t h e n umb er of i n t erc al ary m on th s c on tain ed
,

in i t is seven t h e Hebrew sacred n umb er

,
1
.

Th e B ook of D an iel t h ere fore i ts el f p roves t o u s th at

, ,

kin g N ebuch ad n ez z ar was p erfec tly j u stifi ed i n t h e h igh

e s t im at e w h ic h h e form e d o f th e a t ta i n m e n ts of t h e

four H ebrew ch ild ren C ertain ly on e of t h em D an iel

.
, ,

was a b ett er in stru c t ed m ath ematician an d astron om er

1 v
Sin ce th e ab o e was wri tten d i rect proof h as b een forth comi n g
of th e acq u ai n tan ce of th e J
e ws wi th th e Meton i c cy cle l on
g pre i ou s v
t o th e ti me of M e ton Mr E B K n ob el, i n a paper read b efore t h e
. . . .

R oy al Astron o mi cal Soci ety on M arch 1 3 , 1 90 8, d i scussed some

v
Aramai c p apyri di s co ered at Syen e, an d recen tly tran slated b y
Prof A H Say ce an d Mr A E Cowl ey
. . . . Th ese papy ri are con tracts
. . .

J
d at ed accord i n g t o b oth th e ewi sh an d th e E gy pti an cal en d ars As .

t h e Egy pt i an cal en d ar i s p erfect ly wel l n o w n to u s, Mr K n ob el k .

fo u n d i t p oss ib le to recon stru ct th e ewi sh calen d ar of th at ti me, an dJ

d emon s trated th at i t was con s tru cted n ot from ob ser ati on , b u t b y v
cal cu lati on b ased u pon th e cy cl e of 19 y ears As this ewi sh col on y . J
was fou n d ed after Neb u ch ad n ezzar s d estru cti on of eru sal em b y
’
J
some of th e refu gees wh o fled i n to E gy pt wi th oh an an t h e son J
J
of Kareah ( eremi ah x 1 th i s acqu ai n tan ce wi th th e M eton i c
.

v
cy cle can n ot h a e b een d u e t o Bab y l on i an i n u en ce N or can i t fl .

v
h a e b een d u e to E gyp ti an , si n ce th e Egy pti an s d i d n ot n eed an
y
su ch cy cle, th ei r y ear b ei n g a solar on e of 365 d a s.
y
346 TH E ASTRONC MY on THE Bi B L E

t he o b servati on s wh ich t h ey m ad e n early so well as were

G reek astron om ers s uch as Eud oxus Thal es Pyt h agoras
, , , ,

Hipparch us an d m an y oth ers .

B u t i t mu st n ot b e s u pp osed t hat t hough th ei r as tro ,

n omi cala c h ie v e m en t s h a v e b een gross ly e v en l udicrou sly , ,

e xa gge ra t e d by s om e p op ul ar wri t ers t h e Ba by lon ian s

,

c on tribu t ed n ot h in g of val u e t o t h e p rogress of t h e

s ci en ce .We may in fer from s uch a tablet ast hat already

qu oted on pa ge 3 20 wh en t h e e quin ox was observed on
,

t h e 6 th d ay of N is an si n c e t he re were 6 Icas bn of day an d

,

6 l east a of n igh t t ha t s om e m e chan ica l t im e m eas urer

-
-
,

was i n u se I n d eed th e record on on e tablet has b een

.
,

in terpreted a s n otin g th at th e as tron om er s cl ock or ’

cl ep sydra had s topp ed I f t h is b e so th en we owe to

.
,

B abylon th e in ven t i on of cl ocks of s ome d es cri pt ion an d ,

from a n as tron omic a l p oin t of vi ew t h is i s of th e grea t es t

,

imp ortan ce .

Trad it ion a l s o p oin ts to t h e C h ald ean s as th e di s cove rers

o f t h e Sa ros t h e cycl e of 1 8 y ea rs 1 0 or 11 d ays a ft er
, , ,

wh ich e clips es of t h e s u n or m oon re cu r Th e fact that .

very ca re ful wat ch was k ep t every m on th at th e t im es of

t h e n ew an d of t h e full m oon a t m a n y di ff eren t sta tion s
, ,

t o n ote w h eth er a n e clipse w ould t a ke pla c e would ,

n a tu ra l l y b ri n g a b ou t t h e d is c ov e ry o f t he p eri od s oon er ,

or l at er .

Th e a c h i ev e m en t s of a n at i on will b e i n a cc ord anc e wi th

i t s t emp era m e n t a n d Opp ort u n i t i es an d i t i s e vid en t from
,

t he re c ord s w h ich t h ey ha v e l e ft u s th a t t h e Ba byl on ian s ,

t h ough very s u pe rs t it iou s w ere a m et h odica l p ra c t ical

, , ,

prosaic p eopl e a n d a p eopl e of that ord er i f they are

, ,
 TH E CY CL E S OF D ANI E L 347

n um erou s a n d u n d er s t ron g rul e will go far a n d d o much

, ,
.

Th e di s cove ry of t h e Sa ros wa s s uch as was wi th i n t h eir

p ower an d was cert a
, m
n o s m a ll a ch i e v em en t Bu t i t is .

t o t h e G ree ks n ot t o t h e B abyl on ian s t h at we tra c e th e

, ,

be gin n in gs of m ath emat ics an d plan et ary th eory .

We l ook in vain amon gs t s uch Babyl on ian p oetry a s we

possess for t h e trac es of a H om er a Pin d ar a Soph ocl es or
, , ,

e v en of a poe t fi t t o en t er in t o c omp e t it i on wi t h t h os e of

t h e s e c on d ran k i n t h e lit era t u re o f G ree ce w h il e i t

mu s t rema in on e of th e li t erary mys teriesof ou r t im e th at
a n y on e sh ould d e e m t h e p oetry of t h e b ooks of I s a i ah a n d

Job d ep en d en t on B abyl on i a n in spira t i on .

Th ere w ere t wo grea t h in d ran c es u n d er wh ich th e

Babyl on i an man of s ci en c e lab ou red : h e was an id olater ,

a n d h e was an as trol o er I t i s n ot p os s ibl e for u s i n ou r

g .

freed om t o fully reali z e h ow oppre ss iv e was t h e sl av ery of

min d as w ell as s p iri t wh ich was c on sequ en t up on t h is
, ,

t wofold s upe rs ti ti on Th e Gre ek was fre er in somuch t h at

.
,

h e did n ot w orsh ip t h e pl an e ts a n d did n ot b ec om e a

,

plan etary a st rol oger u n t il a ft er h e h a d l earn t t h at s up er

s t i t i on from Ch ald ea i n l e arn in g i t h e p u t a n en d to hi s
s ci e n tific p ro ress
g .

B u t t h e H ebrew i f h e was fa i t h ful t o t h e L aw t h at h a d

,

b een given to h im wa s free in min d a s w ell a s I n spiri t

, .

H e c ould fearl es sly in quire i n t o a n y an d a l l the

obj e c ts of n at u re for t h ese w ere b u t t h in gs — t h e w ork
,

o f G o d s H an d s w h ereas h e m ad e i n t h e im a e of God
’

, , g ,

h avi n g t h e righ t of i n t erc ou rs e wi t h God was t h e s up eri or

, ,

t h e rul er of e v ery th i n g h e c ould s ee .

H is religi ou s a t ti t ud e t h ere fore gave hi m a grea t

348 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
s up eriority for s ci en t ific a dvan c em en t Yet the re was .

on e p h as e of t h at a t ti t ud e w h ic h wh il s t i t p res erv ed h i m
,

from erron eou s c on c ep t ion s t en d ed t o ch eck t h at s piri t of

,

c u ri os ity wh ich h as led to s o much of t h e s cien tific

progress of m od ern t im es What ? H ow ? an d Why ?
.
“ ” “ ” ”

a re t h e t h ree qu es t i on s w h ic h man i s a lways as ki n g o f

n at u re an d t o t h e H eb re w t h e an s w er t o t h e s e c on d a n d
, ,

t h i rd wa s obvi ou s — I t i s t h e p ower of God : I t i s t he w il l

of God H e did n ot n ee d t o i n v en t for h im se l f th e cra s s
.

a b s u rdi ti es of t h e c os m og on i es of t h e h ea th e n ; b u t n ei t h er

wa s h e in duc e d t o go b eh in d t h e a pp earan c es of th in gs ;
th e s u ffici en t ca u se an d e xpl an at ion of a l lwas God .

B u t of th e app earan c es h e wa s v ery observan t as I tru st ,

h as b e com e cl ear i n t h e c ou rs e of t h i s imp erfe c t review of

th e tra c es of on e p art icul ar s ci en c e as n otic e d i n Holy
Scrip tu re .

I f h e was faith ful t o th e L a w w h ich h ad b een giv en

h i m t h e H ebrew was free i n c h ara c t er as w ell as i n min d
, .

H i s s piri t was n ot t h at of a b on dm an a n d N eb u c h ad ,

n ez z ar c ert ai n ly n e v er met a n y t h in g m ore n obl e an yt h i n g

,

m ore free th an t h e s pirit of t h e men wh o an swered hi m

,

i n th e v ery vi ew of t h e burn in g fi ery fu rn ac e

O N ebuch ad n ez z ar, we a re n ot careful t o an swer th ee

i n t h i s m att e r I f i t b e so ou r God w h om we s erve i s
.
,

a bl e t o d e liv er u s from t h e bu rn in g fi ery fu rn a c e an d H e ,

will d eliver u s ou t of t h in e h an d 0 kin g B U T IF N OT

,
.
,

b e i t kn own u n t o t h ee 0 kin g th at we will n ot s erve thy

, ,

od s n or w ors h ip t h e old en im a ge w h ich t h ou h as t

g , g
s et u p
”
.
 BOOK I V

TH R E E ASTR ON OMI CA L MAR VE L S

CHAPTER I
J OSH UA S L ON G DAY
’ ”
1

1 .
— METH OD or STU DYI N G TH E RE COR D

TH E R E a re t hree
in cid e n ts record ed i n H oly Scripture
wh ich may fa irly i f wi th n o grea t exa ctn ess b e t erm ed
, ,

as tron omic al mi ra cl e s — t h e l on g day on th e occas ion

“ ”

o f Jos h u a s vic t ory a t B e t h h e ron ; t h e t u rn i n g b a ck of

’
-

t h e sh ad ow on t h e dia l of Ah a z a s a s ign Of kin g ,

’
H ez ekia h s recovery from s ickn ess ; an d th e s tar w hich
guid e d t h e wi se men from t h e eas t to t h e birth pl ace
of t h e H ol y Ch ild a t B eth leh em .

As a s tron omy has som e b earin g on ea ch of t h es e

t hree re m ark abl e e ven ts i t will b e of s om e in te res t
,

t o e xamin e ea ch of t h em from t h e p oin t of vi e w

o f ou r presen t as t ron omic al kn o wl edge I t d oes n ot .

foll ow t h a t t h i s w ill t h row an y n e w ligh t up on t h e

n arra t iv es for we mu s t a lway s h ear i n m i n d t h a t t h e
,

Scrip t u res were n ot in ten d ed t o t ea ch u s t h e p h y sical

'

1
v
Re i sed an d repri n ted from th e Sun d a y at H ome for Feb ru ary
an d M arch , 1 90 4 .
352 TH E ASTRO N OM Y OF TH E BIB L E

s cien ces ; con se qu en t ly we may fin d that th e very d eta ils

h ave be en omitt ed wh ich an astron om er i f h e were ,

wri ti n g a n a ccou n t Of an astron omical Ob servat ion w ould ,

b e c are fu l to preserve An d we mu st furth er rem emb er

.

t h at we ha ve n ot th e s ligh test reason t o s u ppose t hat

t h e sa c re d h i st orian s rec eived an y s u p ern at u ra l in s tru o
t ion i n s cien t ifi c m at t ers Th eir k n owl edge of as tron omy
.

th ere fore wa s t ha t wh ich t h ey h ad th em selves a cquire d

from ed ucat i on a n d research an d n ot hin g m ore , In .

oth er w ords t h e a st ron omy of th e n arra t ive mu st b e

,

rea d s t rict ly i n t h e t erms of t h e s ci en t ific a dvan c em en t

o f t h e writ ers .

Bu t t h ere is an oth er th I n g t h at h as l
a so to b e
re m emb ered Th e n arrat ive wh ich we h a ve b efore u s
.
,

b ein g th e on ly on e th at we ha ve mu st b e accept e d ,

e x a c tly a s i t s t an d s That i s th e fou n dat ion of ou r

.

i n quiry ; we ha ve n o righ t t o fi rst cu t i t a b ou t at ou r will ,

t o omit t h i s t o a l t er th at t o fi n d t ra c es of two t hree

, , , ,

or m ore origi n a l d ocum en t s a n d so t o s plit u t h

, p e

na rra t ive as i t s t an d s i n t o a n umb er of I mp erfe ct fra g

m en ts wh ich by t h eir v ery imp erfe ction may seem t o b e

,

m ore or l ess i n con flict .

Th e s ci en t ific att i t ud e w i th regard t o th e rec ord of an

obs ervat i on can n ot b e t oo cl early d efin e d I f th at record .

b e th e on ly on e t h en we may a cc ep t i t we may rej e c t

, ,

i t we may b e oblig ed t o say

,
We d o n ot u n d erstan d
,

i t or I t i s imp erfec t an d we can m ak e n o u se of i t

, , ,

A m om en t s refl ec ti on w ill
’

b u t we mu st n ot a l t er i t .

sh ow t h at a ma n wh o w ould p ermi t h im sel f t o t a m p er

w ith th e sol e evid en ce u p on wh ich h e p urports to work ,

35 4 TH E A STR O N O MY OF TH E BIBLE
or si x d egrees h igh ; i t w ould b e rat h er stra n ni i g th e
p oin t to d o so i f t h ey w ere m ore th an t en d egrees h igh ;
an d i f t h ey w ere fi ft een or m ore d egrees h igh i t w ould
,

b e quit e imp oss ibl e .

Th ey c ould n ot b e b ot h i n t h e s am e qu arter of th e
s k ; b ot h ri si n g or b ot h s et t in g F o r t h i s w ou l d m ean
y .

t h a t t h e m oon was n ot on ly v ery n ea r the su n i n t h e

sk b u t w s v ery n ear t o c on ju n c t i on
a — i h oth er w ord s
y , ,

t o n ew m oon Sh e could t h ere fore ha ve on ly s h own a

.
, ,

s l en d er t h read of ligh t a n d i t i s p erfe c t ly c erta in t h a t

,

J os h u a fac in g th e s u n in s uch a c ou n try as s ou thern

,

Pa l es t in e could n ot p os sibly h ave p erc eived t h e t h in

pal e arch Of ligh t wh ich w ould h ave b een allt hat t h e
,

moon could t h en h a ve p res en t ed to hi m Th erefore .

t h e on e mu s t ha v e b een risi n g an d t h e ot h er s e tt in g ,

an d Jos h u a mu s t h a v e b e en s t an din g b e t ween Gib eon

a n d t h e va ll ey of Aj a l on s o t h a t t h e t wo pl a c es w e re
,

n early i n opp os i t e direc t i on s from hi m Th e m oon must .

h a ve b een i n t h e w es t an d th e s u n i n t h e east for th e , ,

vall ey of Aj al on i s w es t of Gib eon Th at i s t o say i t .

,

can n ot h av e b een m ore t han an h our a fter s u n r1se ,

an d i t ca n n ot h av e b een m ore than an h ou r b efore

1

moon set Ad optmg t h ere fore t h e u su a l ex p lan at i on of

.

J os h ua s w ords we s ee at on ce that t h e c omm on id ea

’

o f th e reas on for J osh u a s c omm an d to t h e s u n n amely

’
, ,

t h a t th e d ay wa s n early over an d t ha t h e d esi re d t h e

,

dayligh t to b e prol on ged i s quite mist ak en I f th e su n

, .

wa s l ow d own i n t h e s k h e w ould h a ve h ad p ra c tic ally

y ,

t h e wh ol e of th e d ay s t ill b efore hi m .
 JOSH U A S
’ ’
‘
LONG D AY 35 5

0 — B E F OR E
BATTL E TH E

Before a ttemp tin g to ex amin e fu rth er i n to th e n a t u re

o f t h e mira cl e i t will b e w e ll t o s umm ari z e on c e a a in
, g
t h e fa miliar h i s t ory of t h e early d ays of t h e H ebre w
in vasion of Can aan We are told t h at th e p assage of
.

th e Jord an t ook pla c e on t h e t en th d ay of t h e fi rst

m on th ; an d t hat th e F east of t h e Pa sso ver was h eld 611
t h e fourt e en th d ay of t h at m on th Th es e are t h e on ly .

t wo p os it iv e dat es given u s Th e w eek of t h e P as ch al

.

c el eb ra ti on s would h ave occu p ied th e t im e u n t il th e

m oon s last quarter Th en preparat ion s w ere m ad e for
'
’
.

t h e s i ege Of Jeric h o an d a n oth er w ee k p ass e d i n th e

,

da ily p rocession s rou n d th e city b efore th e m om en t c am e

for i t s d es truct ion w h ich mu s t hav e b een v ery n early a t
,

th e b egin n in g o f t he s e c on d m on th of th e year Jerich o .

h a vin g b e en d es t roye d J osh u a n e x t ord ered a re c on

,

n a is san ce of A3 a s m a ll fort ifi e d t own

, s om e t wen t y mil es ,

dis tan t an d some 3 40 0 feet a b ove t h e Israelite ca m p a t

,

Gilgal an d c omm an din g t h e u pp er en d of th e valley

,

of Ac h or t h e c h i e f ra vi n e l ea di n g u p from t h e va ll ey
,

of t h e Jord an Th e rec on n a is s an c e was foll ow ed by an

.

a t ta ck on t h e t own w h ich res ul ted i n d efeat From th e

, .

d ej e ction in t o wh ich t h is re vers e had thrown hi m Josh u a

was rou sed by t he in form a t ion t h at t h e comm an d t o
d e vote th e spoil of J erich o t o u t ter d estruc tion h ad b een
disobeyed A s earch in g in vest igat ion was h eld ; i t was
.

fou n d t h at Ach an on e o f t h e Isra eli t e s oldi ers h a d

, ,

s ei z e d for h im s e l f a roya l rob e an d an i n got of gold ;

h e was tri ed c on d em n e d an d e xecu t ed an d t h e a rmy
, ,

of I sra el was ab s ol ved from h is guil t A s ec on d attack .

35 6 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI BL E
was ma d e u p on Ai ; t he town was ta ken ; an d the road ,

was m a d e cl ear for I srae l t o m arc h in t o t h e h eart of t h e

c ou n try i n ord er to h old t h e great religi ous c erem on y
,

o f t h e rea din g of t h e l aw up on t h e m ou n t a in s Of E b a l

an d G erizim wh ich had b een comm an d ed t h e m lon g

,

b efore N 0 n ote i s given Of th e date wh en th is c erem on y

.

t ook pl ac e b u t b earin g i n min d th at t h e se c on d m on th

,

o f t h e y ear mu st h a v e b e u n a t t h e t im e of t h e fi rs t
g
re c on n a i ss a n c e of A1 an d t h at t h e or1 1n a lgivin g of th e
, g
L aw up on M ou n t Si n a i h ad t a k en pl a ce up on t he t h ird
d ay of t h e th ird m on th i t s eems m ost lik ely t h at th at
,

an n iv ers ary w ould b e c h os en for a s ol em n i ty wh ic h was

i n t en d ed to reca ll t h e origin al promulgation in t he m os t

effe c t iv e m an n er I f t h i s w ere so i t would a cc ou n t for
.
,

t h e circumst an c e w h ic h woul d oth erwi se ha ve s eem e d

,

s o st ra n ge t h at J os h u a sh ould h a v e a t ta ck e d t wo ci t i es
,

on ly Jeric h o a n d A1 a n d t h en for a t im e h a v e h eld h i s

, ,

h an d . I t was t h e n ecess i ty of k eepin g th e grea t n a t ion a l

.

an n iv ersary on t h e prop er d ay w h ic h c omp el l e d h i m t o

d es is t from h i s mili tary Op erat i on s a fter A): was taken .

We are n ot told h ow lon g t h e religiou s c elebration s

at Sh ech em l ast ed bu t i n an y case th e Isra elit es can
,

h ardly h av e b e en ba ck i n t h eir cam p at Gilga l b efore

t h e t h ird m oon of t h e year wa s at t h e full B u t a ft er
.

th eir re tu rn e v en t s
,
mu st have s ucceed ed each oth er
with great rapidity The Am orit es mu st have regard ed
.

th e pilgrim a g e of I srael t o Sh ec h em as an u n h op e d for -

resp it e an d t h ey t ook a dvan t ag e of i t t o orgamz e a

,

g re a t c on fe d era cy W h il s t. t h i s con fe d era cy was b ei n

g
formed th e rul ers of a sm all stat e of
,
Hivit es by -
35 8 TH E A STR ONO MY OF TH E B IBLE

s m ok e go up from th e bu rn in g t own w h en i t was

s a ck ed ; an d t h e m ou n d wh ich n ow c ov ere d w h a t h ad

been so recen tly t h eir n eigh bour city was vi sible ,

alm os t from th e ir gat es Th at was an obj ect l esson

.
-

w h ich require d n o en forcem en t The Hivites s ure that .

,

oth e rw i se t h eir t u rn w ould c om e n e x t resolv ed t o m ak e ,

pea ce w it h Isra el b efore th ey w ere a ttack ed .

To d o th is t h ey had t o d ec eive t h e Is ra elites in to

b eli evin g th at t h ey were i n h abitan ts of som e la n d far
from Can aan an d t h is t h ey mu st d o n ot on ly b efore
, ,

Josh u a a ctu ally a tta ck ed t h em b u t b efore h e s en t ou t ,

an ot h er s c ou t in g p arty For B eeroth w ould in e vi ta bly

.

have b een t he v ery fi rs t t own whi ch i t would h a ve

app roa ch e d an d on c e J os h u a s s pi es h ad s u rvey e d i t a ll
’

, ,

c han ce of th e Hivit es s uccess fully im p osin g u pon h i m

would have van is h ed .

But th ey w ere e x p os ed t o an oth er d an ger i f p ossible ,

m ore urgen t s till Th e h ea dqu arters of t h e n ewly

.

form ed Am ori t e l eagu e wa s a t Jeru sal em on t h e same ,

plat eau as Gib eon th e Hivi te capita l an d distan t from

, ,

i t l ess t h a n s i x mil es A s i n gl e spy a sin gl e t rait or

.
, ,

d uri n g t h e an xiou s t im e t h at t h eir d efec ti on was b ei n g

plan n ed an d Ad on i z ed ec t h e kin g of J erusal em wou l d
,
-

, ,

h a ve h eard Of i t i n l ess t h an a c ou p l e of hou rs ; an d

t h e Gibe on it es would h av e b een overw h elm ed b efore
Josh u a h ad a n y in klin g th at t h ey w ere an x iou s t o trea t
wi th hi m W h oe ver wa s d il a t ory wh oever was s low th e
.
, ,

Gib eon ites da red n ot b e I t can t h erefore ha ve b ee n at

.
, , ,

m ost on ly a mat t er of h ou rs a fter Josh u a s retu rn t o Gilgal

,
’

b efore their wily embassy s et forth .

 JOSH U A S
’ ’
‘
LON G D AY 35 9
’

B u t th ei r d efec tion had an in sta n t res ult Ad on i z ed ec .

-

rec o mz e d i n a m om en t t he u rg en cy of t h e s i t u a t i on
g .

With J osh ua i n p osse ssi on of Gib eon an d i ts d epen d en ci es ,

t h e I sraeli t es w ould b e fi rmly es ta blish e d on t h e pl at ea u

a t hi s v ery a t es an d t h e st at es of s ou th ern P a l es ti n e
g ,

would b e cu t off from t h eir bret hren i n th e n orth .

Ad on i z ed ec l ost n o t im e ; h e s ough t an d ob tain ed th e

-

a i d of fou r n eigh b ou ri n ki n gs a n d m arc h e d u p on Gibe on

g .

Th e Gib e on it es s en t a t on c e t h e m os t u rgen t m essage t o

a cqu a in t J os h ua wi t h t h eir d an ge r an d J os h u a as promp t ly
,

rep li e d H e m ad e a force d m arc h wi t h pick ed troops a l

. l
t h at n igh t u p from Gilga l an d n e x t d ay h e was at th eir
,

gat es.

C ou n terbl ow had foll owed bl ow swi ft as t h e cl ash of ,

ra pi ers i n a du e l of fen c ers All three of t h e parti es

.

c on cern e d— Hivit e Am ori te an d Israe li te— h a d m ove d

,

wi th t h e u t m os t ra pidity An d n o w on d er ; t h e s tak e
.

for wh ich t h ey w ere pl ayi n g was v ery e xi s t en c e an d th e ,

forfe it wh ic h w ould b e e x a c te d on fa ilu re was ex ti n c t ion

, , .

3 .
-
DAY H OUR
, ,
AN D PL ACE OF TH E MI RACL E
Th e foreg oi n g c on sid erat ion s en abl e u s somewhat to
n a rrow d own t h e t im e o f t h e y ear a t w h ich J osh u a s mira cl e
’

ca n h a v e t ak en pl a c e a n d from an a s tron omic a l p oin t of

,

view t h is i s v ery imp ortan t Th e I sra eli tes h a d en t ered

.

t h e l an d of Ca n a an on t h e l0 th d ay of t h e firs t m on t h ,

t h a t i s to say v ery s h ort ly a ft er t h e s p rin g e quin ox

,

March 21 of ou r p res en t cal en d ar Seven week s a fter .

t h a t equi n ox — M a
y 1 1 — t h e s u n a t t a in s a d e clin at ion of
360 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
18
°
n ort h . F rom creas es day
t h i s t im e i ts d ecl
i n a tI On In

by day u n til the s ummer sols tI c e w h en in Josh u a s t i me , ,

’

i t was n early 24 n orth Aft er t h at i t s l owly dimin is h es

°
.
,

an d on August 4 i t i s 1 8 aga in For twel ve weeks °

.
,

t h ere fore— v ery n early a qu arter Of t he en t i re y e ar— t h e

s u n s n ort h ern d e cli n at i on i s n ev er l e ss t h an Th e
’

d ate of the battl e mu st h a ve fa ll en som ewh ere wi th in th is

p eriod I t ca n n ot h ave fa llen e arlier ; th e e ven ts re cord ed
.

c ould n ot p ossibly h ave a ll b een in cl ud ed in th e s e ven

w eek s foll owin g th e e qui n ox N or i n vi ew of th e promp .
,

t i t u d e wi t h w h ich a l l t h e c on te n din g p arti es a c t ed an d ,

w ere b ou n d t o act can we p ostp on e t h e b attl e to a l ater

,

d a te t ha n th e en d of th is mid summ er p eriod .

We t h u s kn ow rou g hly s p ea kin g w ha t wa s th e d e clin a

, ,

t i on of t h e s u n — th a t i s t o s ay i ts dis ta n c e from t h e ,

e qu a t or of t h e h ea v e n s — a t t h e t im e Of t h e ba t t l e ; i t wa s

n ot l ess t h a n 1 8 n ort h of t h e e qu a t or i t c ou ld n ot h a v e
°
,

b een more t h an
/

B u t i f w e a d op t t h e id ea m os t gen era lly form ed of t h e

,

m ean in g of Josh u a s c omm an d n am ely that h e s aw th e

’

, ,

su n l ow d own ov er Gib e on i n on e dire c t i on an d t h e m oon ,

l ow d ow n ov er t he va ll ey o f Aj al on i n an ot h er we can ,

j udge of th e a pp aren t b earin g o f th ose t wo h ea v en ly

b odies from a n e xami n at ion of th e map An d s in ce i f .
,

we may judge from t h e map of th e Pa l es t in e E x p l orat i o

. n

Fun d t h e va ll ey of Aja l on li es ab ou t 1 7 n orth of w est

,
°

from Gib eo n an d ru n s n early i n t h a t di re c t i on from i t

, ,

t h e m oon m u s t t o J os h u a h a v e s ee m e d a b ou t 1 7 n ort h
°
, ,

of w e st an d t h e su n 1 7 s ou t h o f e as t
’

°
.
,

B u t for an y d ate wi th in t h e three s umm er mon t hs t h e ,

362 TH E A S TR ONO MY OF THE B I BL E

h ow d efin it e h ow s ign ifican t s uch a p osi tion i s

, In .

s ou t h ern Pa l es tin e du ri n
g t h e t h ree s umm er m on th s th e
, ,

s u n i s a lways s o n e ar t h e z e n i t h at n oon t h at i t c ould

n e ver occ u r t o an on e t o s p eak of i t as an y th in g b u t

y
ov erh ead
”
.

An d t h e prose n arrat ive ex press ly tel ls u s that th is was

th e cas e I t i s in t im a t ed t h at when J osh ua spok e i t
.

was n oon by t h e e x pressi on that t h e su n

, hasted n ot
t o go d own a b ou t a w h ol e d ay im plyin g th at th e ”

ch an ge i n t h e rate i n i t s apparen t m ot i on occu rred on ly

i n th e a ft ern oon an d that i t h ad rea ch ed i ts culmin ation

, .

Fu rth er as n ot a few comm en tators have poin ted ou t

, ,

t h e e xpress ion th e s u n s tood st il l in t h e mid s t of

,

h ea ven ,
—i s lit era lly i n th e bis ection of h eaven a ph rase
” “ ”

a pp lic abl e in d eed t o an y p os i t i on on th e m eridian b u t ,

es pe ci ally a pprop ri at e t o t h e m eridi an cl os e to t h e z en ith .

Th is t h en i s w h at Josh u a m ean t by h i s comman d t o

, ,

th e s u n . I ts gl owin g orb bl az ed a lm ost i n t h e c en tre of

t he wh ol e cel es tial v ul a t i n t h e mid t h e ven
s o f a — an d

p oured down i ts vertical rays s traigh t on hi s head I t

'
.

s t oo d v
o e r h i m— i t stood over th e p la c e wh ere h e was
Gibeon .

We ha ve therefore b een able to fin d that the n arrative

, ,

iv es u s by im p lic at i on t wo v ery imp orta n t p a rt icul ars

g , , ,

t h e pl a c e w h ere Josh u a was an d t h e t im e of t h e d a

y H
, e .

was at Gib eon an d i t wa s h igh n oon , .

Th e expression Th ou Moon i n th e va ll ey of Aj al on
, , , ,

h as n ow a very de fin it e s ign ificati on As we h ave al ready .

s een t h e va ll ey o f Aj al on b ea rs 1 7 n ort h of w es t from

°
,

Gibeon accordin g t o th e map of the Palestin e Exploration

,
 JOSH U A S LON G DAY 363
’ ‘ ’

Fun d so th at th is i s th e az imu th wh ich t h e m oon h ad a t

,

t h e g iven m om en t I n oth er word s i t was alm os t e x a ct ly

.
,

midway b etween th e t wo p oi n ts of th e comp as s W b N ,

”
. . .

an d W N W I t was a l s o in i t s l as t qu arter or n early “

. . .

s o ; t h at 18 i t was h a l f full an d w an in g
, With t h e su n
-

,
.

on t h e m eridi an i t c ould n ot h a ve b e en muc h m ore t h a n

hal f full for i n th at case i t would h a ve al rea dy s e t ; n or

-

Su nr is e at

ru e a t

B E AR I N GS OF TH E R I SI N G AN D E
S TTI NG P OI N TS OF TH E
SUN F R OM GI B E ON .

much l ess t han ha l f full ,

-
or it wou l d ha v e been t oo fai n t

to b e se en in full dayligh t . I t was th erefore a lm ost

e xactly h a l f full ,
-
an d t h e d ay was prob ably t h e 2ls t d ay
of th e m on th i n t h e Jewi s h re ck on i n g .

B u t th e m oon can n ot b e a s far a s 1 7 n orth of w es t i n

°

l ati tud e 3 1 5 1 N on th e 2lst day of t he m on th earli er

° ’
.

th an th e fou rth mon th of t he Jewi s h y ear or l at er than ,

364 : TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
the eigh th m on t h N ow t h e 21s t d ay of th e fou rth m on th
.

i s a b out s e v en w e ek s a ft er t h e 3rd d ay of t h e t h ird m on th ;

th e 21 st d ay of t h e fi ft h m on t h i s e l e v en w eek s Re m em .

b erin g h ow cl ose Gilga l Gib eon an d Jeru sal e m w ere t o

,

ea c h ot h er a n d h ow imp orta n t was t h e n ee d for rom t i

, p p
t ud e t o I sra e li t e an d Am ori t e a lik e i t ca n s carce ly b e
.

dispu t ed t h at e l even w eeks i s an in a dmissibl e l en gth of

t im e t o i n t erp ose b et w e en t h e rea din g of t h e L a w an d th e

ba tt l e ; an d that s even w eek s i s t h e u tm ost that can b e

a ll owed .

Th e bat tl e t ook p la c e th en on or ab ou t t he 2ls t d ay of

, ,

th e fou rth m on t h B u t i t c ould on ly h av e d on e s o i f t ha t

.

part icul ar year b egan l at e I f th e year h ad b egun earli er

.

t h an April ls t of ou r presen t ca l en da r t h e m oon could ,

n ot h a v e b e en s o far n ort h on t h e d ay n am e d For th e .

Jewish cal en dar i s a n at u ral on e a n d regula ted both by

t h e s u n a n d t h e m oon I t b e gin s wit h t h e n ew m oon an d i t
.
,

a l s o b eg in s a s n early as p oss ibl e wi t h t h e s pri n g equi n ox .

B u t a s t welv e n a t u ral m on th s fa l l sh ort of a sola r year by

~

e l e v en days a th irteen t h m on th h as to b e in t ercal a te d

,

from t im e t o t im e ; i n e v ery n in et e en y ears s even a re ,

years h avmg a n ex tra m on th N o wth e 2lst d ay of th e

‘

fou rth m on t h mu st h av e fall en on or a b ou t July 22

a cc ordin g t o ou r p res en t re ck on in g ln ord er t ha t t h e
,

m oon migh t h ave s u ffi ci en t n orth in g an d t hat in volves a

,

y ear b egin n in g after April 1 ; s o t h at t h e year of th e

b attl e of B et h — b oron mu s t h a v e b een an ordi n a ry year on e ,

of t w e lv e m on t h s b u t mu s t h a v e foll owe d a yea r of t h i rt een

,

m on th s .

Summ ari zi n g al lth e c on cl u si on s at wh i ch we have n ow

366 TH E ASTR ONOMY OF TH E B IBL E

to make a n igh t s urprise H is atti tud e was like th at of

.

N elson before th e battl e of Trafa lgar ; h e had n ot th e

s lig ht es t d oub t b u t t h a t h e w ould ga in t h e vic t ory b u t h e ,

was m os t a n xi ou s t h at i t s h ould b e a com pl et e on e The .

grea t di ffi culty i n th e cam p aign wh ich lay b efore hi m was

t h e n umb er of fort ifi e d pl a c es i n t h e h an d s of t h e en emy ,

an d t h e c os tlin es s b ot h i n
,
t im e an d liv es of al
, l siege
Op era t ion s at t h at ep och . H i s en emies h a vi n g tak en t h e
fi eld ga ve h i m th e pros p e ct of overcomin g t h is difficul ty ,

i f n ow t h at t h ey w ere in th e op en h e c ould s ucc eed in

, ,

an n i h il at i n g t h e m t h ere ; t o h a v e s im p ly scatte re d t h em

would ha ve brough t hi m b u t li ttl e ad van tage That th is .

was t h e p oi n t to wh ich h e ga v e c h i ef a t t en t i on i s a pparen t

from on e m os t sign ifica n t circum s tan c e i n th e h istory ;
th e Am ori t es fled by t h e road t o B e th b oron -
.

Th ere h a v e b e en sev era l b at tl es of B eth b oron s in c e

-

t h e d ays of J osh u a a n d t h e d efeat ed army h as on m ore

, ,

t h an on e o cc asi on fled by t h e rou t e n ow tak en by t h e

,

Am orit es Two of th ese are record ed by Joseph u s ; the

.

on e i n wh ich Jud a s M a cc ab aeu s d efeat ed an d sl ew N i can or ,

a n d t h e ot h er w h en Cesti u s G a llu s ret reat ed from Jcru sa

l em . I t i s probabl e t hat B eth b oron was als o th e s cen e

-

of on e ,
if n ot t wo batt l es w i th th e P hilist i n es at th e
, ,

’
comm en cem en t of David s reign I n allth ese cases t he
.

d efea ted foe fled by th is road b ecau se i t had b een th eir

lin e of a dvan ce an d was t h eir sh ort es t way b ack to safety
, .

B u t t h e c on diti on s were en t irely re versed i n th e cas e of

Josh u a s battl e Th e Am ori t es fled away f rom t heir ci ties
’
. .

Jeru sa l em t h e cap i tal of Ad on i z ed ec an d t he ch i ef ci ty

,
-

of t h e con fed erat i on l i n p reci s ely t h e o p os i t e direc tion

,
a
y p .
 ’
J OSH U A S LON G DAY
’ ‘
367

Th e cities of th eir leagu e lay b eyon d Jeru sal em

oth er ,

fu rth er s till t o th e s ou th .

A re feren ce to th e map shows that Gilgal th e h ead ,

qu arters of th e army of Isra el was on th e pl ain of Jerich o

, ,

close to th e b an ks of t h e Jordan at t h e b ott om of t h at ,

e x t raordin ary ra vin e th rough w h ich t h e riv er ru n s Du e .

w es t at a distan c e of ab ou t sixt een or seven teen mil es as

,

t h e crow fli es b u t t h ree t h ou san d four h u n dre d feet a b ov e

,

t h e l e v el of t h e Jord an ri s es th e Ridge of t h e Wa t er
,

s h e d t h e b a ckb on e of t h e s truc t ure of P a l es t in e

, On t h i s .

rid e a re t h e cit i es of Jeru sa l em a n d Gib e on a n d on i t

g , ,

l eadin g d own to th e Mari t im e Pl ain ru n s i n a n orth ,

wes terly direc ti on the road t hrough t h e two B eth b oron s

,
-
.

Th e t wo B eth h oron s are on e an d a hal f mi l es ap art

-

with a d esc en t of 70 0 feet from th e Up p er t o th e Lower .

Th e fligh t of t h e Am ori t es t oward s B et h b oron prov es -

b eyon d a d oub t t h at Josh ua h ad p ossessed h im s el f of t h e

,

roa d from Gib eon t o J eru sa l e m I t is equ ally cl ear t h at

.

t h i s c ould n ot h av e b een d on e by a ccid en t b u t t h at i t ,

mu st h ave b een t h e d elib erat e p u rp ose of h is gen eral shi p .

Jeru sal em was a city so stron g t hat i t wa s n ot u n ti l t he

re ign o f D avid t h a t t h e I sra eli t es ob tai n e d p os sess ion of

t h e w h ol e of i t an d t o t ak e i t was evid en tly a m att er

,

b eyon d Josh u a s ability

’
B u t t o h a v e d e fea ted th e
.

Am ori tes a t Gib eon an d t o h ave l eft p en t o th em th e

,
o
way t o J eru sal e m— l ess t h an s ix mil es dis ta n t— would
h a ve b een a p erfe c tly fu til e p roc e edin g We may b e su re
.
,

t h ere fore th a t from t h e m om en t w h en h e l ea rn e d t h at

,

Ad on i z ed ek was b esi egi n g Gib eon Josh u a s fi rst aim was

-

,
’

to cu t off t h e Am ori t e ki n g from hi s capit al .

368 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BI BL E
Th e fa c t t ha t t h e Am ori t es fled n ot towards t h eir ci ti es
,

b u t a way from t h e m s h ows cl early th a t J os h ua h ad s p eci a lly

,

man oeuvred s o a s t o cu t th em off from Jerusal em H ow .

h e did i t we are n ot t old an d a n y e xpl

, , a n a t i on offere d

mu s t n ecess arily b e m erely of th e n a t u re of s urmis e Yet .

a c on sid erabl e a m ou n t o f p rob a bili ty ma a t ta c h t o i t

’

y .

The geograp h ica l c on dit i on s a re p erfe c tly w e ll k n own an d ,

we can t o s om e d egre e i n fer t h e c ou rs e wh ich t h e b a tt l e

, ,

mu st h a ve ta ken from th ese j u st a s we c ould i n fer the

,

m ain li n es of th e strat egy empl oy ed by th e G erman s i n

th e ir war wi th t h e Fre n c h i n 1 8 70 s i mply by n ot i n g th e
,

plac es wh ere th e s uccessive battl es occu rred Th e p osi tion s .

of t h e b a tt l efi eld s of M a rs la Tou r G ra v el ot te a n d Se d an
- -

, ,

would s h ow cl early t ha t th e obj e ct of t he G erman s h ad

b een firs t t o sh u t B a za in e up i n M etz an d th en t o h in d er
, , ,

Ma cMah on from c om in g t o h i s reli ef So i n t h e pres en t .

l

ca se t h e fa ct t h a t t h e Am orit es fled by th e way of t h e

,

t wo B et h b oron s s h ow s firs t t h a t Jos h u a h a d c ompl e t ely

-

, , ,

cu t t h em off from t h e roa d t o J e ru s a l em an d n ex t t h a t , ,

s om eh ow or ot h er w h en t h ey t o ok flig h t t h ey w e re a l on g

way t o th e n orth of h i m .H ad t h ey n ot b een s o t h ey ,

could n ot h a ve h ad an y l on g s tart in th eir fligh t an d th e ,

h ail st orm wh ich occa si on e d th em s uch h eavy l oss would

h a v e i n ju red th e Isra eli tes a lm os t as much .

H ow can th es e t wo circum stan c es b e a cc ou n ted for ? I

th in k we can m ak e a v ery pla u s ibl e g u ess a t t h e d et ail s of
Josh u a s strat egy from n otin g w hat h e i s rec ord ed t o h a ve
’

d on e i n t h e ca se of A1 On th at occas i on as on t h is h e
.
, ,

h ad fel t h i s in ability t o d eal wi th an en emy b eh in d fortifi

cati on s . His tactics therefore had con sisted i n maki n g a ,
370 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
—th e va ll ey of Achor The Israe li tes m arch in g by th is
.

rou t e would h a v e t h e grea t a dva n t ag e t h a t B ee ro th i n t h e ,

p ossession of th eir allies t h e Gib eon ites would a ct as a

, ,

c over t o th em wh ilst i n t h e ravin es an d give th em ,

s ecu ri ty w h il s t taki n g u p a p os i t i on on t h e pl a tea u .

B u t B eeroth h ad on e fa tal disadva n tage a s a s ol e

lin e of a dvan ce From B eeroth Josh u a would come
.

d own t o Gib eon from th e n orth a n d t h e Am orites i f

, ,

d efeat ed would h ave a lin e of retrea t cl ear a n d easy to

, , ,

J eru sal em I t wa s a b sol u tely essen t ia l th at som e wh ere or

.

oth e r h e sh ould c u t t h e J eru s a l e m road

Th i s would b e a m a tt er of great di fficul ty a n d d an ger ,

a s i f h i s a dva n c
,
e w ere d et e c te d w h il s t h e was s t ill i n

t h e ra vi n es h e would h a v e b een ta k en a t a lm os t h op el e s s
,

di sa dva n tage Th e fearful l osses wh ich th e Isra elites

.

s u s t a i n e d i n t h e in t ertrib a l war wi t h B e n j a min n ear t h is

v ery pla ce sh ow wh a t J osh u a migh t reason ably h a ve

,

e xp e c ted h ad h e t ri e d t o m ak e h i s s ol e ad van ce on
th e ridge n ear J eru sa l em .

I s i t n ot p robabl e th at h e would h a ve en d ea vou red ,

u n d er th ese circumstan ces t o en t ice t h e Am orites as far

,

a way t o t h e n orth as p os s ibl e b e fore h e v en t u re d t o b ri n g

h is m a in forc e ou t on t h e ridg e ? I f s o we may imagi n e ,

t h at h e firs t s en t a s t ron g forc e by t h e vall ey of Ac hor t o

’

B e eroth ; th at th ey were in s truct ed t h ere t o take u p a

stron g p os i t i on an d w h en fi rmly es tabli s h e d t o c ha ll en ge
, ,

t h e Am ori tes t o a t ta ck t h em Th en wh en t h e I sraeli t e

.
,

en e ra l i n c omm an d a t B eerot h pe rc e iv e d t h a t h e h ad
g
b efore hi m pra ct ically th e wh ole Amori te forc e— for i t
would s eem cl ear th at th e fi ve kin gs t h ems elves t oge th er ,
 J O SH U A S LON G D AY 37 1
’

wi th t hegrea ter part of th eir army w ere th u s dra wn ,

a way— h e w ould s i n a l t o Josh ua t h a t t h e t im e h a d c om e

g
for h is a dvan c e Ju st as Josh u a h im sel f h ad s ign a ll ed wit h
.

hi s Sp ear at t h e t akin g of Al s o th e firin g of a b ea con ,

pla ce d on th e s ummit of th e ridge would s u ffice for t h e

pu rp ose Josh u a would t h en l ead up th e m a in b ody sei ze
.
,

t h e J eru sal e m roa d a n d p re s s on t o Gib eon a t t h e u t m os t

,

s p eed . I f th is were so th e s m all d eta ch m en t of Am ori t es

,

l eft to con tin u e t h e bl ocka d e was sp eedily cru sh ed b u t .

,

p erh aps was aware of Josh u a s a pproa ch soon en ough t o ’

s en d s wi ft run n ers u rgin g t h e fi v e kin gs t o re t u rn Th e .

n ews would b rook n o d e l ay ; t h e ki n s w ould tu rn sou t h

g
imm ediat ely ; b u t for a llth eir h a st e t h ey n ev er rea ch e d
Gib eon Th ey prob ably h ad b u t a dvan ced as far a s th e
.

ridg e l ea din g t o B et h b oron w h en t h ey p erc e iv e d t h a t n ot

-

on ly h ad J osh u a reli e ve d Gib eon an d d es troy ed t h e forc e

wh ich th ey ha d l eft b efore i t b u t th a t h i s lin e s tret ch ed, ,

ou t fa r to t h e righ t a n d l e ft a l rea dy c u t t h e m off n ot , ,

m erely from t h e road t o J eru sal e m a n d H e bron b u t a ls o

fromt h e va ll ey of Aj al on a s h orter roa d t o t h e M ari tim e
,

Plain t han th e on e th ey a ctua lly t ook E a s t t h ere wa s n o .

e s cap e ; n ort h wa s t h e I sra eli t e army fro m B eerot h ; s ou t h

an d w es t wa s t h e army of J osh u a Ou t m an oeuvred a n d .

-

ou t ge n era ll e d
-
th ey w ere i n t h e m os t immin en t d an ger
,

o f b ein g c a ugh t b e t w e en t h e t wo Is rae li t e armi e s a n d ,

of b ei n g grou n d lik e w h ea t b e t we en t h e upp er an d n et h er

, ,

m i llst on es Th ey h ad n o h eart for furth er figh t t h e

.

p romise m ad e t o Josh u a t h ere s h a ll n ot a man o f t h e m

,

s tan d be fore t h e e — was fulfill e d ; t h ey brok e a n d fle d by

”
,

th e on e way op en t o t h em t h e way of t h e t wo B et h b oron s

,
-

.
372 TH E ASTR ONO M Y OF TH E B I BLE

Wh ils t th is con j e ct u ra l s tra tegy a ttribut es to Jos h u a a

rea dy gra s p of t h e e ssen t ia l fea t u res of t h e mili tary p os i

t i on a n d s kill i n d ea lin g wit h t h em i t c erta in ly d oes n ot ,

a t tribu t e t o h i m a n y grea t er s kill t h an i t i s reas on a b l e

t o s u pp os e h e p ossessed Th e Hebrews ha ve rep eat edly

.

prove d n ot m erely th eir val ou r i n battle b u t th eir m as tery

, ,

of t h e art of war an d a s M arc e l Di e ul a foy h a s re c en t ly

, ,

s h own t h e earli est gen era l of w h om we h a v e re c ord a s

1
,

in troducin g t u rn in g ta ct ics i n t h e fi eld i s D a vid i n th e ,

b attle of t h e vall ey of Reph aim record e d i n 2 Sam v 22 25 , . .

-

a n d 1 C h ron xiv 1 3—1 7

. . .

Th e s e v era l e volu t i on s of a c om pl icat ed an d h a z ard ou s

n at u re w h ic h d e cid ed t h e fa t e o f t h e ba t t l e w o uld b e tok en ,

e v en a t t h e p res en t d ay w h en s ucc es s fully c on duc ted a

, ,

c on summat e gen era l exp eri en c ed li e u t en an ts troops w e ll

, ,

a ccu st om e d t o m a n oeuvre s m obile an d a b ove a ll d i s

, , , ,

ci l i n ed a lm os t in t o u n c on s ci ou sn ess so c on t rary i s i t t o
p ,

ou r in st i n c ts n ot t o m e et p eril fa c e t o fa c e I n p oi n t .

o f fa c t t h e I sra e li t e s h a d j u s t e ffe c t ed i n t h e fa c e of t h e
,

P h ilist in es a t urn in g an d en ve l op in g m ovem en t— tha t i s

t o s ay a n op era t i on of w ar c on s id ere d t o b e on e o f t h e
,

b old es t m os t skil ful a n d difficul t a t t empt e d by forces

, ,

s imil a r i n n umb er t o t h os e of t h e H eb re w s b u t a t t h e , ,

sa m e t im e v ery effic a ci ou s an d b rillia n t w h en s ucc es sful

, .

I t was t h e fa v ou ri t e m a n oeu vre of Fred erick II an d t h e ,

”
on e on w h ic h hi s mili t a ry re pu t at i on res ts .

B u t t h ou gh t h eAm orit es h ad b een d i s comfi ted by

Josh u a t h ey h ad n ot b een comp l et ely s urrou n d e d ; on e
,

way of es c a p e wa s l e ft op en More t h an th is i t a pp ears

.
,

t h at t h ey ob t a in ed a v ery a mpl e s t a rt i n th e ra c e a l on g

t h e n ort h w es tern roa d

-
We i n fer t h is from t h e in cid en t
.

1 M arcel D i eu l afo
y D a vi d the K i
,
n g : an H i stori ca l E n qu i ry
,

PP !
374 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B I B LE

5 .
-
TH E M I R ACL E .

I t was at m om en t wh en h is s c ou ts an n oun ced t o

th is ,

hi m t h e fru s trati on of h i s h op es t h at Josh u a i n t h e ,

an xi e ty l est th e full frui ts of h i s vic tory s h ould b e d en ie d

.

h i m an d in th e s u p rem es t fait h t h at th e Lord God i n

, ,

W h ose han d are all th e pow ers of th e u n iverse wa s wit h ,

hi m excl aim ed
,

“
Su n , stan d th ou sti ll u pon Gi b eon,
An d th ou, M oon , i n th e alley of A v jl a on

So h is e xclam ation stan d s in ou r Au t horiz ed Versi on ,

b u t as th e m argin al rea di n g s h ows t h e w ord tran s la ted

, ,

”
s tan d s t il l i s m ore lit era lly b e s il en t Th ere can b e
”
.

n o d oub t th a t th is e xp res s i on s o u n u s u a l i n t h i s c on n e c ti on
, ,

mu s t have b een empl oyed with in t en t ion W h at wa s i t .

t h at J osh u a is l ik ely t o h a ve h ad i n h i s mi n d wh en h e
t h u s s p ok e ?
Th e comm on id ea i s t h a t h e s imply wi s h ed for m ore
t im e ; for t h e d ay t o b e prol on g ed B u t as we ha ve s e en .
,

i t wa s midday wh en h e s p ok e a n d h e h ad fu ll sev en h ou rs
,

of d ayligh t b efore h i m Th ere wa s a n ee d w

. h ic h h e mu s t
h ave fel t m ore pres sin g H is men h ad n ow b een seven t een
.

h ou rs on th e march for t h ey h ad s tarted a t s u n set

,

7 p m —on th e p reviou s e ven in g an d i t was n ow n oon

. .
, ,

t h e n oon of a s u b tropica l mid s umm er Th ey h ad m arc h e d

-
.

a t l east t w en t y mil es in t h e t im e p oss ibly c on sid erably ,

m ore a ccordin g to th e rou te wh ich th ey h ad follow ed an d ,

t h e m arch h ad b een a l on g t h e rou gh es t of roa ds an d h ad ,

in clud ed an as cen t of 3 40 0 feet— ab ou t t h e h eigh t of th e

s u mmi t of Sn owdon ab ove t h e s ea l e v e l Th ey mu st have
-
.
 JOSH UA S 375
’ ’
‘
LONG D AY
be cn wea ry an d h a ve felt sorely th e h eat of th e su n n ow
,
r
'

blaz in g righ t ov erh ea d Sure ly i t requires n o w ord s t o

.

l ab ou r th is p oin t J osh u a s on e p ressin g n ee d a t t h at

’
’
.

m om en t was s om e th in g t o t e mp er t h e fi erc e oppression of

t h e s u n an d to re fres h h i s men
,
Th is was w h a t h e pray e d
.

for ; t h is was w h at was gran t ed h i m For th e m om e n t

’

t h e su n s e e m e d figh t in g on t h e s id e of hi s e n emi es an d ,

h e b ad e i t B e s il en t In sta n t ly i n an s wer to hi s
.
”
,

comm an d a migh ty rus h of d ark storm cl ouds cam e

,
-

s w ee pi n g up fro m t h e sea .

R efresh e d by t h e s udd en c ool n e ss t h e Israeli tes s e t ou t ,

a t o n c e i n t h e purs ui t of t h e ir e n e mi es I t i s p rob abl e .

t h a t for th e fi rst s i x mil es t h ey sa w n o t ra ce of t h em b u t ,

wh en t hey reach ed B eth b oron t he U pp er an d s tood at

-

t h e t op of i ts s t eep d es cen t t h ey s aw t he Am ori tes ag ain

, .

As i t h a d b e en w it h t h eir fa th ers a t th e R ed Sea w h en ,

t h e p i ll a r of cl oud h ad b e en a d e fen c e t o t h em b u t t h e
m ean s of d i s comfi tu re t o th e E gypt ian s s o n ow t h e s torm ,

cl oud s wh ich h ad so re vived t h em an d rest ored t h eir

s tren g th h ad b rough t d ea t h an d d es truc ti on
,
to t h eir

en emies . All d own t h e rocky d es c en t lay t h e w ou n d ed ,

t h e dyi n g t h e d ead
,
For t h e Lord ca s t d own g reat s ton es
.

from h eav en u p on th em u n t o Az ek a h an d t h ey died : t h ey

, ,

were m ore wh ich di ed wi t h h a il s ton es th an t h ey wh om th e

c h ildren of I sra el s l ew wi th t he sword .
”

Th e mi gh t of th e Gen ti le u n s mot e b y , th e s word ,

H ad mel ted l i k e s n ow i n th e glan ce of th e L ord .

”

Far b el ow t h em th e p an i c strick en -
re mn an ts of th e
Am ori te h ost w ere fl e ein g for sa fe ty t o t h e ci ti es o f
376 TH E ASTR ONOMY OF TH E BIB LE
the Mari tim e Plain Th e batt le prop er was over ; th e
.

on e d u ty l e ft t o t he a rmy of Is ra e l was t o ov ertak e a n d

d e s t roy th ose re mn an ts b efore they c ould ga in s h el t er .

B u t t h e n arra t ive c on t i n u es Th e su n s taye d in t he

.

mids t of heaven an d h asted n ot t o go dow n ab ou t a wh ol e

,

d ay Th is stat em en t evid en t ly im plies much m ore t han

”
.

t h e m ere d ark en in g of th e s u n by s torm cl oud s For i ts -

.

in terpretation we mu s t retu rn to th e remain in g in ciden ts

of t h e d ay .

Th ese a re s oonJos h u a pu rsu e d th e Amori tes t o

t old .

Makk edah t wen ty se ven miles from Gib eon b y t h e rou te

'

ta k en Th ere t h e fi ve ki n gs h a d hi dd en th em selv es in a
.

ca ve A gu ard was pla ced to wa tch th e ca ve ; t h e Isra elites

.

con t in u ed th e p u rsui t for an u n d efin ed distan ce farth er

re t urn ed t o M akk eda h an d t ook i t by assa u l t ; brough t
'

t h e kin gs ou t of th eir ca v e an d h an ge d t h em
, .

An d i tcame t o pass at the tim e of t h e goin g d own of

t h e s u n t h a t Josh ua c omm a n d ed a n d t h ey t ook t h e m
, ,

d own off th e trees an d cast t h em in to t h e ca ve wh erei n

,

t h ey h a d h idd en t h e m s elves an d l aid great s t on es on t h e

,

m ou t h of th e ca ve u n to th is very d ay
, .

Al l th ese ev en ts— t h e pursui t for t wen ty— s e v en mil es

a n d m ore t h e t a kin g of Ma kk e d ah an d t h e h a n gi n f
,
g o

t h e k in gs — took pla c e b et ween n oon an d t h e goi n g d own

o f t h e s u n an in terva l w h os e n orm a l l en gt h for t h a t l at i tu d e

, ,

a n d a t t h a t t im e of t h e y ear was a b ou t se v en h ou rs
, .

Th is i s a n a b n orm a l fea t I t is true t hat a s n e

.

i gl \

trai n e d p ed es trian migh t tra verse t h e t wen ty s even an d -

od d mil es a n d s t ill h a ve t im e t o tak e p art i n a n assa ul t

,

on a tow n an d t o wa t ch an ex ecu ti on B u t i t is an .
378 TH E ASTRO N OMY OF TH E B I B LE

N i can or was kill ed at th e first on s a l ugh t ahd h is troo ps

took t o flig ht .

I t is n ot at l
al u n u s u al comme n ts on th e
to rea d in
B ook of Josh u a t hat th e miracl e is simply th e result “ ”

of th e dul n ess of t h e p rose ch ron icl er i n a cc ept in g a s

litera l fa ct an express ion th at origin ated in th e poetic

e xub eran ce o f a n ol d b ard Th e l att er s o i t is u rged ;
.
,

s imply m e an in g t o add a fi gu re of dign i ty a n d imp ort an ce

t o h i s son g c omm em orat in g a great n at ion al victory had ,

wri t ten
“
An d th e su n stood sti ll an d th e moon stay ed
, ,

U n ti l th e n ati on h ad av en ged t h emsel ves of th ei r en emi es ,

”

b u t wit h n o m ore exp ect a t i on th at th e s tay of t h e m oon

would b e a cc ept e d li t e rally th a n t h e s in gers wh o we lc om ed
, ,

D avid a fter th e s l ayin g of G oliath im agin ed th at an y on e ,

would s eri ou s ly s u p p ose that Saul h ad a ctually w i th h i s

own h an d kill e d t wo t h ou sa n d P h ilis tin es an d D avid ,

t w en ty t h ou san d B u t s ay t h ey t h e l a ter prose ch ron icl er

.
, , ,

quotin g from t h e b alla d an d a ccept in g a p iece of poetic

,

hyp erb ol e as a ct u a l fa c t reproduc ed t h e s tat em en t i n hi s

,

o wn w ord s an d a dd ed th e s u n s t aye d in t h e mid s t of

“
, ,

h eav en a n d h as te d n ot t o go d own ab ou t a wh ol e d ay
”
.
,

N ot so . Th e p oem an d t h e pros e chron icl e m ak e on e

coh eren t w h ol e Workin g from th e p oem al on e treat
.
,

i n g t h e e x pres s i on s i n t h e fi rst t wo li n es m erely as

as t ron omica l i n di c at ion s of t im e a n d pl a c e an d wi th ou t ,

t h e s ligh t est refe ren c e t o an y miracul ou s in t erpreta t ion ,

t h ey l ea d t o t h e i n evi tabl e c on clu s i on t h a t t h e t im e was

n oon d a y . Th is res ult c ert ain ly d oes n ot l i e on t h e s u rfa ce
o f t h e p oem an d i t was w h ol
, ly b eyon d th e p ower of th e
 JO SHUA S L O N G DAY
’
370
’ ‘

prose ch ron icler c omp u ted i t y e t i t i s ju st i n th e

t o have ,

s upp os ed s t upid l ss of t h e prose ch ron icl er an d n owh ere

g o ,

el s e t h at we fi n d t h i s fa c t d efi n i t ely s t a te d : wh il s t t h e
,

mira cl e record ed b oth by p oem an d pros e n arrative com

let el a cc ord s wi th t h e e x traordin ary dis tan ce trav ersed
p y
b etw een n oon an d sun set .

An y man h owever ign oran t of s cien ce i f he b e b u t

, ,

care ful an d c on s ci en t iou s can truth fully record an observ a

,

t i on wi t h ou t an y di ffi cul ty B u t t o s ucc ess fully in v en t e ven

.

t h e s impl es t a stron omic a l observa t ion re qui res v ery full

"

kn owl edge an d i s difficul t e ven th en E very a stron om er

, .

kn ows t h at th ere i s h ardly a s in gl e n ovelist n o m atter ,

h ow l earn e d or p ain s takin g wh o can a t th is prese n t d ay

,

i n troduce a s impl e as tron omical rela ti on i n to his story ,

wi th ou t fallin g in t o e gregiou s error .

We are th erefore quite s ure th at Josh u a did u se the

w ord s a ttribu te d t o h i m ; th at th e m oon an d th e
vall ey of Aj al on w ere n ot m erely i n sert ed i n ord er to
”

complete th e p arall eli s m by a b ard pu tti n g a l egen d i n to

p oetic form N or wa s th e pros e n arrat ive th e result of
.

a n e dit or c ombin in g t wo or t h re e n arrat iv es a l lwritten

muc h a fter t h e dat e Th e ori gin al rec ords mu st have
.

b een ma d e at the tim e .

All a stron om ers kn ow well h ow abs olu tely essen tial i t

i s t o c ommi t a n ob serva t i on t o wri ti n g on t h e s pot .

Illu strat i on s of th is n eces sity could b e m ad e t o an y

e x t en t
. .On e may s u ffic e I n v ol ii of t h e L ife of Si r
. . .

R i chard B u rton by h i s wi fe p
, Lady Bu rton says
, .

On th e 6 th D e c emb er 18 8 2 we w ere wa lki n g on

,

t h e Karso ( Opgon a ) a l on e ; t h e s k y was cl ear, an d a l

lof a
 380 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IBL E
'

ud d en my n i ec e said t o me Oh l ook up t h ere i s a star

s , , ,
'

wa lkin g in to t h e moon Gl ori ou s I an s wered We .

are l ookin g at t h e Tran si t of V en u s wh ich crowd s of ,

s ci e n t is ts h a v e gon e t o th e en d of t h e w orld t o s ee
’
.

Th e Trans it of V en u s did t ak e p la c e on D e cemb er 6 ,

1 8 8 2 ; an d t h ou gh Ven u s c ould h a ve b een s een wi t h ou t

t el e s c opic ai d a s a bla ck s p ot on t h e s u n s di sc n ot h i n
’

g ,

can b e m ore u n lik e V en u s i n tran s i t t han a s tar wa lki n g

in t o th e moon .Th e m oon was n ot vi s ible on t hat

”

e v en i n g an d V en u s wa s on ly vi s ibl e when on t he s u n s
’

,
‘

d is c an d a pp eared th en n ot a s a s tar b u t a s a bla ck

, , ,

No
’
d oubt Lady Bu rton s n i ece did m ak e th e exclama
t ion a t tribu t ed t o h er b u t i t mu st ha ve b een n ot on
, ,

D ecemb er 6 1 882 b u t on some oth er occasion Lady

, , .

Bu rton may in d ee d h ave tol d h er n ie ce that th is was th e

Tran s it of Ven u s b u t t h at was s imply b eca u s e sh e did
,

n ot k n ow wh a t a t ran s i t wa s n or th a t i t occu rre d i n t h e

,

daytim e n ot at n igh t Lady Burt on s n arrat ive was th ere

,
.
’

fore n ot wri t ten at t h e t im e So i f t h e fa c ts of th e t en th

.

ch ap ter of Josh u a a s we have i t had n ot b een written

, ,

a t t h e t im e of t h e ba tt l e som e gros s as tron omica l d is

,

c ord an ce would i n evi ta b ly h a ve cre p t i n .

L et u s s u pp os e t hat t h e su n an d moon d i d a ct ual ly

stan d s till in t h e s ky for s o l on g a t im e t h at b et we en

n oon an d s un set was e qu a l t o t h e full l en gt h of a n ordi n ary

d ay W hat e ffect would h a ve resul ted t hat th e Israelites

.

could h a v e p erc eiv ed ? Th i s an d th is on ly t h at th ey , ,

would h a ve m arch ed t wic e as far bet ween n oon an d s u n set

as t h ey co u l d h av e d on e i n an y ordi n ary a ftern oon
; An d .
382 TH E Asrn on on r or THE B I B LE

h ad no m easurers could h a ve h ad n o t ime m eas urers

t im e -

,
-
.

A su n dial i f an y su ch were in existen ce would on ly

, ,

in dicate th e p os ition of th e su n an d th erefore c ould gi ve ,

n o e vid en c e i n th e m at ter B eside a sun dial i s n ot a

.
,

portabl e in stru m en t an d Josh u a an d his men had

,

s om e th i n g m ore pres s i n g t o d o t h an t o l oi t er rou n d i t .

C l epsydrae or cl ocks are of la ter da te an d n o m ore t han a ,

su n di a l are t h ey p ort a bl e M an y comm en ts on e m igh t

.
,

a lm os t sa m s t c omm en t s on t h e n a rra t ive read a s i f

y o ,

t h e wri t ers s u pp os e d t h at Josh u a an d hi s men carrie d

s t op wat c h es an d t h a t t h ei r c h ie f in t eres t i n t h e w h ol e
-

ca m p aign was t o see h ow fa s t t h e s u n wa s m ovi n g Sin ce .

t h ey h a d n o s uch m eth od s of m eas u rin g t im e s in ce i t i s ,

n ot p oss i ble t o s u p p os e t h a t ov er a n d a b ov e a n m a t eri a l

’

y
miracle that was wrough t th e m en tal miracle was add ed ,

of acqu ai n t in g t h e I s ra eli t es for t h i s occas i on on ly wi t h

t h e Cop ern i c an sys t em of astron omy a l l th at t he words ,

of t h e n arrat ive can p oss ibly m e an i s t h at ,

th e d s til l i n th e mid st
su n s t oo of h eaven , an d h asted n ot
t o go d own ab ou t a wh ol e d ay ,
”

c
a cor d i n g t o th e on Isra el ites had for
ly m ean s wh ich the
t es t in g t h e m a tt er I n s h ort i t s imply s t at e s in other
.
,

words what i t is clear from other part s of th e n arrat ive

, , ,

was a ct u ally th e case t h at t h e l en g th of th e m arch m ad e

,

b etw een n oon an d s u n s et was e qu a l t o an ordin ary m a rc h

takin g t h e wh ol e of a d ay
'

I f we s u pp os e — as h as b e en gen era lly d on e an d as i t i s ,

quit e l egitimate to d o for a llt h in gs are p ossible to God

,

-
that t he mirac le con s is ted i n t h e sla cken in g of th e
 JOSH UA S 383
’ ’
‘
LON G D AY
i
rota t on of the earth , ct w ould have b een per
wh a t e ff e

c ei v ed by t h e H ebrew s ? Th is an d on ly th i s th at th ey, ,

would ha ve a cc omplish ed a full day s m arch in th e c ou rse ’

of t h e a ft ern oon An d wh a t would h a ve b een th e e ffects

.

produc ed on allt h e n eigh b ouri n g n a tion s ? Simply t h at

t h ey h a d m an a g ed t o d o m ore w ork th an u s ua l i n t he
c ou rse of th at aft ern oon an d th at th ey felt m ore than
,

u su ally t ire d a n d h u n gry i n t h e e v en in g .

B u t wo uld i t h a v e h elp e d th e I sra elit es for th e d ay to

h ave b ee n t h u s a ctu ally l en g t h en ed Sc arc ely s o u n l ess ,

t h ey h a d b een a t t h e sa m e t im e e n d o we d wi t h s u p er
, ,

n a tu ra l, or a t a l l e v en ts wi t h u n u s u a l s tren gth
,
Th e .

I sra elit e s h ad already b een 3 1 h ou rs wit h ou t s l eep or rest ,

th ey h a d m a de a rem a rka bl e m arch t h ei r en emi es had

'

s ev era l mil es s t art of t h e m w ould n ot a l on ger d ay have

s imply gi ven t h e l at t er a b et t er c h an c e t o m ak e g ood

t h ei r fligh t u n l ess t h e I srae li t es w ere en abl e d t o pu rs u e

,

t h e m wi t h u n u s u a l sp ee d ? An d i f th e I sraeli t es w ere s o
en abl ed t h en n o fu rt h er mi ra cl e i s re quire d ; for t h e m t h e
,

s u n w ould h a v e h as te d n ot t o go d ow n ab ou t a w h ol e d ay
”
.

Leavin g th e qu es ti on a s t o w h eth er th e su n app eared

t o s t an d s till t hrou gh t h e t emp orary arres t of th e eart h s
’

rot a t i on or t h rou h s om e e x a l t a t i on f t h p h y ic l
, g o e s a

p ow ers of th e Isra eli tes i t seem s cl ear from th e foregoin g

, ,

an alysi s o f t h e n arra t iv e t h a t b ot h t h e p ros e a cc ou n t a n d

,

t e p m we
h o e r e r t t n —
w i e by ey e wi tn ess es wh o record e d wh at ,

t h ey h ad t h em selves s e en a n d h eard wh il s t e v ery d e tail

was fres h i n t h ei r m em ory Simpl e as t h e a stron omica l

.

re feren c es a re t h ey a re v ery s t rin g en t a n d c an on l

, y h ave ,

b een su ppli ed by t h os e wh o w ere a c tu ally p resen t .

384 TH E ASTR O N OM Y OF TH E B I B L E

Noth in g can b e more un like poetic hyperbole than th e

s u m of a c t u a l mil es m arc h ed t o t h e men wh o t rod t h em
;
an d t h ese v ery c on cret e mil es w ere t h e gau e of t h e l a pse
g
o f t im e For ju s t as n a il an d s pan an d foot an d
”
.
, , ,

cubi t an d pa ce were th e early meas ures of s mall

,
”

d istan ce so th e a verage d ay s m arch was th e early m eas u re

’
,

of l on g di s ta n c e Th e h uman fra m e i n i ts proport i on s

.
,

an d i n i ts a bilit i es i s s u ffi ci en t ly u n i form t o h a ve fu rn i sh e d
,

t h e primit iv e s t an d ard s of l en gth B u t t he rel a tion es t ab

.

lish ed b et ween t im e an d di stan ce as i n th e case of a d ay s

’

m arch work s eith er way an d i s em pl oyed i n eith er dirce

, ,
o

ti on e ven at t h e presen t d ay
, Wh en th e I sra elites at th e
.

en d of t h ei r campa ign ret u rn ed from Makk e d ah t o Gib eon ,

a n d fou n d t h e m arc h t h ough w , h olly u n ob structed was ,

st i l l a h eavy p erform an ce for t h e wh ol e of a l on g d ay ,

wh a t could th ey th in k h ow could they ex press them selves

, ,

con cern in g th at sa m e march mad e b e tween n oon an d su n

d own ? W h atev er con struct i on we pu t u p on t h e in cid en t
’
,

wh at ever e xp lan ation we may offer for i t t o all the men ,

of I sra el j udgin g th e even ts of th e aftern oon by the

,

on ly st an d ard wi t h in th e ir reach t h e e min en t ly prac t ica l

,

stan d ard of t h e mil e s th ey h ad march ed t h e on ly con ,

el u si on a t w h ich t h ey cou ld arrive was th e on e t h ey s o

j ustly drew
Th e su n st ayed i n th e m i dst of h ea v en an d h asted n ot
t o go d own a bou t a wh ol e d ay An d t h ere was n o d ay
.

lik e t hat before i t or after i t t h a t t h e Lord h eark en ed

,

u n to t h e voic e of a man : for t h e Lord fough t for I srael

”
.
386 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBLE
n ay ,bu t l e t t h e s h a d ow re t u rn b a ckward t en d egrees .

An d Isa iah t h e prop h et cri e d u n t o t h e Lord : an d He

b rough t t h e s h a d ow t en d egre es ba ckw ard by ,
wh ich i t
h ad gon e d own i n t h e dia l of A h az .

Th e n arra t ive i n th e Book of Isaiah giv es th e c on cludin g

words in t h e form

So t h e s u n ret
. u rn ed t en d egrees by wh ich d egrees
, it
was gon e d own
”
.

Th e ive is compl ete as a record of th e h ealin g

n arrat

o f kin
g H e z eki ah an d of t h e s i n
g g iv e n t o h i m t o a ss u re

h i m t hat h e s h ould re c ov er ; c ompl e t e foi al lth e ord i n ary

p u rp os es of a n arrativ e an d for read ers i n gen eral
, .

B u t for an y p u rp os e of as tron omical a n aly s is t h e h a rm .

t ive i s d efici en t a n d i t mus t b e fra n kly c on fess e d t h at

,

i t d oes n ot l i e wi th i n t h e p o wer of astron omy to m a k e

an
y u se of it .

I t h as b een gen erally as sum ed th at i t Was an actual

s un di a l u p on wh ic h t h is s ig n wa s s een We d o n ot kn ow .

h ow far b a ck th e art of dia lli n g goes Th e s impl es t form .

o f di a l i s an ob e lis k on a fla t p a v e m en t b u t i t h as t h e ,

very im p ortan t d ra wb a ck t h at t h e gra du a t ion i s di fferen t

for d i fferen t tim es of th e y ear I n a prop erly c on s tru c t ed

.

dial th e e d ge of th e styl e cast in g t h e s had ow s h ould be

'

ma d e para ll el t o th e a xis of th e earth C on s e qu en tly a .

di alfor on e la t it ude is n ot a va il abl e wi th ou t al t erat ion

‘

wh en tran s ferred to an oth er lati tud e Som e fin e typ es of .

dia ls on a large scal e exist in t h e obs erva tori es built by

Ja i Sin gh Th e firs t of t h ese t h at at D el h i —was pro
.
—
bably c omple t ed a b ou t 1 71 0 A D Th ey are t h e re fore ; . .
,
 TH E DIAL OF AHA Z 387

quit e m od ern b u t a fford good illu strat ion s of th e typ e

,

of s t ruc t u re wh ich we can rea dily c on c e iv e of as h a vin

g
b een built i n wh a t h as been t erm ed t h e Ston e Age of
as tron omy . Th e prin cipal of th es e buildin gs t h e Sa m rat ,

Yan tra i s a l on g st aircas e i n t h e m eridian l eadi n g up t o

,

n ot h in g t h e sh a d ow fa llin g on to a great s emi circul ar are

,

w h ich i t cross es Th e slope of th e staircase 1s of cours e

.
, ,

p arallel to t h e eart h s a xis

’
.

I t h as b een s ugges te d t h at i f s uch a dial w ere ere cted at

J eru salem an d th e styl e w ere th at for a t ropica l la tit ud e
, ,

a t c ert a in t im es of th e y ear t h e s h ad ow w ould ap p ear

t o go ba ckward for a sh ort t im e O th ers aga m h ave su g
.
, ,

gest ed t h at if a s mall p ortabl e dial w ere t ilt ed th e sam e

p h en om en on w ould s h ow i tsel f I t i s of course e vid en t
.
, ,

t h at n o s uch suggest i on a t a l l acc ord s wi th th e n arrat iv e .

H ez ekiah was n ow i n t h e fou rte en t h y ear of h is reign ,

t h e dia l— i f dia l i t was —wa s m ad e by hi s fa th er a n d t h e ,

“
mira cl e w ould h ave b een reproduced d ay by d ay for
a c on s id erabl e p art o f ea c h y e ar an d a ft e r t h e e v en t i t
,

would h ave b e en a pparen t t o e v ery on e t h at th e mirac le

c on tin u ed t o b e reproduc ed I f t h is h ad b een t h e cas e
.
,

i t w ould sa y v ery li t t l e for t h e astron omical s ci en c e of

t h e wis e men of M erod ach B al ad an t h a t h e s h ould h a v e
-

s en t al lt h e way from B abyl on t o Jeru sa l em to in quire

of t h e w o n d er t h a t wa s d on e i n t h e l an d i f t h e won d er
”

was n oth in g m ore t h an a wron gly m ou n t ed dial .

O th ers h ave h az ard e d t h e extrem e h yp oth esis th at ,

t h ere migh t h a v e b een an e arth qua k e a t t h e t im e wh ich

dipp ed t h e dia l i n t h e prop er direct ion an d t h en restored
,

i t to i ts prope r pl ac e pres um ably of c ou r e w it h ou t d oin g

,
s

,
388 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E BIBL E
harm to Je ru sa l e m or an y of i ts buildin gs an d pa ssin g
, ,

u n n ot ice d by b oth kin g an d p eople .

A much more i n gemou s th eory than an y of th ese was

commun icat ed by th e l at e J W B osan qu et t o t h e Roya l
. .

As iat ic Society i n 1 8 5 4 .An e clipse of th e su n t ook .

pla ce on Jan uary 1 1 689 B O I t was an an n ul ar eclipse

, . .

i n As ia Min or an d a v ery l arge p artia l e clips e at J eru

,

s al e m t h e great es t ph ase takin g pl a c e n early a t l oc al

,

n oon . Mr B osan qu et con s id ers t h a t th e e ffec t of t h e

.

part ial eclipse would b e to prac tica lly sh i ft th e c en tre of

th e bri gh t b ody c as tin g th e sh adow At th e b egi n n in g of
.

th e an n ul ar ph as e t h e p art of t h e s u n u n cov ered w ould

,

b e a cres c en t in a n early vertical posit ion ; at mid e clips e

t h e cres c en t would b e in a h oriz on t al p os it ion ; at th e en d
of t h e an n u l ar p h as e t h e c res c en t w ould aga i n b e i n a

vertica l p os i tion ; so th at th e exp osed part of t h e su n

would appear to m ove d own an d u p in t h e sk y over a
v ery s ma ll distan ce I t i s e xtrem ely d oub tful wh eth er
.

an y p erc e pt ibl e e ffe c t c ould b e so p roduc ed on t h e sh a d ow ,

an d on e wh olly fa il s t o u n d ers ta n d wh y t h e e clip s e i t s el f

’

sh ould n ot ha ve b een given as th e s ign an d wh y n ei th er

,

th e kin g n or th e p eop l e s eem t o h a ve n ot ic ed t h at i t was

i n progress I t i s h ow e ver su ffi ci en t to say th at m od ern

’

.
, ,

c h ron ol ogy s h ows t h a t H e z ekia h d i ed t en years b efore

th e e clips e in qu es t ion s o t h at it fe l l a q u art er of a

,

cen t ury too l ate for t h e pu rp os e an d n o oth er e clips e

,

i s availabl e to take i ts pla c e durin g th e lifet im e of

H ez ekiah .

B u t th ere i s n o reason to th i n k t h at th e word ren d ere d

i n ou r Au th orized V ermon as di al was a su n dial at al l .
390 TH E A STR ONOMY on TH E BIBL E
u
p p e r s t e p s of t h e s t ai rc ase i n to s h ad ow T h e s ick kin g
.
,

l ookin g l on gi n gly t owards th e Temp le c ould see th e ,

l ower st eps s till gl eami n g i n th e brigh t Ju d ean s u n sh in e .

I t was n at u ral th erefore for h i m t o s ay wh en t h e p roph et

,

Isaiah Offered h i m h is ch oice of a s ign Sh all t h e s ha d ow

,

o forward t en s t ep s O r b ack t en st e ps t h at i t was a

g ,

ligh t th in g for th e sh ad ow t o go d own t en s t eps n ay b u t ,

et t h e s h a d ow ret u rn ba ck ward t en s t eps I t w ould b e

”
l .

quit e obvi ous to h im th at a small cloud s ui tably placed , ,

migh t th row t en addit ion al steps in t o s h ad ow .

I t will b e s een th at we are l eft wi th severa l d etail s

u n d etermi n ed For t h e staircase w h ere ver c on structed
.
, ,

was proba bly n ot m ean t t o act as a s u n dial an d wa s on ly ,

s o u s ed b e ca u se i t ch an c ed t o h a v e s om e rou gh s uit abili ty

for t h e p urp ose . I n th is c as e th e s h a d ow will probably

h a ve b een t h rown n ot by a prop erly c on structe d gn om on
, ,

b u t by som e buildin g i n t h e n e igh b ou rh ood

.
An d as we .

h ave n o rec ord of t h e direc t i on of t h e s taircase i ts a n gl e ,

of i n cli n at i on i ts h e igh t a n d t h e p os i ti on of th e buildi n gs

, ,

wh ich migh t h a v e cas t a s h a d ow u p on i t we are w ith ou t ,

an
y in dic at i on t o guid e u s .

W h en th e qu een of Sh eba ca m e t o visi t kin g Solom on ,

an d s a w al l his m agn ific en c e on e of t h e t h in gs w h ich

,

s p ecia lly imp res s ed h er wa s hi s a s c en t by wh ich h e w en t

up u n to th e h ou se of t he Lord .
”
Th is was th e ca u s eway
as i t i s c a ll ed i n
”
of t h e goin g u p , t h e Firs t B ook of
C h ron icl es. We are t old Of a n umb er of a l tera tion s ,

m ad e in th e Temple fu rn i ture an d build i n gs by kin g

Ah az an d i t i s said t h at th e covered way for t h e
,

sabbath that th ey h a d buil t i n t h e h ou s e a n d th e ki n g s

’

,
 TH E DIAL OF A HA Z 39 1

en try wi th ou t turn ed h e un to (ma rgi n rou n d ) th e h ou se

, ,

of t h e Lord b ec a u se of t h e ki n g of Assyri a
”
,
Th at i s t o .

’
s ay A h a z c on s id ere d t h a t Sol om on s st a irc ase was too muc h
,

e xp os ed i n t h e c as e of a s i ege be in g wi th ou t t h e Te mp l e
,

e n cl os u re . Th is p robably n ec ess ita t ed t h e c on struc t i on

of a n ew s t a i rc as e w h ic h w ould n a t u ra lly b e c all e d t h e
,

st airca s e of A h az Th at t h ere was i n lat er t im es s uch a

.
, ,

s tairc a s e at ab ou t th is p l a c e we k n ow from t h e rou t e t ak en

by t h e triumph al process i on at th e t im e of th e d edicati on

of t h e w a ll of J eru sa l e m u n d er N e h e mia h

At t h e fou n ta in
gat e wh ich was over agai n s t th em
, ,

t h ey w en t up by t h e s ta irs of t h e Ci ty of D a vid a t t h e ,

oi n up of t h e w all a b ov e t h e h ou s e Of D a vid e v en u n t o
g g ,
”
,

t h e wa t er g at e ea s tward .

I n t h isca s e th ere would b e a sp ecial appropr1a ten ess in

t h e s ign th a t was Offere d t o H e z ekiah Th e s ign t h a t h e
.

w ould b e s o res tore d as on c e a gai n t o go up t o t h e h o u s e

,

o f t h e Lord was t o b e giv en h i m on t h e v ery s ta i rc a se

,

by wh ich h e w ould go H e was n ow t h irty eigh t years

.
-

ol d an d h ad d oub tl ess wa tc h e d th e s h a d ow o f t h e p a l ac e
,

d escen d t h e s taircase i n t h e a ftern oon h u n dreds of t im es ;,

quite p oss ibly h e had a ctu ally s een a cloud m ak e t he

s h a d ow ra c e forw ard B u t t h e re v erse h e h ad n e v er s een
. .

O n ce a s tep h a d p ass ed i n to t h e sha d ow of th e p alac e i t ,

did n ot aga in e m erge u n til th e n ex t m orn in g da wn ed .

Th e s ig n t h en was t h i s : I t was a ft ern o on prob ably ,

a pp roa c h i n g t h e t im e o f t h e e ve ni n g p ray er a n d t h e ,

c ou rt Official s an d p al a c e a tten dan ts w ere m ovin g d own

th e s ta ircas e in t h e s h ad ow wh en as t h e s ick ki n g
, ,
392 TH E A STR ONOM Y OF TH E BIBLE
w at ch ed t h em from a bo ve th e s h a d ow of t h e palace was ,

roll e d b a ck u p t h e s ta i rc as e an d a fl ood o f li h t p ou re d
g ,

d own on ten of t h e broad s tep s u p on w h ich th e su n h ad 1

.

a l rea dy s et H ow t h is ligh t i n g of th e t en s te ps wa s
.

brough t a bout we are n ot t old n or i s an y clu e given u s ,

on w h ic h we can b a s e a c on j e ct u re B u t th i s re t u rn o f
'

light wa s a figure of w h at wa s a c tu al ly h appemn g i n th e

li fe of th e kin g hims el f H e h ad a lready as i t were
.

, ,

pa ss ed in to t h e sh ad ow th at on ly d eep en s in to n igh t .

As h e san g h imse l f a fter h i s recovery

I sai d I n th e n oon tid e of my d ay s I sh all gO i n to th e gates
'

of th e gra v e

I m d epri v ed of th e resi d u e of my
~

a y ears .

d ev
’

I sai d , I sh a ll n ot see th e L or , en th e L ord in th e l

an d

of l i vi n g
th e
I sh all b eh old man n o morewi th th e i n h ab itan ts of th e world .

But n ow th e ligh t h ad b een brough t ba ck t

o hi m, an d
he could say
Th e li vi n g th e li vi n g h e sh all prai se Th ee as I d o th i s d ay
, , ,

Th e fath er to th e ch i ld ren sh all mak e k n own Th y tru th .

Th e L ord i s read y to sa e me .
v
Th erefore we wi l l si n g my son gs to th e stri n ged i n stru men ts
All th e d ay s of ou r li fe i n th e h ou se of th e L or
'

As livin g man am on gst th e livi n g h e pra is ed God for

a

fi ft een m ore y ears of li fe an d h i s son gs th at h e sa n g w ere ,

th e fi ft e en s on gs of d e re es s on gs of t h e s tep s
”

g ,

Psalm s cxx cxxxiv Ten of t h ese h e wrot e h imself for

. .
,

t h e s h ad o w h a d roll e d b a ck fro m t en s t ep s of t h e st aircase

of Ah az Five were p salm s of Da vid h i s great forefa th er
.
, ,

son gs of Zi on

ess mg,
F or th ere th e L ord comman d ed th e b l
“

v
E en l i fe for ev ermore ”
.
394 TH E A STR ONOMY O F TH E B I B LE

t hat I may com e an d worsh i p Him als o W h en t h ey .

h ad h eard t h e kin g t h e y d epart ed ; an d l

, o t h e s tar , , ,

wh ich th ey s aw in th e ea st wen t b efore t hem t ill i t , ,

cam e an d s t ood o ver w h ere t h e you n g Ch ild wa s W h en .

”
t h ey saw t h e star t h ey rej oic ed wi th e xc ee din g great j oy
,
.

So mu ch, an d no more are we t old of the s tar of

B eth l eh em ,
an d th e s tory i s as s ign ifican t in i t s m1ss1on s
o

as i n t ha t wh ich i t tell s us

What s ort of a s tar wis e men ;

i t wa s th at l
ed t h e

h ow th ey l earn t from i t th at t h e Kin g of t h e Je ws was

b orn ; h ow i t wen t be fore t h em ; h ow i t st ood over w h ere
th e yo u n g C h i ld was we d o n ot kn ow , N or i s i t o f t h e
.

leas t imp ortan ce th at we sh ould kn ow On e verse m ore .

,

an d th at a s h ort on e w ould ha v e an s w ered th ese i n qui ri es ;

,

i t would h a v e told u s wh et h er i t was s om e c on j u n c t i on of

t h e plan ets ; wh e th er p erc h an c e i t was a c om et or a ,

t em p ora ry s t ar ; or wh et h er i t was a s up er
“
n ew
“
or ~

n a t u ra l ligh t lik e t h e p illar of fi re th at guid ed th e

,

ch ild ren of I srael i n t h e w ildern ess B u t t h at vers e

.

h as n ot b een giv en The tw el v e or t wen ty addi t ion a l

.

word s wh ich cou l d ha ve cleared up t h e m att er h a ve

, ,

be en withh eld an d there can b e n o d oubt as t o th e

, .

reas on . Th e s tar what ever i ts phys ica l n atu re was

”
, ,

o f n o im p ortan c e exc ept as a guid e to t h e bi rt h pl ace

,

of t h e in fan t J es u s In form ation ab ou t i t wou l d have

.

d rawn att en tion from th e obj e c t of t h e n arra t ive ; i t wo ul d

h a ve g iven t o a m ere sign p ost th e imp ortan ce wh ic h
-

b el on ged on ly to th e Word mad e fl esh .

We are often told t hat t h e Bibl e sh ould b e studie d

recise l th er b ook is stu died Y et b efore we
p y as an
y o
‘

.
 TH E STA R OF B E THL E H E M 395

can crit iciz e an y b ook we mu st first as c ertain wh at

,

w as th e pu rp ose t h a t t h e a u th or had i n writ in g i t .

Th e h is t ory of En gl an d for in s tan c e h as been w ri tt en

, ,

by man y p ers on s an d from m an y p oin ts of vi ew On e .

man has trac ed t h e s uccess ion of th e dyn ast i es t h e ,

rel a t i on sh ip s of th e S ucces sive royal famili es an d th e ,

effe c t of t h e a dmin is trat i on s of t h e vari ou s ki n gs .

An ot h er h as ch iefly con sid ered th e d e velopmen t of repre

s en t at i ve gov ern m en t a n d of pa rlia m en ta ry i n s t i t u t ion s .

A t h ird h as con cern ed h i msel f m ore w i th t h e diff eren t

ra c es t h at ,
by t h eir fu si on h ave form ed t h e n at ion as
,

i t i s t o d ay
-
.A fou rth h as d eal t wi th th e soci al con dit i on
of t h e p eople t h e in c rease of c om fort an d luxu ry
, To .

a fi ft h t h e t ru e h i s t ory of E n gl a n d i s t h e s t ory of i ts

exp an s i on ,
t h e foun d ati on a n d grow th of i t s c ol on ia l

em p ire . W hi l e to a s ix th i ts religi ou s h ist ory i s th e

,

on e t h at cl a im s m os t a t t en t i on a n d th e s t ru gl es wi t h
, g
Rom e t h e rise an d d ec ay of Pu ri ta n ism an d th e d evel op
, ,

m en t of m od ern t h ought will fi ll h i s pages Each of .

t h es e six will sel e c t j u st t h os e fa ct s an d th ose fa ct s,

on ly t h a t are re l e van t to h i s s ubj e ct

,
Th e in t roducti on
.

of irrel e van t fac ts w ould b e felt t o m ark th e ign oran t .

or u n sk i l fu lworkm an
- The m as t er of h i s cra ft wi ll k eep
.

in th e b ackgrou n d th e d etail s t h at h a ve n o b eari n g on

h i s m a in purp ose an d t o th os e wh ic h h a v e b u t a s ligh t
,

b earin g h e will give on ly s uch n otic e as th eir im portan ce

‘

i n t h is c on n ec ti on warran t s .

Th e pu rp ose of th e Bibl e i s to reveal God t o u s an d ,

t o t e a ch u s of ou r rel at i on s h ip t o Him I t was n ot.

in t en d ed t o grat i fy t h at n at u ral an d laudabl e cu ri osi t

y
396 TH E A STR ONO M Y OF TH E BIBLE
‘

wh ich h as b een th e fou n da t i on phys ical s cien ces of th e .

Ou r own e fforts ou r own in t elligen ce can h elp u s h ere

, ,

an d t h e Sc ri p t u re s h a v e n ot b e en giv en u s i n ord er t o

s a v e u s th e t roubl e of e x ert in g t h em .

Th ere i s n o reason for su rprise th en t h at t h e in forma , ,

ti on giv en u s c on c i gt e
ern n h s t a r i s — astron om ically— so
imp erfe ct We a re in d eed told b u t two fa cts con c ern in g
.
, ,

it. Firs t that i ts ap p earan ce in s om e way or oth er ,

‘

in form ed th e wi se men n ot of th e birth of a kin g of

,

t h e Je ws b u t of the Kin g of th e Jews fo r W h ose c omin g

‘

, ,

n ot I srae l on ly b u t m ore or l es s con s ci ou s ly th e wh ol e

,

civiliz ed world was wa itin g N ext h a vin g com e to Ju d aea

,
.
,

i n c on sequ en ce of th is i n form at i on t h e s t ar poin ted ,

ou t t o t h e m t h e ac tu a l s p ot wh ere t h e n ew b orn Kin g -

wa s to b e fou n d I t w en t b efore t h em t il l i t ca m e
.

an d s tood o v er w h ere t h e y ou n g Ch ild wa s I t may

”
.

al so b e i n ferre d from Ma t t ii 1 0 th at i n som e way

. .

or oth er t h e wi s e men h ad for a t im e l os t s ig h t of t h e

s t ar so t h at t h e t wo fa c ts m en t i on e d of i t rel at e t o
,

t wo s eparat e app earan c es Th e first a p p earan ce induc e d

.

th em t o l eave t h e E ast an d s et ou t for Jn d asa ; th e s ec on d

’

p oin t ed ou t t o th em th e p lace at B eth l eh em wh ere t he

obj e c t of t h eir s earch wa s t o b e fou n d Noth in g i s t old .

u s res p e ct i n g t h e s tar e xc e p t i ts w ork a s a guid e .

Som e t h re e c en t uri es ago th e i n gen i ou s an d d evou t

Kepl er s u pposed t h at h e could id en tify th e Star w ith a
con j un ction of th e p lan ets Ju p iter an d Satu rn in t he ,

con st ell at i on Pis c es Th is con j un cti on t ook pl ace i n t h e

.

m on th of May B C 7 n ot very l on g b efore the birth of

, . .
,

ou r Lord is s u ppos ed to have tak en pl ace .

398 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IBLE

shi n es wi th xtraordin ary brillian ce wh en in pa rtic u lar

e

pa rts of h er orbit On on e of th es e occas ion s wh en sh e

.
,

wa s seen as a m orn in g s tar i n t h e east som e h azy recol ,

l ection of t he legen d j u s t n oticed ca u se d a n umber of

p eople to hail h er as n on e oth er th an t he s tar of B eth leh em
a t i ts predict e d ret u rn .

Th ere is n o reas on t o s up p ose tha t th e st ar of 1 5 72 ha d

e ve r app eare d be fore t h at d a t e or will e v er a p p ear a ga m
, .

B u t i n an y cas e we are p erfe ct ly s u re t h a t i t c ould n ot h ave

b een t h e star of B eth l eh em For C ass iop ei a i s a n orth ern
.

con stella tion an d th e wise men wh en t h ey set ou t from

, ,

Jerusalem to B eth l eh em mu st have ha d Cassiopeia an d all

h er s tars b eh in d t h em .

The fa ct t h at th e s tar w en t b efore th em an d st o

“
od

o v er w h ere t h e yo u n g C h ild l
a
y giv es t h e im pre ss
, i on t h at

i t was s om e light lik e t h e Sh ekin ah gl ory res tin g on t he

,

Ark in th e tab ern acl e or th e p illar of fi re wh ic h l

, ed t h e

ch ildren of Israel through th e wild ern ess B u t t h is vi ew .

rais es t h e qu es t ion s a s t o t h e form i n w h ich i t fi rs t

a pp ea re d t o t h e wi se men wh en th ey were s t ill i n t h e

Eas t an d h ow th ey cam e to call i t a s tar wh en th ey mu st

, ,

ha v e rec ogn i z e d h ow very u n starlike i t was Wh ilst i f .

,

what th ey saw wh en in th e E as t was really a star i t ,

seems m os t di fficul t t o u n d ers tan d h ow i t can h a v e ap

ared t o o b e fore t h e m an d t o s tan d ov er t h e pl ac e

p e g
wh ere th e youn g C h ild lay .

I h ave som ewh ere com e across a l egen d wh ich may

p oss ibly afford th e clu e b u t I h ave n ot b een abl e to fi n d
,
‘

th at th e l egen d res ts up on an y au t h ority I t i s t h at th e .

star h ad b een l ost i n th e dayligh t by t h e t ime that t he

,
 TH E STA R OF B E THLE H E M 399

wis e men ch ed Jerusal em I t was th erefore an even

rea .

i n g s ta r duri n g t h e ir j ou rn ey th i th er B u t i t i s sa id t h a t .

wh en t h ey rea ch ed B eth l eh em a pp aren t ly n early at mi d ,

day on e of th em w en t t o th e w ell of th e in n i n ord er t o

, ,

d raw water Lookin g d own in t o th e w el l h e saw th e

.
,

s tar re fl e c t ed from t h e s u rfa c e of t h e wa t er

,
Th i s would .

o f c ourse b e an i n t ima t i on t o t h em t h at t h e st ar was

i

directly overh ead an d i ts re ob servati on un der s uch a n

,
-

u su al circum stan ces would b e a s uffici en t assu ran ce th at

,

t h ey had rea ch ed t h e righ t sp ot In quiry in th e in n would .

lea d t o a kn owledge of t h e vis it of th e s h eph erds an d of ,

t h e an gelic m ess age wh ich h ad t old t h em wh ere t o fin d

t h e Ba b e b orn i n t h e cit y of D a vid a Sa vi ou r W h ic h i s , ,

”
Chris t t h e Lord .

I f th is story b e tru e th e1
Star of B eth l eh e m was
,

probably a n ew star like th at of 1 5 72 I ts firs t ap p earan ce

“
,
”
.

wo uld th en have cau sed t he Magi to set ou t on th eir

j ou rn ey t h ough i t d oes n ot app ear h ow th ey k n ew what
,

i t s ign ifie d u n l ess we s u pp ose t h at t h ey w ere i n form ed of

,

i t i n a d ream j us t as t h ey w ere a fterward s warn ed of God

,

n ot t o ret u rn to H erod W h ilst t hey were tra vellin g th e

.

course of th e year wou l d brin g t h e star w hich s h on e ,

s t rai h t b efore t h e m i n t h e w es t a ft er s u n s et ev ery ev en

g
i n g n earer an d n earer to t h e su n
, We may su ppose that .
,

lik e oth er n ew stars i t gra dually fad ed s o t ha t by t he

, ,

t im e t h e wise men h ad reac h ed Jeru sal em t h ey h ad l ost

s igh t of i t a l t og et h er Havi n g t h u s l ost i t th ey would
. ,

probably n ot thin k of l ookin g for i t by dayligh t for i t i s ,

1 Th e l egen d i s sti l l curren t i n Pal esti n e, an d th e well

where the
star was seen i s stil lsh own to pi lgri ms .
400 TH E A STR ONOMY OF TH E B IBLE

y t h in g t o
d etect by dayligh t e ven Ven u s at h er ‘

n o e as

rea t es t brilli a n cy u n l ess on e kn ows e x a c t ly wh e re t o l ook

g , .

Th e difficul ty d oes n o t l i e i n an y w an t of b righ tn ess b u t ,

i n pi cki n g u p an d h oldin g s t ea dily s o min u t e a p oin t of

ligh t i n th e broa d e x pan se of th e gl ea min g sky Th is .

difficulty would b e overc om e for th em a cc ordin g to th is ,

s t ory by t h e well w h ich a c t ed like a t ub e t o dire c t t h e m

, ,

e x a c t ly t o t h e s tar an d like a t el es c op e to l essen t h e s k

, y ,

glare I t would b e also n ec essary t o s u pp ose th at th e

.

s t ar was fl as h in g ou t again with ren ewe d brillia n cy .

Such a b ri e f recovery of ligh t h as n ot been un kn own in

th e c as e of som e of ou r n e w or t emp orary s tars
“
.

I give th e ab ove story for wh at it i s worth b u t I attach ,

n o imp ort an c e t o i t mys el f Som e h owever may fe el th a t

.
, ,

i t rem oves w h at th ey h ad fel t as a di ffi c u l ty i n th e n arra

t ive —
,
n a m e ly t o u n d ers t an d h ow t h e s t ar c ould
,
s t an d

ov er wh ere t h e y ou n g C h ild l a
y I t w .
”
ould a l so e xpla i n ,

w hat seems to b e impli ed i n th e n arra tive h ow i t

‘

happ en e d th at th e Magi al on e an d n ot th e Jews i n g en era l

, ,

p erceived th e star a t i t s secon d app earan ce .

For mys el f th e n arrat iv e app ears t o me as tron omically

,

t oo in compl et e for an y a stron omical c on clu s i on s to b e

drawn from i t Th e ret icen ce of th e n a rrat ive on all
.

p oin ts excep t th ose direc tly relat in g t o ou r Lord Him sel f

, ,

i s an illu st rati on of th e t ru th t h at t h e Scrip tures were n ot

writ t en to in s truct u s i n astron omy or i n an y of th e ,

ph ysical s cien ces b u t th at we might h ave etern a l li fe

,
.

An n TH I S I S L I FE
E TER N AL ,
T HAT THEY H
M I G T KN OW

TH EE TH E O NL Y TRU E Go n , AN D JESU S CH RI ST,

WHOM THQ U E AST SEN T.
40 2 TABLE OF SCR I P TUR AL RE F E RE NCE S
TA BLE OF SCR I PTUR AL R E FE R E N CE S 403

B ook .

v 11
. 2 v u i 21
.

v i i i 21
.

D eu t .

E x od .
404 TABL E OF SCR I P TUR A L R E F E RE N CE S

P age . B o ok .

Joh n

P sa m l
29 3 I I Ki n gs
.

I s ai ah
294
Amos
001 .

II . Sam. II . Ki n gs

II . Chron .

x x vi . 2, 21
406 IND E X
P GEA
Chi sleu , mon th 3 0 0 , 304, 3 1 0
Chi u n 14 5
Clou d s 4 2, 4 3, 44, 46 , 5 4
t h e b al
, an ci n gs of t h e 46
, t h e sprea d i n gs of 49
Colu res , t h e
Comets 1 0 3—108
D on ati s
’

ale
y
’
H l
s
Gen d er, Col C R 238
1 5 1—
. . .

ll
Con ste ati on s, l i st of 15 2
ori gin of 1 49—1 6 1
Copern i cu s 76
Cowe l, P l . H . 30 3
l
Cow ey , A E . . 3 44
Creati on 12— 24
st ory of, B ab y on i an l 26 , 240,
n 9 n u a
eb rew H 25
Scan d i n a i an v 29
Cy c es , Astron omi ca , of D an i e
l l l 33 7—34 8
l
Cy i n d er seal

Damasci u s :5 2 27
D an i el Cy cles of
, 3 3 7— 34 8
D aws on D1 W Bell 3 43
26 9—
, . .

Day d i ts d i i s i on s
an v 282
Day s, d i fferen t k i n d s of 271 , 272
Day spri n g ”
71 , 281
Dec an s 1 42, 244, 245 , 248
De Ch eseau x 34 3
5
.

D eep (teh ém) . 2 -

3 4, 5 3, 20 1, 210, 21 1 , 234
fou n tai n s of .

D elitzsch , Prof Fr . . 3 1 , 1 5 7, 1 70 , 1 71, 28 5

D elu ge
D en n in g, W F . . 220
D ialof Ah az 38 5 3 92
-

Di an a of t h e Eph es1an s 1 12
Di eu afoy , Marcel
l . 372
Disraeli 278
D rach 221
D rac on i c p eri od 1 22
Dragon s H ead an d ’
Tail
Dri ver 1 72, 20 9

Earth (eretz) . 39
corn ers of 51
fou n d ati on s of 39, 58
pi lars of l 3 9, 40
E as t ( k ed em, fron t ) 51
( mmmch , ri si n g) 51
 IND E X
E dd p ose
a, r 29
Elli tt A drew
co , n 1 14
E pi uc rean s 71
Eppi g D n ,
r. 274
Eq l u u eu s 152
E t th
ra os en es 218
E th an i m mo th ,
n
E d
u ox u s 6 , 3 7, 1 5 2, 3 4 6
E ipi d es
ur 21 8
E u sebi us 88
E v i gs b t w th t w
en n ,
e een e o 277— 279
Ey elid of th Mo i g
s e rn n 1 1 7, 20 9 , 21 0

False D awn
F irmamen t ( raged )
( stereoma )
Fl an is t eed , fi rst Ast ron omer Roy a l .

F lood , see D e u ge l
Gad
G alileo
G ama i e , Rabbon
l l
G en es i s a n d th e Con ste ation s ll
Ges en i us
G ilgamesh pi c of , E
Gos s e, P . H .

v
Gro es, see Ash erah
Gu in n ess , Dr Grattan . H .

Heaven ( sha ma y im) '

bis ecti on of
fou n d at i on s of 39
h os t o f 5 6, 5 7, 6 5
pil lars of O O 39
s tori es of 40
wi n d ows of 49 , 5 0, 5 3
Hl l
e i a ca ri si n g 5 9 , 222, 224, 261
H ers ch el,
Si r W .

H ersh on , P I 311
1 1
. .

H esi od 2 6, 2 8, 23 7, 28 4
H p
es eru s
H i pp h arc us
H fli
o D er, r . 26 6
H mm l D
o e r 240
3 5
.
,

Hmo er 1 6, 1 3 , 1 5 4, 214
IIorace 287, 288
H ( 7 h)
our 3 1a a 28 1
d bl (I ou e -
cas bu ) 8 2
2 2, 3 0 , 346 , 3 8 1
H mb ldt
u o 1 14
Hy d a es
408 I ND EX
u se
I b rah i m b en Ah med 1 14
l
I i ad 80
I s ta r 3
9 0, 1 1 ,

J ob u d a Rabb i , 261
J en sen 240
J oseph u s . 6 8 , 18 7, 28 8 , 28 9
Tosh u a ’ s L on g Day 3 5 1—38 4
Ju bi lee th e 3 26 33 6-

3
,

Ju pi ter 1 04, 1 31 , 1 2, 1 3 7, 247, 3 96

(N i bi r)
J u ven al . 28 8

Karai te J ews 278

Kepler 4, 9 6 , 3 96
21 4— 2
21 6 , 23 1 3 2, 237—243 , 26 2
20 1
Ki ma h . 214—216, 223, 231 232, 23 7, 241 , 243, 25 1 ,
Ki n g Dr L W, . . . 240 ,
Kn ob el E B , . . 34 4
Kou y un j ik mou n d 27, 3 3

L an ce star -
240
L eon id met eors 11 4 , 1 1 6
v
L e i ath an 1 9 6—212
L on gfel ow
l 23 3, 23 6
L u ci fer 13 2

Mad ler 220

Maest lin 21 9
Maz zaroth ( or Mazzaloth ) 13 0, 2 5
14, 243 2 7, 270 , 280
-

Mem 21 7
’

Mercu ry
Merodach 33, 13 1 , 210, 23 4 242, 247, 25 2
-

Meteors 1 1 1—1 17
Meton i c Cy cle 3 3
06 , 35 , 3 44
Milton 10 7
Mi sh n a , th e 29 7, 31 1
Mi th ra i c cu lt 1 60
Mon th 8 3—85 , 29 3— 30 4
an o mali sti c 3 42
Mon th s , H eb rew n a mes for 30 4
Moon .79— 92
l
b i n d n ess 92
-

go d ( S in ) 8 7, 25 3, 3 24
h ar es t v 81
, n ew 12
ph ases of . 80 , 9 1
Mii ller, Otfri ed 262

N ewton 4
N i san , mon th 3 00, 3 04, 3 10, 3 11, 3 15 , 320
410 IND E X
A
P GE
Star of B eth eh em l 3 93 4 00
-

Stars 56 —1 0 0
morn i n g 5 9—6 1
roy al 0 O 160
s h oot i n g 113
Tri ad of
9: . Twi n

St ati u s 222
St ern , Prof . 26 1 , 262
Strassmai er
Su n 5 5 , 63 78
god ( Samas )
-

st rok e
-
72

l
Ta mu d 222, 279 , 29 7, 3 1 1
Tammu z 66
Ta1 gu m, th e Jeru s alem 190
Tav th é, see Ti amat
Tek om, 3 6 6 D eep
’

Ten n y son
Th al es

Th i e e, Prof l 15 , 3
16
210 2
.

Ti amat , or Ti amtu 27 29, 32, 3 4, 201,

-

, 34 235 , 240 —242

Ti bu lu s l 28 8
Ti d es
Tri b es of I srae an d th e l Zodi ac
Ty ch o B rah e . 96

V en u s
V i rgi l 160
Vu l gate 3 5
1 4, 2 8, 25 9

Week an d th e Sabb ath 283 29 2

-

he su n )
.

West ( mew h a s shemesh , goi n g d own of t 51

( y a m th e
, s ea ) 51
Wi n ckler Prof H , . . 23 5
Wi n d s {K
L 51
Wormwood the star , O 1 16

Xen oph an es 71

Y ear 30 5 325
-

(sha n a h ) 30 5
Y eh osh u a , Rabb i 29 7

Z eu ch ros
Zi f, mon th
Z odi ac, con st e lati on s of l
s ec ti on s o f ( mi zmtw)
si gn s of 1 4 1, 245 , 24 9
Zodi acalfi gh t a o 11 7