"The Stars Also". This Is Appendix 12
From The Companion Bible.
In the first mention of the heavenly bodies, the
purpose of the Creator is clearly stated. Genesis 1:14-19 reveals the fact
that they were created, not only "to divide the day from the night,
and to give light upon the earth"; but, they were set "for
SIGNS, and for SEASONS, and for days and
years". The figure Polysyndeton
(see Appendix 6)
emphasises these four purposes, and bids us single them out and consider
them separately and independtly. They are "for
SIGNS". Hebrew 'oth, from
'athah, to come. Signs, therefore, of something or some One
to come. Those who understand them are enlightened by them.
Those who do not may well be "dismayed" (Jeremiah
10:2).
The stars are numbered and named. There are twelve
signs of the Zodiac, called "the stars" Genesis
37:9 (eleven of which
bowed down to Joseph's, the twelfth). The word Zodiac means
the degrees or steps, which mark the stages of
the sun's path through the heavens, corresponding with the twelve months.
The stars were all named by God (Psalm
147:4). Most of these
names have been lost; but over 100 are preserved through the Arabic and
Hebrew, and are used by astronomers to-day, though their meaning is
unknown to them. Many of them are used in Scripture as being well known,
though the translations are somewhat speculative: for example Job
9:9. Hebrew
'ash (Arcturus, Revised Version the Bear),
kesil
(Authorized Version Orion), kimah (Pleiades). Job
38:31,
32,
mazzaroth (margin, and Revised Version, the twelve signs;
margin, the signs of the Zodiac). Compare 2 Kings
23:5,
'ash (Arcturus with her sons, Revised Version the Bear with
her train, both versions being incorrect as to the names). See also Isaiah
13:10. Amos
5:8.
These names and the twelve "signs" go
back to the foundation of the world. Jewish tradition, preserved by
Josephus, assures us that this Bible astronomy was invented by Adam, Seth
and Enoch. We see evidence of it as early as Genesis
11:4, where we read of
the Tower of Babel having "his top with the heavens". There
is nothing about the wrongly supplied italics "may reach
unto". The words, doubtless, refer to the signs of the Zodiac,
pictured at the top of the Tower, like the Zodiacs in the Temples of
Denderah, and Esneh in Egypt. The Babylonian
"Creation Tablets" refer to them, though their primitve
meaning had been either corrupted or lost. It is the same with the Greek
mythology, which is a corruption of primitive truth which had been lost
and perverted. We have to remember that our
written Scriptures began with Moses, say in 1490
B.C.: and thus, for more than 2,500 years, the revelation of the hope
which God gave in Genesis 3:15 was preserved in
the naming of the stars and their grouping in
Signs and Constellations. These groupings are quite
arbitrary. There is nothing in the positions of the stars to suggest the
pictures originally drawn around them. The Signs and Constellations were
first designed and named; then, the pictures were drawn around them
respectively. Thus the truth was enshrined and written in the heavens,
where no human hand could touch it. In later years, when Israel came into
the possession of the written "Scriptures of truth", there
was no longer any need for the more ancient writing in the heavens. Hence,
the original teaching gradually faded away and the heathen, out of the
smattering they had heard by tradition, evolved their cosmogonies and
mythologies. Psalm 19 contains a vivid reference to
these two Books of revelation. That is why there is the very sudden change
of subject at verse 7; a change which
still perplexes and baffles all the skill of commentators.
The teaching is preserved in the structure of the
Psalm, where we have
- A |
1 - 4 -. The Heavens.
- B |
- 4 - 6. "In
them, the sun".
- A |
7 - 10. The Scriptures.
- B |
11 - 14. "In them
1, Thy
servant".
In this structure every line emphasises the
elaboration of the design: for, while, in the first half, all the terms
are literary, in the latter half they are all
astronomical, thus welding the two portions of the Psalm
into one harmonious whole. For the meaning of the
words, reference must be made to the Psalm itself. We can only note here
that the first part does not refer to the wonders of
creation, but to the eloquence of its teaching and
revelation: they "declare", tell, or narrate
(Genesis 24:66. Psalm
71:15), they
"utter speech", but without words (omit
"where" in verse 3); Hebrew = they
"show forth", exhibit (Genesis 3:11. Psalm
97:6; 111:6); they prophesy
"day by day", "night by night". The question
is: What do they prophesy? What knowledge do they show forth? What glory
do they tell of? The answer is - Genesis
3:15. The one great
central truth of all prophecy - the coming One, Who, though He should
suffer, should in the end crush the head of the old serpent, the Devil.
But, where are we to open this book? Where are we to
break into this circle of the Zodiacal signs?
Through the "precession of the
Equinoxes" the sun gradually shifts its position a little each
year, till in about every 2,000 years it begins the year in a different
sign. This was foreseen; and it was also foreseen that succeeding
generations would not know when and where the sun began its course, and
where the teaching of this Heavenly Book commenced, and where we were to
open its first page. Hence the "Sphinx" was invented as a
memorial. It had the head of a woman and the body and tail of a lion, to
tell us that this Book, written in the Heavens, began with the sign
"Virgo", and will end with the sign "Leo". The
word "sphinx" is from the Greek sphingo, to
join; because it binds together the two ends of this circle of the
heavens. The number of the Signs is twelve, the
number of governmental perfection or "rule": compare Genesis
1:18 (Appendix 10). They
are divided into three books of four chapters (or signs) each: twelve
being the product of 3 x 4. that is to say, of Divine truth
working in the heavens and in the earth (see Appendix 10).
Each book, therefore, consists of four signs; and
these are all arranged, by structure, in exactly the same way. Each is an
introversion. Thus we have the three books:
First Book. The Redeemer. (His first coming).
- A | VIRGO. The prophecy of the promised
seed.
- B | LIBRA. The Redeemer's work (grace).
- B | SCORPIO. The Redeemer's conflict.
- A | SAGITTARIUS. The prophecy
fulfilled.
Second Book. The Redeemed. (His work and its results).
- C | CAPRICORNUS. The prophecy of
deliverance.
- D | AQUARIUS. Results of work bestowed.
- D | PISCES. Results of work enjoyed.
- C | ARIES. The prophesied
deliverance fulfilled.
Third Book. The Redeemer. (His Second Coming.)
- E | TAURUS. The prophecy of coming
judgment.
- F | GEMINI. The Redeemer's reign in glory.
- F | CANCER. The Redeemer's possession safe.
- E | LEO. The prophecy of
triumph fulfilled.
Each of the four chapters in each of these three
books consists of three sections; and each section is represented by a
Constellation. There are thus thirty-six (3 x 12) Constellations, which,
with the twelve Signs, make forty-eight (4 x 12) in all.
They may thus be set forth :
The First Book. The Redeemer. "The sufferings
of Christ."
- VIRGO (A).
The
prophecy of the promised seed.
- COMA. (= The desired). The woman and child the desired of all
nations (in the most ancient Zodiacs).
- CENTAURUS (with two natures). The despised sin-offering.
- BOOTES. The coming One with branch.
- LIBRA (B).
The
Redeemer's atoning work.
- CRUX. The Cross endured.
- LUPUS. The Victim slain.
- CORONA. The Crown bestowed.
- SCORPIO (B).
The
Redeemer's conflict.
- SERPENS. Assaulting the man's heel.
- OPHIUCHUS. The man grasping the serpent.
- HERCULES. The mighty man victorious.
- SAGITTARIUS (A).
The
Redeemer's triumph.
- LYRA. Praise prepared for the Conqueror.
- ARA. Fire prepared for His enemies.
- DRACO. The dragon cast down.
The Second Book. The Redeemed.
- CAPRICORNUS (C).
The result
of the Redeemer's sufferings.
- SAGITTA. The arrow of God sent forth.
- AQUILA. The smitten One falling.
- DELPHINUS. The dead One rising again.
- AQUARIUS (D).
The
Blessings assured.
- PISCIS AUSTRALIS. The blessings bestowed.
- PEGASUS. The blessings quickly coming.
- CYGNUS. The Blesser surely returning.
- PISCES (D).
The
Blessings in abeyance.
- THE BAND. The great enemy, "Cetus."
- ANDROMEDA. The redeemed in bondage.
- CEPHEUS. The Deliverer coming to loosen.
- ARIES (C).
The
Blessings consummated.
- CASSIOPEIA. The captive delivered.
- CETUS. The great enemy bound.
- PERSEUS. The "Breaker" delivering.
The Third Book. The Redeemer. "The glory that
should follow."
- TAURUS (E).
Messiah
coming to rule.
- ORION. The Redeemer breaking forth as Light.
- ERIDANUS. Wrath breaking forth as a flood.
- AURIGA. Safety for His redeemed in the day of wrath.
- GEMINI (F).
Messiah as
Prince of princes.
- LEPUS. The enemy trodden under foot.
- CANIS MAJOR. The coming glorious Prince.
- CANIS MINOR. The exalted Redeemer.
- CANCER (F).
Messiah's
redeemed possessions.
- URSA MINOR. The lesser sheepfold.
- URSA MAJOR. The fold and the flock.
- ARGO. The pilgrim's arrival at home.
- LEO (E).
Messiah's
consummated triumph.
- HYDRA. The old serpent destroyed.
- CRATER. The cup of wrath poured put.
- CORVUS. The birds of prey devouring.
It will be noted that the modern names are used,
but only for the purpose of readier identification. Some of these names
were given in ignorance by those who had lost the primitive signification
of the twelve Signs and of the thirty-six Constellations.
The Hebrew and Arabic names of these, and of the
principal stars contained in them, are full of truth and eloquent in their
teaching. Thus:
VIRGO the (Virgin). Here we have the star
AL Zimach. Hebrew Zemach, the branch. Isaiah
4: 2. Jeremiah
23:5,
6.
Zechariah 3:8; 6:12. All the other
stars have cognate meanings.
- COMA. The Desired (Haggai 2:
7). Numbers
24:17. (Egyptian
Shes-nu = the desired son.)
- CENTAURUS, Al Beze, the despised (Isaiah
53:
3).
- BOOTES (Hebrew bo', to come), Psalm
96:
13. Hebrew
Arcturus (Job 9:9 = He cometh).
Egyptian = Smat, one who rules. LIBRA was anciently the
Altar (Accadian = Tulki). The two bright stars are
to-day called in Arabic Zuben al Genubi = the price which is
deficient, and Zuben al Chemali = the price which covers.
- CRUX. Hebrew karath, cut off (Daniel
9:
26).
- LUPUS. Greek name Thera, a beast. Latin
Victima. Hebrew zabah, slain. In the Zodiac
of Denderah = Sura, a lamb.
- CORONA. Hebrew 'atarah, a royal crown. Arabic
Al iclil, a jewel. Its brightest star = Al
phena, the shining one.
SCORPIO. Hebrew 'akrab
(Psalm 91:13). Coptic name =
Isidis = the attack of th enemy. Arabic = Al
aterah, the wounding of the coming One. The brightest star is
Antares (Arabic = wounding). Hebrew
Lezuth,
perverseness.
- SERPENS. The brightest star is called (Hebrew)
'anak = encompassing. Hebrew K
elalah = the accursed. Arabic Al hay,
the reptile.
- OPHIUCHUS is from Arabic Afeichus = the serpent
held. The brightest star is Ras al hagus = the head of him
holds. Other names are Megeras = contending. In the Zodiac
of Denderah he is Api-bau = the chief who cometh. Other
stars are Triophas = treading under foot;
Saiph = bruised; Carnebas = bruised.
- HERCULES. In the Zodiac of Denderah called Bau
= who cometh. Arabic Al giscale, the strong one. The
brightest star, Ras al Gethi = the head of him who
bruises.
SAGITTARIUS. Hebrew kesheth
(an archer) (Genesis 21:20). The brightest
star, Hebrew channun = the gracious one (Psalm
45:2). Accadian,
Nun-ki = Prince of the earth. In Zodiac of Denderah,
Pi-maere = graciousness, and Knem, He
conquers.
- LYRA. (Psalm 65:
1). The brightest
star Vega = He shall be exalted. In the Zodiac of Denderah
= Fent-kar = the serpent ruled. Originally an eagle, from
confusion between Hebrew nesher, and shir
(song or music).
- ARA, an altar upside down, pointing to Tartarus (Isaiah
63:
4,
5).
Arabic Al mugamra = the completing or finishing (Psalm
21:9 -
12).
- DRACO. Ends the first book, The dragon cast down.
CETUS ends the second book. Levia-than bound. HYDRA ends
the third book. The old serpent destroyed. Draco = trodden on. (Psalm
91:
13; 74:12 - 14. Isaiah
27:1). In Zodiac of
Denderah it is a serpent under the fore-feet of Sagittarius and called
Her-fent = the serpent accursed.The brightest star called
Thuban = the subtil. CAPRICORNUS = the goat of atonement. In
Zodiac of Denderah and Esneh, Hu-penius = the place of
sacrifice. Hebrew Gedi,
the kid, or Gad'a, cut off. The brightest star is
Al-gedi = the kid. The next is Deneb al gedi =
the sacrifice of the kid.
- SAGITTA, the arrow. (Psalm 38:
2. Isaiah
53:4,
5.)
Hebrew Shamad, or shamem = destroying.
- AQUILA, the eagle, pierced and wounded and falling. The
brightest star, Al tair = wounding. All the others are
similar.
- DELPHINUS. Always a fish full of life, the head upwards.
Hebrew Dălaph = the pouring out of water. Arabic
Dalaph = coming quickly.
AQUARIUS. In the Zodiac of Denderah he
has two urns. The fish seems to have come out of one of them. Hebrew name
Dali = water-urn or bucket (Numbers 24:7). Brightest star
Sa'ad al Melik = the record of the pouring forth. The next
Sa'ad al Sund = who goeth and returneth (compare Isaiah
32:1,
2;
35:1,
6;
41:18; 44:2 - 6; 51:3).
- PISCIS AUSTRALIS. The southern fish. Arabic Fom al
haut = the mouth of the fish. Zodiac of Denderah =
Aar, a stream.
- PEGASUS. The winged horse. Zodiac of Denderah Pe and ka =
Peka, or pega. Hebrew pehah =
the chief, and sus, a horse; name thus come down. The
brightest is Markab, Hebrew merhak =
returning from afar.
- CYGNUS. In the Zodiac of Denderah, Tes-ark =
this from afar. A mighty bird, not falling dead like Aquila. Brightest
star Deneb = the Judge; called also Adige =
flying swiftly. The second, Al Bireo = flying quickly. Two
others: Azel = who goes and returns quickly, and
Fafage = gloriously shining forth.
PISCES. Egyptian name in the Zodiac or
Denerah = Pi-cot Orion or Pisces Hori = the
fishes (that is to say, swarms or multitudes) of Him Who cometh. Hebrew
Dagim, the fishes (Genesis 48:16). Syriac name,
Nuno = lengthened out (that is to say, in posterity).
Compare Isaiah 53:10. Psalm
33:12; 37:22; 115:14, 15. Isaiah
61:9; 65:23; 26:15; 9:3. Jeremiah
30:19. Ezekiel
36:10,
11;
37:26. Note the two
fishes= the earthly and heavenly callings (one fish horizontal, the other
looking upward). 113 stars much of the same magnitude. The brightest star
is Okda = the united. The next (Arabic) Al
samaca = the upheld. (Isaiah 41:8 - 10.)
- THE BAND. Egyptian name U-or = He cometh
binding them together (Hosea 11:
4); and breaking
the band which binds them to their old enemy Cetus.
- ANDROMEDA. Name in the Zodiac of Denderah is
Set, which means seated as a queen. Also,
Sirco = the chained. The brightest star is Al
Phiratz = the broken down. The next, Mirach = the
weak. The next, Al amok (Arabic) = struck down. (Isaiah
54:
11 -
14;
51:21 -
52:3. Jeremiah
14:17.)
- CEPHUS. The king. In the Zodiac of Denderah
Pe-ku-hor = this one cometh to rule. Cepheus
is Greek from the Hebrew zemah = the Branch. Ethiopian
name, Hyh = a king. The brightest star is Al
Deramin = coming quickly. The next is Al Phirk =
the Redeemer. The next, Al Rai' = who bruises or breaks.
(Jeremiah 31:
1.)
ARIES. The ram or lamb full of vigour.
Not falling in death like Capricornus. The name in the
Zodiac of Denderah Tametouris Ammon = the reign or rule
Ammon. Hebrew name Taleh = the lamb. Arabic Al
Hamel = the sheep. Syriac Amroo, as in John
1:29. The Accadian name
was Bar-Ziggar = the altar making right = the sacrifice of
righteousness. The brightest star is El nath or El
natik = wounded, or slain. The next, Al Sharatan =
the bruised, or wounded. Compare Revelation 5:9 - 12.
- CASSIOPEIA. The enthroned woman. Arabic name El
seder = the freed. In the Zodiac of Denderah Set =
seated as queen. Arabic Ruchba = the enthroned. The
brightest star is Schedir = the freed. The next,
Kaph (Hebrew ) = the branch. (Isaiah 54:
5 -8; 62:3 -5. Jeremiah
31:3
-12.
Psalm 45:9 -
17.
Isaiah 61:10, 11.)
- CETUS. The sea monster. The great enemy bound (Revelation
20:
10; compare
20:1 -
3).
The name in the Zodiac of Denderah is Knem = subdued. The
brightest star is Menkar = the enemy chained. The next is
Diphda or Deneb Kaitos = overthrown, or
thrust down. Another is Mira = therebel. (Job
41:1
-10.
Isaiah 51:22, 23; 26:21 -
27:1. Psalm
74:12 -
14.)
- PERSEUS. The Breaker. Hebrew Perez. Greek,
Perses, or Perseus (Romans 16:
12. Micah
2:12,
13).
Name in Zodiac of Denderah is Kar Knem = he who fights and
subdues. The brightest star is Mirfak = who helps. The
next, Al Genib = who carries away. The next is
Athik = who breaks. TAURUS Messiah coming in judgment.
Chaldee Tor. Hence, Arabic Al Thaur; Greek,
Tauros; Latin Taurus. The common Hebrew name is Shur =
coming and ruling, and Re'em =
pre-eminence. The brightest star in Al Debaran = the Leader
or Governor. The next is El nath = wounded or slain. The
group Pleiades is Kimah = heap or accumulation. (Job
9:9; 38:31, 32. Amos
5:8.) A bright star is
Al Cyone = the centre. Hebrew and Syriac name is
Succoth = booths. Another group, Hyades = the
congregated. (Deuteronomy 33:17. Psalm
44:5. Isaiah
13:11
-15;
34:2 -
8;
26:21.)
- ORION. The coming Prince. Light breaking forth, through the
Redeemer. In the Zodiac of Denderah it is Ha-ga-t = this
is He Who triumphs Oarion = Hebrew 'Or,
light; or coming forth as light (compare Job 9:
9; 38:31. Amos
5:8). Hebrew
Kesil
= a strong one (translated "Orion" in Job 9:9; 38:31. Amos
5:8). The brightest
star is Betelgeuz = the coming of the Branch (Malachi
3:2). The next is
Rigel or Rigol = the foot of him that
crusheth. The next is Bellatrix = swiftly destroying.
Another is Al Nitak = the wounded One. Many others with
names of cumulative meanings. (See Isaiah 42:13, 14; 60:1 - 3.)
- ERIDANUS. The river of judgment. In the Zodiac of Denderah it
is Peh-ta-t = the mouth of the river. The brightest star
is Achernar = the after part of the river. So with the
other names, going forth, flowing on (to the lower regions of the
south). Daniel 7:
9 -11. Psalm
97:3
-5;
50:3. Habakkuk
3:5. Isaiah
30:27 -
33.
Nahum 1:5,
6.
Isaiah 66:15, 16. 2 Thessalonians
1:7,
8.
- AURIGA. The Shepherd. (Isaiah 40:
10, 11. Ezekiel
34:22). Auriga =
Charioteer. The brightest star is Alioth = a she-goat.
Modern Latin name is Capella, same meaning. The next is
Menkilinon = the band of the goats; bound, never to be
again lost. (John 10:11.) In the Zodiac
of Denderah, the shepherd carries a sceptre (Trun), the
top with a goat, and bottom with a cross. (Malachi 4:1 - 3. Psalm
37:38 -
40).
GEMINI The Twins. Name in the Zodiac of
Denderah is Clusus or Claustrum Hori = the
place of Him Who cometh. The old Coptic name was Pi-Mahi =
the united. Hebrew Thaumim (from ta'am) =
double. The root used in Exodus 26:24 (twinned
together). The brightest star is Apollo = ruler or judge.
The next is Hercules = who cometh to labour and suffer.
Another is Al Henah = hurt, wounded. (Isaiah 4:2; 32:1, 2. Jeremiah
23:5,
6;
33:14,
15.)
- LEPUS ( the enemy trodden under foot). In the Zodiac of
Denderah the name is Bashti- beki = falling confounded.
Aratus says "chased eternally". The brightest star is
Arnebo = the enemy of Him Who cometh. Others stars are
Nibal = the mad; Rakis, the bound;
Sugia, the deceiver. (Isaiah 63:
3, 4.)
- CANIS MAJOR. Sirius, The Prince. In Zodiac of
Denderah it is Apes = the head. In Persian Planisphere= a
wolf (Hebrew Z
e'eb). The brightest star is Sirius =
the Prince. In Persian Tistrya or Tistar =
the chieftain. The next is Mirzam = the prince. Another is
Wesen = the shining, and another Adhara =
the glorious. Many other cognate names (Isaiah 9:6; 55:4. Daniel
8:23,
25.)
- CANIS MINOR. The second Dog. In the Zodiac of Denderah it is
Sebak = conquering, victorious. The brightest star
Procyon = Redeemer. The next is Gomeisa
(Arabic) = the burdened, bearing for others. Many other cognate names.
(Isaiah 49:
24 - 26; 59:19, 20; 53:12).
CANCER. The Crab. Messiah's possessions
held fast. In the Zodiac of Denderah and Esneh it is a sacred beetle. It
name there given is Klaria = cattle-folds. Arabic name is
Al Sarta'n = He Who holds or binds together (Genesis
49:11). The Greek name
is Karkinos = encircling; the same as the Latin
Cancer, from Arabic Khan an Inn, and
Ker, or Cer = encircling. The ancient Accadian
is Su-kul-na = the seizer, or possessor of seed. A bright
cluster is called Praesepe = a multitude or offspring. The
brightest star is Tegmine = holding. Another is
Acubene = the sheltering or hiding place. Another,
Ma'alaph = assembled thousands. North and south of
Praesepe are two bright stars, Assellus North
and Assellus South: their sign is a, and called the
two asses, thus connecting it with Cancer, which is the sign of Issachar
(compare Genesis 49:14. Numbers
2:5).
- URSA MINOR. The little Bear = the lesser sheep-fold. The
brightest star of Ursa Minor is Dubheh = a herd. Arabic
Dubah means cattle. Hebrew Dober = a fold,
from dobe' = rest or security, rendered
"strength" in Deuteronomy 33:
25. See Revised
Version margin. All points to this (compare Judges 5:16). The Hebrew
Dob = a bear. So Arabic Dub, and Persian
Deeb or Dob. Hence the mistake. The
brightest star is Al riccaba = the turned or ridden on,
denoting it as the Polar star. The Greeks called it
Kunosoura = Cynosure, but this word is Accadian.
An-nas-sur-ra = high in rising; or high in heavenly
position. The next bright star is Kochab = waiting Him Who
cometh.
- URSA MAJOR. The great Bear = the Fold and the Flock (Obadiah
17 -
19).
In Job 9:9 and
38:31,
32,
it is called 'Ash and her offspring. Authorized Version =
Arcturus and her sons. Revised Version = Bear and his train (margin,
sons). Arabs still call it Al Naish or
Annaish = the assembled together as in a fold. The
brightest star is Dubhe = a flock, which gives its name to
the two constellations. The next is Merach = the flock
(Arabic = purchased). The next is Phaeda or
Pharda = numbered or guarded (Psalm 147:4). Another is
called Benet Naish = daughters of the assembly. Another,
Al Kaid = the assembled. Many other cognate names.
(Compare Ezekiel 34:12 - 16.)
- ARGO. The Ship = the Pilgrims, safe at home. In the Egyptian
Planisphere there are two ships (like the two folds). They occupy
one-half of the south meridians. The brightest star in
Canopus = the possession of Him Who cometh. Other names
are Sephina = the multitude. Tureis = the
possession. Asmidiska = the released who travel, etc. (See
Jeremiah 30:
10, 11. Isaiah
60:4 -
9.)
LEO. The Lion. Messiah's consummated
triumph. In the Zodiac of Denderah it is Pi Mentikeon = the
pouring out (of Divine wrath). The three constellations crystallize the
truth.
- 1. Hydra = the old serpent destroyed.
- 2. Crater = the cup of wrath poured out on him.
- 3. Corvus = the bird of prey devouring him.
The Denderah picture exhibits all four in one.
The Syriac name is Aryo = the rending lion. Arabic Al
Asad = the lion leaping forth as a flame. The brightest star is
Regulus = treading under foot (as pictured). The next is
Denebola = the Judge or Lord Who cometh. The next is
Al Giebha = the exaltation. Another is Zosma =
shining forth. All the others are cognate. (Genesis 49:8, 9. Numbers
24:8,
9.
Amos 3:4,
8.
Isaiah 42:13.)
- HYDRA. The Old Serpent. Hydra = he is abhorred.
The brightest star is Cor Hydra = the heart of Hydra. Its
ancient name is Al phard = the put away. Another is
Al Drian = the abhorred. Another is Minchar al
Sugia = the piercing of the deceiver.
- CRATER. The Cup [of wrath poured out] (Psalm 75:
8; 11:6. Revelation
14:10; 16:19.) The
constellation has thirteen stars, (compare appendix
10).
- CORVUS. The Raven. The birds of prey devouring. The name in
the Zodiac of Denderah, Her-na = the enemy breaking up.
There are nine stars (see Appendix
10). The brightest star is Chiba (Numbers
23:
8) = accursed.
Another is Minchar al Gorab = the raven tearing to pieces.
Thus end the Scriptures of the Heavens. This is
the story they tell forth. This is the "speech" they
"utter". This is the "knowledge" they
"shew forth". There is no articulate speech or voice; and no
words are heard; but their sayings have gone out into all the world (Psalm
19:1 -
6).
They are "for SEASONS".
Not only are the stars made for signs
('othoth, from the root 'athah = to come), but
for Seasons. These are not the four seasons of the year, but Cycles of
time. The figure Polysyndeton (see Appendix 6)
in Genesis 1:14 emphasises this:
"and for seasons, and for days, and years". The word means
appointed times. (Compare Genesis 17:21; 18:14; 21:2.) Thus the sun,
moon, and stars are for "signs" (things to come), and for
"seasons" (appointed times). There are
no less than ten of these cycles, all of them different; not concentric,
but yet all of them coinciding at creation, but never since: like number
of hoops of different sizes hanging from a nail. This shows that they must
have had a given simultaneous start.
- The
cycle of 24 hours for the day, an evening and morning.
- The
revolution of the Moon round the earth.
- The
lunar cycle, which began at the same moment as the solar cycle.
- The
daily revolution of the Sun, which places him on the meridian at noon
each day.
- The
Solar Cycle, coinciding with the first of the seven years of lunar
motion and repeating itself every 365 days.
- The
beginning of a Week of seven days on the first day of the week, of the
first month of the first year of the first solar cycle.
- The
first Eclipse of a cycle of eighteen years and eleven days, to which the
ancient astronomers gave the name of Saros; each Saros
containing an average of seventy eclipses, divided into two portions of
594 years and 666 years, making together 1,260 years.
- Beside
these, there is the period of the Heliacal risings of Sirius, in a cycle
of 162 years.
- The
Transits of Venus,
- And the
grand cycle known as the Precession of the Equinoxes.
All these combine and unite in showing that the
chronology of Archbishop Usher was substantially correct. And this proves
that the inflated chronology of modern historians and theologians is
entirely unscientific, being the hypothesis of men who dabbled in things
outside their own sphere, and of which they were incompetent to form a
correct judgment.
NOTE 1 The same Hebrew as
in verse 4.
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