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When was Jesus born?


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The first mention of the word Jew in the OT is
Esther 2:5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;

There are a number of other mentions in Esther, but the only other times it is mentioned is

Jer 34:9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.
Zec 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

All after the return.

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Invicta:
The word translated 'Jew" in the OT references you made, and all others I can find, are the same as in the NT. Bt that I mean they are a venacular usage brought about in the 1700's to call Judeans or Judaite by a shortened form - Jew.

Jerry:
To some, Israelite=Hebrew=Jew as you say. Though all Judeans are Hebrews, not all Hebrews are Judeans.

Sometimes, other Israelites are called Judeans (notably Benjaminites) because they stayed and abode with the tribe of Judah when the kingdom was divided.

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'His star' being dated.

To date 'his star', the student of the Bible must narrow the time frame into which this astronomical event occurred. In order to do this, we look for a frame of reference. herod the Great provides that.

When Jesus was born, Herod was alive and ruling in Judea. Josephus recorded Herod's death happened shortly after a lunar eclipse. Literally all scholars agree that Herod died between 7 and 1 BC. There were 4 lunar eclipses viewable in the Judean area between these dates.Note also the date of the Passover.

Mar 23, 5 BC, (total eclipse) (Passover was on the same date)
Sep 15, 5 BC (total eclipse) (Passover was 6 months later)
Mar 13, 4 BC (partial eclipse) (Passover was on April 11th)
Jan 9, 1 BC (total eclipse) (Passover was on April 8th)

Josephus records an entire series of events which occurred between the eclipse and Passover, in the year which Herod died. Very conservative estimates of the days required for these items (see Antiquities of the Jews, 17.6.5 for a complete list) to have occurred is 82 days. The estimates for the events between the eclipse and Herod's death is 42 days, and between Herod's death and Passover is 40 days.

Obviously, The Mar 23, 5 BC cannot be the eclipse, since Passover was on the same day as Passover.
The Mar 13, 4 BC eclipse only leaves 28 days, rather than the minimum of 40.
The Sep 15, 5 BC lunar eclipse has two major difficulties: Josephus says 1) that the king who replaced Herod, Archelaus, HASTED to sail for Rome as Passover was approaching. If there were 5-6 months between Herod's death and Passover, how can it be said he HASTED? 2) Herod remained in Jericho until his death. Herod was very ill, and Jericho's late summer heat - being intense desert heat - would have made Herod even more uncomfortable. In winter, Jericho would be nice and comfortable.

The Jan 9, 1 BC allows for the 82 days (there being 3 months between the eclipse and Passover). It also is quite adequate to accomodate the scholars breakdown of 40 and 42 days. This date would make sense for a comfortable place (Jericho) for Herod to be during the winter months. Lastly, this date is tight enough for Archelaus to hate to Rome before Passover.

The vast majority of early church fathers and sources date Jesus' birth in 3 BC, and NO church fathers date the birth before 4 BC, while a hand full date the birth date it in 3-2 BC.

Having placed Herod's death in early 1 BC, astronomical items between 4 BC and 1 BC can now be cosidered for dating 'his star'. Remember, Herod was alive when Jesus was born and still alive when the Magi arrived, NO early church father dates the birth before 4 BC.

We will next look at all notable celestial events which occurred between 7 BC and 1 BC.

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We are looking at the major celestial events observable in the Middle East, so as to look at possibilities for 'his star'.

Because Matthew 2 refers to two appearances of the same star, comets and novas are not possibilities. They would be appearances of totally different stars at different times.

Because the term is in the singular of 'star', this could not be a conjunction of planets. A planetary conjunction requires more than 1, and the word 'star' is only one.

A planet seems the most likely candidate for 'his star'. It should be recalled that in ancient times, all heavenly bodies were considered stars. Planets were referred to as wandering stars (planetes). Since God gave the original names to the stars, and their meaning, much error has crept into and infiltrated the Godly design and purpose. Stars are not to be used to foretell the future in any way. (I know I am preaching to the choir here, but Christians need to be careful not to get sucked into the mire of the world.)

That being said, there has been, from antiquity, attributes of certain bodies. Beginning closest to the sun, Mercury has been given that of the messenger god. (Acts 14:12). Gabriel was the messenger to, among others, Elizabeth and Mary. Venus is known as the morning star. (See Rev 22:16, where Jesus Christ is associated with the bright and morning star). Mars has long been associated with war and battles, something Michael has the job to do (Daniel 12:1, Revelation 12:7). Jupiter (Hebrew ssedeq) means 'rightousness', and is associated with rulership, royalty, and the king who rulers over all. (see Jer 23:5 and 6; 33:15 and 16). Saturn's associations are cloudier than all others. Among other things, Saturn is associated with evil, death, weeping, crying, hindrance, grief, darkness, and destruction. These attributes most closely resemble the fallen angel, Satan. If anyone has further information on these, I would appreciate it.

Jupiter. "His Star"?

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It si called 'the king planet'. Its' Hebrew name means 'rightousness'.

Jupiter appears in the sky every night. What keyed the Magi then, not just to a king being born, but to a Judean king being born?
Jupiter was in 6 conjunctions from within about 1 year, all of them in the constellation Leo.

Aug 12 3 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Venus (the bright and morning star) at 5:00 AM (in the rising) in Leo (the sign of the lion, associated with Judah)
Sep 14 3 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Regulus (king star, rulership, dominion, the heart of the lion) at 4:00 AM in Leo (the lion of Judah)
Feb 17 2 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Regulus (king star, rulership, dominion, the heart of the lion) at 4:30 AM in Leo (the lion of Judah)
May 8 2 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Regulus (king star, rulership, dominion, the heart of the lion) at 11:00 PM in Leo (the lion of Judah)
Jun 17 2 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Venus (the bright and morning star) at 9:30 PM in Leo (the lion of Judah)
Aug 27 2 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship), Mercury (the messenger), Mars (the warrior) and Venus (the bright and morning star) at 5:00 AM amass in Leo (the lion of Judah)

Next we will see, from the word of God, the date and time of Christ's birth.

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Before we get to the date and time of Jesus' birth, there are a few details to make note of:
1) Many more details may be examined as to Cyrenius (Quininius), the marital status of Joseph and Mary, the triple conjunction in 7 BC, the massing of planets in 6 BC, the 'virgin' birth, Herod's murder of children 2 yrs and younger, the roots of Dec 25th, the courses of Abia, etc., all which exactly fit with what has been shared here.
2) There are many sources which have worked the same material before me. I have studied it, worked it, challenged it, and found it to ring true, time and again.
3) For the record, only holy communion is commanded to be observed in the church, as far as special 'occasions' go. For the church of the body, there is no command to observe the birth of Jesus, Pentecost, resurrection day, or the multitude of observances seeming to be prevalent in religious institutions. I am not advocating a change to the calendar.
4) At the very beginning of this study, I mis-spoke the time when Jesus was born. I should have checked my notes and papers. The time which will be following is the correct time. I apologize.
5) The information shared in all this should be used to edify the body. It should never be used to hurt or embarass.

Okay, that is it. Let's move on.

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A short summary in needed, (and to tie up some details, which I said I would share later) at this point.

The Magi saw God's communication of His son's birth, the long anticipated redeemer, in the heavens. In addition to the conjunctions on Aug 12 and Sep 14, 3 BC, these ancient astronomers would have seen the retrograde motion of Jupiter on Nov 29, 3 BC. The next conjunction on Feb 17, 2 BC was followed with Jupiter again going into retrograde on Mar 29. (Retrograde motion is when a planet appears, from the earth, to change the direction in which it is moving. In ancient times, astronomers paid great attention to such things.) Following these retrograde motions, the Magi then saw another conjunction on May 8, then again on June 17, 2 BC. Finally, on Aug 27, 2 BC there was the massing of planets, prompting the Magi to head for Judea, the capital being Jerusalem. Leaving Jerusalem, the Magi saw 'his star' (Jupiter), that it 'went before them, till it came and stood' over the town of Bethlehem. How could this possibly be?

As Jupiter, the only planet common to all the celestial events they had witnessed, the king planet, always in Leo the lion during these amazing events, moved through the sky on its' nightly east to west course, it would reach the meridian, or topmost point (looking due south when north of the equator) and stand there for what appears to be a long time. This is the same thing the sun does at high noon. Approaching Bethlehem from Jerusalem (due south), Jupiter went before them (they saw it rising to it's meridian) and stood over Bethlehem, where the child was. Only between Dec 4, 2 BC and Jan 16, 1 BC could this occur, for after that Jan 16th, Herod was in Callirrhoe, and before that time Jupiter was not in this position over Bethlehem. Remember, the shepherds had 'made known abroad' the birth, and 'all that heard it wondered'. Jesus birth, and who he was, were common knowledge in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. The Magi had but to ask virtually anyone. The Magi then came to the house (Matt 2:11 - not manger or inn or stable, but house) and saw the young child (not babe. Two totally different Greek words with different meanings).

God's foreknowledge and planning is amazing! David had to come from Bethlehem, and Bethlehem had to be geographically where it was in relation to Jerusalem, as Jerusalem had to be in Judea, exactly where it was. The heavens, set up for signs back in Genesis 1 had to be all pre-planned for God's announcement. The captivity had to happen so Daniel could teach the Magi . The Magi after Zoroaster had to stay faithful, looking for God's Word in the stars, so they could see God's living Word. The Magi brought gifts, which may have financed the hasty departure of Joseph and his family into Egypt. On and on it goes. Just absolutely the precision and foreknowledge of God and His Word, whether written on paper, in the stars, or in the flesh!!

Now onto the time, date, and day.

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Herod's death, occuring shortly after Jan 9, 1 BC, gives a time frame within which to work. The birth of Jesus had to be while Herod was alive, because the Bible says so in both Matthew and Luke. As Matt 2:16 records, Herod had the children killed who were 2 years old and under, "according to the time he had diligently inquired of the wise men", putting the birth in 3 BC. Historical, astronomical, and Biblical evidence point to this year.

Before we proceed, let us side track a little (maybe a lot, sorry again) to Bible prophesy. Much has been made of this subject in certain Christian circles, but for the most part it is unknown that all of the Bible is prohesy. Most worldly wisdom says directly, or insinuates, that prophesy is fore-telling the future. This is but one aspect of it.

Abraham, though he fore-told nothing which is recorded, is called a prophet (Gen 20:7). This fact alone should make a serious student question what a prophet is. Since this is the first usage of the word 'prophet' in scriptures, how God defines it is the primary definition which should be used, unless He changes it. II Peter 1:20-21 need to be considered, as prophesy is linked to all scripture. The words "old time" literally means "any time". Not just the OT, but also the NT. It is not the time or place to go into a detailed study of prophet or prohesy, but for now let me say this:

Prophesy may tell past, present, and future events. We must not limit our thinking to mans' definition of prophesy, but go with what is Biblical and based in the sound doctrine of scripture.

That being said, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, and Jesus Christ sent by his angel to John (Rev 1:1. This is not, according to verse 1, the'Revelation of St. John). Verse 1 also states Jesus Christ sent this revelation and signified it. The word for 'signified' is akin to the word 'sign' in the Bible, which answers directly to the word 'signs' in Genesis 1:14. God defined what the stars were for in Genesis, and nothing changed all the way through Revelation. One of the things the stars (heavenly bodies) were for is signs. Not as in astrology. Gods' Word, written in the heavens.

In Rev 12:1-5 we have a series of astronomical terms: great wonder in heaven, clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, crown of 12 stars, another wonder in heaven, and stars of heaven. So often sincere, well-intentioned believers make too much of this book (and others) of the Bible because they fail to understand prophesy. Rather than looking at it as fore-telling future events (which it may also be doing, but until it happens we don't know that), let's look at it as telling past events. The entire chapter does tell past and future events, but we are not doing a study of the book of Revelations.


From verse 5 it should be obvious that this is speaking of Jesus Christ. With that context, let us continue.

The word 'wonder' in verse 1 is a very close relative to 'signified' in Rev 1:1. In Greek secular writings, a usage of this word is in reference to the signs of the zodiac. God's word says this great wonder appeared in heaven. The sign then is specified as a woman. There is only one woman in the zodiac which would fit with this, and that is Virgo, the Virgin. Scripture then says she is 'clothed with the sun', an astronomical term that happens for 21 days each year as the sun travels through its course between the neck and legs of Virgo. In 3 BC, this occured from Aug 27th - Sep 15th. Further, the Bible states that the moon was 'under her feet', an astronomical event which is the time when the moon appears to be under her feet. This configuration, when the costellation Virgo would be clothed with the sun and the moon would be under her feet, ocurred in 3 BC, as viewable in Palestine, on only 1 day, Sep 11th, a Wednesday. On that day, sunset was at 6:18 PM (when a new day - Tishri 1, to be exact - began in Biblical reckoning), and moonset was at 7:39 PM. During this 81 minute period, Jesus the Christ was born and he took his first breath of life.

Verse 2 describes the woman in labor. Verses 3-4 tell of past events also, Satan's fall from heaven and his plan to kill the child immediately upon the birth. Verse 4-5 show the woman's labor completed and the child delivered. Verse 5 also show his ascension to God's throne. On the same night (night begins at sunset), shepherds received the announcement from the angels saying (not singing) concerning the child, and hasted to see the baby swaddled.

Also, in the pre-dawn hours on that same day (sunset, 11 Sep to sunset, 12 Sep, 3 BC), Jupiter (the king planet) and Regulus (the king star), could be seen approaching conjunction in Leo (the sign of Judah) from whom the lawgiver (Gen 49:10) would come. The trumpets throughout all Judea would be blowing (a whole different study in itself) as Tishri 1 is the beginning of the new year, the Feast of Trumpets.

God had it all planned out. Every detail. Only a handful of meek, humble shepherds were told verbally, but God announced it with a heavenly 'light show' and trumpets. The Magi, Gentiles, could see the Word written in the stars coming to pass, and are the only people God's Word records who specifically came to pay homage to the promised seed of the woman. God's timetable is impeccable.

Closing notes.

The age of grace, dispensation, administration, in which we live is not written in the stars. God kept it hidden from everyone, including Jesus (just as He kept the 'when' of Jesus return from Jesus) until the great mystery was revealed to Paul. So for anyone, Christian or non-Christian, to try to tell the future from the stars is foolish. Only those things written in the Word are for us today.

The woman (Virgo) clothed with the 12 stars is the key to understanding the zodiac. It is where the zodiac begins. The Lion (Leo) is where it ends. The Great Sphinx of Egypt is an example of how this truth was passed down for thousands of years, but alas, people then, just as now, for the most part reject God's word, regardless of the benefits or consequences.

It's been a blast!! Thanks for the priviledge and responsibility to share God's rightly divded Word.

In His service, and at yours.

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I have concantenated all the relevant posts of Trells to make it easier to follow:

The Birth Date of Jesus Christ (as submitted by ‘Trell’)

First let me explain how I will approach this, and see if anyone interested can and will accept the 'format'.

I believe God's Word, as originally given, is perfect. I also believe every version of that original God-breathed Word is just what it says it is - a version - and as such is subject to problems. This includes the King James Version.

I believe that no prophesy (which includes foretelling and forth-telling) of the scripture is of any private interpretation, and since that is the case it either cannot be interpreted, or it contains the keys and tools within itself on how to interpret it. For example, when God says Abraham is a prophet, yet there is nothing recorded of Abraham foretelling, but there is much recorded of him forth-telling, the definition of prophet is different from what most religions define a prophet to be. Students of the Bible must be meek to God's definitions, rather than their own.

Since the English word 'logic' comes from the Greek word 'logos', I believe sound logic must be employed in understanding God's Word. An example of this would be that if the star over Judea which the wise men saw was viewable, then there would be a record of it among a people who studied the heavenly bodies.

Lastly, God has a reason and purpose for everything He says, where He says it, why He says it, when He says it, how He says it, and to whom He says it.

Having said all that, the KJV would be the primary text; science (astronomy included) must fit with the Bible, and not the Bible with science; everyone, including the teacher) should always be open to learn as Jeremiah 33:3 proclaims; and there is no room for single-issue thinking at the expense of Biblical truth. God's Word, rightly-divided, is truth. All else, at best, is fact.
One step at a time...baby steps...no offense to anyone.

By the way, the term is Cowboy Up.

1) Except where absolutely needed, I am not going to type or copy the scriptures. I will give the references. Everyone should look them up themselves.
2) We will use KJV. There may be explanatory notes. I don't desire to get drawn into a debate on this. Holler at me elsewhere.
3) Please ask questions. Statements such as 'I don't believe that' will be ignored. Such statements are unproductive.
4) I have well over a hundred reference works I could cite. If you want specifics, ask and I will give them individually on here.
5) Most important !! This is not being done on here to hurt or cause trouble. The question was asked, I am endeavouring to answer. This is NOT my thread or question.

Let us begin an study of when Jesus, the Christ, was born.

In this study, we will be looking at God's Word, whether written on paper or in the stars, and history.
In looking at the stars, do not confuse astronomy, the science of the heavens and their bodies (which we will be doing), with astrology, the supposed art of telling the future.
God created the heavens, the earth, and set the stars in motion. He specifically gave names to stars. Ps 147:4
For us, so accustomed to reading the written word, it is difficult at times to see how God's revelation could be written in the heavens. God ...at sundry times and in divers manners. Heb 1:1 The stars are one of these divers manners in sundry times. They tell of the redemptive plan, not the when of it. Ps 19:1-6 If one were to study the words in this psalm, they would see the great detail with which God has spoken in the heavens.

Gen 1:14 explains more. We all know days and years. Seasons indicate the four seasons, but also the word seasons also indicates periods of time. Signs is from the Hebrew root avah, which means 'to mark', and is used of marking someone significant to come. God put His revelation in the heavens, even before man was here and the promise of Gen 3:15 was given.

Just as God preserved for us in this day and time His written Word, so also did He preserve the meanings, the names, the order of His Word in the heavens. This is how the people of old, before city lights and printed books, before all the so-called modern conveniences, could read God's Word. Through the millenia and centuries, God preserved the original names of the stars using the Semetic languages. This is what makes up accurate, true, Biblical astronomy. Any use of the stars for any kind of astrology is wrong. See Isaiah 47:12-14

When God put the lights in the heavens, the sun and moon mark for us the days, months, and seasons. So also the stars (all heavenly bodies, what we now call planets and stars, are Biblically classified as stars) mark the signs of God's plan of redemption, Jesus the Christ.

After answering any questions which I can, (and are not jumping ahead too far), we will examine a bit on the constellations (See Gen 49:9-10 and Rev 5:5) and some ancient names of stars (remember, that includes planets) and how the wise men of Matt 2 knew what they knew.
Jacob, in Gen 49:9-10, by inspiration, declares Judah is symbolized by the lion (Leo in the zodiac). Jacob said "the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet". The dominant, brightest star in Leo is Regulus The Arabic word regel means 'foot', and answers identically with Hebrew's regel and the Aramaic regla. Regulus is known, and was known in all ancient civilizations as the king star.

This schematic, blueprint, of the coming Christ, was known from ancient times. Man was without excuse. He could read God's plan of redemption in the heavens.

Who were the wise men, magi?
Matt 2:1 tells us quite a bit. The wise men (magoi in Greek; mgushe in Aramaic) refers to a religous group called Magi or Magians in the east, especially in Persia. Historical documents put these people in Persia and Media before Zoroaster, who lived about 600 BC. (I do not use BCE.) Originally into a style of nature worship, under Zoroaster these Magi became the priests of of Zoroastrianism. When Zoroaster died, some returned to nature worship, but some remained true to what Zoroaster taught.
(The nature worshipping western Magi were the ones who developed sun worship, astrology, sorcery, magic, etc., and flooded the Roman empire about 100 years after the birth of Christ).
The eastern Magi stayed true to Zoroaster, believing in one supreme God who only did good, a spiritual adversary who promoted evil, a coming redeemer to save man, forbidding and punishing idol worship, angels and devils (with the ultimate triumph of good over evil via the redeemer). They had a very strict code of moral behavior and ethics. These are the Magi, wise men, who came 'from the east'. Not from the western magi branch. Even to this day, their knowledge of religion and astronomy is world renowned.
When Daniel was written, 5:11 shows that Daniel was the master of the Magi. When the Persians took over Babylon (5:31), Daniel retained his high standing (6:3). These Magi, instructed by Daniel (and perhaps others) learned the truth of what the stars signified. The knowledge, passed down from Jacob and his progeny, found fertile ground in the minds and hearts of a people far from Judea. Even Suetonius, the Roman historian, makes mention of the world being given to someone who should go forth from Judaea.

Next we will begin to look at 'his star', the focal point that brought wise men hundreds of miles to pay homage to a king they knew was coming for 500 plus years, the redeemer of mankind, the king of the Judeans!
This is one area where explanatory words and definitions will be used. I am in no way, shape, or form impuning the accuracy of the scriptures. However, at times explanations are needed, especially where cultures and sciences are concerned.

The wise men and 'his star'.

God records what is commonly referred to as the star of Bethlehem, 'his star'. The wise men's term is 'his star', not the star of anything or anyone else. All such terms, except for 'his star', are without scriptural foundation. This is how the wise men knew the king of the Judeans was born in Judaea. (The word 'Jew' and it's various derivatives were not in any English Bible until the 1700's. I use the word 'Judean' for a few reasons. Firstly, it is accurate. Second, in our venacular Jew is usually used of any person of Jacob's (Israel's) lineage, whereas the scripture is very clear that the Christ would come to sit on David's throne from the tribe of Judah. Thirdly, to use the word Judean keeps it straight as to why the magi came to the area of the tribe of Judah looking for the Prince Of Peace, rather than to the area occupied by any other tribe of Israel.)

Matt 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews (Judeans)? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

The definition of the word 'when' in verse 1 should be, as will be seen as we progress, be Webster's 1833 definition number 4, 'after'. The wise men, the magi, were from the east, the eastern Magi, the ones who stayed faithful to what they had been taught. They went to Jerusalem looking for the new king in the place where one would expect to find him. The fact that they had to ask where should tell us that there was not a shining light on Jesus.

They said "we have seen his star in the east". Again, since they were coming 'from the east', if this was just seeing his star 'in the east', they would have travelled farther east, not south and west. This should have arrested our attention.
The term 'in the east' is an astronomical term, and refers to the rising of a star in the eastern sky shortly before sunrise. (There is also some additional astronomical and Greek word-forms involved here, but they are generally not required for understanding). Literally it means 'in the rising'. While in their home country (we have seen is past tense), the Magi saw a star, (remember, stars refers to all heavenly bodies which includes planets, excepting the sun and moon), rising shortly before dawn in the eastern sky. This was not just an average, mere, or any star. Just as this "King of the Judeans" was not an average, mere, or any man, neither was "his star". This star had to convey, communicate, that the King of the Judeans was born.

In Matthew 2:9, 'his star' is again referred to. "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was."
Here, his star is called the star, it's identification with him being set in verse 2. This is the second, distinct, recorded appearance in God's Word of the same star. Again here, the words 'in the east' mean 'in the rising'.. We will examine the remainder of this verse, and it's astronomical terms a little later, but now let us date 'his star'.
'His star' being dated.

To date 'his star', the student of the Bible must narrow the time frame into which this astronomical event occurred. In order to do this, we look for a frame of reference. herod the Great provides that.

When Jesus was born, Herod was alive and ruling in Judea. Josephus recorded Herod's death happened shortly after a lunar eclipse. Literally all scholars agree that Herod died between 7 and 1 BC. There were 4 lunar eclipses viewable in the Judean area between these dates.Note also the date of the Passover.

Mar 23, 5 BC, (total eclipse) (Passover was on the same date)
Sep 15, 5 BC (total eclipse) (Passover was 6 months later)
Mar 13, 4 BC (partial eclipse) (Passover was on April 11th)
Jan 9, 1 BC (total eclipse) (Passover was on April 8th)

Josephus records an entire series of events which occurred between the eclipse and Passover, in the year which Herod died. Very conservative estimates of the days required for these items (see Antiquities of the Jews, 17.6.5 for a complete list) to have occurred is 82 days. The estimates for the events between the eclipse and Herod's death is 42 days, and between Herod's death and Passover is 40 days.

Obviously, The Mar 23, 5 BC cannot be the eclipse, since Passover was on the same day as Passover.
The Mar 13, 4 BC eclipse only leaves 28 days, rather than the minimum of 40.
The Sep 15, 5 BC lunar eclipse has two major difficulties: Josephus says 1) that the king who replaced Herod, Archelaus, HASTED to sail for Rome as Passover was approaching. If there were 5-6 months between Herod's death and Passover, how can it be said he HASTED? 2) Herod remained in Jericho until his death. Herod was very ill, and Jericho's late summer heat - being intense desert heat - would have made Herod even more uncomfortable. In winter, Jericho would be nice and comfortable.

The Jan 9, 1 BC allows for the 82 days (there being 3 months between the eclipse and Passover). It also is quite adequate to accomodate the scholars breakdown of 40 and 42 days. This date would make sense for a comfortable place (Jericho) for Herod to be during the winter months. Lastly, this date is tight enough for Archelaus to hate to Rome before Passover.

The vast majority of early church fathers and sources date Jesus' birth in 3 BC, and NO church fathers date the birth before 4 BC, while a hand full date the birth date it in 3-2 BC.

Having placed Herod's death in early 1 BC, astronomical items between 4 BC and 1 BC can now be cosidered for dating 'his star'. Remember, Herod was alive when Jesus was born and still alive when the Magi arrived, NO early church father dates the birth before 4 BC.

We will next look at all notable celestial events which occurred between 7 BC and 1 BC.
We are looking at the major celestial events observable in the Middle East, so as to look at possibilities for 'his star'.

Because Matthew 2 refers to two appearances of the same star, comets and novas are not possibilities. They would be appearances of totally different stars at different times.

Because the term is in the singular of 'star', this could not be a conjunction of planets. A planetary conjunction requires more than 1, and the word 'star' is only one.

A planet seems the most likely candidate for 'his star'. It should be recalled that in ancient times, all heavenly bodies were considered stars. Planets were referred to as wandering stars (planetes). Since God gave the original names to the stars, and their meaning, much error has crept into and infiltrated the Godly design and purpose. Stars are not to be used to foretell the future in any way. (I know I am preaching to the choir here, but Christians need to be careful not to get sucked into the mire of the world.)

That being said, there has been, from antiquity, attributes of certain bodies. Beginning closest to the sun, Mercury has been given that of the messenger god. (Acts 14:12). Gabriel was the messenger to, among others, Elizabeth and Mary. Venus is known as the morning star. (See Rev 22:16, where Jesus Christ is associated with the bright and morning star). Mars has long been associated with war and battles, something Michael has the job to do (Daniel 12:1, Revelation 12:7). Jupiter (Hebrew ssedeq) means 'rightousness', and is associated with rulership, royalty, and the king who rulers over all. (see Jer 23:5 and 6; 33:15 and 16). Saturn's associations are cloudier than all others. Among other things, Saturn is associated with evil, death, weeping, crying, hindrance, grief, darkness, and destruction. These attributes most closely resemble the fallen angel, Satan. If anyone has further information on these, I would appreciate it.

Jupiter. "His Star"?

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It si called 'the king planet'. Its' Hebrew name means 'rightousness'.

Jupiter appears in the sky every night. What keyed the Magi then, not just to a king being born, but to a Judean king being born?
Jupiter was in 6 conjunctions from within about 1 year, all of them in the constellation Leo.

Aug 12 3 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Venus (the bright and morning star) at 5:00 AM (in the rising) in Leo (the sign of the lion, associated with Judah)
Sep 14 3 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Regulus (king star, rulership, dominion, the heart of the lion) at 4:00 AM in Leo (the lion of Judah)
Feb 17 2 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Regulus (king star, rulership, dominion, the heart of the lion) at 4:30 AM in Leo (the lion of Judah)
May 8 2 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Regulus (king star, rulership, dominion, the heart of the lion) at 11:00 PM in Leo (the lion of Judah)
Jun 17 2 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship) and Venus (the bright and morning star) at 9:30 PM in Leo (the lion of Judah)
Aug 27 2 BC - Jupiter (royalty and kingship), Mercury (the messenger), Mars (the warrior) and Venus (the bright and morning star) at 5:00 AM amass in Leo (the lion of Judah)

Next we will see, from the word of God, the date and time of Christ's birth.
Before we get to the date and time of Jesus' birth, there are a few details to make note of:
1) Many more details may be examined as to Cyrenius (Quininius), the marital status of Joseph and Mary, the triple conjunction in 7 BC, the massing of planets in 6 BC, the 'virgin' birth, Herod's murder of children 2 yrs and younger, the roots of Dec 25th, the courses of Abia, etc., all which exactly fit with what has been shared here.
2) There are many sources which have worked the same material before me. I have studied it, worked it, challenged it, and found it to ring true, time and again.
3) For the record, only holy communion is commanded to be observed in the church, as far as special 'occasions' go. For the church of the body, there is no command to observe the birth of Jesus, Pentecost, resurrection day, or the multitude of observances seeming to be prevalent in religious institutions. I am not advocating a change to the calendar.
4) At the very beginning of this study, I mis-spoke the time when Jesus was born. I should have checked my notes and papers. The time which will be following is the correct time. I apologize.
5) The information shared in all this should be used to edify the body. It should never be used to hurt or embarass.

Okay, that is it. Let's move on.
A short summary in needed, (and to tie up some details, which I said I would share later) at this point.

The Magi saw God's communication of His son's birth, the long anticipated redeemer, in the heavens. In addition to the conjunctions on Aug 12 and Sep 14, 3 BC, these ancient astronomers would have seen the retrograde motion of Jupiter on Nov 29, 3 BC. The next conjunction on Feb 17, 2 BC was followed with Jupiter again going into retrograde on Mar 29. (Retrograde motion is when a planet appears, from the earth, to change the direction in which it is moving. In ancient times, astronomers paid great attention to such things.) Following these retrograde motions, the Magi then saw another conjunction on May 8, then again on June 17, 2 BC. Finally, on Aug 27, 2 BC there was the massing of planets, prompting the Magi to head for Judea, the capital being Jerusalem. Leaving Jerusalem, the Magi saw 'his star' (Jupiter), that it 'went before them, till it came and stood' over the town of Bethlehem. How could this possibly be?

As Jupiter, the only planet common to all the celestial events they had witnessed, the king planet, always in Leo the lion during these amazing events, moved through the sky on its' nightly east to west course, it would reach the meridian, or topmost point (looking due south when north of the equator) and stand there for what appears to be a long time. This is the same thing the sun does at high noon. Approaching Bethlehem from Jerusalem (due south), Jupiter went before them (they saw it rising to it's meridian) and stood over Bethlehem, where the child was. Only between Dec 4, 2 BC and Jan 16, 1 BC could this occur, for after that Jan 16th, Herod was in Callirrhoe, and before that time Jupiter was not in this position over Bethlehem. Remember, the shepherds had 'made known abroad' the birth, and 'all that heard it wondered'. Jesus birth, and who he was, were common knowledge in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. The Magi had but to ask virtually anyone. The Magi then came to the house (Matt 2:11 - not manger or inn or stable, but house) and saw the young child (not babe. Two totally different Greek words with different meanings).

God's foreknowledge and planning is amazing! David had to come from Bethlehem, and Bethlehem had to be geographically where it was in relation to Jerusalem, as Jerusalem had to be in Judea, exactly where it was. The heavens, set up for signs back in Genesis 1 had to be all pre-planned for God's announcement. The captivity had to happen so Daniel could teach the Magi . The Magi after Zoroaster had to stay faithful, looking for God's Word in the stars, so they could see God's living Word. The Magi brought gifts, which may have financed the hasty departure of Joseph and his family into Egypt. On and on it goes. Just absolutely the precision and foreknowledge of God and His Word, whether written on paper, in the stars, or in the flesh!!

Now onto the time, date, and day.
Herod's death, occuring shortly after Jan 9, 1 BC, gives a time frame within which to work. The birth of Jesus had to be while Herod was alive, because the Bible says so in both Matthew and Luke. As Matt 2:16 records, Herod had the children killed who were 2 years old and under, "according to the time he had diligently inquired of the wise men", putting the birth in 3 BC. Historical, astronomical, and Biblical evidence point to this year.

Before we proceed, let us side track a little (maybe a lot, sorry again) to Bible prophesy. Much has been made of this subject in certain Christian circles, but for the most part it is unknown that all of the Bible is prohesy. Most worldly wisdom says directly, or insinuates, that prophesy is fore-telling the future. This is but one aspect of it.

Abraham, though he fore-told nothing which is recorded, is called a prophet (Gen 20:7). This fact alone should make a serious student question what a prophet is. Since this is the first usage of the word 'prophet' in scriptures, how God defines it is the primary definition which should be used, unless He changes it. II Peter 1:20-21 need to be considered, as prophesy is linked to all scripture. The words "old time" literally means "any time". Not just the OT, but also the NT. It is not the time or place to go into a detailed study of prophet or prohesy, but for now let me say this:

Prophesy may tell past, present, and future events. We must not limit our thinking to mans' definition of prophesy, but go with what is Biblical and based in the sound doctrine of scripture.

That being said, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, and Jesus Christ sent by his angel to John (Rev 1:1. This is not, according to verse 1, the'Revelation of St. John). Verse 1 also states Jesus Christ sent this revelation and signified it. The word for 'signified' is akin to the word 'sign' in the Bible, which answers directly to the word 'signs' in Genesis 1:14. God defined what the stars were for in Genesis, and nothing changed all the way through Revelation. One of the things the stars (heavenly bodies) were for is signs. Not as in astrology. Gods' Word, written in the heavens.

In Rev 12:1-5 we have a series of astronomical terms: great wonder in heaven, clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, crown of 12 stars, another wonder in heaven, and stars of heaven. So often sincere, well-intentioned believers make too much of this book (and others) of the Bible because they fail to understand prophesy. Rather than looking at it as fore-telling future events (which it may also be doing, but until it happens we don't know that), let's look at it as telling past events. The entire chapter does tell past and future events, but we are not doing a study of the book of Revelations.

From verse 5 it should be obvious that this is speaking of Jesus Christ. With that context, let us continue.

The word 'wonder' in verse 1 is a very close relative to 'signified' in Rev 1:1. In Greek secular writings, a usage of this word is in reference to the signs of the zodiac. God's word says this great wonder appeared in heaven. The sign then is specified as a woman. There is only one woman in the zodiac which would fit with this, and that is Virgo, the Virgin. Scripture then says she is 'clothed with the sun', an astronomical term that happens for 21 days each year as the sun travels through its course between the neck and legs of Virgo. In 3 BC, this occured from Aug 27th - Sep 15th. Further, the Bible states that the moon was 'under her feet', an astronomical event which is the time when the moon appears to be under her feet. This configuration, when the costellation Virgo would be clothed with the sun and the moon would be under her feet, ocurred in 3 BC, as viewable in Palestine, on only 1 day, Sep 11th, a Wednesday. On that day, sunset was at 6:18 PM (when a new day - Tishri 1, to be exact - began in Biblical reckoning), and moonset was at 7:39 PM. During this 81 minute period, Jesus the Christ was born and he took his first breath of life.

Verse 2 describes the woman in labor. Verses 3-4 tell of past events also, Satan's fall from heaven and his plan to kill the child immediately upon the birth. Verse 4-5 show the woman's labor completed and the child delivered. Verse 5 also show his ascension to God's throne. On the same night (night begins at sunset), shepherds received the announcement from the angels saying (not singing) concerning the child, and hasted to see the baby swaddled.

Also, in the pre-dawn hours on that same day (sunset, 11 Sep to sunset, 12 Sep, 3 BC), Jupiter (the king planet) and Regulus (the king star), could be seen approaching conjunction in Leo (the sign of Judah) from whom the lawgiver (Gen 49:10) would come. The trumpets throughout all Judea would be blowing (a whole different study in itself) as Tishri 1 is the beginning of the new year, the Feast of Trumpets.

God had it all planned out. Every detail. Only a handful of meek, humble shepherds were told verbally, but God announced it with a heavenly 'light show' and trumpets. The Magi, Gentiles, could see the Word written in the stars coming to pass, and are the only people God's Word records who specifically came to pay homage to the promised seed of the woman. God's timetable is impeccable.

Closing notes.

The age of grace, dispensation, administration, in which we live is not written in the stars. God kept it hidden from everyone, including Jesus (just as He kept the 'when' of Jesus return from Jesus) until the great mystery was revealed to Paul. So for anyone, Christian or non-Christian, to try to tell the future from the stars is foolish. Only those things written in the Word are for us today.

The woman (Virgo) clothed with the 12 stars is the key to understanding the zodiac. It is where the zodiac begins. The Lion (Leo) is where it ends. The Great Sphinx of Egypt is an example of how this truth was passed down for thousands of years, but alas, people then, just as now, for the most part reject God's word, regardless of the benefits or consequences.

Edited by 282Mikado
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