The Witness of the StarsBullinger, E. W. (Ethelbert William)
Religion
The Witness of the Stars
Bullinger, E. W. (Ethelbert William)
Astronomy; Astronomy in the Bible; Bible and science; Constellations
The next, β (in the left foot), is named _Rigel_, or _Rigol_, which means
_the foot that crusheth_. The foot is lifted up, and placed immediately
over the head of the enemy, as though in the very act of crushing it.
Thus, the name of the star bespeaks the act.
The next star, γ (in the left shoulder), is called _Bellatrix_, which
means _quickly coming_, or _swiftly destroying_.
The name of the fourth star, δ (one of the three in the belt), carries us
back to the old, old story, that this glorious One was once humbled; that
His heel was once bruised. Its name is _Al Nitak_, _the wounded One_.(62)
Similarly the star κ (in the right leg) is called _Saiph_, _bruised_,
which is the very word used in Gen. iii. 15, thus connecting Orion with
the primeval prophecy. Like Ophiuchus, he has one leg _bruised_; while,
with the other, he is _crushing_ the enemy under foot.
This is betokened by other stars, not identified, named _Al Rai_, _who
bruises_, _who breaks_ (as in _Cepheus_); and _Thabit_ (Hebrew), _treading
on_.
Other (Arabic) names relate to His Person: _Al Giauzâ_, _the branch_; _Al
Gebor_, _the mighty_; _Al Mirzam_, _the ruler_; _Al Nagjed_, _the prince_;
_Niphla_ (Chaldee), _the mighty_; _Nux_ (Hebrew), _the strong_.
Some names relate to His coming, as _Betelgeuse_ and _Bellatrix_, as
above; _Heka_ (Chaldee), _coming_; and _Meissa_ (Hebrew), _coming forth_.
Such is the cumulative testimony of Orion’s stars, which, day after day,
and night after night, show forth this knowledge. That testimony was
afterwards written in the Book. The Prince of Glory, who was once wounded
for the sins of His redeemed, is about to rise up and shine forth for
their deliverance. Their redemption draweth nigh; for—
“The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man,
He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war;
He shall cry, yea, roar;
He shall prevail against His enemies.
I have [_He says_] long time holden my peace;
I have been still, and refrained myself:
Now will I cry like a travailing woman;
I will destroy and devour at once.”
(Isa. xlii. 13, 14.)
Then it will be said to His people (and the setting of the prophecy in its
beautiful introverted structure shows us the beauty and glory of the truth
it reveals):(63)
a | _Arise_,
b | Shine; for _thy light_ is come,
c | And _the glory of the _LORD is risen upon thee.
d | For, behold, the _darkness_ shall cover the earth,
_d_ | And gross _darkness_ the people;
_c_ | But _the _LORD shall arise upon thee, and _His
glory_ shall be seen upon thee.
_b_ | And the Gentiles shall come to _thy light_,
_a_ | And kings to the brightness of thy _rising_.
(Isa. lx. 1‐3.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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