Was the STAR of Bethlehem a comet?

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M

Miri

Guest
#21
#21
I don’t think it was a comet or a regular star. Comets move too fast to follow blink and it’s gone. Star don’t lead the way and come to a halt over buildings.

The Israelites were guided by a pillar of wind and fire.

Why can’t the wise men have been guided by a light which might have looked like a star, but wasn’t a star.

Also why only could they see it if it was a regular star? I say this because the bible doesn’t say anyone else followed the star. Why not? Could others not see it.

It would be strange for a special star or light to appear which no one else saw or was curious about and want to find out about.

I think only the wise men could see it.

Sorry I’ve now opened a can of worms. Lol
 
JaumeJ

JaumeJ

Senior Member
#22
Jul 2, 2011
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#22
Maxwell,

I always heard or used "sheket b'vakasha" as kind of humorous, not like aShabbat school teacher might… Actually it was imitating them.

All the best to you and your for the Christmas commemorative days, amen.
 
JaumeJ

JaumeJ

Senior Member
#23
Jul 2, 2011
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#23
Maxwell,

That was very nice, and it makes me feel good, thank you, you have blessed me.
 
breno785au

breno785au

Senior Member
#24
Jul 23, 2013
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Australia
#24
Probably a pretty hard to answer this question since navigation by the stars is pretty much all but forgotten
 
M

MattforJesus

Banned
#25
Apr 15, 2017
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#25
astēr
as-tare'
Probably from the base of G4766; a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively: - star.

I believe it was a star used to guide the three men to Jesus, but probably not a normal sized star, but smaller, and closer to earth.

Like God guided the Jews by flame at night, and a cloud during the day.

Like God appeared before Abraham in a bodily manifestation.

God made these things for a temporary use, but they went back to being broke down to physical matter.

It is like some people that think time is something that always exists, but there is no such thing as time, for it does not exist as a substance, or universal principle.

Time is only used as a measuring tool to measure creation from start to finish when this heaven and earth pass away, and the sun is the measuring tool, for it measures a day, and to help us to schedule things on earth.

But before creation there is no sun, and after this heaven and earth pass away there is no sun, for there is nothing to be scheduled to have to keep time.

Time does not exist, but it is made up for a measuring tool( I know it has nothing to do with the star, but thought I would add that in because so many think time does exist for eternity, and a universal principle, but it does not).
 
Prognostic

Prognostic

Junior Member
#26
Jan 5, 2018
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#26
I think it was a star. Hence it being called the star of Bethlehem?
 
tanakh

tanakh

Senior Member
#27
Dec 1, 2015
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#27
No it was a supernatural event. Comets and other heavenly bodies don't wander round and stop over peoples stables
 
JaumeJ

JaumeJ

Senior Member
#28
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
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#28
tanakh said:
No it was a supernatural event. Comets and other heavenly bodies don't wander round and stop over peoples stables
Click to expand...
My honest understanding in faith is simple. God put it there to show others the Way.
 
JaumeJ

JaumeJ

Senior Member
#30
Jul 2, 2011
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#30
breno785au said:
Probably a pretty hard to answer this question since navigation by the stars is pretty much all but forgotten
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When I was in the Rockies summers, I could always tell where i WAS GOING, AT LEAST THE DIRECTION BY finding Polaris..the North Star, and orienting myself by it with other stars. No I neer used a sextant, don't know if I could, but directions are easy for me.........if this is the case for me, it should be a snap for anyone who has math inclinations.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#31
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#31
Star of the east...yes there is the north star...and in nz we have the southern cross, that points south, in the east there is sirius, and the west they have aldebran. Orions belt is also a prominent star cluster.
I am not sure about what the ancients of those times names the stars but presumably they knew the stars that signifies the points of the compass to navigate by.
Venus, although a planet, has certain rising and setting times and is visible to the naked eye even during the day.

I dont know if seeing stars whenever a king is born is a regualr occurance. But in the bible it does say a star comes out of jacob. According to the prophecy balaam gave in Numbers 24:17

I imagine because Jesus is the light in the darkness, this star would have been super bright. Some say it was a conjunction of stars. The polynesians went all over the pacific and settled on the islands navigating by the stars. They did not have maps or sextants it was all by following stars.
 
exegete

exegete

Active member
#32
Dec 23, 2018
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My Tiny Apartment
#32
For a possible answer, I recommend "First Christmas" by Paul L. Maier. Especially chapter 7, "An incredible Star."
 
L

LPT

Guest
#33
#33
Nehemiah6 said:
Christians can take either one of two positions:

1. EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO THE BIRTH OF CHRIST WAS SUPERNATURAL

2. THERE IS A RATIONAL INTERPRETATION FOR MIRACLES (LIBERALISM)

The star of Bethlehem was a unique supernatural star given as a sign of Messiah's birth. It was prophesied by the hireling prophet Balaam, and it was taken as a literal sign from God by the Magi (Wise Men). It actually led the Magi to Bethlehem, who had literally come to worship the Christ-Child, and therefore brought costly gifts for Him.

NUMBERS 24
16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

MATTHEW 2
1 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,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him...

9 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.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
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No the star did not led them to Bethlehem, they were led to Nazareth after Mary and Joseph preformed all that was required of them they returned to Nazareth then sum months and months later when he was a child under 2 years old not a new born.
 
L

LPT

Guest
#34
#34
maxwel said:
What was the star of Bethlehem?

The start of Bethlehem was...

The local Rabbi.


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No the star led the magi to Joseph and Mary’s house in Nazareth.
 
L

LPT

Guest
#35
#35
Pure Hollywood with the manger and the magi present.
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#36
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#36
LPT said:
No the star did not led them to Bethlehem, they were led to Nazareth after Mary and Joseph preformed all that was required of them they returned to Nazareth then sum months and months later when he was a child under 2 years old not a new born.
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TOTALLY FALSE.

1. The Magi were instructed to go to Bethlehem, so that is where they went.

2. After their visit, Mary. Joseph, and Jesus went to EGYPT from Bethlehem, and then proceeded to Nazareth after the death of Herod.

MATTHEW 2
1Now 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,
2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9When 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.
10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

 
O

oldethennew

Banned
#37
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
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#37
breno785au said:
Probably a pretty hard to answer this question since navigation by the stars is pretty much all but forgotten
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Hey breno,
posting this because we were unable to send you a p.m. -

we have really missed you and your shared wisdom - hope and pray all is well with you and yours,
sincerely, d&j...
 
O

oldethennew

Banned
#38
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,974
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#38
it was a 'lode-star-of-destiny' which can only be Spiritual and created by our Lord =
who wouldn't follow it? :):)
 
breno785au

breno785au

Senior Member
#39
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
767
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Australia
#39
oldethennew said:
==========================================================
Hey breno,
posting this because we were unable to send you a p.m. -

we have really missed you and your shared wisdom - hope and pray all is well with you and yours,
sincerely, d&j...
Click to expand...
Aww, that's nice, thank you :) I look forward to reading your posts when I see them too.. Strange you couldn't send a PM it would've been nice to have received one from you.
 
GraceAndTruth

GraceAndTruth

Well-known member
#40
Sep 28, 2015
2,031
637
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#40
Miri said:
I don’t think it was a comet or a regular star. Comets move too fast to follow blink and it’s gone. Star don’t lead the way and come to a halt over buildings.

The Israelites were guided by a pillar of wind and fire.

Why can’t the wise men have been guided by a light which might have looked like a star, but wasn’t a star.

Also why only could they see it if it was a regular star? I say this because the bible doesn’t say anyone else followed the star. Why not? Could others not see it.

It would be strange for a special star or light to appear which no one else saw or was curious about and want to find out about.

I think only the wise men could see it.

Sorry I’ve now opened a can of worms. Lol
Click to expand...
Well, that's one way to look at it.
This wasn't meant to be a serious question, but something to hang some opinions on. Any reasonable answer can be correct....or not.

HOWEVER, comets do not seem to move that fast as we observe them. When a comet comes into the earth view it usually lasts for several days or weeks because it is so far away and
 
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