The Star of Bethlehem

The Magi, as skilled observers of the heavens, recorded extraordinary celestial phenomena that guided their journey and shaped their understanding of significant historical changes. Using ancient Babylonian celestial interpretation, they identified alignments and events that carried profound meaning, foretelling conflict, transformation, and ultimate victory.

The First Event: A Woman Clothed with the Sun and a King Enters Leo

In the autumn of 3 BC, two notable celestial phenomena occurred in a rare alignment:

• The Woman Clothed with the Sun: The constellation Virgo was illuminated by the Sun while the Moon rested at her feet. Venus, a planet often associated with divine messages, was also present within Virgo, signaling challenges related to childbirth. This corresponds with Revelation 12’s description of a woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet, crying out in pain of childbirth.
• Jupiter Enters Leo: Concurrently, Jupiter, the planet associated with kingship, began its transit into Leo, a constellation symbolizing royalty. In Babylonian celestial traditions, this event marked the beginning of a prophecy indicating the death of the current king and the rise of a new dynasty.

These alignments were rare and significant. The Magi interpreted them as celestial declarations of impending political and cosmic change, combining turmoil with the promise of renewal.

The Second Event: Venus Approaches Jupiter and the Dragon Falls

Nine months later, in June of 2 BC, another significant alignment unfolded, delivering even clearer messages to the Magi. Venus, approaching Jupiter in the sky, provided insights interpreted through Babylonian traditions:

• Venus Approaches Jupiter: As Venus moved closer to Jupiter, the Magi’s manual described a prophecy: "The King of Amurru will rule with terror in Babylonia. He will attack. Brother will become hostile to brother." This foretold a period of political upheaval and war.
• Venus Enters Jupiter: The next day, Venus entered Jupiter’s position, signaling a profound moment: "The King of Babylon will die. Either a soldier seeking peace will be sent from the enemy, or a messenger will be sent to the enemy." This was interpreted as a decisive turning point.
• The Falling Dragon: Simultaneously, Mercury moved through Hydra, the celestial dragon. As Mercury passed over Hydra’s head, the Magi described the dragon being "crowned" and turning red, a sign of its fall. This imagery aligns with Revelation’s description of the dragon being cast down from the heavens. The dragon’s tail disappeared with the end of the August meteor showers.

For the Magi, these celestial events signified an intense struggle between the King of Babylon and the King of Amurru, with the heavens providing a vivid narrative of conflict and betrayal.

The Third Event: The Woman Leaves Her Secret Place

Revelation 12 describes two visible signs and a third event, calculated rather than observed. The third event involved Venus, interpreted as the woman, leaving her "secret place" in the constellation Scorpio. This was a highly symbolic moment:

• Venus in Her Secret Place: While stationary in Scorpio, Venus was interpreted as "gathering strength" in Babylonian tradition. Scorpio, associated with harvest and war, symbolized divine preparation for a decisive moment. The way Venus arrived in this position foretold which side would triumph in the conflict.
• Victory for Amurru: The Babylonian manual declared, "The gods are reconciled with Amurru," signaling divine favor and victory for Amurru over Babylon.

Although the third event was not directly observed, the Magi’s calculations underscored its significance. It represented the culmination of the celestial narrative, promising resolution and reconciliation.

The Message of the Heavens

The celestial events of 3 and 2 BC align with precise interpretations from the Babylonian divination manual. These events foretold the death of a king, the rise of a new ruler, and a decisive victory for Amurru. The Magi, guided by their advanced understanding of celestial phenomena, embarked on their journey to Jerusalem to seek the child central to these prophecies.

Why Jerusalem? The royal dynasty in Israel was the only ruling family within the Amurru region, which extended from western Syria to Israel. In Babylonian tradition, Amurru corresponds to the Amorites of the Old Testament, making Jerusalem the logical destination.

Explore how the Magi interpreted these celestial messages and how they continued their journey in Journey to Bethlehem.