Bible Dictionary
Stargazers
Stargazers were astrologers who claimed to foretell events by observing the stars and their movements. Scripture presents such practices as unreliable and contrary to trust in God.
Definition
Stargazers were astrologers who claimed to foretell events by observing the stars. Their practice involved interpreting the rising and setting of stars, their movements, aspects, color, and degree of light.
Biblical Usage
Isaiah mentions stargazers among those who attempted to predict what would occur by studying the heavens. The supplied material presents their claims as the activity of astrologers rather than as reliable prophecy.
Historical Background
The described practice was associated especially with Chaldean astrologers, who examined several visible features and movements of the stars in making their predictions.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Isa. 47:13), those who pretend to tell what will occur by looking upon the stars. The Chaldean astrologers “divined by the rising and setting, the motions, aspects, colour, degree of light, etc., of the stars.”
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>star'-gaz-erz.</p><p>See ASTROLOGY, 5.</p>