What does the Bible say about astrology?
The Bible's perspective on astrology can be understood through its historical context and spiritual framework. Astrology originated in ancient Mesopotamia as a practice of predicting future events based on celestial movements. While the Bible wasn't written as a scientific text, it addresses astrology within its broader spiritual narrative.
The practice of astrology is referenced through various terms and contexts. The prophet Isaiah, for instance, criticized the Babylonians for depending on astrologers, stargazers, and monthly prognosticators for guidance. In the book of Daniel, astrologers are grouped together with magicians, sorcerers, and soothsayers, suggesting a clear association with divination practices that were forbidden to the Israelites.
The Bible presents a complex spiritual worldview where divine communication occurs through specific channels, such as dreams (as mentioned in Matthew's Gospel) and through prophets who reinforced God's law and covenant with Israel. Within this framework, astrology is portrayed as part of a broader spiritual conflict between God's kingdom and opposing forces. Extrabiblical texts describe fallen angels, including one named Coco Bell, as having taught humans various forms of forbidden knowledge, including astrology, the "knowledge of the clouds," and the interpretation of celestial signs.
This spiritual battle extends to the concept of "gods of the nations," which the Bible identifies as fallen angels or demons who rebelled against God and led people astray by demanding worship through celestial bodies. These spiritual beings, along with their offspring (described as giants or rephaim), are portrayed as forces that "afflict, oppress, attack, battle, and destroy on the earth." The Bible particularly warns against their influence in Israel, emphasizing that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
The Bible consistently warns against seeking knowledge from sources other than God, particularly noting how the Israelites were sometimes influenced by celestial signs and even worshipped heavenly bodies despite biblical prohibitions. This is presented as a form of reenchantment that deviates from God's intended order. The biblical narrative emphasizes the importance of spiritual discernment, encouraging believers to recognize the distinction between God's kingdom and worldly spiritual forces, and to align themselves with Jesus as the victorious king.
Interestingly, there is some scholarly speculation about the Magi who visited Jesus potentially being astrologers, though the Bible doesn't explicitly confirm this. Still, the general consensus is that the Magi were paga astrologers.
Verses about astrology:
Deuteronomy 4:19, "And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven."
Isaiah 47:13-14, "You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame."
Jeremiah 10:2, "Thus says the Lord: 'Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them.'"
Leviticus 19:26, "You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes."
Daniel 2:27-28, "Daniel answered the king and said, 'No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.'"
