ἄστρον (astron)
astron
star
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun astron simply means "star." In the New Testament it appears in only four verses, yet its usage highlights a specific distinction between general celestial bodies and individual notable ones. Most often, the word is plural, referring to the stars collectively as seen in Luke 21:25 or Acts 27:20, where they represent the vastness of the night sky.
However, the singular form carries a more precise weight. It refers to a single, distinct star rather than just any point of light. This is evident in Stephen’s speech in Acts 7:43, where he quotes Amos regarding the worship of "the host of heaven," using the singular to denote specific idols or celestial bodies revered as deities. The word also appears in Hebrews 11:12, describing Abraham’s descendants as numerous as the stars, emphasizing their countable multitude.
This lexical range mirrors its Old Testament background, where it translates the Hebrew kochav. While modern readers might associate "star" with distant suns, the biblical usage often focuses on their visibility and symbolic value—whether as a sign in the sky or a metaphor for a large number. The singular form specifically calls attention to an individual entity within that greater host.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word astron refers to a star, appearing only four times in the New Testament. It is often used in the plural to describe the vast night sky, as seen in Luke 21:25 or Acts 27:20. These passages remind us of the sheer scale of creation and how small we feel against it. When storms rage or signs appear in the heavens, the biblical writers point to a God who holds all things together.
Yet the singular form carries a different weight. In Acts 7:43, Stephen mentions the 'star' of the god Rephan, highlighting how people can turn created beauty into an idol. This serves as a gentle warning to keep our focus on the Creator rather than the creation. The star itself is not evil, but it becomes a distraction when we give it the place that belongs to God alone.
In Hebrews 11:12, the stars become a metaphor for Abraham’s descendants. Here, the word shifts from a celestial object to a promise of future blessing. It shows how God uses simple images to convey deep truths about faith and legacy. Whether we look up at the night sky or reflect on our own lives, these words invite us to trust in God’s timing and His ability to bring life from what seems impossible.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- stars2×
- stars,1×
- star1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄστρων1×
- ἄστρον1×
- ἄστροις,1×
- ἄστρα1×
Key Verses
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Acts 7:43
You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship, so I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’
This verse uses the singular form to identify a specific idol, showing how the word can denote a distinct entity rather than just part of a group.
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Hebrews 11:12
Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.
Here the plural 'stars' serves as a metaphor for the countless descendants of Abraham, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise despite natural limitations.
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Luke 21:25
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
The stars are listed alongside the sun and moon as cosmic signs that will precede the end times, grounding eschatological events in observable creation.