Category:Constellation

Con`stel*la"tion, n. Etym: [F. constellation, L. constellatio.]

1. A cluster or group of fixed stars, or dvision of the heavens, designated in most cases by the name of some animal, or of some mythologial personage, within whose imaginary outline, as traced upon the heavens, the group is included. The constellations seem to have been almost purposely named and delineated to cause as much confusion and inconvenience as possible. Sir J. Herschel.

Note: In each of the constellations now recognized by astronomers (about 90 in number) the brightest stars, both named and unnamed are designated nearly in the order of brilliancy by the letters of the Greek alphabet; as,

2. An assemblage of splendors or excellences. The constellations of genius had already begun to show itself. . . which was to shed a glory over the meridian and close of Philip's reign. Prescott.

3. Fortune; fate; destiny. [Obs.] It is constellation, which causeth all that a man doeth. Gower.

- ---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Constellation - A cluster of stars, or stars which appear to be near each other in the heavens, and which astronomers have reduced to certain figures (as the "Great Bear," the "Bull," etc.) for the sake of classification and of memory. In Isaiah 13:10, where this word only occurs, it is the rendering of the Hebrew kesil i.e., "fool." This was the Hebrew name of the constellation Orion (Job 9:9; Job 38:31), a constellation which represented Nimrod, the symbol of folly and impiety. The word some interpret by "the giant" in this place, "some heaven-daring rebel who was chained to the sky for his impiety."