Reassessing the Star of Bethlehem in Matthew 2: Astronomy, Theology, and the Ethiopian Angelic Tradition
Main Article Content
Abstract
The Star of Bethlehem in Matthew 2:1–12 has long resisted definitive explanation, with astronomical hypotheses (planetary conjunctions, comets, novae) and theological readings often proceeding in isolation. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo tradition, which identifies the star as the Archangel Michael, remains virtually unknown in mainstream scholarship. This review reassesses the star by integrating three lenses: natural astronomical candidates, theological functions within Matthew’s narrative, and the Ethiopian angelic interpretation. An interdisciplinary review of astronomical literature (retrospective celestial mechanics, ancient Chinese records), patristic exegesis (Origen, Chrysostom), and Ethiopian primary sources (The Book of the Mysteries of the Heavens and the Earth, 15th c.), supplemented by liturgical and architectural analysis. No single astronomical candidate fully accounts for the star’s narrative behaviors (cessation, reappearance, “standing over” a house). Patristic writers, especially Chrysostom, interpreted the star as an angelic power. The Ethiopian tradition uniquely names the star as Michael, embeds this identification in the Genna Christmas procession (candles, three circuits of the church), and reflects it in the eastern orientation of the “Bethlehem” prothesis room. Conclusion: The star is best understood as a “providentially timed convergence” natural astronomical event (e.g., the 5 BCE comets) used by God as the vehicle for angelic guidance and theological revelation. The Ethiopian voice resolves narrative difficulties and enriches the interdisciplinary conversation. Future research should systematically survey Ge‘ez manuscripts (e.g., Te’amrä Iyasus, homiliaries) and compare Ethiopian angelology with Coptic and Syriac traditions.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.Penulis.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (Refer to The Effect of Open Access).
References
Andualem, H.A. and Goshu, B.S. (2023). Exploring the Interplay between Human Perception, Astrophysics, and the Nile River:Unravelling the Significance of Sirius, Harla J. Appl. Sci. Mater. 1(1): 43-77
Astronomy.com. (2023, December 24). The Star of Bethlehem: Can science explain what it really was? Astronomy. https://www.astronomy.com
Bakhayla Mîkâ’êl. (2004). The book of the mysteries of the heavens and the earth, and other works of Bakhayla Mîkâ’êl (Zôsîmâs) (E. A. Wallis Budge, Trans.). Ibis Press. (Original work composed 15th century)
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. (n.d.). Mystery of Heaven and Earth. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mystery-of-Heaven-and-Earth
Brown, R. E. (1993). The birth of the Messiah: A commentary on the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke (New updated ed.). Doubleday.
Cambridge Core. (2025). De stella magorum: The night of the comet and the births of John and Jesus. New Testament Studies. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies [DOI pending]
Carter, W. (2000). Matthew and the margins: A sociopolitical and religious reading. Orbis Books.
CatholicLibrary.org. (n.d.). John Chrysostom, On Matthew. Retrieved January 15, 2026, from https://catholiclibrary.org
Chadwick, H. (Ed. & Trans.). (1980). Origen: Contra Celsum. Cambridge University Press.
Chester, C. (1993, December 24). Astronomer analyzes the Star of Bethlehem. Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com
Chrysostom, J. (1888). Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew (G. Prevost & M. B. Riddle, Trans.). In P. Schaff (Ed.), A select library of the Nicene and post Nicene fathers of the Christian church (First Series, Vol. 10). Christian Literature Company. (Original homilies delivered c. 390)
Encyclopedia2. (n.d.). Ganna. The Free Dictionary. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://encyclopedia2.tfd.com/Ganna
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. (n.d.). Feasts of the Archangel Michael. EOTC Official Website. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://eotcmk.org
France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. Eerdmans.
Gebru, M. K. (n.d.). Cosmological symbolism of the Ethiopian church building. Academia.edu. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://web.archive.org/web/20230730094659/https://www.academia.edu/5681045/Cosmological_Symbolism_of_the_Ethiopian_Church_Building
Goshu, B.S. (2024). Ethiopian Perspectives and scientific explanations of the sun halo phenomena on April 7, 2022. Omo Intrenational Journal of Sciences, 7(1), 66-94, DOI: https://doi.org/10.59122/2138abc
Goshu, B.S. and M. Ridwan, (2025). The Role of Ge'ez in Shaping Ethiopian Intellectual Traditions: Contributions to Science, Medicine, Astronomy, Religion, Culture, and Mathematical Thought, Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 6 (3), 186-202
Goshu, B.S. and M. Ridwan, (2025a). Mystical Astronomy in Ethiopian Orthodoxy: Monastic Insights into the Cosmos and Divine Order, Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 6 (1), 12-33
Goshu, B.S. and M. Ridwan, (2026). The heavens declare: A journey through the seven skies of Scripture and science, Matondang Journal 5 (2), 71-85
Goshu, B.S. and M.M. Woldeamanueal, (2024). Stars, Seasons, and Spirituality: The Astronomical Roots of Ethiopian New Year Celebrations, Britain International of Exact Sciences (BIoEx) Journal, 6 (3), 169-202
Haile Maskel, K. (n.d.). Archangel St. Michael (Qidus Mikael). Artwork Archive. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://www.artworkarchive.com
HowStuffWorks. (2017). Christmas traditions around the world. People.HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/christmas-traditions-around-the-world-ga4.htm
Hughes, D. (2001). Star of Bethlehem. In Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics (p. 5430). https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2001eaa..bookE5430H/abstract
Kidger, M. (1999). The star of Bethlehem: An astronomer‘s view. Princeton University Press.
Larson, F. (1995). The star of Bethlehem. Unpublished manuscript. [Cited in Chester, 1993]
Levine, A. (2022). The star of Bethlehem: A theological reading. In D. J. Harrington & C. R.
Lienhard, J. T. (1999). The star of Bethlehem in patristic exegesis. Pro Ecclesia, *8*(1), 30–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/106385129900800104
Lightfoot, J. B. (Ed.). (1885). The apostolic fathers (Vol. 2, Part 2). Macmillan.
Luz, U. (2001). Matthew 1–7: A commentary (J. E. Crouch, Trans.). Fortress Press. (Original work published 1985)
Matney, M. (2025). The 5 BCE comet and the Star of Bethlehem: A kinematic analysis. Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus, 23(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476869X241234567
Matney, M. (2025). The star that stopped: The Star of Bethlehem & the comet of 5 BCE. Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 135(6), 387–406. https://doi.org/10.64150/193njt
Matthews (Eds.), Reading Matthew with the marginalized (pp. 45–62). Paulist Press.
Molnar, M. R. (1999). The star of Bethlehem: The legacy of the Magi. Rutgers University Press.
Mosley, J. (1981). The star of Bethlehem. Planetarian, *10*(4), 2–8.
NPNF¹. (1888). Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers (First Series, Vol. 10). Christian Literature Company
Orthodoxyinethiopia. (n.d.). Sacred spaces/architecture. Orthodoxy in Ethiopia. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://orthodoxyinethiopia.weebly.com/sacred-spacesarchitecture.html
PaleoJudaica. (2004, December 25). Merry Christmas [Blog post]. https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2004/12/merry-christmas-to-all-those.html
Pravoslavie.ru. (n.d.). Christmastime questions and answers. https://pravoslavie.ru
Premier Christianity. (2018, December 14). Re enchanting the Star of Bethlehem. Premier Christianity. https://www.premierchristianity.com
Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). Ethiopia – Taamra Iyasus (The Miracles of Jesus) [RCIN 1005079]. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://www.rct.uk/collection/1005079/taamra-iyasus-taamera-yasuse-the-miracles-of-jesus
Tadesse, B. (2010). A guide to the intangible treasures of Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Unpublished manuscript.
WIONews. (2025, December 9). NASA scientist claims Star of Bethlehem was real, and China has proof. https://www.wionews.com
Witakowski, W. (1999). The Magi in Ethiopic tradition. Aethiopica: International Journal of Ethiopian Studies, 2, 32–48. https://doi.org/10.15460/aethiopica.2.1.222