planet

The planets were roughly divided in ancient times (and nowadays by the IAU, the International Astronomical Union) into two types: the Fixed stars and the Moving stars. The moving stars category includes our seven Solar System planets. They are called in Hebrew (in plural form) Koch•vey Le•chet. The singular is today’s word: Ko•chav Le•chet. The word: ‘le•chet’ means ‘going’ or ‘walking.’ In Biblical Hebrew ‘le•chet’ is considered an Infinitive Absolute − the very basic, nucleus form of a word or concept. It is, hence, the core word for ‘moving.’ In fact, the mere English name, ‘planet,’ comes from the Greek name πλανήτης (planetes), which means ‘moving about’ (something like ‘moving back and forth’). The other group was named by the IAU ‘the Fixed Stars.’ In Hebrew they are called Koch•vey She•vet. See our related Hebrew Word of the Day soon.

Some of the planets perhaps were not known during the Biblical era and do not have Hebrew names (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto).

The IAU indeed, changes its definitions from time to time as the science of Astronomy develops, but we still count seven planets in our Solar System and still call them ‘moving stars’ both in Hebrew and English from since the Biblical era to today.

“He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars…”