From The Alpha and the Omega - Volume III
by Jim A. Cornwell, Copyright © July 20, 2002, all rights reserved
"Volume III - The Twelfth Month - Star Names for Cepheus"
In the Twelfth Month of Pisces
Star Names of Cepheus
a Alderamin or Alder'amin is an Arabic word meaning either "forearm" or "shoulder," specifically the "right forearm." It is the westernmost star at the base of the house (pentagram) and the brightest star of the constellation. One source claims the Arabic name is Adh-Dhira' al-Yamin meaning "the right forearm."
- Shoulder.
- Hebrew zerowa', zer-o'-ah ... from Heb. zara, zaw-rah', the arm (as stretched out), shoulder.
- Hebrew katheph, kaw-thafe', a primary root to clothe, the shoulder, where the garments hang.
- Hebrew shikmah, shik-maw', feminine of Heb. shekem, shek-em', from Heb. shakam, shaw-kam', a primary root properly to incline (the shoulder to a burden), thus the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens, shoulder.
- Greek omos, o'-mos, perhaps from the alt. Gr. phero, fer'-o, a primary verb (as in bearing), the shoulder (as that on which burdens are bourne), shoulder.
- Under Taurus in Auriga star names is the b Menkalinan, Arabic "shoulder of him of the reins."
- In another spelling Al Deramin is the brightest star in Arabic means "Coming Quickly."
- In "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 103 "a Al Deramin, coming quickly (right shoulder)."
- In the "Gospel of the Stars," Joseph Seiss, page 86 "Al Deramin, the Quickly-returning."
- Rolleston states "Arabic Al Deramin, coming quickly, as in a circle."
- Quickly.
- Hebrew mahar, maw-har', a primary root properly to be liquid or flow easily, to hurry, promptly, make speed, suddenly, swift.
- Greek tachos, takh'-os, from the same as Gr. tachus, takh-oos', swift, thus a brief space (of time), in haste, quickly.
- Swiftly.
- Hebrew meherah, meh-hay-raw'. feminine of Heb. maher, mah-hare', Heb. mahar, maw-har', hurrying, quickly, swiftly, soon, speedily, suddenly, thus swiftly.
- Hebrew ye'aph, yeh-awf' from Heb. ya'aph, yaw-af', a primary root to tire (as if wearisome flight), thus fatigued (adv. utterly exhausted), swiftly.
- Hebrew qal, kal, contraction from Heb. qalal, kaw-lal', thus light (by implicatio) rapid (also adv.), light, swift (-ly).
- Other names for Alderamin: Al Derai'min, Alderaimin, Aderaimin, Adderoia'minon, Al Derab', Al Deraf', Alredaf, Aldedaf'.
- Rolleston makes reference to "Al Derab, Al Deraf, coming in a circle." Also "Cheicus, Caucus, comes as in a circle."
b Alfirk or Alfirk', which is an Arabic term that means, "flock of sheep," or just plain "flock." It is a double star, at the western point conjoining of the house and the roof (pentagram).
- Arabic Al-Firq, "The flock."
- Flock.
- Hebrew chasiph, khaw-seef', from Heb. chasaph, khaw-saf', properly drawn off, i.e. separated, hence a small company, little flock.
- Hebrew 'eder, ay'-der, from Heb. 'adar, aw-dar', to arrange, an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals), drove, flock, herd.
- Hebrew 'ashterah, ash-ter-aw', probably from Heb. 'ashar, aw-sar, increase, flock.
- Hebrew tso'n, tsone, or tse'own, tseh-one', to migrate, collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats).
- Some sources call this Al Phirk the second brightest star at his midriff also means in Arabic "The Redeemer."
- Hebrew miqneh, mik-neh', from Heb. qanah, redeem, thus something bought, property.
- In OT doctrine, Hebrew ga'al to "redeem".
- Redemption.
- Hebrew geullah, gheh-ool-law', feminine of Heb. ga'al to "redeem", thus redemption and other words for redeem are Hebrew padah, paw-daw, Heb. Peduwth, ped-ooth', Heb. pidyown, pid-yome'.
- In "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 103 "b Al Phirk (Arabic), the Redeemer (in the girdle)."
- In the "Gospel of the Stars," Joseph Seiss, page 86 "Al Phirk (Arabic), the Redeemer, the Shepherd."
- Rolleston calls "Al Phirk, the redeemer."
- To appreciate the NT theme of redemption:
- The position of human beings as slaves of sin must be assumed (John 8:33-34). Thus they must be set free in order to become liberated servants of the Lord.
- Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
- Other names for Alfirk: Alphirk, Fica'res, Al Firk, Kawakib al Firk.
g Errai or Er Ra'i which is Arabic for "shepherd." This star is the vertex of the "roof" of the house or pentagram and it lies only about 13 degrees from the North Star.
- Arabic Ar-Ra'i, "The shepherd."
- Shepherd.
- Hebrew ra'ah, raw-aw', a primary root, to tend a flock.
- Also called Alrai which is at his left knee means "He Who Bruises or Breaks."
- In "The Witness of the Stars," by E.W. Bullinger, page 103 "g Al Rai, who bruises or breaks (left knee)." Based on Jeremiah 31:1.
- Other names for Errai: Alrai, Arra'i, Erra'i, Er Ra'i.
d Cephei (no name) is the prototype of the important class of variable stars called Cepheids. These are supergiant stars, which are important as celestial yardsticks. This star marks the bottom left side of the "house."
e Cephei (no name) marks one vertex of a small triangle at the bottom left side of the house (pentagram).
z Cephei (no name) marks the bottom eastern corner of the "house."
h Cephei (no name) is just west of Alderamin.
J Cephei (no name) is just northwest of Eta Cephei.
i Cephei (no name) marks the easternmost vertex of the (house) pentagram of Cepheus.
m Garnet Star, which is, called this because of its deep red color. It is one of the most intensely colored stars known as a variable M2. Herschel named this "The Garnet Star."
x Cephei (no name) lies in the middle of the pentagram and is a double star.
c Xi Cephei, is not seen under star charts.
- One source calls it Kurhah, meaning "blaze" (horse's brow).
- Arabic Al-Qurhah, "The blaze" on a horse's brow.
- Other names are Al Kur'hah, Al Kir'dah.
r Rho 2 Cephei is called Al Kalb Ra'i.
Other stars not shown here are k to round out the 11 stars of Cepheus.
Return to Constellation Names of Cepheus.
This page updated on December 31, 2006.
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