Why is the Star of Jacob trending on TikTok? Prophecy goes viral on social media

Recently, several posts emerged on TikTok claiming that the Star of Jacob is back. Some claimed that it was a literal star that would be visible in the night sky and would mark the re-emergence of Jesus Christ on Earth. It became viral after TikToker Jacob Rutkowski shared it last week followed by others.

“The Star of Jacob is here!!!!!!!!” he captioned his post.

The teenage influencer claimed that the Star of Jacob would be “here for a month,” and then went on to explain how it refers to the star that the “three men who were coming to see the Messiah saw.”

Rutkowski shared the biblical story of how the three wise men followed a particularly bright star on the day Christ was born and was able to find him in Jerusalem, “bowed down,” and later “worshipped” him. He further went on to claim that the Star of Jacob was “no ordinary star” and symbolized the “King (Jesus) is coming” and it’s going to happen very soon. He also urged people to look up at the night sky to witness the biblical prophecy come true.

However, others clarified that there was no literal star. For instance, TikToker @the.bible.teacher uploaded a 50-second video and explained that the Star of Jacob was not a real star but rather a prophecy from the scriptures.

“Numbers 24:17: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star is emerging from Jacob; a scepter is rising from Israel, and it smashes the brow of Moab and the foundation of all the sons of Seth.”

The viral TikTok debunking of the Star of Jacob rumor. (Image via TikTok)

He further claimed the rumor that a biblical prophecy may be fulfilled was probably far-fetched.

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Exploring the meaning of the Star of Jacob

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website, the Star of Jacob is a prophecy from the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Numbers 24:17 which reads:

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star is emerging from Jacob; a scepter is rising from Israel, and it smashes the brow of Moab and the foundation of all the sons of Seth.”

Part of the Book of Numbers’ Balaam Cycle (22-24), the Star of Jacob story revolves around Balak, the King of Moab who sent notice to Balaam, the son of soothsayer Beor to come over to Moab and curse the Hebrews who were wandering across the Plains of Moab (modern-day Jordan).

However, instead of cursing or driving them away, Balaam is said to have recognized Yahweh (God of Israel) who was accompanying the tribe and blessed them.

Not only that but the story follows that Yahweh later asks a non-Hebrew prophet to convey to the Hebrew tribe all his wills, including the prophecy surrounding the Messiah’s birth. As per the prophecy, a “star” or “kokab” would emerge from Jacob (or Israel), and would be endowed with divine and royal qualities as symbolized by the “scepter,” or in other words an ideal ruler would be born who would serve all three facets, that of a God, a King, and a Mortal Being.

Interestingly, in 1967, a plaster inscription was found at Deir ‘Alla in Jordan which was traced back to 700 B.C. and contained the name of Balaam as a “visionary” or “chzy” Also, the Old Testament mentions Balaam as a worshipper of “el shadday” or the “God of Mountain.”

Notably, the Star of Jacob also appears in the Gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. Originally called the Star of Bethlehem, it refers to the story of King Herod sending the three wise men from the East to Jerusalem asking, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage,” (Matthew 2:1-2).

Upon learning from priests and scribes that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea, the three magi followed the star until they reached Christ’s birthplace.

“And they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:9–11).

Over the centuries, philosophers and scholars have tried to determine whether the story is historically authentic and whether the Star of Jacob existed around the time of Jesus’ birth. Some tried to locate any known scientific/ astronomical phenomena that may have coincided with the birth of Christ and even considered the possibility that the Star of Jacob may reappear.

For instance, in 1977, novelist Walter Sullivan suggested that the Broom Star comet which ancient Chinese astronomers reported in 5 B.C. may have been the Star of Jerusalem. However, many refuted it as comets have historically been associated with doom and destruction.

Likewise, the planetary conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn such as the one that happened in 7 B.C. were also considered as potential Star of Jerusalem. Often regarded as the “great conjunction,” a similar celestial event occurred in December 2020, thus fuelling the recurrence speculation. A 3 B.C. conjunction between Jupiter and Venus has also been considered in this regard.

Thus, biblically speaking, the Star of Jacob not only refers to the birth of Jesus Christ but also a celestial phenomenon.