Matthew 2:9

Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπορεύθησαν· καὶ ἰδού, ὁ ἀστήρ, ὃν εἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ, προῆγεν αὐτούς, ἕως ἐλθὼν ἔστη ἐπάνω οὗ ἦν τὸ παιδίον.

RBT Greek Interlinear:

Strongs 3588; Hoi; Οἱ; the; Art-NMP

Strongs 1161; de; δὲ; and; Conj

Strongs 191; akousantes; ἀκούσαντες; those who have heard; V-APA-NMP

Strongs 3588; tou; τοῦ; the; Art-GMS

Strongs 935; basileōs; βασιλέως; king; N-GMS

Strongs 4198; eporeuthēsan; ἐπορεύθησαν; they led across; V-AIP-3P

Strongs 2532; kai; καὶ; and; Conj

Strongs 2400; idou; ἰδοὺ; behold; V-AMA-2S

Strongs 3588; ho; ὁ; the; Art-NMS

Strongs 792; astēr; ἀστὴρ; star; N-NMS

Strongs 3739; hon; ὃν; which/whichever; RelPro-AMS

Strongs 3708; eidon; εἶδον; I/they perceived; V-AIA-3P

Strongs 1722; en; ἐν; within; Prep

Strongs 3588; tē; τῇ; the; Art-DFS

Strongs 395; anatolē; ἀνατολῇ; east; N-DFS

Strongs 4254; proēgen; προῆγεν; went before; V-IIA-3S

Strongs 846; autous; αὐτούς; themselves; PPro-AM3P

Strongs 2193; heōs; ἕως; until; Conj

Strongs 2064; elthōn; ἐλθὼν; he who has come; V-APA-NMS

Strongs 2476; estathē; ἐστάθη; he stood ready; V-AIP-3S

Strongs 1883; epanō; ἐπάνω; above; Prep

Strongs 3757; hou; οὗ; where; Adv

Strongs 1510; ēn; ἦν; was; V-IIA-3S

Strongs 3588; to; τὸ; the; Art-NNS

Strongs 3813; paidion; παιδίον; little child; N-NNS

RBT Hebrew Literal:

ἀνατολή - A rising (of sun and stars): The Star within a Star, Led to the Roof "On Top of the Place"

And the ones who have heard the King, they traveled across, and behold! The Star, whomever they perceived within the Rising one, led ahead of themselves, until he who has come has stood by on top of the place where the Little Child was.

אסתר
ἀστέρα
estera
Esther, (Persian stâra, star).
Star of the "South"

In ancient cultures, directions were often named relative to one's orientation.

Greek Orientation

In Greek, "east" is associated with the word for "rising" (Ἀνατολή, Anatolē), which comes from the verb ἀνατέλλω (anatellō), meaning "to rise," referencing the sun rising in the east.

Hebrew Orientation

In Hebrew, directions are named based on facing east:

• "South" is called yamin (ימין), which means "right hand," because when facing east, the south is on the right.
• "North" is called s'mol (שמאל), which means "left hand/obscured/shut up" because the north is on the left when facing east.

This orientation reflects the significance of the east as the primary direction, from which other directions are derived. The association of "east" with "rising" in Greek and the Hebrew word for "south" meaning "right hand" both highlight how each culture's language and understanding of direction are influenced by facing the east, the direction of the sunrise.

On the other hand (pun intended), in various Semitic languages, the root "שׂמל" (s-m-l) or similar roots can convey meanings of "dark" or "sinister," which are often metaphorically linked to being hidden or obscure. In ancient times, the left side was sometimes associated with negative connotations, secrecy, or things that are concealed.

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
And they having heard the king went forth; and, behold the star they saw in the sunrising, it led before them, till having come, it stood above where the young child was.

LITV Translation:
And having heard the king, they departed. And, behold! The star which they saw in the east went before them until it had come and stood over where the child was.

ESV Translation:
After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.