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(×¦×‘× ×”×©Ö¼×מי×, cebhaÌ„' ha-shaÌ„mayı̄m): The expression is employed in the Old Testament to denote (1) The stars, frequently as objects of idolatry (; ; ; , ; f; ; ; ), but also as witnesses in their number, order and splendor, to the majesty and providential rule and care of Yahweh (; , “calleth them all by nameâ€; ; ); and (2) The angels (; ; ; compare ).
(1) Star-worship seems to have been an enticement to Israel from the first (; ; ; compare , ), but attained special prominence in the days of the later kings of Judah. The name of Manasseh is particularly connected with it. This king built altars for “all the host of heaven†in the courts of the temple (, ). Josiah destroyed these altars, and cleansed the temple from the idolatry by putting down the priests and burning the vessels associated with it (, , ).
(2) In the other meaning of the expression, the angels are regarded as forming Yahweh's “host†or army, and He himself is the leader of them - “Yahweh of hosts†(, etc.) - though this designation has a much wider reference. See ANGELS; ASTRONOMY; LORD OF HOSTS; compare Oehler, Theol of Old Testament, II, 270ff (ET).