Day-Star and Morning-Star?

From: Questions and Answers on Scripture: From the Bible Treasury

Duration: 1min

2 Peter 1:9; Revelation 2:28; Revelation 22:16 • 1 min. read • grade level: 10

Question: 2 Peter 1:9⁹But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (2 Peter 1:9). How does the “day-star” (φωσφόρος) differ from the morning-star (ὀ ἀστὴρ ὁ πρῳϊνὸς) in Rev. 2:28²⁸And I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:28)? It is well known that in Rev. 22:16¹⁶I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16) the reading ὀρθρνὸς is spurious, and it should be πρωϊνὸς as in chapter 2. B. S.

Answer: There is only a shade of meaning different in ὀ ἀστὴρ ὁ πρῳϊνὸς and φωσφόρος, one referring to the early appearance, the other to its introducing dawn or light. Peter is speaking of prophecy as a light, a candle shining in a dark place—God’s light in the darkness of this world; with that he contrasts Christ’s heavenly coming the hope of the saints as bringing in the light of a new day. ‘Ο ἀστὴρ ὁ πρῳϊνὸς is merely what it is—its appellative, Christ Himself, still not in the kingdom (that precedes in chapter 2:28, and is found rather in “the Root and Offspring of David” in chapter 22.)

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