Episode Description
Was Abraham really known as an astronomer in the ancient world—and does that help us understand why the Book of Abraham is so packed with stars, hierarchy, and cosmic teaching?
In this episode we dig into a surprising (and wide-ranging) tradition found in Second Temple and later Jewish sources: Abraham as a learned observer of the heavens—sometimes described as an astronomer/astrologer—whose study of the stars connects to covenant, revelation, and even teaching kings. We walk through key texts and authors (including Jubilees/Qumran traditions, Josephus and the non-Jewish authorities he cites, Philo, and the Apocalypse of Abraham) and then compare how these themes converge with the Book of Abraham’s big moments—especially the idea that Abraham’s astronomy is used as a framework to teach Pharaoh and point to God’s order in the heavens.
If you’ve only heard Book of Abraham discussions framed around “papyri/Egyptology,” this is a different angle: Abrahamic lore and ancient tradition—and why it’s worth taking seriously.
===Informed Saints Credits===
Produced by The Ancient America Foundation
Producer: Spencer Clark
Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye
Additional Readings:
Imitating Abraham:
Abraham and His Family in Scripture, History, and Tradition:
https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/abraham-and-his-family
Traditions About the Early Life of Abraham:
https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book/traditions-about-early-life-abraham
Palmyra and Jerusalem: Joseph Smith’s Scriptural Texts and the Writings of Flavius Josephus:
https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-are-there-hebraisms-in-the-book-of-mormon
https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/by-small-means-rethinking-the-liahona
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===Discover===
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https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/
===Content Disclaimer===
The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Chapters
- (00:00:00) - New Abraham: An Astronomer in the Second Temple
- (00:05:20) - Non-Jewish Sources on Abraham
- (00:09:52) - The Book of Abraham: An Astronomer
- (00:14:45) - The Apocalypse of Abraham and the Zohar
- (00:19:05) - The Book of Abraham and Astronomy
- (00:22:15) - The Book of Abraham: An Astrologer
- (00:25:03) - Josephus in the Book of Abraham
- (00:28:10) - Abrahamic Astronomy in the Book of Abraham
- (00:33:51) - Book of Abraham: The Story of Abraham