The Star of Bethlemem, the Real Story, Page 1

discusses the implications of finding 4 copies (in different sites) of clay “letters” (like the above) written in 8 BC predicting the 3 conjunctions that did occur in May, Sept-Oct, and Dec. 7 BC with a prophecy of a new world Savior from

the Romans to arrive or be born that year (7 BC).

A well-known biblical scholar claims for the first time that Jesus was born in BC 7. He gives the exact hours of the triple conjunction. It also gives a pretty good graphical explanation of the conjunctions. Here is the reference:

Simo Parpola, "The Magi and the Star," Bible Review, December 2001, p. 16-23, and p. 52 & 54.

The article begins with a subtitle: "Babylonian Astronomy Dates Jesus' Birth."

According to Parpola, the triple conjunction occurred in 7 BCE in the constellation of Pisces. (Jewish scholars don't like to use the term 'Before Christ' or 'Anno Domini,' so they say Before the Common Era and the Common Era)

First, Parpola goes through other observations that have been conjectured to be linked to Jesus' birth by other scholars and scientists throughout history, including a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in 2 BC, supernova explosion observed by the Chinese in 5 BC, and Halley's comet in 12 BC. He rules them out and proposes 7 BC as the most likely year of Jesus' birth.

Second, there is an ancient Babylonian clay tablet (a picture of a copy tablet in the British museum is shown) dated to 8 BC, which describes the celestial events for then upcoming 13 months. The tablet shows that Jupiter and Saturn would remain together in the constellation of Pisces for eleven months and come in close conjunction three times. Since the Babylonian lunar year begins at the vernal equinox (March/April), the tablet's description refers to the period, March/April 7 BC - March/April 6 BC. According to Parpola, this tablet says "Month 10, the first of which (December 23) will follow the 29th of the previous month. Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces, Venus in Scorpio, Mars in Aquarius...."

Four copies of astronomical tablets describing celestial activities in 7 BC are known to have survived. This means that Babylonian astronomers were thoroughly familiar with the movements of the stars and planets, and hand carried tablets or c-mailed (mailed by caravan) tablet copies to fellow astronomers.

In the Babylonian system Jupiter represented the star of Marduk, the supreme Babylonian god. Saturn was the "Steady One." The constellation Pisces was associated with Ea, the god of wisdom, life and creation. The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces predicts from Babylonian's viewpoint "the end of the old world order and the birth of a new king chosen by God."

Parpola contends that Augustus' (BC 27 - AD 12 or 14) authority was still questioned and there was power vacuum in the Middle East, and the people, including the Jews, were looking for a new King that would topple the Roman Empire.

Here are the dates of three conjunctions in 7 BC according to Parpola.

First conjunction: May 27, 8am
Second conjunction: October 6, 10 pm
Third conjunction: December 1, 9pm.

The triple conjunction is rare, occurring every 800 years. Since 7BC, triple conjunctions were observed in 786 and 1583.

According to the UB*,

First conjunction: May 29.
Second conjunction: September 29
Third conjunction: December 5.

"UB" stands for the "Urantia Book" alleged by its

Author, William Sadler, to be "channeled".

Thus, there are some discrepancies of the actual conjunction dates that are recorded in the UB and those proposed by Parpola, although they are fairly close. There are some software which can be used to track the movements of planets in any year, including 7 BC, and someone presented these conjunctions at the Foundation a year ago. However, I was not sure if these computer programs calculate the dates using Julian calendar or Gregorian calendar.

This new information from BIBLE REVIEW corresponds exactly with what Dr. Barbara Thiering PhD has found to be the dating of Jesus’ birth coded in “Gospel Pesher.”

Perhaps it was before December of 8 BC that a Samaritan Essene, a member of the "Magians" or "Magi" who received the Babylonian visitor with his fateful clay letter, received it and was able to translate it, but not long enough before to prevent what already happened. The Essene designated to father the new “Messiah” was by then betrothed, and it was rumored his betrothed was pregnant already.

Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph (the invisible betrothal of June 1 –17, 8 BC) before they (were supposed to come) together (in December 8 BC), she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

19 “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, (read that “Essene”), and not willing to make her a publick example (and himself also, to the other Essenes), was minded to put her away privily (not marry her)”

Matthew 1:20 “But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”