Fortune
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Fortune in the Bible?
Fortune is a deity of good luck, possibly identified with the Hyades star cluster, reflecting ancient astrological beliefs.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Fortune as a celestial personification clarifies the biblical opposition to astrology and the attribution of destiny to divine will rather than random chance.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Fortune. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Fortune in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Fortune clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Fortune." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/fortune/