A STAR — an ordinary noun that acquired a history. ⭐ Numbers 24:17, 'a star steps forth from Jacob, and a sceptre rises from Israel', is the verse behind the name Bar Kokhba, 'son of the star' — the title given to Simon ben Kosiba, who led the second Jewish revolt against Rome in 132-135 AD, and which Rabbi Akiva is reported to have applied to him from this text. The Dead Sea community cited the verse too. ⚠ Four versions signal that they are reading it as more than astronomy: the Douay-Rheims and Geneva capitalise the Star, and the RV 1909 and RV60 print «ESTRELLA» in capitals. This translation prints the noun plainly and puts the reception history in the note, on the project's standing rule that where traditions genuinely split the readings are presented with their pedigrees rather than voted on. → first discussed at Num 24:17