Nibiru is a hypothetical planet or star that some believe is described in the Bible. However, the evidence for Nibiru’s existence is ambiguous at best. Here is an overview of Nibiru and what the Bible may or may not say about it:
Theories About Nibiru
In ancient Mesopotamia, Nibiru was sometimes associated with the god Marduk. The Babylonians considered Nibiru to be Marduk’s star. Later, some theorists began to speculate that Nibiru was not just a star but a rogue planet that enters our solar system every few thousand years.
One of the most prominent Nibiru theories comes from writer Zecharia Sitchin. In his 1976 book The 12th Planet, Sitchin claimed that ancient Sumerian texts reveal a giant planet called Nibiru that orbits the sun every 3,600 years. He theorized that Nibiru passes close to Earth every time it comes near the sun, causing catastrophic events on our planet.
Sitchin’s theory sparked a great deal of interest in Nibiru among conspiracy theorists, doomsday predictors, and those interested in ancient astronaut theories. Some believe Nibiru is already headed our way again and will cause massive destruction on Earth. Others predicted it would arrive in 2003, 2012, or 2017, but those dates have come and gone.
Despite the predictions, astronomers say there is no evidence that Nibiru exists. If there were a large rogue planet headed our way, astronomers would have been tracking it for years. Nibiru remains a hypothetical object with no scientific confirmation.
Nibiru in the Bible?
Given the lack of scientific evidence for Nibiru, most biblical scholars do not believe the Bible mentions such a planet. However, some have speculated that certain apocalyptic Bible verses could be referencing a Nibiru-like cosmic event. Let’s examine some of these passages:
Isaiah 13:10 –
For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. (Isaiah 13:10)
This verse describes cosmic disturbances that will occur alongside the destruction of Babylon. Some speculate it could metaphorically describe Nibiru darkening the sun and moon as it approaches Earth. However, given the context, it is likely referring to cosmic imagery frequently used in Old Testament prophecy to describe earthly events.
Revelation 8:10-11 –
The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter. (Revelation 8:10-11)
Some think this “great star” could represent Nibiru falling to Earth. But the star is likely symbolic, not literal. Revelation often uses cosmic metaphors as symbols for earthly events. This star represents some kind of catastrophe, not an actual celestial body.
2 Peter 3:10 –
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:10)
This verse describes a cataclysmic judgment where the heavens and earth will “pass away.” Some take this as a reference to Nibiru ending the world. But more likely it is metaphorical language about God’s judgment, not a literal astronomical event. The focus is the coming of the Lord, not a rogue planet.
Matthew 24:29 –
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Matthew 24:29)
Similar to Isaiah 13, this portrays celestial upheaval associated with Christ’s return. This likely describes cataclysmic symbolism pointing to God’s judgment on the world, not Nibiru. The stars falling seem to echo cosmic upheaval prophesied in the Old Testament.
Zechariah 14:6-7 –
On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost. And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light. (Zechariah 14:6-7)
Like the other examples, this describes disturbances in the heavens and on Earth as part of God’s judgment and the coming of the Lord. While dramatic, these cosmic metaphors likely do not refer to an actual rogue planet passing by the Earth.
Conclusion
While some speculate about Nibiru cataclysm in Bible prophecy, most scholars see no evidence for this rogue planet in Scripture. Apocalyptic passages with cosmic disturbances use symbolic imagery common in Old Testament prophecy to describe coming judgment from God, not literal astronomy. The focus is the Lord’s return and the day of reckoning, not the timing of a planet. Though the Bible prophesies many future events, a doomsday rogue planet does not appear to be one of them. Nibiru theories will likely remain speculative rather than verifiable from Scripture.