(from צָבָא, a host) were those who worshipped the heavenly hosts, that being one of the earliest forms in which idolatry appeared. This species of idolatry first prevailed in Chaldaea, whence it spread over all the East, passed into Egypt, and thence found its way into Greece. The sun, moon, and each of the stars was believed to be a divine intelligence, who exercised a constant influence for good or evil upon the destinies of men. (See SABIANS).