It is an immense constellation, and our diagram is on a smaller scale than the others (which are all in relative proportion, except where otherwise noted).
According to the Britannic catalogue, it consists of 84 stars; one of the 1st magnitude, one of the 2nd, eight of the 3rd, etc.
The brightest star, α (at the mouth of the river), bears the ancient name of Achernar, which is in, as its name means, the after part of the river.
The next star, β (at the source of the river), is named Cursa, which means bent down. The next, γ (at the second bend in the river), is called Zourac (Arabic), flowing. Other stars, not identified, are Pheat, mouth (of the river); and Ozha, the going forth.
Here, then, we have a river flowing forth from before the glorious Orion. It runs in a serpentine course towards the lower regions, down, down, out of sight. In vain the sea monster, Cetus, strives to stop its flow. It is “the river of the Judge,” and speaks of that final judgment in which the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire. It was evidently originally associated with fire; for the Greek myths, though gross perversions, still so connect it. According to their fables, something went wrong with the chariot of the sun, and a universal conflagration was threatened. In the trouble, Phaeton (probably a reference to the star Pheat) was killed and hurled into this river, in which he was consumed with its fire. The whole earth suffered from such a burning heat that great disasters ensued. We see from this myth two great facts preserved in the perverted tradition, viz., judgment and fire.
Aratus also preserves the connection,—
“For yonder, trod by heavenly feet,
Wind the scorched waters of Eridanus' tear-swollen flood,
Welling beneath Orion's uplifted foot.”
Is not this the testimony afterwards written in the Book? Daniel sees this very river in his vision of that coming day, when the true Orion shall come forth in His glory. He says, “I beheld till the thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit:... His throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.” This is the River of the Judge; for he goes on to say, “the judgment was set, and the books were opened” (Dan. vii. 9-11, r.v.).