Biblical Cosmology

[Apple Sky]

Read Genesis 1 - In The Beginning.

Biblical cosmology refers to the biblical writers' understanding of the cosmos as an organized, structured entity, including its origin, order, meaning, and destiny, often depicted as a three-part world: heavens, Earth, and the underworld.

Here's a more detailed look:

• Three-Tiered Universe:
  The Hebrew Bible portrays a universe with three distinct realms:
  • Heavens (shamayim): Above the earth, often depicted as a solid dome or firmament separating the waters above from the waters below.
    
    
  • Earth (eres): The realm where humans live, described as a flat, circular land surrounded by an ocean.
    
    
  • Underworld (sheol): The realm below the earth, often associated with the dead.
    
    Has God's words changed that much ? NO
    
    King James Bible
    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
    

 

[Apple Sky]

 

[Apple Sky]

• Firmament:
  The "firmament" is a key concept in biblical cosmology, representing the solid dome or vault that separates the waters above from those below, allowing for the creation of dry land.
  
  
• • Creation Narrative:
    The Genesis creation narrative in the Bible describes God creating the heavens and the earth, followed by the sun, moon, and stars, and then all living creatures, culminating in the creation of humanity in God's image.

 

[Apple Sky]

• • Examples in the Bible:
    • • Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth".
        
      • Psalm 103:2: "He stretched out the heavens like a tent".
        
      • Joshua 10:12-14: God commands the sun to stand still, implying the sun revolves around the earth.

 

[BobRyan]

The term for heaven as in Psalm 103:2: "He stretched out the heavens like a tent". -- means something that is spread out, stretched out. IT does not mean "iron dome".

The Bible says the Sun rises and sets. The Bible is speaking within the context of frame of reference. An observer on Earth. Even Einstein admits that scientifically - describing motion from within the the context of frame of reference is valid. Einstein did not believe in a flat earth or that the universe revolved around the Earth.

If the universe revolved around the Earth then just as the sun comes up and sets each day- then so would the stars and you would have exactly the same stars overhead at 11 pm - every night. And we all know that does not happen.

 

[BobRyan]

1. The Bible says that God has "inscribed a circle on the face of the water at the boundary between light and dark" Job 26:10 -- That is exactly how a sphere intersects a plane. The plane of the light coming from the sun is intersected by the Earth such that there is a circle formed around the Earth at the boundary between night and day. This can be seen from space. The Bible is absolutely right.

2. The word translated "firmament" is not "iron dome" rather it means "stretched out". God stretched out the heavens. Is 40:22
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

the word circle - is

Strong's H2329 - ḥûḡ​

1. circle, circuit, compass
2. (BDB) vault (of the heavens)

circle, sphere used of the arch or vault:
vault (something in the form of an arch)

The word "firmament" originates from the Biblical Hebrew word "raqia" (רָקִ֫יעַ), which means "extended surface" and is often translated as "the vault or arch of the sky".

"Raqia" derives from the root "rqʿ" (רָקַע), meaning "to beat or spread out thinly

In Biblical Hebrew, "raqia" (רָקִ֫יעַ) translates to "expanse" or "firmament," referring to the visible sky or vault of heaven, often translated as "heaven" in Genesis 1:6-8

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3. Most flat earth models suggest a flat nickle shaped Earth with two local objects in our atmosphere - a Sun and a moon. That idea has a great many problems.
A. All local objects moving from horizon to horizon -- appear smaller at the distant horizon, then much larger overhead and back to smaller at the opposite horizon . By contrast - very large distant objects appear to be the SAME SIZE whether at the horizon or overhead.
The Sun and Moon can be observed to have the "very large and very distant" object feature. This is irrefutable.

4. A flat Earth with the entire universe orbiting around it - would have exactly the same stars in the same position at 10 pm each night. This is not what we observe.

5. A relatively small and local sun and moon in our atmosphere could never have the sun behind the Earth casting Earth's shadow on the moon in any fashion such as we see in real life. Only the planetary model reflects the real life that we see. Which is impossible for flat Earth models.

6. The moon in the southern hemisphere appears to be upside down as compared to an observer in the northern hemisphere. That cannot happen in the case of flat plate with one moon. It can only happen with observers on a sphere-planet like Earth

 

[d taylor]

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The moon (and sun) is a convex disk that faces to the earth. So that is why the southern hemisphere has a different view of the moon. The Bible states these lights were created to give light to the earth.

 

[BobRyan]

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The moon (and sun) is a convex disk that faces to the earth. So that is why the southern hemisphere has a different view of the moon

If that were true - then either we would always see a full moon in north or in south - but never both since that sort of half disc cannot appear to be a sphere they way it does in our sky -- to both hemispheres at once.

And .. if that were true -- Earth's shadow could never appear to cross the moon since both sun and moon are on the same side of Earth at all times in those flat Earth models

And if that were true then you would never have different phases of the moon in the sky and you would not have longer or shorter days of the year.

And you would always have the same stars in the sky at 11 pm.

 

[Paul4JC]

The term for heaven as in Psalm 103:2: "He stretched out the heavens like a tent". -- means something that is spread out, stretched out. IT does not mean "iron dome".

The Bible says the Sun rises and sets. The Bible is speaking within the context of frame of reference. An observer on Earth. Even Einstein admits that scientifically - describing motion from within the the context of frame of reference is valid. Einstein did not believe in a flat earth or that the universe revolved around the Earth.

If the universe revolved around the Earth then just as the sun comes up and sets each day- then so would the stars and you would have exactly the same stars overhead at 11 pm - every night. And we all know that does not happen.

Einstein has nothing to do with the Bible or Biblical Cosmology. You have your scientific views elsewhere on these forums. So why bring it here when the OP is so clear? There is no Universe in the Biblical Cosmology. You're way off topic.

 

[tharkun73]

The Bible is not a science book. Genesis was never intended to teach us scientific theory on how the universe was made. It was written from a cultural context that believed in a 3-tiered cosmology; but it in no way teaches that what the ancients believed was scientific truth. Don't make scripture be something it was never intended to be.

 

[BobRyan]

Einstein has nothing to do with the Bible or Biblical Cosmology.

describing motion within a frame of reference like the Earth is valid. And that is what we still do to this day - even though we know the universe is not orbiting around the Earth every 24 hours.

That is just a fact.

So why bring it here when the OP is so clear? There is no Universe in the Biblical Cosmology.

There are sun moon and stars in Biblical cosmology. The point remains.

 

[BobRyan]

Which gets us back to what or eyes can see -- every day.

1. The Bible says that God has "inscribed a circle on the face of the water at the boundary between light and dark" Job 26:10 -- That is exactly how a sphere intersects a plane. The plane of the light coming from the sun is intersected by the Earth such that there is a circle formed around the Earth at the boundary between night and day. This can be seen from space. The Bible is absolutely right.

2. The word translated "firmament" is not "iron dome" rather it means "stretched out". God stretched out the heavens. Is 40:22
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

the word circle - is

Strong's H2329 - ḥûḡ​

1. circle, circuit, compass
2. (BDB) vault (of the heavens)

circle, sphere used of the arch or vault:
vault (something in the form of an arch)

The word "firmament" originates from the Biblical Hebrew word "raqia" (רָקִ֫יעַ), which means "extended surface" and is often translated as "the vault or arch of the sky".

"Raqia" derives from the root "rqʿ" (רָקַע), meaning "to beat or spread out thinly

In Biblical Hebrew, "raqia" (רָקִ֫יעַ) translates to "expanse" or "firmament," referring to the visible sky or vault of heaven, often translated as "heaven" in Genesis 1:6-8

=====================

3. Most flat earth models suggest a flat nickle shaped Earth with two local objects in our atmosphere - a Sun and a moon. That idea has a great many problems.
A. All local objects moving from horizon to horizon -- appear smaller at the distant horizon, then much larger overhead and back to smaller at the opposite horizon . By contrast - very large distant objects appear to be the SAME SIZE whether at the horizon or overhead.
The Sun and Moon can be observed to have the "very large and very distant" object feature. This is irrefutable.

4. A flat Earth with the entire universe orbiting around it - would have exactly the same stars in the same position at 10 pm each night. This is not what we observe.

5. A relatively small and local sun and moon in our atmosphere could never have the sun behind the Earth casting Earth's shadow on the moon in any fashion such as we see in real life. Only the planetary model reflects the real life that we see. Which is impossible for flat Earth models.

6. The moon in the southern hemisphere appears to be upside down as compared to an observer in the northern hemisphere. That cannot happen in the case of flat plate with one moon. It can only happen with observers on a sphere-planet like Earth

 

[d taylor]

If that were true - then either we would always see a full moon in north or in south - but never both since that sort of half disc cannot appear to be a sphere they way it does in our sky -- to both hemispheres at once.

And .. if that were true -- Earth's shadow could never appear to cross the moon since both sun and moon are on the same side of Earth at all times in those flat Earth models

And if that were true then you would never have different phases of the moon in the sky and you would not have longer or shorter days of the year.

And you would always have the same stars in the sky at 11 pm.

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I did not say the moon is a half disk.

 

[Apple Sky]

The Bible states these lights were created to give light to the earth.

And for signs, time &, seasons and each giving off their own light.

 

[Paul4JC]

[Gen 1:16-18 NASB20] 16 God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; [He made] the stars also. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.


Biblical means biblical, not use any source you feel like, e.g., what you learned in school or on TV..


Biblically, the sun, moon, and stars are created on day 4 (vs16) after the earth on day 3 (vs9).


Biblically, there is only one sun. Biblically, the sun is not a star, any more than it is the moon. The three are always identified separately.


Biblically, the sun rises and goes down.

[Psa 113:3 NASB20] 3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, The name of the LORD is to be praised.

Gen 15:12, 17 Gen 19:23 Gen 28:11 Gen 32:31 Exo 17:12 Exo 22:26 Lev 22:7 Num 2:3

Deu 4:19, 41, 47 Deu 11:30 Deu 16:6 Deu 17:3 Deu 23:11 Deu 24:13, 15 Jos 1:4 Jos 8:29

Jos 10:27 Jos 12:1 Jdg 5:31 Jdg 9:33 Jdg 19:14 2Sa 2:24 2Sa 3:35 2Sa 12:12

2Sa 23:4 1Ki 22:36 Isa 38:8 Isa 41:25 Isa 45:6 Isa 59:19 Isa 60:20 Jer 15:9

Dan 6:14 Jon 4:8 Mic 3:6 Mal 1:11 Mal 4:2 Mat 5:45 Mar 1:32 Luk 4:40

Jas 1:11

The sun goes over us.

Ecc 1:3, 9, 14 Ecc 2:11, 17-20, 22 Ecc 3:16 Ecc 4:1, 3, 7, 15

Ecc 5:13, 18 Ecc 6:1, 12 Ecc 8:9, 15, 17 Ecc 9:3, 6, 9, 11, 13

Ecc 10:5 Exo 17:12 Deu 4:19 Rev 12:1

Biblically, the moon is a light, as is the sun.

[Isa 13:10 NKJV] 10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine.


Biblically, the sun and moon stopped, not the earth.

[Jos 10:13 NKJV] 13 So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. [Is] this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go [down] for about a whole day.


Biblically, there are no planets! The English word planet is a noun. The Greek word for planet is a verb and means wandering, and is used in Jude 13

[Jde 1:13 NKJV] 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

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◄ 4107. planétés ►

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Strong's Lexicon planétés: Deceiver, wanderer, imposter​ Original Word: πλανήτης Part of Speech: Verb, femine Definition: Deceiver, wanderer, imposter Meaning: a wanderer.

The word planet is also mis-stanslaed in 2Kings 23:

[2Ki 23:5 NASB20] 5 Then he did away with the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the surrounding area of Jerusalem, as well as those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the [remaining] heavenly lights.

4208. mazzaloth

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Strong's Lexicon mazzaloth: Original Word: מַזָּלָה Definition: Constellations, Zodiac​

Biblically, there are three realms. This is the basis of the Biblical three-tier cosmology.

[Phl 2:10 NKJV] 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

[Rev 5:3, 13] But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ... 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

[Exo 20:4 ESV] "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Biblically, there is no uni-verse. The word did not even exist when the Old and New Testaments were written.

We do find the word universe used in Hebrews 1:2 and 11:3. Let’s look at the word being translated universe.

◄ 165. aión ►​

Strong's Lexicon Original Word: αἰών Definition: Age, eternity, world, forever, everlasting Meaning: an age, a cycle (of time), especially of the present age as contrasted with the future age, and of one of a series of ages stretching to infinity.​

universe(n.)​

1580s, "the whole world, the cosmos, the totality of existing things," from Old French univers (12c.), from Latin universum "all things, everybody, all people, the whole world," noun use of neuter of adjective universus "all together, all in one, whole, entire, relating to all." Etymology of "universe" by etymonline

Another word we mis-translated is cosmos. Biblically, the word means world.

[Jhn 3:16 NASB20] 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

◄ 2889. kosmos ►​

Strong's Lexicon Transliteration: kosmos Phonetic Spelling: (kos'-mos) Definition: World, universe, order, adornment​

(Even here they have snuck in the word, universe into a definition)

People need to wake up to what Biblical cosmology really is.

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[Apple Sky]

People need to wake up to what Biblical cosmology really is.

I agree.

2 Thessalonians 2 - 9

 

[Apple Sky]

The Bible is not a science book.

No it's not.
The Bible is a History, Cosmology, Wisdom, Spiritual, Geography, Astronomy, Medical & Futuristic book rolled all into one.
It is yesterdays & tomorrows news.

The Bible addresses astronomy by affirming God's creation of the heavens and Earth, including the sun, moon, and stars. It also mentions these celestial bodies for marking time and seasons. Some passages, like those in Genesis and Job, refer to the vastness and God's control over the universe.

 

[Apple Sky]

Biblical Cosmology by Paul Hart
Chapter 9:
The Moon and Her Glory

Just as the Sun is set in motion in Genesis 1:16, so is its little
buddy: the Moon. She (and here I use this gender-pronoun
loosely) is a great and wonderful thing that floats along in the sky
and tells you what day of the month it is. She gives off her own
light and she cools the plane.

She rules over the night, just as the
Sun rules over the day, yet we can often see her during the
daytime, illuminated (not reflectively) by herself... Waxing into a
full, or waning into a new.

The full moon is bright and the new
moon is dark. The new moon also rises, just like the full, yet it
remains dark, no matter what the sun may be doing during its
time of shining. The moon rarely (if ever) reflects the light of the
sun. The moon is unique in that she varies her calendar over us.

As a matter of remembrance of time-keeping, God commanded
the people of Israel to sacrifice to Him every new moon. The
new moon festival was God’s alone. It was given as a very specific
instruction to worship God alone and not the things that He had
created (like the moon). Deuteronomy 4:19 reads: “And beware
lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and
the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn
away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the
LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole
heaven.

 

[Apple Sky]

The Mazzaroth = The Constellations.

In the context of the Bible, constellations are groups of stars that form recognizable patterns in the night sky. These celestial formations have been observed and named by various cultures throughout history, including those in the ancient Near East. The Bible makes several references to constellations, often highlighting God's sovereignty and creative power over the heavens.

1. Job 9:9 : "He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south." This verse acknowledges God's creation of specific constellations, emphasizing His authority over the universe. The "Bear" likely refers to the constellation Ursa Major, while "Orion" and "Pleiades" are well-known constellations visible in the night sky.

2. Job 38:31-32 : "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loosen the belt of Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?" Here, God challenges Job, illustrating His unmatched power and wisdom in controlling the cosmos. The rhetorical questions underscore human limitations compared to divine omnipotence.

3. Isaiah 13:10 : "For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light." This prophetic imagery describes a time of divine judgment, where celestial bodies, including constellations, are affected.

The same constellations have been seen from the beginning when God created the earth, they haven't changed nor will they ever not until Jesus's return.

How would this be possible on a rotating globe ?

 

[d taylor]

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This, the Bible is not a science book baloney. No The Bible does not need scientific theories to deceive people. The Bible describes/teaches creation truths about God's creation He created.