Continents: General Scriptures Concerning
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The Bible, while not explicitly mentioning continents as understood in modern geography, provides a framework for understanding the earth's landmasses through its descriptions of the world and its peoples. The Scriptures often refer to regions, nations, and lands that correspond to parts of the continents known today.

Creation and the Earth:

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God forms the earth and separates the waters from the dry land. Genesis 1:9-10 states, "And God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.' And it was so. God called the dry land 'earth,' and the gathering of waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good." This passage establishes the foundational understanding of land and sea, which encompasses the continents as part of God's creation.

The Table of Nations:

Genesis 10, often referred to as the Table of Nations, outlines the descendants of Noah's sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their spread across the earth. This chapter provides insight into the early distribution of peoples and the regions they inhabited, which can be associated with various parts of the continents. For example, the descendants of Japheth are often linked to areas in Europe and Asia, while the descendants of Ham are associated with regions in Africa and the Middle East.

The Promised Land and Surrounding Nations:

Throughout the Old Testament, the land of Canaan, promised to the descendants of Abraham, is a focal point. This region, part of the modern-day Middle East, is central to biblical narratives and is surrounded by nations that correspond to parts of Asia and Africa. The Bible frequently mentions Egypt, a significant nation in Africa, and Assyria and Babylon, which are located in Asia.

The Great Commission:

In the New Testament, the spread of the Gospel to all nations implies a global reach that encompasses all continents. Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19 states, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This directive underscores the universality of the Christian message and its intended reach across all lands and peoples.

Prophetic Visions and the Ends of the Earth:

The Bible contains prophetic visions that speak to the ends of the earth, suggesting a comprehensive view of the world. Isaiah 45:22 declares, "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." Such passages reflect the biblical perspective of God's sovereignty over the entire world, which includes all continents and their inhabitants.

The New Heaven and New Earth:

Revelation 21:1 speaks of a new creation: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." This vision of a renewed creation encompasses the entirety of the earth, transcending the current understanding of continents and emphasizing the ultimate restoration of all creation under God's dominion.

In summary, while the Bible does not specifically mention continents, it provides a theological and geographical framework that encompasses the entirety of the earth's landmasses, reflecting God's creation, the spread of humanity, and the global scope of His redemptive plan.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 1:9,10
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
Nave's Topical Index

Job 26:7,10
He stretches out the north over the empty place, and hangs the earth on nothing.
Nave's Topical Index

Job 28:8-11
The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.
Nave's Topical Index

Job 38:4-18
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 95:5
The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 104:5-9
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 136:6
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures for ever.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 8:29
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Great Controversy
... have confided to him for the general good, assured ... The Scriptures, in whole or in
part, have been printed ... Not so many continents or major countries were entered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/the great controversy.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... And the general face of Christendom, whether in Popish or Protestant ... But can the
Scriptures be broken? ... almost the whole of the other three continents, with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

Acts XVII
... style, both of their worship in general, and of ... Columbus, determine the settlement
of continents, and the ... to deny an assertion of the Scriptures, not because ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvii.htm

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... know, if they knew the Scriptures,) conveys nothing ... That "general Laws" of inscrutable
Wisdom determined such ... doubts broadcast over two continents,"doing his ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm

Introduction
... They have had influence also upon those continents which since ... In the general sense
in which every man has a ... which we actually have in the Scriptures is just ...
/.../chapter i introduction.htm

Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome.
... which the Roman Church possessed in different continents and kingdoms ... A general answer ...
voices and angelic ministrations; because the Holy Scriptures include all ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/gregory the great bishop of.htm

Chapter vii
... no way of telling how the various continents were formed ... it is maintained that when
the Scriptures refer to ... The general assumption still seems to be that in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter vii.htm

Chapter i
... the term really means continents, but continents are primarily ... are first described
by this general title, which ... point that according to the Scriptures not only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

Colossians iii. 17
... or for centuries, or over whole continents,"but in ... Paul's general declarations of
divine truth might not be ... and do apply it to the Scriptures, namely, that ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

The Contribution of the Natural and Social Sciences
... to render impossible faith in the Scriptures as revelation. ... life come under the same
general laws of ... subsidence of sidereal systems, of continents, nations, men ...
/.../chapter v the contribution of.htm

Resources
What is Beulah Land? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Promised Land? | GotQuestions.org

Why was Israel called the land of milk and honey? | GotQuestions.org

Land: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Continency
Top of Page
Top of Page