Topical Encyclopedia In the ancient world, the understanding of the Earth was deeply intertwined with religious and philosophical beliefs. The Bible, as a central religious text, provides insights into how the Earth was perceived by the ancient Israelites and early Christians. These notions are reflected in various passages throughout the Scriptures, offering a glimpse into the cosmology and worldview of the time.Creation and Structure The Bible begins with the account of creation in Genesis, where the Earth is described as being formed by God in a deliberate and purposeful act. Genesis 1:1-2 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." This passage suggests an initial state of chaos, which God orders into a structured world. The Earth is depicted as a flat expanse, supported by foundations. In Job 38:4-6 , God questions Job, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone?" This imagery reflects the ancient Near Eastern conception of the Earth as a solid, stable entity. The Firmament and Waters The concept of the firmament, or sky, is introduced in Genesis 1:6-8 : "And God said, 'Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.' So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so. God called the expanse 'sky.'" This firmament is seen as a dome-like structure that holds back the cosmic waters, a common motif in ancient cosmologies. The separation of waters above and below the firmament indicates a belief in a structured universe, with the Earth situated between heavenly and subterranean waters. This is further illustrated in Psalm 104:5-9 , where the psalmist praises God for setting the Earth on its foundations and covering it with the deep as with a garment. The Four Corners and Ends of the Earth The Bible often uses the phrase "the four corners of the earth" to describe the entirety of the world. Isaiah 11:12 mentions, "He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth." This expression, while not a literal geographical description, conveys the idea of the Earth as a vast, expansive domain under God's sovereignty. Similarly, the "ends of the earth" is a phrase used to denote the farthest reaches of the world. In Psalm 67:7 , it is written, "God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth shall fear Him." This reflects the belief in a world that, while vast, is ultimately under the dominion and care of the Creator. The Earth and Humanity The Earth is portrayed as a place of habitation and sustenance for humanity. Genesis 1:28-29 records God's command to Adam and Eve: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." This mandate establishes humanity's role as stewards of the Earth, responsible for its care and management. The relationship between humanity and the Earth is further emphasized in Genesis 2:7 , where God forms man from the dust of the ground, highlighting the intimate connection between humans and the Earth. This connection is a recurring theme, underscoring the belief that the Earth is a divinely created realm, intricately linked to human existence and purpose. Symbolism and Prophecy Throughout the Bible, the Earth serves as a symbol of stability and permanence, yet it is also subject to divine intervention and transformation. In prophetic literature, the Earth often plays a role in eschatological visions. Isaiah 24:19-20 describes a time of upheaval: "The earth is utterly broken apart, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken violently. The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a hut. Its transgression weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again." These passages reflect the belief that the Earth, while enduring, is ultimately under God's control and can be reshaped according to His divine will. The ancient notions concerning the Earth, as depicted in the Bible, reveal a worldview that sees the physical world as a testament to God's creative power and sovereign authority. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 2:8He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he has set the world on them. Nave's Topical Index Job 9:6 Revelation 7:1 Library Life. Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple ... Naasseni Ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the ... How Much is the Bible Worth? The Contents. The Introduction, Concerning the Causes of Atheism 1 Concerning Masada and those Sicarii who Kept It; and How Silva ... A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ... Natural Science and Theological Science. Book ii. The Refutation of All Heresies Resources What is the first earth age? Is the concept of a first earth age biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it refers to the corners of the earth? | GotQuestions.org Should a Christian observe Earth Day? | GotQuestions.org Earth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Earth: Ancient Notions Concerning Earth: Created by God by Christ The Earth: Burning at God Presence The Earth: Created to be Inhabited The Earth: Diversified by Hills and Mountains The Earth: Full of God's Glory The Earth: Full of God's Goodness The Earth: Full of God's Mercy The Earth: Full of God's Riches The Earth: God: Governs Supremely The Earth: God: Laid the Foundation of The Earth: God: Makes Fruitful The Earth: God: Shall be Exalted In The Earth: God: Suspended in Space The Earth: Ideas of the Ancients Respecting the Form of The Earth: Made to Mourn and Languish by Sin The Earth: Man by Nature is of The Earth: Man by Nature Minds the Thing of The Earth: Man: Brought a Curse On The Earth: Man: Given Dominion Over The Earth: Man: Shall Return To The Earth: Melting at God's Voice The Earth: Not to be Again Inundated The Earth: Saints Shall Inherit The Earth: Satan Goes to and Fro In The Earth: Shall be Filled With the Knowledge of God The Earth: Shining With God's Glory The Earth: Subject to God's Judgments The Earth: The Dry Land As Divided from Waters The Earth: The World in General The Earth: To be Dissolved by Fire The Earth: Trembling Before God Related Terms |
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