Topical Bible: The Moon: Appointed: To Divide Day from Night

◄ The Moon: Appointed: To Divide Day from Night ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The moon holds a significant place in the biblical narrative, serving as one of the celestial bodies appointed by God to govern the natural order. According to the creation account in Genesis, the moon is established by God to divide the day from the night and to serve as a sign for seasons, days, and years.

Creation and Purpose

In the book of Genesis, the moon is introduced as part of God's creative work on the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-18 states: "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good."

The moon, referred to as the "lesser light," is thus appointed to rule the night, complementing the sun, the "greater light," which rules the day. This division of time into day and night is foundational to the rhythm of life on earth, as ordained by God.

Symbolism and Significance

Throughout Scripture, the moon is often used symbolically to represent constancy and the passage of time. Its regular phases and cycles are a testament to God's order and faithfulness. In Psalm 104:19 , the psalmist declares, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set." This verse highlights the moon's role in marking time and seasons, underscoring its importance in the agricultural and liturgical calendars of ancient Israel.

The moon also serves as a symbol of God's enduring covenant with His people. In Jeremiah 31:35-36 , the Lord affirms His unchanging promises, saying, "This is what the LORD says, He who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name: 'Only if this fixed order departed from My presence, declares the LORD, would Israel’s descendants ever cease to be a nation before Me.'"

Prophetic Imagery

In prophetic literature, the moon is often used in imagery depicting cosmic disturbances and divine judgment. For instance, in Joel 2:31 , the prophet warns, "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." Such imagery conveys the magnitude of God's intervention in human history and the dramatic changes that accompany His judgment.

Similarly, in the New Testament, the moon is mentioned in the context of eschatological events. In Matthew 24:29 , Jesus speaks of the signs of the end times: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days: 'The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.'"

Worship and Idolatry

While the moon is a creation of God and serves His purposes, Scripture also warns against the worship of celestial bodies. In Deuteronomy 4:19 , the Israelites are cautioned: "And when you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." This admonition reflects the biblical emphasis on worshiping the Creator rather than the creation.

Conclusion

The moon, as described in the Bible, is a testament to God's creative power and His sovereign order over the universe. It serves as a constant reminder of the divine rhythm established by God, marking time and seasons, and symbolizing His faithfulness and covenant with His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether the Movement of the Heavenly Bodies Will Cease?
... made: and the heavenly bodies were made in order "to divide the day ... labor to fulfill
their offices: thus the sun and moon fill the places appointed to them ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the movement of the 2.htm

Over the Mountains. "My Beloved is Mine, and I am His: He Feedeth ...
... Lord again whatever be the barriers which divide you from ... stars of the promises and
the moon of experience ... in an instant, for the fountain appointed for that ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/over the mountains my beloved is.htm

Election and Ordination of Bishops: Form of Service on Sundays.
... to rule over the day, and the moon to rule ... Thou hast also appointed the station of
the winds, which blow ... of Canaan by him; [3656] Thou didst divide Jordan, and ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii election and ordination of.htm

Victor Emmanuel, Emancipator
... the herb yielding seed, nor did sun and moon divide the empire ... the whole world to
Christ on the day of Pentecost as not, but not so had his decrees appointed. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/victor emmanuel emancipator.htm

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ...
... by a perpetual decree, made the sun, the moon, and other ... xxxviii.31; Amos 5:8), not
only to divide the day ... holy Sabbath to be not only the appointed season for ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/ten reasons demonstrating the commandment.htm

Christianity a Light.
... as we were on our way to an appointed meeting, we ... This is the spiritual moon reflecting
the light of the Sun. ... divide the spoil with the proud." Prov.16:19. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i christianity a light.htm

On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... cast by the soldiers; thus the one they divide, but for ... of God through sin, and God
had appointed the sinner ... The moon in the night bears witness; the day bears ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiii on the words.htm

Chapter i
... the luminaries have functions other than to divide day and ... and He gave" in the sense
of "appointed." Yet the ... as indicated and regulated by the sun and the moon. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

Appendices
... I divide not an arm of the water in its course. I extinguish not the lamp during
its appointed time ... of Emudbalum restored your courage to you on the day of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

The Second Theological Oration.
... if there is not a limit to divide and define ... sun bears rule over the day, and the
moon presides over ... different parts of the world, or appointed over different ...
/.../lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxviii the second theological.htm