Topical Bible: The Moon: Influences Vegetation

◄ The Moon: Influences Vegetation ►

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The moon, as one of the two great lights created by God, holds a significant place in the biblical narrative and the natural order established by the Creator. Genesis 1:16 states, "God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars." The moon, as the "lesser light," is integral to the cycles and rhythms of the earth, including its influence on vegetation.

Throughout history, the moon has been observed to have a profound impact on agricultural practices. While the Bible does not explicitly detail the moon's influence on vegetation, it does acknowledge the importance of celestial bodies in marking times and seasons. Genesis 1:14 declares, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years.'"

The lunar cycle, with its phases from new moon to full moon, has been traditionally linked to agricultural activities. Farmers in biblical times, as well as in many cultures throughout history, have used the moon's phases to guide planting and harvesting. The gravitational pull of the moon affects the earth's tides, and it is believed to similarly influence the moisture levels in the soil, which can impact seed germination and plant growth.

In the context of biblical agriculture, the Israelites were deeply connected to the land and its produce. The Law of Moses included various agricultural laws and festivals that were tied to the lunar calendar. For instance, the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, was celebrated seven weeks after the offering of the firstfruits, which was determined by the lunar cycle (Leviticus 23:15-16).

The moon's role in marking time and seasons is further emphasized in Psalm 104:19, which states, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set." This verse highlights the moon's function in the divine order of creation, serving as a timekeeper for the natural world, including the cycles of planting and harvesting.

While modern science provides explanations for the moon's gravitational effects on the earth, the biblical perspective acknowledges the moon as part of God's purposeful design. The moon's influence on vegetation, though not explicitly detailed in Scripture, aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's provision and the interconnectedness of creation.

In summary, the moon, as described in the Bible, plays a vital role in the natural order established by God. Its influence on vegetation, while not directly addressed in Scripture, is consistent with the understanding of the moon as a marker of times and seasons, integral to the agricultural practices of biblical times.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 33:14
And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer --The Forerunner of Mercy
... land of Judea as an arid wilderness, a mass of dust, destitute of all vegetation. ...
My brethren, even as the moon influences the tides of the sea, even so doth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/prayerthe forerunner of mercy.htm

Watching the Horizon
... bodies, the sea and rivers, vegetation, an intensifying ... in the heavenly bodies, the
sun, moon, and stars ... understanding of our Lord's plans influences subtly and ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/viii watching the horizon.htm

Literary Expressions
... Covered with vegetation in wild luxuriance. ... The moon is waning below the horizon. ...
The subtle emanation of other influences seemed to arrest and chill him. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vii literary expressions.htm

Down the Islands
... had dwindled down in 1805, under the baneful influences of slavery ... to judge of the
great size of the vegetation, from the ... The moon, it may be on her back in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ii down the islands.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... disturbance of the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars ... on earth, which are caused by
fiery influences coming out ... the great hurt done to sea and vegetation, to all ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... The Phonician symbol represents the crescent moon holding the ... the latter was among
the influences which determined ... the inundation is over, a vegetation of the ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... species of very fragrant wormwood, forming together a vari-coloured vegetation which
gives ... origin or race connected it with Uru, but the same moon-god presided ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... The name of the moon-god is mutilated, and ... as Coele-Syria, with its luxuriant vegetation
spread between ... the Syrians was subject to the same influences as their ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... juices by which plants are made poisonous, as well as malign influences, crime,
and ... But Thot took pity upon her, and playing at draughts with the moon won from ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Fourth Tractate. Problems of the Soul (2).
... general, and also in the sun and moon and ends ... may be taken as certain from the
vegetation upon it. ... nor to any deliberate intention the influences from without ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/fourth tractate problems of the.htm