Firmament
“Expanse, that which is spread out”
Summary
The expanse of sky stretched out above the earth, separating the waters above from the waters below, in which God placed the sun, moon, and stars.
☩Creation and Nature
The Hebrew raqia means 'expanse,' describing what is stretched out as a curtain over the earth. God created the firmament on the second day to serve as a division between the waters above and below, calling it 'heaven.' The word does not necessarily convey solidity; the emphasis is on stretching and extension rather than hardness. It includes the atmosphere where birds fly and the region where sun, moon, and stars appear.
☩The Heavens Declare
The firmament shows God's handiwork, displaying His glory to all creation. Day unto day utters speech and night unto night reveals knowledge through this visible expanse. The living creatures in Ezekiel's vision move beneath a firmament 'like the color of the terrible crystal,' representing executors of God's judicial government.
☩Language and Understanding
The language of Genesis is phenomenal, describing things as they appear rather than with scientific precision. Terms like 'windows of heaven' for rain and the poetic comparison to a 'molten mirror' in Job refer to the clearness and brightness of the sky, not its material composition. The throne of God is seen above the firmament, indicating its transparency in prophetic vision.
Related Verses15 mentions
References
- 1.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Firmament," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 2.George Morrish, "Firmament," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Firmament," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Firmament," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).