The Firmament

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What is the firmament over Earth in the Bible?


[6] And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [7] And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. [8] And God called the firmament Heaven.


What is a firmament?


1. : the vault or arch of the sky : heavens. Stars twinkled in the firmament. 2. obsolete : basis.


Anyone know anything about the FIRMAMENT...??

been seeing lots of links on Twitter and other sites.
 

phipps

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In order to understand what the Word "firmament" means we've got to look at other parts of the Bible that use the word or similar words. Sometimes the Bible uses the word "heavens" to mean firmament.

These are some of the verses I could find that mention the firmament:

Psalms 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork."

Exodus 24:9-10, "Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity."

Ezekiel 1:26, "And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it."

Daniel 12:3, "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."


God created the firmament on the second day of creation and gave it a name, heaven. The function of the firmament (heaven) was to divide the water below from the water above it. Today, we mostly use the term “sky” and recognise the division of the sky into the atmosphere, which is a part of our environment and the space beyond our atmosphere where the sun, moon, and stars are. The sky shows us God's handiwork and declares His glory. "Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard" (Psalm 19:2-3). We know that its the sky because two of the passages above mention that the firmament/ heavens appear like a sapphire stone which is blue.

God named the firmament, signifying His sovereignty over it. The act of naming implies that God is sovereign over space.

I should mention that the first three days of Creation involve the physical environment. On day one God created light, on day two He created the sky (firmament/heaven). On the third day, God created the terrestrial environment by gathering the water into one place and letting dry land appear in another.
 
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The firmament is a concept that appears in many ancient cultures, including the Hebrew Bible, the Quran, and Greek mythology. It is typically described as a solid, domed structure that separates the earth from the heavens.
In the Hebrew Bible, the firmament is mentioned in the second day of creation, when God created the "expanse" or "firmament" to divide the "waters above" from the "waters below." This firmament is seen as a solid dome that holds up the heavenly bodies and separates the earth from the divine realm.
The Quran also mentions the firmament, describing it as a "roof" that protects the earth from the harmful effects of the sun and other heavenly bodies. In the Islamic tradition, the firmament is also seen as a symbol of God's power and authority.
In Greek mythology, the firmament is known as the "firmament of Ouranos," and it is said to be made of solid bronze. Ouranos is the god of the sky, and he is often depicted as a giant with a starry crown.
The concept of the firmament has been largely abandoned by modern science, as we now know that the universe is not a solid dome. However, the firmament continues to be a powerful symbol in many cultures, and it continues to inspire awe and wonder in the hearts of its believers.
Here are some of the different meanings of the firmament:
  • The vast solid dome created by God during the Genesis creation narrative to divide the primal sea into upper and lower portions so that the dry land could appear.
  • The sky or heavens.
  • A metaphor for the divine realm or the heavens.
  • A symbol of God's power and authority.
  • A barrier that protects the earth from the harmful effects of the sun and other heavenly bodies.
The meaning of the firmament has changed over time, but it has always been a powerful symbol of the heavens and the divine.


In Islam, the firmament is a solid, domed structure that separates the earth from the heavens. It is mentioned in the Quran in several verses, including:

  • Surah 2:22: "He created the heavens and the earth in six days, and His Throne was upon the water."
  • Surah 15:16: "And He has made the sky a roof, and He is the best of creators."
  • Surah 21:32: "And He has made the sky a roof, and He has made it beautiful and bountiful."
The Quran also describes the firmament as being decorated with stars, which are said to be a sign of God's power and authority. In the Islamic tradition, the firmament is also seen as a barrier that protects the earth from the harmful effects of the sun and other heavenly bodies.

The Islamic view of the firmament is consistent with the scientific understanding of the universe at the time of the Quran's revelation. However, it is important to note that the Quran is not a scientific text, and it does not provide a detailed description of the firmament. Rather, it simply affirms the existence of the firmament and its role in the creation of the universe.

In recent years, there has been some debate among Muslims about the nature of the firmament. Some Muslims believe that the firmament is a literal, physical structure, while others believe that it is a metaphor for the heavens or the divine presence. There is no one definitive answer to this question, and it is ultimately up to each individual Muslim to decide what they believe.

However, it is important to remember that the Quran is a sacred text that is meant to be interpreted in a holistic way. When we consider the Quran's verses about the firmament alongside other verses about the creation of the universe, we can see that the Quran does not provide a literal, scientific description of the firmament. Rather, it presents a poetic and symbolic vision of the heavens that is meant to inspire awe and wonder in the hearts of its readers.
 

A Freeman

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The "firmament" is literally defined by God and in context.

Genesis 1:6-8
1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.
1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the Second Day.

IF it is correctly understood that the "waters" being referenced in Genesis 1:6-7 are the people, then it should be self-evident that the division made among the people was to separate those who were above (the angels in heaven) from those who were below (cast out to the Earth, and subjected to human limitations).

Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The "waters" which thou sawest, where the "Whore" sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Similarly:

Isaiah 17:12-13
17:12 Woe to the multitude of many people, [which] make a noise like the noise of the "seas"; and to the rushing of nations, [that] make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but [God] shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

The very same story is told again in Revelation, providing more detail as to why it was necessary to separate the "waters" above from the "waters" below.

Revelation 12:3-4
12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
12:4 And his tale (of lies - John 8:35) drew the third part of the "Stars" (ch. 9:1) of heaven (into his army), and did (cause them to be) cast to the Earth (for their treason against God): and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born (Christ - Second Coming).

Revelation 12:7-9
12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Lucifer); and the dragon fought and his angels,
12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out to the Earth, and his angels (you - Luke 9:55) were cast out with him (Matthew 25:41).
12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and The Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
 

Oceanic

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The "firmament" is literally defined by God and in context.

Genesis 1:6-8
1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.
1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the Second Day.

IF it is correctly understood that the "waters" being referenced in Genesis 1:6-7 are the people, then it should be self-evident that the division made among the people was to separate those who were above (the angels in heaven) from those who were below (cast out to the Earth, and subjected to human limitations).

Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The "waters" which thou sawest, where the "Whore" sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Similarly:

Isaiah 17:12-13
17:12 Woe to the multitude of many people, [which] make a noise like the noise of the "seas"; and to the rushing of nations, [that] make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but [God] shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

The very same story is told again in Revelation, providing more detail as to why it was necessary to separate the "waters" above from the "waters" below.

Revelation 12:3-4
12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
12:4 And his tale (of lies - John 8:35) drew the third part of the "Stars" (ch. 9:1) of heaven (into his army), and did (cause them to be) cast to the Earth (for their treason against God): and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born (Christ - Second Coming).

Revelation 12:7-9
12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Lucifer); and the dragon fought and his angels,
12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out to the Earth, and his angels (you - Luke 9:55) were cast out with him (Matthew 25:41).
12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and The Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Apologies if I've misunderstood but you're trying to prove that the waters God was talking about is a metaphor for people right?

If that's what you're intending, that's false. Those scriptures are completely different topics and events all together. You're right, they ARE metaphors but only according to THEIR OWN contexts. Those verses have no relevance to the topic of the firmament.

When God said he would separate the waters, he was being literal. In the first few verses of Genesis, it says that his face was upon the waters. So water is the superior element that has always existed.

He separated the waters which is why we have the ocean, and then there is water ABOVE the firmament. This is why many people see stars flickering as if they dwell in the likeness of water.

Some people think the water above is referencing the clouds and rain. Others think there is just a never-ending body of water right above the firmament. I think both are accurate. As above so below in this context.

This is also how he established the flood in Noah's time.

It goes like this: Earth, space (which is still within the firmament) then water, then heaven- or God's official dwelling place. The earth is his foot stool.

Think of Sandy's tree dome from Spongebob. You see how her earthly home is protected by a barrier while water is OUTSIDE of it? That is much like the earth we currently live in.

I guess it's a good time to also mention NASA has been deceiving us all this time. In fact, it means "to deceive" in the Hebrew language. Earth isn't spinning or traveling through space, it's a stationary planet.

Psalm 104:5-6 "You fixed the earth on its foundation, so it can never be be moved. The deeps [ocean] covered it like a garment; above the mountains stood the waters."
 
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Also, if @afreeman is correct, that would mean the entire Genesis story is out of order. God Separates the "waters" in verse 6 immediately after God creates light. God does not even begin to create living creatures until verse 20 and and man until verse 26. I agree with Oceanic. These are literal waters not metaphorical.
 

A Freeman

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Apologies if I've misunderstood but you're trying to prove that the waters God was talking about is a metaphor for people right?

If that's what you're intending, that's false. Those scriptures are completely different topics and events all together. You're right, they ARE metaphors but only according to THEIR OWN contexts. Those verses have no relevance to the topic of the firmament.

When God said he would separate the waters, he was being literal. In the first few verses of Genesis, it says that his face was upon the waters. So water is the superior element that has always existed.

He separated the waters which is why we have the ocean, and then there is water ABOVE the firmament. This is why many people see stars flickering as if they dwell in the likeness of water.

Some people think the water above is referencing the clouds and rain. Others think there is just a never-ending body of water right above the firmament. I think both are accurate. As above so below in this context.

This is also how he established the flood in Noah's time.

It goes like this: Earth, space (which is still within the firmament) then water, then heaven- or God's official dwelling place. The earth is his foot stool.

Think of Sandy's tree dome from Spongebob. You see how her earthly home is protected by a barrier while water is OUTSIDE of it? That is much like the earth we currently live in.

I guess it's a good time to also mention NASA has been deceiving us all this time. In fact, it means "to deceive" in the Hebrew language. Earth isn't spinning or traveling through space, it's a stationary planet.

Psalm 104:5-6 "You fixed the earth on its foundation, so it can never be be moved. The deeps [ocean] covered it like a garment; above the mountains stood the waters."
All of this may be your opinion, but that doesn't make any of it true.

What was shared about Genesis 1:6-8 is correct. It doesn't negate the fact that rain falls from the sky and collects in the rivers, lakes and oceans, but the spiritual message is there as well, for those with "eyes to see". Genesis 1:6-8 is in no way an alleged proof of a "flat earth" resembling a serving platter and a dome lid, nor is it proof that the Earth isn't a sphere, nor is it proof that the Earth isn't in a stable orbit around the sun, nor any of the false claims you are attempting to make, to support your silly superstition.

The Earth is a SPHERE, just as God told us.

Isaiah 40:22 [It is] He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

The ONLY geometric shape that appears as a circle from all directions is a sphere.
 
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A Freeman

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For those who are genuinely seeking the truth:-

Isaiah 40:22 [It is] He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Job 26:7 He stretcheth out the North over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon NOTHING.

The reference in Isaiah 40:22 does NOT state or imply that the Earth is a two-dimensional disc, unless it is misunderstood or misinterpreted. The original Hebrew word that was translated into "circle" in Isaiah 40:22 is "chuwg", which has several meanings in Hebrew, including circle, circuit and compass.

In the English language, we have separate words for the instrument that draws a circle (compass) and the circle itself. We also have a separate word for movement in a circular-shaped pathway (circuit).

The instrument that draws a circle is obviously a compass. The compass begins with one of its legs in the center of the circle and the other at a certain starting point along the circumference a given distance away. It then is ROTATED about the fixed, center-point in a circle, back to the starting point, making a complete (full) revolution to form a circle.

A circuit is basically the same thing; only instead of using an instrument to draw a circle, it involves the movement of an individual or vehicle in the same manner. A full REVOLUTION from a starting point along the circumference of a circle, that is completed upon arriving back at the same point (the beginning and the end point being the same).

Both the drawing instrument and the circular pathway traveled denote rotation to form a circle. And a circle rotated about itself forms a sphere.

Unlike English, in the Hebrew language all three of these words are represented in a single word: chuwg (pronounced khüg, or khoog). So in a single word, God told us that the Earth is not only spherical in shape, but that it is rotating about its axis. Our Creator is TRULY amazing, and so is His Creation.

Isaiah 40:22 [It is] He that sitteth upon the circle (chuwg) of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Job 22:14 Thick clouds [are] a covering to Him, that He seeth not; and He walketh in the circuit (chuwg) of heaven.

Proverbs 8:27 When He prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when He set a compass (chuwg) upon the face of the depth:

A sphere is the ONLY object that appears as a circle from EVERY direction, and represents PERFECTION. God Himself is the same from every direction and completely the same today, tomorrow and forever.

So in the most efficient means possible, God told us EVERYTHING we need to know about both the shape of this planet and also His Omnipresence. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End.

Using the Hebrew word for “ball” (dur) to describe the Earth simply would not have worked because a ball is not necessarily spherical (American style footballs, rugby balls, etc.) and likewise does not necessarily denote rotation like a compass and a circuit do. Also, a ball is a child's plaything, to be tossed around, and that is exactly how that word (dur) is used in Scripture.

Isaiah 22:18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee [like] a ball (dur) into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory [shall be] the shame of thy lord's house.

EVERYTHING around us is in motion. It is God Who is the fixed, immovable, unchanging center of the Universe, and it is only when we are calm, unemotional and at peace that we truly find Him and the answers to all of life's questions.

Psalm 46:10-11
46:10 BE STILL, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
46:11 The "I AM" Lord of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. The rock.

Anyone who sails the Earth's oceans has personally observed the curvature of the Earth.

Anyone who has seen a sunrise and sunset on this PLANET, has personally observed both curvature AND rotation, IF they are honest with themselves.

The "flat Earth" model is both spiritually and physically bankrupt. It is a strong delusion (2 Thess. 2:8-12), sent during these end-times, to divide and conquer those who would be so easily deceived by such a ridiculous and obviously satanic doctrine (divide and conquer is an obvious satanic trademark - a house divided shall NEVER stand - Matt. 12:25...THINK about it).

The flat-Earth (FE) PSYOP was created by the so-called intelligence services of the U.S. government to deceive and distract as many as possible from the fact they're leading us into WW3 which the U.S. and U.K. WILL LOSE.

For irrefutable proof that FE is a psychological operation:-


And for irrefutable proof that the U.S. and U.K. will lose WW3 to Russia and China:-



The ONLY Survival Plan

All Scriptural quotes are from the King of kings' Bible.
 
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I've always had a different take on Genesis 1

Eg

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

verse 1 is a proclamaation..and the rest is the process.....so it really begins from verse 2...


When it says the EARTH WAS FORMLESS AND EMPTY it just means that there was no matter...

what you had was the primordial Water..as in the LOGOS, UNIVERSAL CONSCIOUSNESS. egyptian mythology and hinduism have the same idea..the primordial/watery abysss.

The first emergence from this, THE SPIRIT OF GOD ie the holy spirit.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

this is causality in it's origin, dualistic.yin and yang, passive and active, the metaphysical descent and ascent of consciousness.

6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.”
as in this is the point where singular consciousness emerges from universal consciousness...


9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

this is the creation of matter..


The sun/moon in the context of this 'vault' really refer to the inner sun and moon, ie the left and right brain hemispheres.
 

Oceanic

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All of this may be your opinion, but that doesn't make any of it true.

What was shared about Genesis 1:6-8 is correct. It doesn't negate the fact that rain falls from the sky and collects in the rivers, lakes and oceans, but the spiritual message is there as well, for those with "eyes to see". Genesis 1:6-8 is in no way an alleged proof of a "flat earth" resembling a serving platter and a dome lid, nor is it proof that the Earth isn't a sphere, nor is it proof that the Earth isn't in a stable orbit around the sun, nor any of the false claims you are attempting to make, to support your silly superstition.

The Earth is a SPHERE, just as God told us.

Isaiah 40:22 [It is] He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

The ONLY geometric shape that appears as a circle from all directions is a sphere.
It can't be my opinion if it is stated in the Bible as a fact.

Please distinguish the shape of the earth itself and the shape of the firmament. The earth itself is flat. The firmament, or dome, or barrier, whatever you want to call it- is what's round. That's what that scripture means when it says God sits above the circle of the earth.

1689543428846.png

So really, the earth is both flat and round. But if you don't count the firmament as a part of earth and think of it as it's own thing (because it's just a barrier) then earth is just flat. Either way, NASA lied to us all.

But if you think this is all just "silly"...I don't know what to tell you.
 

YokeFellow

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I've always had a different take on Genesis 1

Eg

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

verse 1 is a proclamaation..and the rest is the process.....so it really begins from verse 2...


When it says the EARTH WAS FORMLESS AND EMPTY it just means that there was no matter...

what you had was the primordial Water..as in the LOGOS, UNIVERSAL CONSCIOUSNESS. egyptian mythology and hinduism have the same idea..the primordial/watery abysss.

The first emergence from this, THE SPIRIT OF GOD ie the holy spirit.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

this is causality in it's origin, dualistic.yin and yang, passive and active, the metaphysical descent and ascent of consciousness.

6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.”
as in this is the point where singular consciousness emerges from universal consciousness...


9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

this is the creation of matter..


The sun/moon in the context of this 'vault' really refer to the inner sun and moon, ie the left and right brain hemispheres.
Your interpretation is very similar to mine. It is nice to see folks not 'dumbing down' Scripture into some half-baked childish myth.

'Formless' is as literal as can be. In other words, the Third Dimension was not even created yet.

'Void' is also as literal as can be. It means there was a complete vacuum.

In the first few verses of Genesis, the Universe as we know it was not even created yet, much less Earth with an ocean.

'Waters' is most definitely referring to an Abyss or a two-dimensional plane from which everything sprang from.

Firmament is the vastness of Outer Space. The 'Waters' above the Firmament is the Sea of Glass dimensional boundary that separates 3D from higher dimensions.

 
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