The Shape of The Earth

Biblegems # 287

Earth: NASA files (public domain)

Question: Science has clearly proven the earth is a sphere, but does the Bible contradict this by describing it as a flat disk?

The question goes to the issue of biblical accuracy and authority. If the Bible is indeed to be treated seriously as scientifically and historically reliable, then it should line up with the facts.

So…what does the Bible teach regarding the shape of the earth?

The Bible clearly states, repeatedly and in a variety of ways, that God brought the earth and the universe into existence in its present, mature state.

Ps. 33:6  By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

Genesis 1:1-2 presents what is intended to be an accurate account of the formation of the earth in the larger context of the creation of the entire universe. Verse two specifically describes the first moments of earth’s existence as “unformed and uninhabited” (“formless and empty”—NIV), with the basic elements of water (Heb. Tohum—“the deep”) and the chemical properties of the material universe (Heb. eretz—“earth”) swirling in the darkness of newly created space (Heb. shamayim—“heavens”), even before the formation of the stars (see vv. 14-19).

This formless mass of water and earth’s elements is next described in Genesis 1:2 as having been acted upon by the Holy Spirit and sent into a highly energized motion (Heb. rachaph: “to shake” or “flutter”—“hovering” [NIV]). The book of Proverbs also speaks to this early shaping of the earth into its current form:

         Prov. 8:24  When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water…

“No watery depths” (NIV) means before the oceans were formed. The passage goes on to read:

Prov. 8:27  I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep…

“Marked out” (NIV) in Proverbs 8:27 translates the Hebrew word “chug,” which literally means to inscribe or trace a circle.[i] This same word is used in Isaiah where God is described as looking upon the earth and space from a distance, seeing earth as a “circle” or "sphere" in space, and space itself as stretched out like a vast canopy:

         Is. 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

Way ahead of the times scientifically, the Bible accurately describes the earth as shaped by God, who applied powerful waves of energy to the formless glob of the universe’s basic elements, into a a circular sphere He then suspended in space:

         Job 26:7 He…suspends the earth over nothing.

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[i].trace, mark out, a circle, c. lo over the face of deep. BDB, 3.

Is There Water In Space?

Biblegems #276

Question: Genesis 1:6 seems to indicate that there is a body of water in space, if it is taken literally. Hasn’t this watery canopy over the earth been disproved, demonstrating Genesis should not be understood literally?

Here’s the passage in question:

Gen. 1:6-8 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. (NIV 2011)

Actually, the concept presented in Genesis 1:6 is far more exotic and intriguing than a water canopy surrounding the earth. Taken literally, combined with the further information provided in Genesis 1:7-8, 14-18, here is a more accurate description of the universe at its birth from a biblical perspective.

Day one saw the beginning of time: “In the beginning…” (1:1). Next, the basic matter of the universe came into existence as a shapeless blob of water containing the elemental ingredients of “the heavens and the earth.” Then God began agitating this newly created material—a process described in verse two as “the Spirit ”— (Hebrew: ruach, which also translates as “breath,” or “wind,” depending on the context) —“hovering” — (Hebrew: rachaph, which also indicates “shaking,” or “agitating,” depending on the context) — “over the surface of the deep”  (1:2). The “deep” was a common Hebrew term for a large body of water. Completing day one of creation, God also provided light, independent of a physical source (1:3-4). So the blob of water and elements were agitated into a rotation equivalent to that of the current earth spinning on its axis, providing a dayside and nightside—“the first day” (5).

Genesis 1:6-8 picks up this account on day two with what appears to be an explosive separation of the watery mass into two parts. One portion of this mass is propelled outward from the other, creating a massive “vault” (or “expanse”) between them. This vast expanse is usually translated as “sky” or as “the heavens,” but verses 14-18 make it abundantly clear that the entire expanse we loosely describe as “space” is what Genesis has in view.

The time frame involved in stretching the vastness of space relative to earth seems to be no more than forty-eight hours (days two and three of creation). Populating this expanse with stars, solar systems and galaxies was virtually instantaneous, "set" in place from the region of earth within the twenty-four hour  period (far beyond the speed of light) of day four (1:14-18). 

Some fascinating facts emerge from this. First, the most fundamental building block of life (chemically speaking) that is found on earth—water—should also be discoverable throughout the universe. It should come as no surprise to find indications of water on comets, asteroids and planets. Second, while we do not know how much water was ejected outward on day two of creation, we do know that the universe has an outer limit. And even if space is still expanding, water will be at its outer boundary like the thinning skin of an expanding balloon.

Scientists frequently express shock and surprise when elements common to the earth, including water, are discovered on the moon, Mars, asteroids or distant planets.

         2Pet. 3:5-6a But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

What is “forgotten” is that Genesis is God’s revelation to humanity as to how and, more importantly, why He brought the universe and mankind into existence. That’s why…

         Heb. 1:2 …in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.