Biblical cosmology

Biblical cosmology is the view of the universe as it appears in the Bible, which reflects the understanding of the ancient Near East. This cosmology often depicts a tripartite structure: the heavens above, the earth in the middle, and the waters or underworld below.

Biblical cosmology

Here are key components:

1. The Heavens Above

The Firmament (Raqia):

In Genesis 1, the "firmament" is described as a solid structure that divides the waters above from the waters below. The Hebrew term raqia suggests an expanse, often understood by ancient readers as a hard, dome-like surface. This structure served as a "sky vault," marking the boundary between earth and the divine realm above.
Ancient peoples believed this dome held back the upper waters, with stars, sun, and moon set within or on it. These celestial bodies are not just lights; they serve as markers for seasons, days, and years, indicating that time and order are part of God's design for creation.

Heavenly Waters:

According to the biblical creation account, water originally covered everything in a chaotic state. God separated these waters, leaving "waters above" the firmament, which could later be released as rain. This idea also appears in the account of Noah's Flood, where "the windows of the heavens" are opened, allowing these upper waters to fall onto the earth (Genesis 7:11).
This ancient view of a water-filled cosmos differs from modern science, but it emphasizes the understanding of water as both life-giving and potentially destructive.

Biblical cosmology Heavenly Waters

Heaven (Shamayim):

Shamayim, or heaven, is the highest, divine realm. It’s often described as God's dwelling place, though God is not limited to any one place. Heaven is a place of authority, and it reflects a hierarchy with God above humanity, watching and governing creation.
In certain visions, like those of prophets (Isaiah, Ezekiel), heaven is described as a majestic place filled with divine glory, beyond human reach. The structure implies a tiered cosmos with God in the uppermost realm.

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2. The Earth (Eretz)

Flat or Circular Earth:

The biblical writers often describe the earth as a flat or circular plane with boundaries, rather than a spherical planet. Phrases like "the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 40:28) and "the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22) suggest a flat circular shape, bounded by the heavens above and the waters below.
In ancient times, people didn’t have a concept of a spherical earth, so the biblical writers' descriptions are based on observation and the perception of the earth as a stable, flat space that supports life.

Biblical cosmology The Earth

Mountains and Pillars:

The earth is described as being upheld by pillars (1 Samuel 2:8), which prevent it from falling into the abyss or chaotic waters below. These pillars are metaphorical, symbolizing stability and God’s control over creation.
Mountains, especially high ones, were seen as sacred spaces where humans could experience the divine. For instance, Moses receives the Law on Mount Sinai, which is considered a point where heaven and earth intersect. These mountains emphasize the connection between the divine and human realms.

The Garden of Eden:

Eden is a specific, lush location where humanity first dwells in direct relationship with God. It has rivers flowing out, watering the land, a source of life and fertility. This ideal place represents a perfect balance, untouched by the chaos found outside its boundaries.
The Garden symbolizes an ordered, sacred space, contrasting with the disorder outside. Its rivers, like the Tigris and Euphrates mentioned in Genesis, hint at a place grounded in the physical world yet set apart as divinely blessed.

3. The Waters and Underworld Below

Sheol:

Sheol is the underworld realm where the dead reside, often depicted as beneath the earth. It’s a shadowy place, not necessarily of punishment but of separation from the living and from God.
Ancient people had different ideas about Sheol. It’s sometimes depicted as a passive, almost "sleepy" state, where everyone goes regardless of moral standing. Over time, the concept of Sheol evolved, and by the New Testament period, ideas about different fates for the righteous and unrighteous began to appear.

Biblical cosmology The Waters and Underworld Below

Abyss and Sea:

The abyss, or "Tehom" in Hebrew, represents the deep waters of chaos that God subdued in the act of creation. In Genesis 1, the Spirit of God moves over the waters, which then recede to reveal dry land, establishing order.
Sea monsters, like Leviathan, are symbolic of chaos and disorder. In some passages (e.g., Job 41, Psalm 74:13), Leviathan represents forces that God has control over, emphasizing God’s power over all realms, including the dark, chaotic underworld.

4. Symbolism and Interpretation

The structure of the biblical cosmos is symbolic and meant to convey theological principles. For example:
- Hierarchy and Order: God’s position in the heavens indicates His supreme authority over everything. The earth is a middle ground where human life unfolds, while the waters below and Sheol represent realms of chaos and death.
- Divine Presence and Interaction: Sacred spaces like Eden or mountains suggest places where God interacts closely with humanity, contrasting with the inaccessibility of the heavens.
- Moral and Spiritual Implications: The clear separation between realms also mirrors moral boundaries—heavenly purity versus earthly struggle, life versus death—serving to underscore key theological messages about the nature of God, creation, and humanity’s place within it.

This symbolic cosmology aims to affirm themes of order, purpose, and divine authority rather than serve as a literal scientific explanation. It uses ancient Near Eastern imagery familiar to its original audience to convey profound spiritual truths about God and creation.

Biblical cosmology