What Does the Bible Say About the Shape of the Earth?

Understanding the historical and cultural context is essential to interpreting the biblical texts about the shape of the Earth. This article explores the perspectives on Earth's shape found in the Bible and how these perspectives reflect the general beliefs of ancient Near Eastern cultures.

The Verbal and Visual Perception of the Earth in Biblical Times

The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, was written in a time when the understanding of the Earth's shape was based on the visual and perceptual experiences of its early readers. The Book of Genesis, written around 800 BC, does not explicitly state the shape of the Earth. Hebrew Semite goat herders, who composed the text, perceived and described the Earth based on their lived experiences.

Flattened Earth Concepts in Biblical Passages

Many biblical passages suggest a flat disk-like conception of the Earth. For instance, passages such as Isaiah 11:12 and Revelation 7:1 refer to the "four corners of the Earth," and Psalm 24:2 and 136:6 describe the Earth as being "founded upon the seas" and "established upon the rivers." Additionally, the concept of a three-tiered universe, with the heavens above, the Earth in the middle, and the underworld below, was a common cosmological model in the ancient Near East.

Modern Scientific Interpretation and the Bible

Modern scientific understanding of the Earth's spherical nature developed much later and outside the scope of the biblical writings. However, interpreting the Bible as a Literalist might lead to incorrect conclusions about the Earth's shape. It's important to understand the idiomatic and metaphorical language used in biblical texts.

Contradictions and Idiomatic Language

Common expressions in the Bible, such as "the four corners of the earth" or "the four winds," are idiomatic phrases rather than literal descriptions. The same can be said for phrases like "sunrise and sunset," which are commonly used but not literal in the scientific sense. The Bible contains both prose and poetic expressions, and not all expressions need to be taken literally.

Evidence of the Earth's Spherical Shape

Despite the prevalent flat Earth concepts, the Bible does provide some clues that suggest the Earth is round. Passages such as Ecclesiastes 1:4 and 6, Isaiah 40:22, and Job 26:7 hint at a more rounded shape.

Ecclesiastes 1:4 and 6 mention that the Earth's winds are continually 'circling' the planet. Isaiah 40:22 states that God sits “above the circle of the earth.” This verse also describes how God stretched out the galaxies as if extending a fabric in a careful process. Job 26:7 suggests that the earth is "hung upon nothing," implying it is not supported by cables or solid structures from beneath.

When comparing different Bible versions, you can find varying translations of these phrases. Examples include:

Conclusion

Interpreting the Bible on the topic of the Earth's shape requires understanding the cultural and historical context of its writing. While some texts suggest a flat Earth, others provide clues that support a spherical model of the Earth. Contextualizing the Bible's language and recognizing idiomatic expressions are crucial for an accurate understanding.

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