What Does the Bible Say About the Firmament?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary holds a degree in theology and she has a deep understanding of biblical texts. She works as an elementary school teacher in Alabama.

The firmament, as described in the Bible, is a vast expanse, kind of like a dome, that separates the waters above from the waters below. It’s a word that comes up in the creation story in Genesis, painting a picture of how God organized the universe.

Ever heard of the firmament? It’s a big word, but it’s got a cool story. In the Bible, the firmament is like a giant dome that God put up in the sky. It’s got waters above and below, and it’s all part of how God made everything. Want to know more? Keep reading!

What Does the Bible Say About the Firmament?

The term “firmament” appears in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, and it’s a bit of a head-scratcher for many. In the creation account in Genesis, God made the firmament on the second day to separate the “waters from the waters.” Imagine a huge dome over the Earth, separating the skies from the oceans. That’s the firmament!

But the Bible’s not just giving us a science lesson here. There’s more to it. The firmament shows us God’s power and creativity. It’s a testament to how He ordered the chaos into a well-structured cosmos. And it’s not just any cosmos—it’s a cosmos that reflects God’s view on how things should be.

Some folks might say, “Well, we don’t see any dome up in the sky, so what gives?” It’s important to remember that the Bible often speaks in poetic language. The firmament can be seen as a way of expressing the majesty of God’s creation, even if we don’t take it as a literal, physical dome.

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In other parts of the Old Testament, the firmament is associated with the heavens and God’s glory. It’s like a giant canvas displaying God’s handiwork. Every time you look up at the sky, you’re catching a glimpse of that divine artistry.

And here’s something cool: even though the firmament is mainly mentioned in the Old Testament, it ties in with the whole story of the Bible. From creation, through sin and redemption, and all the way to Jesus. It’s all connected.

Bible Verses About the Firmament

  1. Genesis 1:6-8: “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 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. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”
  1. Genesis 1:14-17: “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.”
  1. Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
  1. Psalm 150:1: “Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.”
  1. Ezekiel 1:22-26: “And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings. And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.”
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These verses help paint a picture of what the firmament is all about in the Bible. It’s not just an old, outdated concept. It’s a rich, poetic way of talking about God’s power, creativity, and glory. And that’s something that’s always relevant, no matter what age we live in.