Biblical Cosmology: The Firmament

The Firmament

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.

Genesis 1:6-8 CEB

God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters to separate the waters from each other.” God made the dome and separated the waters under the dome from the waters above the dome. And it happened in that way. God named the dome Sky.

There was evening and there was morning: the second day.

See also the GNT, ISV, LEV, NABRE, NIV and NRSVA translations which use the term ‘dome’ in place of firmament.

Job 37:18

Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

Genesis 1:20

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

Genesis 1:20 CEB

20 God said, “Let the waters swarm with living things, and let birds fly above the earth up in the dome of the sky.”

Psalms 19:1

(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalms 150:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Daniel 12:3

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.