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An eclipse, a natural astronomical event where one celestial body moves into the shadow of another, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the phenomenon can be related to various biblical themes and events, particularly those involving signs in the heavens and divine intervention.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

In the Bible, celestial events often serve as signs from God, marking significant events or conveying divine messages. While the term "eclipse" is not used, the Bible frequently references the sun and moon in contexts that could imply such occurrences. For instance, in the prophetic literature, celestial disturbances are often associated with the Day of the Lord, a time of judgment and revelation.

Old Testament References

1.Joel 2:31 : "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." This passage, part of a larger prophecy concerning the outpouring of the Spirit and the coming judgment, suggests a dramatic alteration in the natural order, which could be interpreted as an eclipse or similar celestial event.

2.Amos 8:9 : "And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight." This prophecy against Israel speaks of a supernatural darkening of the sun, reminiscent of an eclipse, as a sign of impending judgment.

New Testament References

1.Matthew 24:29 : "Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’" Jesus speaks of cosmic signs preceding His return, which could include eclipses as part of the apocalyptic imagery.

2.Acts 2:20 : Quoting Joel, Peter reiterates the prophecy during his sermon at Pentecost: "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord."

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, eclipses were often viewed with fear and awe, seen as omens or messages from the divine. The Israelites, living among such cultures, would have been familiar with these interpretations. While the Bible does not explicitly describe eclipses, the language of darkened skies and celestial signs would resonate with contemporary understandings of these events as significant and portentous.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, eclipses and similar celestial phenomena underscore God's sovereignty over creation. They serve as reminders of His power to alter the natural order and communicate with humanity through extraordinary means. The Bible's use of cosmic imagery to describe divine intervention highlights the belief in a God who is actively involved in the world and its history.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not specifically mention eclipses, the concept aligns with the broader biblical theme of God using signs in the heavens to convey His purposes. These events, whether literal or symbolic, point to the majesty and authority of God over all creation.Of the sun alluded to inAmos 8:9;Micah 3:6;Zechariah 14:6;Joel 2:10. Eclipses were regarded as tokens of God's anger (Joel 3:15;Job 9:7). The darkness at the crucifixion has been ascribed to an eclipse (Matthew 27:45); but on the other hand it is argued that the great intensity of darkness caused by an eclipse never lasts for more than six minutes, and this darkness lasted for three hours. Moreover, at the time of the Passover the moon was full, and therefore there could not be an eclipse of the sun, which is caused by an interposition of the moon between the sun and the earth.1. (n.) An obstruction of the light of the sun, moon, or other luminous body, by the intervention of some other body, either between it and the eye, or between the luminous body and that illuminated by it. A lunar eclipse is caused by the moon passing through the earth's shadow; a solar eclipse, by the moon coming between the sun and the observer. A satellite is eclipsed by entering the shadow of its primary. The obscuration of a planet or star by the moon or a planet, though of the nature of an eclipse, is called an occultation. The eclipse of a small portion of the sun by Mercury or Venus is called a transit of the planet.

2. (n.) The loss, usually temporary or partial, of light, brilliancy, luster, honor, consciousness, etc.; obscuration; gloom; darkness.

3. (v. t.) To cause the obscuration of; to darken or hide; -- said of a heavenly body; as, the moon eclipses the sun.

4. (v. t.) To obscure, darken, or extinguish the beauty, luster, honor, etc., of; to sully; to cloud; to throw into the shade by surpassing.

5. (v. i.) To suffer an eclipse.

ECLIPSE

e-klips'.

SeeASTRONOMY.

3650. kimrir -- darkness, gloominess
... blackness. Redupl. From kamar; obscuration (as if from shrinkage of light, ie An
eclipse (only in plural) -- blackness. see HEBREW kamar. 3649, 3650....

The SolarEclipse
... The SolarEclipse. A Sermon (No.183).... WE ARE ALL expecting to-morrow to witness one
of the greatest sights in the universe"the annulareclipse of the sun....

TheEclipse
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CXV THEECLIPSE. Whither, O whither
didst thou fly? When did I grieve Thine holy eye,. When...

On theEclipse of the Moon. July 30, 1776
... IV. CREATION. Hymn 85 On theeclipse of the moon. July 30, 1776. John Newton
8,6,8,6. On theeclipse of the moon. July 30, 1776....

Eclipse of the Sun.
... CHAPTER XLIII.Eclipse of the Sun. Second and Third Word of Jesus on the
Cross. A little hail had fallen at about ten o'clock,"when...

TheEclipse and Rediscovery of the Old Testament
... I THEECLIPSE AND REDISCOVERY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.... Rather, the presenteclipse
of the Old Testament appears to be due to three distinct causes....

Fragment xviii. On the Circumstances Connected with Our Saviour's...
... This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls, as appears
to me without reason, aneclipse of the sun. For the...

Whether it was Fitting that Christ Should Work Miracles in the...
... The first is that the naturaleclipse of the sun by interposition of the moon never
takes place except when the sun and moon are in conjunction....

What Manner of Life and Death the Roman Kings Had.
... For aneclipse of the sun had also happened; and this was attributed to the divine
power of Romulus by the ignorant multitude, who did not know that it was...

Christ's Priestly Office
... Christ suffered a doubleeclipse upon the cross, aneclipse of the sun, and aneclipse
of the light of God's countenance. How bitter was this agony!...

The Death of Jesus
... at His side. It was a supernatural gloom, which aneclipse of the sun
was impossible during the full moon of Passover. Shall we...

Eclipse
... Eclipses were regarded as tokens of God's anger (Joel 3:15; Job 9:7). The darkness
at the crucifixion has been ascribed to aneclipse (Matthew 27:45); but on...

Chronology
... Just before Herod's death there was aneclipse of the moon (Ant., XVII, vi, 4).
According to astronomical calculations aneclipse was visible in Palestine on...

Astrology
... WAI III, 56, 1, gives a table of eclipses for each day of the month Tammuz up to
the middle of the month, and the significance of theeclipse is connected with...

Ecstasy (3 Occurrences)

Astronomy
... THE CONSTELLATIONS 1. Nachash, the "Crooked Serpent" 2. Leviathan 3. The See d of
the Woman 4. The Bow Set in the Cloud 5. The Dragon ofEclipse 6. Joseph's...

Observe (216 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To be on the watch respecting; to pay attention to; to notice with care;
to see; to perceive; to discover; as, to observe aneclipse; to observe the...

Immersion
... 4. (n.) The disappearance of a celestial body, by passing either behind another,
as in the occultation of a star, or into its shadow, as in theeclipse of a...

Emerge (2 Occurrences)
... (vi) To come into view or existence; to appear; as, to emerge from the water or
the ocean; the sun emerges from behind the moon in aneclipse; to emerge from...

Extinguish (6 Occurrences)
... a right. 2. (vt) To obscure; toeclipse, as by superior splendor.
Multi-Version Concordance Extinguish (6 Occurrences). Ephesians...

Echoes (1 Occurrence)

Is an eclipse a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Will the sun really be turned to darkness and the moon to blood (Joel 2:31)? | GotQuestions.org

Is it true that the sun stood still? | GotQuestions.org

Eclipse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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