Topical Encyclopedia
The term "expanse" is a translation of the Hebrew word "raqia" (רָקִיעַ), which appears in the creation narrative of Genesis. It is a significant concept in the biblical account of the universe's formation, particularly in the context of the second day of creation.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 1:6-8 : "And God said, 'Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.' So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so. God called the expanse 'sky.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day."
In this passage, the expanse is described as a firmament created by God to divide the waters. It is identified with the sky, serving as a boundary between the waters above and the waters below. This division is part of the ordered structure God imposes on the cosmos.
2.
Genesis 1:14-17 : "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark the seasons and days and years, and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth."
Here, the expanse is the domain where God places the celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars. These serve not only to illuminate the earth but also to mark time and seasons, reflecting the order and purpose inherent in God's creation.
Theological Significance:The concept of the expanse underscores the biblical theme of divine order and separation. By creating the expanse, God establishes a structured universe, distinguishing between different realms and elements. This act of separation is a recurring motif in the creation narrative, highlighting God's sovereignty and intentionality in the design of the world.
The expanse also serves as a testament to God's power and majesty. The heavens, often associated with the expanse, declare the glory of God (
Psalm 19:1). The placement of the sun, moon, and stars within the expanse further emphasizes God's authority over time and the natural order.
Interpretations and Perspectives:Throughout history, interpretations of the expanse have varied. Some early Jewish and Christian commentators viewed the expanse as a solid dome or firmament, reflecting ancient cosmological understandings. In contrast, modern interpretations often align the expanse with the atmosphere or the vastness of space.
Despite differing interpretations, the expanse remains a central element in the biblical portrayal of creation, symbolizing the ordered and purposeful nature of God's work. It invites believers to reflect on the majesty of the Creator and the intricate design of the universe.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A vast, wide, continuous area, as the expanse of the plains; extent of space or body; especially, the arch of the sky.
2. (v. t.) To expand.
Greek
5561. chora -- a space, place, land... Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty
expanse;
room, ie A space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its
...Strong's Hebrew
7549. raqia -- an extended surface,expanse... 7548, 7549. raqia. 7550 . an extended surface,
expanse. Transliteration: raqia
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kee'-ah) Short Definition:
expanse.
...7338. rachab -- breadth, broadexpanse
... 7337, 7338. rachab. 7339 . breadth, broadexpanse. Transliteration: rachab
Phonetic Spelling: (rakh'-ab) Short Definition: place....
7341. rochab -- breadth, width
... Word Origin from rachab Definition breadth, width NASB Word Usage breadth (4), depth
(1),expanse (1), thick (1), thickness (3), wide (27), width (62)....
Library
The Oration. To-Day is the Festival of Our Great Emperor: and we...
... The vastexpanse of heaven, like an azure veil, is interposed between those without,
and those who inhabit his royal mansions: while round thisexpanse the sun...
Introduction.
... In the early days of their voyage all was peaceful. They looked out over the broad
expanse and saw only calm, contented waters, and hope beamed bright....
'Have Ye Not? Hast Thou Not?'
... spreading them out as a tent to dwell in.' As easily as travellers set up their
tents when the day's march is done, did He stretch the greatexpanse above the...
First Tractate.
... As the rays of the sun throwing their brilliance upon a lowering cloud make it gleam
all gold, so the soul entering the materialexpanse of the heavens has...
Eighth Tractate. Why Distant Objects Appear Small.
... Of course we cannot take in the entire hemisphere at one glance; the eye
directed to it could not cover so vast anexpanse. But...
And God Himself, as an Earnest of Future Reward...
... up the brilliancy of the morning star, the changing splendor of the moon, and the
glorious companies of the starry host, and has arrayed theexpanse of heaven...
Thanksgiving to God for Deliverance from the Evils Expected Owing...
... able to make an eye so beautiful, as to astonish all who behold it, and to implant
in it such power, that it can at once survey the high aerialexpanse, and by...
The Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
... river enters the Lake. About a mile further, on that wideexpanse of grass,
would be the scene of the great miracle. In short, the...
Earnest Expostulation
... for that indirect, essay-like preaching which is as the sheet lightning of summer,
dazzling for the moment, and flaming over a broadexpanse, but altogether...
Book viii. On the Various Meanings of Words and Names
... [John14:6; Ps.118(119):26 Vulgate]. Broad places are anexpanse of seductive vices;
in the gospel: the way that leads to destruction has a wide, roomy door....
Thesaurus
Expanse (18 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) A vast, wide, continuous area, as the
expanse of the plains; extent of space
or body; especially, the arch of the sky.
...Expanse (18 Occurrences).
...Below (52 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:7 God made theexpanse, and divided the waters which were under theexpanse
from the waters which were above theexpanse; and it was so. (See NAS)....
Separateth (15 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:7 And God maketh theexpanse, and it separateth between the waters which
'are' under theexpanse, and the waters which 'are' above theexpanse: and...
Separated (97 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:7 And God maketh theexpanse, and it separateth between the waters which
'are' under theexpanse, and the waters which 'are' above theexpanse: and...
Waters (386 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:6 God said, "Let there be anexpanse in the middle of the waters, and
let it divide the waters from the waters." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS...
Cosmological
... It is true that the Hebrews had no idea of our modern Copernican astronomy, and
thought of the earth as a flat surface, surmounted by a vastexpanse of heaven...
Divided (102 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:7 God made theexpanse, and divided the waters which were under theexpanse
from the waters which were above theexpanse; and it was so....
Maketh (399 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:7 And God maketh theexpanse, and it separateth between the waters which
'are' under theexpanse, and the waters which 'are' above theexpanse: and...
Luminaries (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:14 And God saith, 'Let luminaries be in theexpanse of the heavens, to
make a separation between the day and the night, then they have been for signs...
Resembling (19 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:26 Above theexpanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne,
as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne...
Resources
What was the firmament in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the canopy theory? | GotQuestions.orgExpanse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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