Topical Encyclopedia
The term "skies" in the Bible often refers to the heavens or the firmament, which is the expanse above the earth. It is a significant concept in Scripture, symbolizing God's creation, majesty, and the realm of His divine activity. The skies are frequently mentioned in both literal and metaphorical contexts, reflecting God's power, presence, and the order of His creation.
Creation and OrderThe skies are first introduced in the creation narrative.
Genesis 1:6-8 states, "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." Here, the skies are part of the ordered universe God established, separating the waters and providing a space for life to flourish.
God's Majesty and PowerThe skies are often depicted as a testament to God's majesty and power.
Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This verse emphasizes that the skies are a visible manifestation of God's creative power and glory, inviting humanity to recognize His sovereignty and craftsmanship.
Divine Activity and RevelationThroughout Scripture, the skies are associated with divine activity and revelation. In the Old Testament, God often uses the skies as a medium for His messages and signs. For instance, in
Exodus 19:9 , the Lord says to Moses, "I am coming to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and will always put their trust in you." The skies serve as a backdrop for God's presence and communication with His people.
Judgment and DeliveranceThe skies also play a role in themes of judgment and deliverance. In the prophetic literature, the darkening of the skies is a common motif symbolizing God's judgment.
Joel 2:10 describes such an event: "Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness." Conversely, the clearing of the skies can symbolize deliverance and restoration, as seen in
Isaiah 60:19 : "No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor."
Eschatological SignificanceIn the New Testament, the skies hold eschatological significance, particularly in the context of Christ's return.
Matthew 24:30 states, "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." The skies are depicted as the stage for the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where Christ will return in glory.
Symbol of Hope and PromiseFinally, the skies are a symbol of hope and promise. The rainbow, set in the sky, is a sign of God's covenant with Noah and all living creatures, as recorded in
Genesis 9:13 : "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." This enduring symbol in the skies serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and mercy.
In summary, the skies in the Bible are a multifaceted symbol representing God's creation, majesty, revelation, judgment, and promise. They invite believers to contemplate the divine and recognize the ongoing narrative of God's interaction with His creation.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Sky.
Strong's Hebrew
7834. shachaq -- dust, cloud... 7833, 7834. shachaq. 7835 . dust, cloud. Transliteration: shachaq Phonetic
Spelling: (shakh'-ak) Short Definition:
skies. Word Origin
...Library
When the Morning from theSkies
... MORNING IV When the morning from theskies. 7,7,7,7. When the morning from theskies.
Pours on earth its glorious rays,. Up, my soul, from slumber rise,....
When Morning Gilds theSkies
... No. 42 When morning gilds theskies. OUR BLESSED LORD When morning gilds
theskies (May Jesus Christ be praised). Processional...
Evening Cthe Darkness Deepens in theSkies,
... MORNING EVENING cThe darkness deepens in theskies,. tr., John Brownlie
8.8.4.8.8.4. I. The darkness deepens in theskies,. The light before the shadows...
We Seek a Rest Beyond theSkies,
... AFTER SERMON. Hymn 98 We seek a rest beyond theskies,. John Newton
8,6,8,6. We seek a rest beyond theskies,. In everlasting day;...
Christ, Whose Glory Fills theSkies
... I. DAILY PRAYER: Morning Daily Prayer: Morning 4. Christ, whose glory fills the
skies. Six 7's... Charles Wesley, 1740. Christ, whose glory fills theskies,....
When Morning Gilds theSkies
... I. DAILY PRAYER: Morning Daily Prayer: Through the Week 37. When morning gilds the
skies. Six 6's... Tr. Edward Caswall, 1853. When morning gilds theskies,....
Savior, when Night Involves theSkies
... Savior, when night involves theskies. LM [142]Hesperus:... Thomas Gisborne, 1805. Savior,
when night involves theskies,. My soul, adoring, turns to thee;...
from all that Dwell Below theSkies
... From all that dwell below theskies. LM [966]Old Hundredth:... Doxology, Thomas Ken,
1692. From all that dwell below theskies. Let the Creator's praise arise!...
Beyond the Clouds of Heaven
... The Lord of life ascends; Behold Him rise towards theskies,. Who for our race was
given. II.... Hath made our vileness clean; That we may rise towards theskies,....
Homer's Obligations to the Sacred Writers.
... There also, all the stars which round about,. As with a radiant frontlet, bind
theskies.".... The gods they challenge, and affect theskies....
Thesaurus
Skies (36 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Skies (36 Occurrences).
... Under his feet was like a paved
work of sapphire stone, like the
skies for clearness. (WEB).
...Reaches (26 Occurrences)
... Your faithfulness reaches to theskies. (WEB NAS NIV).... Psalms 57:10 For your great
loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to theskies....
Drop (32 Occurrences)
... (Root in KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Job 36:28 Which theskies pour down and which
drop on man abundantly. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Drip (12 Occurrences)
... Job 36:28 Which theskies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.... Proverbs
3:20 By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from theskies....
Canopy (8 Occurrences)
... Canopy (8 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness pavilions around himself:
gathering of waters, and thick clouds of theskies. (See RSV NIV)....
Clouds (99 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness pavilions around himself: gathering of
waters, and thick clouds of theskies.... Theskies resounded with thunder....
Dew (35 Occurrences)
... The brightskies cause the heat of the day to radiate very quickly into space, so
that the nights are as cold as the day is the reverse, a peculiarity of...
Excellency (53 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT). Deuteronomy 33:26 "There is none like God, Jeshurun,
who rides on the heavens for your help, In his excellency on theskies....
Thick (129 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV). 2 Samuel 22:12 He made darkness pavilions around
himself: gathering of waters, and thick clouds of theskies....
Steadfast (194 Occurrences)
... Your faithfulness reaches to theskies. (See RSV).... Psalms 57:10 For your great loving
kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to theskies. (See RSV)....
Resources
What is general revelation and special revelation? | GotQuestions.orgIs God real? How can I know for sure that God is real? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is natural revelation? | GotQuestions.orgSkies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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