The Word Translated as “Firmament” in Genesis 1

Welcome to this episode of Two-Minute Bible Videos, TMBV: The Word Translated as “Firmament” in Genesis 1

In this Two-Minute Bible Video (TMBV), Professor John M. Cimbala discusses some of the confusion caused by the unfortunate translation of the Hebrew word "raqia" as the old English word "firmament" (e.g., in the King James Version). He points out the different meanings of that Hebrew word, one of which involves spreading out. Modern translations of the Bible use the word "expanse" instead of "firmament." Expanse is a much better translation and agrees well with our knowledge of modern astronomy.

You can also watch all related short videos with one click by going to one of Dr. Cimbala's playlists:

[MountainStreamLives]

The average person blinked 40-50 times through the duration of this video. They watched a man who didn’t do likewise even once throughout the entire 2:47. Amazing.

[filmdude]

What's funny to me is I'm not even what's considered to be a model Christian, I don't read my bible often, I don't even go to church often. I smoke pot, I'm a line cook and I often fall to the temptation to go out drinking even though I hate it. But... When I re-read Genesis 1 one day, I saw the creation account again.. Earth is underwater, there is a firmament over it, it has windows that open, the lights are IN the firmament specifically made to mark the sacred times of year, the sun and moon are IN the firmament specifically made to separate day and night. I having grown up on the globe model my whole life, knew immediately in my heart that what I was reading was the truth, I know now that was the Holy Spirit helping me. Of course it made perfect sense that the world had been lied to, of course it had been, satan is the god of this world even Jesus says it Himself, OF COURSE we've all been lied to, and the fact that it was the most perfect lie to turn people away from God made me believe God's WORD even more. That's how this mustard seed Christian read that passage, how can you falter so easily just because THE LIVING WORD OF GOD doesn't measure up to man-made science? Do you forget the LORD your GOD sits enthroned above us? Like Paul says, with these things everyone should come to a conclusion in their own mind, but I'm convinced that if Christians like you weren't able to alter the scriptures to make it more believable by your human standards, you yourself would turn away.
Joshua 24:15
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

[cactus]

The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) IS one of the newer Bible translations. Here's the NRSV translation for Genesis 1:6-7 "And God said, 'Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.' So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so." So there's that!

[the-word]

Newer versions of translations, ...meaning modify God's words to suite your agenda?? Quit spreading lies

[biblicaltheologyexegesisan]

i think modern astronomy is the problem, the bible is never the problem. Ezekiel 1 gives us a very good idea from which to understand Genesis 1:6-8 and it's occurances in 1:14-20 as well as Psalm 19:4b or 19:5b in Hebrew along with Isa 40:22. The latter texts metaphorically refer to the רקיע as a tent. In which the sun moon and stars are situated and in which we all live.

[robs]

Not a flat earther here, but whether the true translation is firmament or expanse, what's the meaning of separating the waters above and below the firmament or expanse? Obviously water below is here on Earth, but what's the water above?

[Blacklist]

The Firmament is the one physical thing that proves God. They don't want us to know it's there.

[colenewaltersmusicandother]

Amazing how I just looked up the firmament again, and the definitions have changed since I learned about what it was several years ago ago.

[azazelsgoat]

Translation is interpretation.
Expanse is a modern interpretation to make Genesis fit with modern science.
How do you explain the waters above the firmament?
To the ancient mind how could waters be suspended if not held back by a firmament (solid dome)?

[donaldfloyd]

If you want to look a bit deeper, the creation stories from Sumer and Babylon give an interesting understanding of where the idea of the firmament comes from.

[maximusvonce]

Firmament is earths ceiling and Heavens floor, or maybe sea of glass

[real_Hamilton]

I agree with what you're saying as it pertains to the expanse being another word for space instead of a glass dome covering the earth. But ultimately the bible is a theological book that's meant to teach you a moral and spiritual lesson. It is NOT an astronomical textbook. People are looking for certain answers in the wrong places

[MASSDECEPTIONTV]

NASA receives over $50 million a day to show you cartoons.

[sick_ibg]

Ever since the first copy of the Bible about 2000yrs ago I wonder how much the original message has changed due to language differences, cultural differences, outside events/people impact, handwritten mistakes, deliberately misguided translations, genuine translation differences etc. Surely the infinite omniscience and omnipotence from God would implement a better way than literature to deliver his message to enlighten his beloved creation.

[randallmitchell]

Problem is, Capt. Apologist...without something "firm" up there, there could not be a vacuum in space. Gaseous layers cannnot hold back a vacuum. Try it in a lab sometime. Also, explain SKY ICE, if you can.

[chidoziechinedum]

Well fortunately I choose to believe literally and what the Bible says

[MTATRoN]

One could reason that the Earth's magnetosphere is the firmament since it protects the earth in many ways.. life as we know it would be impossible without it.

[Digital_Dubz]

Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? Job 37:18

[XxlightxX]

If you turned away from the lies of scientist and their idols and quit laughing at flat earthers you'll find out that gen 1 is correct about reality.

[dontrah]

explain to me if the firmament is not a solid structure how did god use it to SEPARATE WATER FROM WATER explain that