Topical Encyclopedia The diurnal motion of the sun refers to its apparent daily movement across the sky from east to west. This phenomenon is a result of the Earth's rotation on its axis, but in biblical times, it was often described in terms of the sun's own movement. The Bible contains several references to this daily journey, reflecting the ancient understanding of the cosmos.In Genesis 1:16-18 , the sun is described as one of the "two great lights" created by God to govern the day: "God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good." This passage highlights the sun's role in the daily cycle of light and darkness, emphasizing its importance in the created order. The Psalms frequently celebrate the sun's diurnal motion as a testament to God's glory and power. Psalm 19:4-6 poetically describes the sun's journey: "In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course, it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth." Here, the sun's path is likened to a joyful race, underscoring its regular and predictable movement across the sky. Ecclesiastes 1:5 also reflects on the sun's daily motion: "The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises." This verse captures the cyclical nature of the sun's journey, suggesting a sense of continuity and order in the natural world. In the book of Joshua, a miraculous event involving the sun's motion is recorded. Joshua 10:12-13 recounts how Joshua, during a battle, prayed for the sun to stand still: "On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: 'O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.' So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies." This extraordinary event, where the sun's diurnal motion was halted, is seen as a divine intervention, demonstrating God's sovereignty over creation. The diurnal motion of the sun, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful symbol of God's order and faithfulness. The regularity of the sun's path across the sky is a daily reminder of the Creator's design and the reliability of His creation. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 19:4,6Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, Nave's Topical Index Library "But if we Walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have ... The Certainty of Sacred Theology That the Supreme Cause and Author of all Things must of Necessity ... Book 5 Footnotes Book 9 Footnotes Commendation of those who had Laid Aside the Practice of Swearing. ... Homilies on the Statues. Mosaic Cosmogony. On the Words, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all Things visible ... The Bitterness and Blessedness of the Brevity of Life Resources What does the Bible say about sun worship? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org Is it true that the sun stood still? | GotQuestions.org Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sun: Kings of Judah Dedicate Horses To Sun: Miracles Concerning: Darkening of Sun: Shadow of Went Back on the Sun-Dial of Ahaz Tanning: General Scriptures Concerning The Sun of the Glory of Christ The Sun: (Before or in Sight of) of Public Ignominy The Sun: (Darkened) of Severe Calamities The Sun: (Going Down at Noon) of Premature Destruction The Sun: (Its Brightness) of the Future Glory of Saints The Sun: (Its Clearness) of the Purity of the Church The Sun: (Its Power) of the Triumph of Saints The Sun: (No More Going Down) of Perpetual Blessedness The Sun: Called the Greater Light The Sun: Clearness of Its Light Alluded To The Sun: Compared to a Bridegroom Coming Forth from his Chamber The Sun: Compared to a Strong Man Rejoicing to Run a Race The Sun: Diffuses Light and Heat to all the Earth The Sun: God: Appointed to Divide Seasons The Sun: God: Appointed to Rule the Day The Sun: God: Causes to Know Its Time of Setting The Sun: God: Causes, to Rise Both on Evil and Good The Sun: God: Exercises Sovereign Power Over The Sun: God: Placed in the Firmament The Sun: Indicates the Hours of the Day by the Shadow on the Dial The Sun: Made to Praise and Glorify God The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Darkened at the Crucifixion The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Shadow Put Back on the Dial The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Standing Still for a Whole Day in the Valley of Ajalon The Sun: The Jews: Commenced Their Day With the Rising of The Sun: The Jews: Commenced Their Evening With the Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Consecrated Chariots and Horses, As Symbols of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the East by Rising of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the West by Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the Whole Earth By, from Rising of, to Setting of The Sun: The Jews: Forbidden to Worship The Sun: The Jews: Made Images of The Sun: The Power and Brilliancy of Its Rising Alluded To The Sun: The Rays of Change the Colour of the Skin The Sun: The Rays of Frequently Destructive to Human Life The Sun: The Rays of Pleasant to Man The Sun: The Rays of Produce and Ripen Fruits The Sun: The Rays of Soften and Melt some Substances The Sun: The Rays of Wither and Burn up the Herbs of the Field The Sun: Worshippers of, Turned Their Faces Towards the East Related Terms |
    |