The term "sphere" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept can be explored through various scriptural references and theological interpretations. In biblical literature, the idea of a sphere can be associated with the shape of the earth, the heavens, and the divine order of creation.

Creation and the Earth:

The Bible presents the earth as a creation of God, with its form and structure being a subject of interpretation. Isaiah 40:22 in the Berean Standard Bible states, "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in." The term "circle" (Hebrew: חוּג, chug) has been interpreted by some to suggest a spherical shape, indicating the earth's roundness as viewed from a divine perspective.

The Heavens:

The heavens are often described in terms that suggest a spherical or dome-like structure. The firmament, as described in Genesis 1:6-8, separates the waters above from the waters below, creating a space for the earth and its atmosphere. The imagery of the heavens being stretched out like a tent or curtain, as seen in Isaiah 40:22, further supports the notion of a spherical or circular expanse.

Divine Order and Completeness:

In biblical symbolism, the sphere can represent completeness, perfection, and divine order. The circle, as a geometric shape, has no beginning or end, symbolizing eternity and the infinite nature of God. This symbolism is reflected in the biblical understanding of God's eternal nature and His sovereign control over creation.

Theological Implications:

From a theological standpoint, the concept of a sphere can be seen as a reflection of God's perfect creation and His omnipresence. The spherical nature of the earth and the heavens serves as a metaphor for the completeness and harmony of God's design. This understanding aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as the Creator who establishes order and balance in the universe.

Historical Interpretations:

Throughout history, Christian theologians and scholars have debated the shape of the earth and the structure of the cosmos. While some early interpretations leaned towards a flat earth model, others, influenced by Greek philosophy and later scientific discoveries, embraced the idea of a spherical earth. These discussions highlight the dynamic relationship between biblical interpretation and scientific understanding.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention the term "sphere," the concept is woven into the fabric of biblical cosmology and theology. The imagery of circles and spheres in Scripture points to the divine order, completeness, and the infinite nature of God's creation.1. (n.) A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.

2. (n.) Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth.

3. (n.) The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it.

4. (n.) In ancient astronomy, one of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which the stars, sun, planets, and moon were supposed to be set, and by which they were carried, in such a manner as to produce their apparent motions.

5. (n.) The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.

6. (n.) Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence.

7. (n.) Rank; order of society; social positions.

8. (n.) An orbit, as of a star; a socket.

9. (v. t.) To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to ensphere.

10. (v. t.) To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect.

2032. epouranios -- of heaven
... epouranios Phonetic Spelling: (ep-oo-ran'-ee-os) Short Definition: heavenly, celestial
Definition: heavenly, celestial, in the heavenly sphere, the sphere of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2032.htm - 7k

2583. kanon -- a rule, standard
... Word Origin from kanna (a straight rod) Definition a rule, standard NASB
Word Usage rule (1), sphere (3). line, rule. From kane ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2583.htm - 7k

1885. eparchia -- a province
... a province. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eparchia Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ar-khee'-ah) Short Definition: sphere of duty, province Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1885.htm - 6k

1696. emmeno -- to abide in, fig. to be true to, to persevere
... 1696 (from 1772 , " a sphere" and 3306 , "remain, abide with") -- properly, ,
abide. Word Origin from en and meno Definition to abide in, fig. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1696.htm - 7k

1798. enupnion -- a dream
... vision. 1798 (from 1722 , " the sphere of" and 5258 , "sleep") -- properly,
in sleep; a while asleep (used only in Ac 2:17). 1798 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1798.htm - 7k

1466. egkrateia -- mastery, self-control
... 1466 (from 1722 , " the sphere of" and 2904 , "dominion, mastery") -- properly, ,
ie "self-control" -- proceeding out from oneself, but . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1466.htm - 7k

3784. opheilo -- to owe
... 3784 ("owe") refers to being (or ) to meet an , ie to pay off a legitimate . [3784 ()
"originally belonged to the sphere; it expressed initially one's legal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

4974. sphudron -- the ankle
... Neuter of a presumed derivative probably of the same as sphaira (a ball, "sphere";
compare the feminine sphura, a hammer); the ankle (as globular) -- ancle bone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4974.htm - 6k

181. akatastasia -- instability
... disturbance, upheaval, revolution Definition: disturbance, upheaval, revolution,
almost anarchy, first in the political, and thence in the moral sphere. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/181.htm - 7k

1919. epigeios -- of the earth
... earthly Definition: (a) on the earth, belonging to the earth (as opposed to the
sky), (b) in a spiritual sense, belonging to the earthly sphere, earthly (as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1919.htm - 7k

Benares as a Mission Sphere.
... CHAPTER VIII. BENARES AS A MISSION SPHERE. Hinduism, like all other religions,
has its points of contact, we may say of agreement ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter viii benares as a.htm

The New Testament Checked the Imaginative Creation of Events in ...
... whether freely or according to existing models; but it called forth or at least
encouraged the intellectual creation of facts in the sphere of Theology, and of ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 7 the new testament.htm

Stand-Point of James as an Inspired Teacher, and his Relation to ...
... He, above all others, stood on the ground of Jewish piety in the Old Testament forms;
and had already completely developed himself within this sphere, when he ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/ 3 stand-point of james.htm

Concerning the Heaven.
... in the cosmogony of the universe we accept the creation of a heaven which the foreign
philosophers, appropriating the views of Moses, call a starless sphere. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vi concerning the heaven.htm

Third Tractate. On Dialectic [The Upward Way].
... For all there are two stages of the path, as they are making upwards or
have already gained the upper sphere. The first degree is ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/third tractate on dialectic the.htm

Sixth Tractate. Quality and Form-Idea.
... No: Movement is a Reality; everything in the Supreme is a Reality. Why,
then, does not Reality reside, equally, in this sphere? ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/sixth tractate quality and form-idea.htm

A Prehistoric Conflict.
... And, second, in using it he has with great subtlety sought to shift the
sphere of action. He knows that in the sphere of spirit ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a prehistoric conflict.htm

O. The Ascension. Ch. 24:50-53
... important truths. 1. Jesus then withdrew from the sphere of the seen and
physical to the sphere of the unseen and spiritual. He did ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/o the ascension ch 24 50-53.htm

Paul at Philippi
... There is no sign whatever that the Apostle was conscious of an epoch in this
transference of the sphere of his operations, but we can scarcely help being ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at philippi.htm

An Old Subscription List
... letting his love come to the surface and find utterance in giving which is still
more blessed than receiving, had but a narrow and subordinate sphere of action ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an old subscription list.htm

Sphere (3 Occurrences)
... astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic,
etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the ...
/s/sphere.htm - 8k

Pole (21 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the
extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north pole. 9. (n ...
/p/pole.htm - 15k

Boasting (42 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:13 We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but
will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a ...
/b/boasting.htm - 18k

Omnipotence (2 Occurrences)
... creature over against God (Isaiah 2:22; Isaiah 31:3). The holiness of God in its
earliest and widest sense (not restricted to the ethical sphere) describes the ...
/o/omnipotence.htm - 24k

Forordination
... Acts 2:23 Romans 8:29, etc.); "determine" (Acts 17:26); "appoint" (1 Peter 2:8).
Foreordination, in the widest sense, is coextensive with the sphere of God's ...
/f/forordination.htm - 8k

Foreordain
... Acts 2:23 Romans 8:29, etc.); "determine" (Acts 17:26); "appoint" (1 Peter 2:8).
Foreordination, in the widest sense, is coextensive with the sphere of God's ...
/f/foreordain.htm - 9k

Exceed (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:13 We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but
will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a ...
/e/exceed.htm - 11k

Expand (3 Occurrences)
... to distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; -- opposed to contract; as, to expand
the chest; heat expands all bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence. ...
/e/expand.htm - 8k

Province (66 Occurrences)
... ecclesiastical authority. 5. (n.) The proper or appropriate business or duty of
a person or body; office; charge; jurisdiction; sphere. 6. (n ...
/p/province.htm - 38k

Due (93 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:13 We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but
will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a ...
/d/due.htm - 35k

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