The sun, as one of the most prominent celestial bodies, holds significant importance in the biblical narrative. It is recognized as a creation of God, serving both practical and symbolic purposes throughout Scripture.

Creation of the Sun

The sun was created by God on the fourth day of the creation week, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. The account emphasizes the establishment of the sun as a source of light and a marker of time. Genesis 1:14-19 states:

"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 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 rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, to preside over the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day."

This passage underscores the sun's role in governing the day and its function as a timekeeper, marking the passage of days, seasons, and years.

Symbolism and Significance

Throughout the Bible, the sun is often used symbolically to represent God's glory, righteousness, and faithfulness. In Psalm 19:4-6 , the sun is depicted as a testament to God's creative power and majesty:

"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."

The sun's consistent rising and setting serve as a metaphor for God's unwavering presence and reliability. Additionally, the sun is used to illustrate the righteousness of God, as seen in Malachi 4:2 :

"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall."

Warnings Against Sun Worship

While the sun is acknowledged as a magnificent creation, the Bible also warns against the worship of the sun as a deity. In ancient times, sun worship was prevalent among various cultures, but Scripture consistently condemns this practice. Deuteronomy 4:19 cautions:

"When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven."

This warning is reiterated in passages such as 2 Kings 23:5 and Jeremiah 8:2, where the Israelites are admonished for adopting pagan practices, including sun worship.

The Sun in Eschatological Context

In eschatological passages, the sun is often mentioned in the context of end-time events. The sun's darkening is a sign of divine judgment and the coming of the Day of the Lord. Joel 2:31 prophesies:

"The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD."

Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus speaks of cosmic disturbances involving the sun as part of the signs preceding His return (Matthew 24:29).

In summary, the sun is a testament to God's creative power, a symbol of His righteousness, and a reminder of His sovereignty over creation. It serves as a natural clock and a source of life-sustaining light, while also being a subject of caution against idolatry.Genesis 1:14,16
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 74:16
The day is yours, the night also is yours: you have prepared the light and the sun.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... But on the fourth day God created the great luminary, that is, the sun, to have
rule and authority [1718] over the day: for it is by it that day is made: for ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... Hence they are merely instruments, into which God constantly infuses what ... No created
object makes a more wonderful or glorious display than the sun. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

Waiting on God
... The beautiful trees, the green grass, the bright sun, God created that they
might show forth His beauty, His wisdom and His glory. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/iii waiting on god.htm

God's Approbation of his Works
... in the breeze, and glittered in the sun, without any ... than any of the" brute creation
"which God had made ... But, in general, the birds, created to fly in the open ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 56 gods approbation of.htm

Love in the Triune Being of God.
... Before God created heaven and earth with all their inhabitants, the ... and heart; and
it rises as a sun, with its ... fire and rays, outside of man, in God, in whom ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xviii love in the triune.htm

It Follows in the Creed, "And in the Holy Ghost. ...
... God. If he had built a temple for the sun or moon or some star or some angel,
would not God condemn him? ... body. God created our body. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on the creeds/section 13 it follows in.htm

The vision of Creation
... God ceases from His works because 'the works were finished ... the living creatures who
are afterwards created to inhabit it ... there, the shining out of the sun as the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the vision of creation.htm

The Being of God
... Though God be in all places, in the heart of a ... The divine nature does not intermix
with created matter, nor is ... No more than the sun shining on a dunghill is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the being of god.htm

The Creation
... In the beginning God created.' To imagine that the work of the ... up to the heavens,
for they show much of God's glory ... The sun gilds the world with its bright beams ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/13 the creation.htm

Concerning the Waters.
... And first God created the firmament to divide the water above ... Now for what reason
was it that God placed water ... of the intense burning heat of the sun and ether ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter ix concerning the waters.htm

How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the Shulammite had dark skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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