Earth's Foundations
The Bible frequently describes the Earth as having foundations, suggesting a fixed structure rather than a spherical planet suspended in space.
Analysis
These passages describe the Earth as a structure with measurable dimensions, foundations, and bases. The language parallels ancient Near Eastern building construction, suggesting the authors viewed Earth as a constructed edifice rather than a celestial body. The Hebrew word "yesod" (foundation) refers to the base of a building or structure.
Four Corners of the Earth
Multiple biblical passages refer to the Earth having four corners, which is difficult to reconcile with a spherical Earth model.
Analysis
The Hebrew word "kanaph" means corner, extremity, or wing. While some argue this is figurative language, the consistent usage across multiple books and contexts suggests the authors conceived of Earth as having literal corners or edges. A sphere has no corners, making this description problematic for a spherical Earth interpretation.
Circle of the Earth
One passage often cited as evidence that the Bible teaches a spherical Earth actually describes a circle, which is a flat, two-dimensional shape.
Analysis
The Hebrew word "chug" means circle, circuit, or compass. It refers to a flat circular shape, not a sphere. Hebrew has a different word for sphere ("dur" or "kadur"), but it is not used here. The imagery of God sitting "above" the circle and inhabitants appearing like grasshoppers suggests a flat disc that can be viewed from above, consistent with ancient Near Eastern cosmology.
Ends of the Earth
The Bible frequently mentions the "ends of the earth," implying the Earth has boundaries or edges where it terminates.
Analysis
The Hebrew phrase "qetseh ha'aretz" literally means "end/extremity of the earth." A sphere has no ends or edges. The consistent biblical usage suggests the authors believed the Earth had literal boundaries where it terminated, consistent with a flat Earth model with edges.
Pillars of the Earth
Scripture describes the Earth as being supported by pillars, indicating a fixed structure requiring support from below.
Analysis
The Hebrew word "ammud" means pillar or column. These passages suggest the Earth is a structure that requires pillars for support, implying it rests on something rather than floating freely in space. This concept aligns with ancient Near Eastern cosmologies where the Earth was viewed as a platform supported by pillars or mountains.
Immovable Earth
The Bible consistently describes the Earth as fixed and immovable, contrasting with the heliocentric model where Earth orbits the sun.
Analysis
The Hebrew word "mowt" means to totter, shake, slip, or move. These passages emphatically state that the Earth is fixed and will never move. This directly contradicts modern astronomy, which shows Earth rotating on its axis and orbiting the sun at tremendous speeds. The biblical authors clearly viewed Earth as stationary.
High Mountain View
The temptation of Jesus includes a description that only makes sense if the Earth is flat and all kingdoms can be seen from a high vantage point.
Analysis
The text states that from a "very high mountain," all the kingdoms of the world could be seen. On a spherical Earth, this would be physically impossible due to the curvature of the Earth - no matter how high the mountain, you cannot see the entire globe from any single point. This passage makes literal sense only if the Earth is flat, allowing all kingdoms to be visible from a sufficiently high vantage point.
Summary
The biblical passages examined consistently describe Earth using language and imagery that aligns with ancient Near Eastern flat Earth cosmology:
- Structural descriptions: Earth has foundations, pillars, and is built like a structure
- Geometric language: Earth has corners, ends, and is described as a circle (not sphere)
- Fixed position: Earth is immovable and stationary
- Observable limits: All kingdoms can be seen from a high mountain
Historical Context
These descriptions align with the cosmology of the ancient Near East, where the Earth was viewed as a flat disc supported by pillars, surrounded by water, and covered by a solid dome (firmament). The biblical authors wrote from within this cultural and scientific understanding of their time.
Interpretive Considerations
While some modern interpreters argue these passages use figurative language, the consistency and specificity of the descriptions across multiple books suggest the authors held a literal flat Earth worldview. The challenge for biblical interpretation is reconciling these ancient cosmological concepts with modern scientific understanding.