The Heavens Firmament
The firmament is the sky-heaven dividing waters and holding lights.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
The firmament, called 'Heaven' by God, is the expanse created on the second day to divide the waters above from the waters below (Genesis 1:6, Genesis 1:8). It is the sky in which birds fly (Genesis 1:20) and where God placed the sun, moon, and stars to give light upon the earth and mark seasons (Genesis 1:14, Genesis 1:15, Genesis 1:17). The term 'heaven' also refers to the entire celestial realm created by God in the beginning (Genesis 1:1) and is described as the possession of the most high God (Genesis 14:19, Genesis 14:22).
Lore & Background
In the creation account, the firmament is established as a structural division within the primordial waters, separating them into those above and those below (Genesis 1:6). God names this expanse 'Heaven' (Genesis 1:8), and it becomes the domain for celestial lights—the sun, moon, and stars—which are set in it to govern day and night and serve as signs (Genesis 1:14, Genesis 1:17). Birds are said to fly 'above the earth in the open firmament of heaven' (Genesis 1:20), indicating the firmament is the visible sky. During the flood, the 'windows of heaven' are opened to release rain (Genesis 7:11), and later stopped to restrain the rain (Genesis 8:2), portraying the firmament as a barrier that can release waters from above. The floodwaters cover even the highest hills 'under the whole heaven' (Genesis 7:19), and all flesh under heaven is destroyed (Genesis 6:17). The tower of Babel is built with its top 'may reach unto heaven' (Genesis 11:4), suggesting a human attempt to ascend into this divine realm. God is repeatedly called the 'possessor of heaven and earth' (Genesis 14:19, Genesis 14:22), and the angel of the Lord calls to Hagar and Abraham 'out of heaven' (Genesis 21:17, Genesis 22:11, Genesis 22:15). The stars of heaven are used as a metaphor for Abraham's countless descendants (Genesis 15:5, Genesis 22:17). The apostle Paul references a 'third heaven' (2 Corinthians 12:2), indicating a tiered understanding of heaven beyond the firmament, though the exact nature of these tiers is not detailed in the passages.
Reader's Guide
The passages portray the firmament as a created structure that serves multiple functions. It is first a divider of waters (Genesis 1:6), then named 'Heaven' (Genesis 1:8), and later becomes the location for celestial lights (Genesis 1:14, Genesis 1:17) and the flight path of birds (Genesis 1:20). The firmament is not merely empty space; it is an active part of God's creation that can be opened to release rain (Genesis 7:11, Genesis 8:2) and is associated with divine activity, such as God raining brimstone from heaven (Genesis 19:24) and angels calling from heaven (Genesis 21:17, Genesis 22:11). Heaven is also presented as God's domain, distinct from the earth, which God possesses (Genesis 14:19, Genesis 14:22). Humans attempt to reach it (Genesis 11:4), but it remains God's realm. The 'third heaven' mentioned by Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2) suggests a more complex cosmology, but the Genesis passages only describe the firmament as the first heaven—the sky. The passages do not specify the nature of the waters above the firmament or the exact number of heavens, leaving room for interpretation.
Did You Know?
- The firmament is called 'Heaven' by God on the second day of creation (Genesis 1:8).
- Birds are described as flying 'in the open firmament of heaven' (Genesis 1:20).
- The 'windows of heaven' were opened to bring the flood and later stopped (Genesis 7:11, Genesis 8:2).
- Paul mentions a 'third heaven' (2 Corinthians 12:2), implying multiple heavens beyond the firmament.