Paul,
Thanks for writing. Concerning the interpretation of the Hebrew word
'raqia' I have, at your suggestion, looked at Ezekiel 1:22 - expecting
to find clear confirmation of your claim re the solidity of the
'expanse' or 'firmament'. Here are four English renderings of this
verse:
1) AV:- "And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living
creatures was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth
over their heads above."
2) NASB:- "Now over the heads of the living beings there was something
like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, extended over their
heads."
3) NIV:- "Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what
looked like an expanse, sparkling like ice and awesome."
4) Green's Interlinear Bible - Hebrew/English:- "And a likeness (was)
over the heads of the living creatures, an expanse, like the color of
awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads from above."
Bearing in mind that the prophet is describing a heavenly vision here, I
fail to understand why you are so convinced that 'as the colour of the
terrible crystal', 'like the awesome gleam of crystal', 'sparkling like
ice', and 'like the color of awesome crystal' necessarily demand the
observed effect to emanate from a solid surface.
I am disappointed that you appear to have no view regarding Rev.13:18.
Are you not in the least intrigued by the verse? - and by the context in
which the Lord has framed it?
Sincerely,
Vernon
> Vernon wrote:
>
> << But how can you justify this interpretation of events? It seems you are
> more influenced by extra-biblical sources than by the Word of God. The
> Hebrew word 'raqia' - properly translated 'expanse' (NASB) rather than
> 'firmament' (AV) - doesn't in itself suggest 'solidity', and nowhere in
> the Scriptures do I find confirmation that it does. ETC>>
>
> You need to search the Scriptures before drawing the conclusion that a raqia'
> is not solid. Ezek 1:22 makes it quite clear that a raqia' is solid; and
> virtually all commentors on Ezek recognize this. In addition, standard Hebrew
> lexicons recognize the solidity of the raqia'. And, the Church has
> historically understood that the raqia' is solid. Finally a solid firmament
> was the universal understanding in the time of Moses; and hence a dictionary
> of that day would have defined it as solid; and God does not make up the
> meanings of the words he employs in Scripture: he uses the words that exist.
> There is thus a very coherent picture and strong case that the raqia' is
> solid.
>
> Unless you can show me evidence that a raqia' is not solid, I must conclude
> that you are reading modern science into the Word of God.
>
> <<Paul, as yet you have failed to comment on my reading of Rev.13:18 - a
> verse which, (a) offers wisdom, and (b) dare not be ignored. ETC>>
>
> I do not have the background to speak to this.
>
> Paul
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