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What the Bible Says About Astronomy

Overview

The Bible addresses astronomy across 50 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Revelation, Psalms and Job. Closely related themes include Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena, God, Sun, the and Moon. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joshua and David.

Key Bible verses about astronomy

Old Testament

Psalms

Psalms 19:1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalms 19:2

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Psalms 19:3

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. where: or, without these their voice is heard: Heb. without their voice heard

Psalms 19:4

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, line: or, rule, or, direction

Psalms 19:5

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

Psalms 19:6

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Psalms 136:5

To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 136:6

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 136:7

To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalms 136:8

The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: to rule: Heb. for the rulings by day

Psalms 136:9

The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

New Testament

Revelation

Revelation 6:12

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

Revelation 6:13

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. untimely figs: or, green figs

Revelation 6:14

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Revelation 8:10

And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

Revelation 8:11

And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Revelation 8:12

And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Revelation 9:1

And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

Revelation 9:2

And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

Revelation 10:1

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

Revelation 10:2

And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

Revelation 12:3

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. wonder: or, sign

Revelation 12:4

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Revelation 16:8

And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

Revelation 16:9

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. scorched: or, burned

Revelation 19:11

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Revelation 19:12

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

Revelation 19:13

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:14

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

People in the Bible and astronomy

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying astronomy for yourself

  • Begin with Joshua 10:12, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Revelation, Psalms and Job each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Joshua and David and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena, God, Sun, the and Moon.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about astronomy?

The Bible addresses astronomy across 50 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Revelation, Psalms and Job. Closely related themes include Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena, God, Sun, the and Moon. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joshua and David.

How many Bible verses are about astronomy?

The Bible references astronomy in 50 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention astronomy?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Joshua 10:12: “Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. stand: Heb. be silent”

Which people in the Bible are associated with astronomy?

Joshua and David.

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