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Bible Encyclopedias
Sky
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or stands in the A.V. as the rendering only of שִׁחִק . shachak (Deuteronomy 33:26; 2 Samuel 22:12; Psalms 18:11; Psalms 77:17; Isaiah 45:8; Jeremiah 51:9), the thick black clouds (as elsewhere rendered) spread over the whole firmament; and thrice (Matthew 16:2-3; Hebrews 11:12) of οὐρανός, the visible expanse of air (elsewhere "heaven"). In Scripture phraseology the heavens (שָׁמִיַ ם ), as the opposite of the earth (Genesis 1:8; Genesis 1:10), constitute with it the world (Genesis 1:1; Genesis 2:1; Deuteronomy 30:19; Psalms 1:4), for which idea the Heb. had no other proper expression. According to the Mosaic cosmogony, the sky seems to have been regarded as physical, being a space between the upper and lower waters, or rather as a fixed expanse (רָקַיעִ, "firmament") which separates these (Genesis 1:6; Genesis 1:8; Psalms 104:3; Psalms 148:4). Through this oceanic heaven were poured upon the earth rains, dews, snow, and hail (Job 38:2) by means of openings, which were under the divine control, and which are sometimes called windows (אִרְבּוֹת, Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:2; 2 Kings 7:2; 2 Kings 7:19) or doors (דְּלָתִיַ ם, Psalms 78:23). In the sky hung the sun, moon, and stars as lights for the inhabitants of the earth (Genesis 1:14 sq.), and above it sat Jehovah as on a throne (Psalms 10:3; comp. 29:3; Ezekiel 1:26). These, however, were rather poetical than literal representations (comp. Exodus 24:10; Daniel 12:3; Job 37:18; Ezekiel 1:22; Revelation 4:6), for there are not wanting evidences of a truer conception of the cosmical universe (Job 26:7; Job 36:7). (See EARTH).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Sky'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/sky.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
