Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Walter Mattfeld" <mattfeld AT mail.pjsnet.com>]

In an earlier post on the Hebrew word "raqiya", as possibly alluding to a
metal domed hemisphere of the heavens, comparing it to a Homeric notion (8th
century BCE) of the sky vault being bronze (brass) or iron, I would like to
add one other further observation, a quote from Job 37:14,18:

"...consider the wonderous works of God...Can you, like him, spread out the
skies, hard as a molten mirror ?"

This verse suggests to me that the Hebrews shared the Homeric Greek notion
of a metallic heavenly vault. Mirrors in antiquity were made of brass or
bronze,
poured as molten metal into a mold, then polished to a highly reflective
surface. Job's statement seems to suggest the Homeric notion of a
brass/bronze sky vault may have some validity.

While on the subject of Hebrew cosmology, I would like to call attention to
the archaic Greek notion (8th century BCE) of the Sky Vault being held up by
pillars:

"In need of additional support, the skies were propped by a series of tall
pillars, not visible, whose structured safety was in the care of Atlas."
(p.22, Lloyd Brown, The Story of Maps, New York : DoverPublications, [1949],
1977)

The biblical account:

"The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke." Job 26:11

Ancient Greek myths (8th century BCE) also speak of pillars propping up the
earth, similar to the biblical notion:

"...Hades... there dwells...terrible Styx, eldest daughter of back-flowing
Ocean. She lives apart from the gods in her glorious house vaulted over with
great rocks and propped up to heaven all around with silver pillars...and
there, all in their order, are the sources and ends of the dark earth and
misty Tatrtarus and the unfruitful sea and starry heaven, loathsome and
dank, which even the gods abhor." (pp. 135-137, Hesiod, Loeb #57)

The biblical account:

"For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's and on them he has set the
world." Samuel 2:8



All the best,

Walter

Walter Reinhold Warttig Mattfeld
Walldorf by Heidelberg
Baden-Wurttemburg,
Germany